Deer Isle Fire
(Deer Isle) – A fire at a workshop in Deer Isle has scrambled fire departments from at least three communities. Dispatchers said the blaze on the North Deer Isle Road was in a shop building and not attached to the home. The call came in around 6:20 this morning.
Bangor Shed Fire
(Bangor) – Arson investigators are looking into a fire in Bangor that destroyed a storage shed at an ice cream stand. Firefighters responded to the shed at Fielder’s Choice Ice Cream on Odlin Road yesterday afternoon, finding the shed that had lawn maintenance equipment inside fully ablaze when they arrived. Witnesses said they saw someone running from the building shortly before the fire broke out. The ice cream stand was closed and no injuries are reported.
Hikers Rescued
(Augusta) – A family of five and a 38-year old Phippsburg man are safe today thanks to separate Game Warden rescues during the weekend. Warden Service spokesman Mark Latti reports to Star 97.7 that Wardens and emergency workers rescued the hiker from Township E on Saturday night after he fell into water an suffered from hypothermia. Christopher Lebel was able to send a text message to a friend, bringing rescuers to his location. They were able to warm him and he walked out of the woods early Sunday morning. In Weld, a family of five from New Jersey hiked up Tumbledown Mountain, but got cold in freezing temperatures, and couldn’t hike down Saturday. Warden Service rescuers started a fire and warmed up the family who then were able to get off the mountain.
Standoff Arrest
(Brewer) – A Brewer man is back in jail after a 6-hour standoff during the weekend. Police closed off Washington Street after they got reports that a woman was held hostage on Saturday morning. She eventually left the house and denied that she was a hostage. Officers from several departments armed with specialized weapons surrounded the apartment and eventually arrested 40-year old Nicholas McDonald on an outstanding federal warrant for violating probation.
Environment vs. Industry
(Maine) Only about 360 endangered Atlantic Right Whales remain in existence, and recently, the whales were sighted making their way up the east coast from Cape Cod. Chief Scientist at the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries Carla Guenther (GUN-ther) tells Star 97.7, it’s unclear how much danger fishing lines pose to the species. A court ruled in January that NOAA fisheries must have a rule in place by the end of May, with three proposals currently being considered. More information can be found through the Maine Lobsterman’s Association or on the NOAA website.
Drug Arrest
(Milo) A two month investigation into the sale of fentanyl and crack cocaine from a home in Milo has led to multiple arrests. Public Safety Spokeswoman Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7 authorities searched the home at 3 Albert Street in Milo Thursday afternoon, and seized close to 12 thousand dollars in suspected drug trafficking proceeds and other evidence of illicit drug sales. Agents arrested three people on felony drug trafficking charges, including two with previous drug convictions.
Legislation for Behavioral Health Care Advances
(Augusta) The Maine Legislature’s Judiciary Committee Thursday in a 7-5 vote agreed to advance a measure by Democratic Representative Lori Gramlich that would help more Maine children receive the behavioral health care they need. Gramlich’s proposal specifically aims to ensure children are able to receive care when their parents or guardians who share parental rights disagree. The bill would specify licensed behavioral health providers may provide care to a minor with the consent of just one parent or guardian, but would not prohibit the provider from informing the other parent or guardian. The measure faces further votes by the full Legislature.
Skowhegan Man Jailed
(Bangor) A man who was shot a week ago in Norridgewock by a Somerset County Deputy Sheriff is out of the hospital and in jail. The Kennebec Journal reports 24-year-old Trevor Caouette of Skowhegan is charged with two counts of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon. The shooting occurred near the Cumberland Farms Store on Mechanic Street. Police say the armed confrontation took place while deputies were investigating a crash about a half mile away on Route 2. The officer involved in the shooting is identified as Michael Lyman. Per protocol, Lyman is on paid leave while the incident is being investigated.
Vaccine Clinic Opens
(Ellsworth) Northern Light’s mass vaccination clinic in Ellsworth opened last week with 234 vaccinations administered. Communications director Kelley Anne Columber tells Star 97.7 appointments open up Monday afternoon at 2. The clinic can always use volunteers, and anyone wishing to schedule an appointment OR volunteer can find information at northern light health dot org. Governor Janet Mills Thursday announced that beginning Wednesday, April 7th, anyone age 16 and over will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Crocker House Changes Hands
(Hancock) After more than 40 years in business, the owner and innkeeper of the Crocker House on Hancock Point has sold the business and plans to retire. Rich Malaby and his wife, Liz, announced the sale on Facebook. The Bob Noddin family, which has strong ties to Hancock and the Point has purchased the Crocker House. Malaby thanked staff and patrons and said leaving is bittersweet, but that he and his wife look forward to the changes and improvements planned for the business that will still honor the Inn’s rich history and long-standing hospitality on the Point.
Schools to Return to Full-time In-Person Learning
(Narraguagus) It will be back to full-time in-person learning soon for students in Harrington and Cherryfield. The Board of Directors of MSAD 37 voted Wednesday to open the elementary schools to in-person instruction five days a week, beginning April 26th, the Monday after April vacation. Narraguagus will open to in-person instruction four days a week for interested students beginning Monday, April 5th. Wednesdays will continue to be remote learning days for Narraguagus.
Bangor Street Work
(Bangor) Night work will begin on State Street in Bangor Monday. Eastwood Contractors will be installing a new water main near the intersection of State and Hancock Streets. The work will take place Sunday through Friday between 6 PM and 6 AM. During the project, which is expected to run through the month of April, eastbound traffic will flow as normal, with a flagger in place to temporarily stop or shift traffic as needed. Westbound traffic will be detoured and Otis Street closed – open to local traffic only. The Northern Light Emergency Room entrance and employee parking lot will remain open during the detour, with flaggers stationed to assist those users.
Cumberland, Topsham Plan to Hold Fairs
(Cumberland) Organizers of the Cumberland and Topsham fairs say they will hold those events this year. WMTW reports like most fairs, the two were cancelled in 2020; and some fairs, such as the Lobster Festival in Rockland, have already cancelled again for 2021. The Topsham Fair is held in mid-August, while the Cumberland Fair is held in late September into early October. Both entities say they are keeping a close eye on guidelines from the state but are moving ahead with plans.
Bangor Mall Cinema Reopens
(Bangor) The Bangor Mall Cinemas reopened today (Friday, April 2), with movies planned all weekend. WABI-TV reports everyone will be expected to wear masks and stay a safe distance from others. Only 50 people will be allowed in a theatre at a time, and seating will be picked ahead of time. Movies are being scheduled further apart to allow time for cleaning between showings. The theatre has been closed for three months due to the pandemic.
Dorr Honored
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth fire Department Captain Bobby Dorr has been named winner of the 2021 Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award. Dorr serves as lead instructor for the Hancock County Fire Academy, and although diagnosed with cancer in January 2020, continues to serve as interim assistant chief. He’s been named Ellsworth Fire Department’s “Firefighter of the Year three times. This most recent award is given in honor of 32-year-old Captain Joel Barnes who succumbed to injuries received on March 1st, 2019, while fighting a fire in Berwick.
Mills Addresses “Forever Chemicals”
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has asked the Maine Congressional Delegation to help secure federal funding to address contamination from what are called “forever chemicals.” The Portland Press Herald reports Mills wrote to the state’s four members of Congress asking for funding to help detect and address contamination, including testing water, milk and meat samples, as well as treated sewage. Some of the chemicals have been linked to such health issues as cancer, kidney problems, immune suppression, high cholesterol and low birth weight.
Online Voter Registration Proposed
(Augusta) A proposal to allow eligible Mainers to register to vote using a secure online portal will come before Maine legislators Monday. Democratic Representative Teresa Pierce of Falmouth said the pandemic has highlighted opportunities to strengthen elections so all eligible voters can fully participate. LD 1126 would implement online voter registration between now and 2023, giving state and local election officials time to adapt and ensure the system is secure.
Sports
- Baltimore Orioles 11 Boston Red Sox 3 (Sox off to 0-3 start at Fenway Park for first time since 1948). The Tampa Bay Rays visit Fenway tonight.
- Boston Celtics 116 Charlotte Hornets 86
- The Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers tonight
- NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship: Stanford 54 Arizona 53
- Tonight: NCAA Men’s Championship: Gonzaga vs. Baylor