Ennis Presidential Scholar candidate

John Ennis, a Gorham High School senior, has recently been named one of more than 3,900 candidates in the 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Ennis is the son of John and Suzanne Ennis of Gorham.

The candidates were selected from nearly 3.4 million seniors. The scholars were selected based on “superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities,” according to a statement released by the U. S. Department of Education.

The commission on Presidential Scholars, a panel of 32 eminent citizens appointed by President Barach Obama, in April will select a young man and a young including those from each state, District of Columbia. Puerto Rico, and U.S. students living abroad from a pool of 560 semifinalists. The finalists will be announced in May.

Medlock joins 91 South staff

Matt Mattingly of the 91 South at the PineCrest on South Street has recently announced that Chef Ron Medlock has joined its staff. “Ron is bringing refreshing changes to our menu,” Mattingly said in a statement. “Ron’s culinary influence is a varied as it comes and his dishes have a wonderfully comfortable approach that is just what the doctor ordered for a snow-filled winter.”

Gorham firm lands $2.6 M contract

Mega Industries, in the Gorham Industrial Park, was recently awarded a $2.6 million contract to supply critical components for the Facility for Rare Isotope Research, being built at Michigan State University in East Lansing Mich.

The overall program is estimated to cost upward of three quarters of a billion dollars and is funded by the nuclear physics arm of the Department of Energy. Mega Industries’ role will include the manufacturing of precision linear accelerator components for the program.

According to a press release, the Facility for Rare Isotope Research will be the largest nuclear research project in North America when finished in 2018 and will support the global study of rare isotopes. This research will not only lead to a greater understanding of the origins of the stars and planets, but also paves the way to more effective treatments for cancer and disease.

It is expected to serve around 800 of the world’s leading nuclear scientists a year.

Peter Matthews, CEO of Mega Industries, said in the press release that the company comments was chosen “after a merit-based review and competitive bidding process. The award builds upon recent momentum here at Mega and opens the doors for future contracts with FRIB as well as other organizations.”

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on Feb. 12 that the U.S. public debt was $18,136,906,268,079.51.

John Ennis