Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Brutal Cold Predicted for This Weekend
(Maine) Brutal cold temperatures are forecast for the weekend. The Maine Emergency Management Agency offers these tips – be sure to bring your pets inside. Check on family, friends and neighbors. Avoid skin exposure, even if out for just a few minutes. To prevent water pipes from freezing, open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors, leave your thermostat set to the same temperature – don’t set it back at night, and if you plan to be away during the cold weather, leave the heat on and set a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.
(Maine) With brutal cold temperatures in the forecast, the Maine Emergency Management Agency offers the following tips. Avoid prolonged outdoor activities. Make sure you have an emergency car kit with blankets, food, a cell phone charger and flashlight in case you get stranded. Bring pets indoors. Check on your neighbors, and provide shelter for livestock and be sure their water supply is not frozen. They also say in the event your pipes freeze, never use an open flame to thaw them, as this can start a fire. Instead, turn on the faucet, because running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt any ice.
State Harness Racing Commission Says Sport Has an Ugly Side
(Maine) Harness racing – it’s one of Maine’s iconic pastimes. But the Maine Monitor reports there’s an ugly side to the sport. The Maine State Harness Racing Commission has reportedly sanctioned licensed owners, drivers and trainers more than 600 times since 2016. The largest number of fines were reportedly levied against those who raced at two commercial tracks, Bangor Raceway and the former Scarborough Downs. The Commission said it documented scores of instances of illegal horse drugging and physical abuse.
(Maine) Hold your horses – or at least your support of illegal practices reportedly documented by the Maine State Harness Racing Commission. The Maine Monitor reports the Commission, which regulates the longstanding betting sport, has sanctioned licensed owners, drivers and trainers more than 600 times since 2016 for violating rules aimed at keeping horses fit and able to compete. The Commission reportedly documented scores of instances of illegal horse drugging and physical abuse, such as kicks, whips, and horses struck hard enough to leave welts.
Warming Centers Open this Weekend
(Downeast Maine) With dangerously cold temperatures forecast for the weekend, several locations are offering warming centers. A warming center at the Rec Center in Sullivan will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4. Healthy Acadia’s Inspire Warming Center is open in Ellsworth and allows you to bring your pets. And Families First Community Center in Ellsworth invites you to call or email with any immediate needs for warmth. We’ve posted their information on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Local Politics
Senators King and Collins Introduce Legislation to Lower Heating Costs
(Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins are introducing a bipartisan bill to help more Maine families afford residential home biomass heating technologies they say can save consumers thousands of dollars annually. The BTU Tax Credit Expansion Act incentivizes the purchase of innovative heating sources by increasing the maximum rebate for these alternative stoves and boilers from $2,000 to $8,000. Once purchased, the stoves only cost a few hundred dollars a year to fuel and maintain – significantly lower than other heating options.
Levy Speaks Out on Resignation as Lead Public Defender
(Augusta) Maine’s first lead public defender is speaking out about his resignation, just weeks after being appointed to the job. Seth Levy, a longtime indigent defense attorney, told the Portland Press Herald he wasn’t given the authority he was promised. Levy said he thought he would be building something, but instead was hired to supervise and hand down directives.
(Augusta) Seth Levy is speaking out about his resignation, just one month after being hired as Maine’s first lead public defender. Levy, a longtime indigent defense attorney, told the Portland Press Herald he thought he would be building something. Instead, he said, everything was managed and controlled. Levy said he wasn’t allowed to meet with people without permission, was given directives, and quickly realized his vision for the job was not what he was reportedly led to believe in hiring interviews.
Economy
Down East Wood Bank Donation Drive
(Blue Hill) Area wood banks rely solely on volunteers and are lifelines for those in need in bitter winter cold. Beginning today, the Down East Wood Bank in Blue Hill is running a month-long donation drive. A donor has committed to matching the first one thousand dollars raised. There’s also a fundraiser planned for February 18th at Strong Brewing and Kitchen in Sedgwick. You’ll find more information and details on how you can donate on the Down East Wood Bank FB page. The Down East Wood Bank serves six towns on the Blue Hill Peninsula.
(Blue Hill) The Down East Wood Bank serves residents of six towns on the Blue Hill Peninsula. With this weekend’s bitter forecast, they say if anyone in those towns needs wood, to please let them know now and not to wait until Friday or Saturday when it’s too dangerous to be out. Beginning today, a month long donation drive will help them help even more people on the Peninsula. A donor has committed to matching the first one thousand dollars raised. Find details on how to donate on the Down East Wood Bank FB page.
Honeybee Cafe Gets Room to Expand
(Sullivan) The Honeybee Cafe in Sullivan now has room to expand and offer even more delightful drinks, sugary sweets, and brunch and lunch options. Owner Lexie Howland had leased a portion of the former Chester Pike’s building on Route 1 from the Swan Real Estate Agency, which has moved across the street and sold the building to Howland.
(Sullivan) From cold brews to hot paninis, The Honeybee Cafe is expanding! Owner Lexie Howland recently purchased the building which formerly housed Chester Pike’s on Route 1 in Sullivan from the Swan Agency, which moved across the street. The expansion will allow more room for the bakery, and Howland will also offer a 400 square foot space for small events. For more information, visit the Honeybee Cafe on FB … or better yet, in person for some of their fabulous treats and eats!
Environment
Birdsacre in Running for Nonprofit Community Campaign
(Ellsworth) Just off Route 3 in Ellsworth before you reach the Myrick Street intersection is a hidden gem – a treasure largely because it’s hidden from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Birdsacre Sanctuary Director Grayson Richmond tells Star 97.7, beginning today, your simple online vote can support them financially. (((Birdsacre 1 “…mission to help people who live here.” :19))) Simply go online to bangor dot com, forward slash c m m and vote for Birdsacre, or use the hashtag c m m 2023 when posting on social media.
(Ellsworth) One of Ellsworth’s most valuable treasures is Birdsacre Sanctuary, just off Route 3 as you head toward Trenton. Director Grayson Richmond tells Star 97.7 damage from a recent storm left them in need of replacing Ziggy’s summer home. (((Birdsacre 2 “…one of these unoccupied enclosures.: 19))) We’ve posted photos of the damage on our Star 97.7 FB page and information on how you can help secure funding to replace the structure for Birdsacre’s resident turkey vulture.
(Ellsworth) Winter storm damage recently hit the home of a beloved citizen of Birdsacre in Ellsworth. Birdsacre Director Grayson Richmond tells Star 97.7, why it could be a good thing. (((Birdsacre 3 “…than the average turkey vulture.” :21))) We’ve posted pictures of the incident on our Star 97.7 FB page, along with information on how you can vote to help Birdsacre win up to $5,000 through Bangor Savings Bank’s Community Matters More Campaign.
(Ellsworth) One of Ellsworth’s most peaceful sanctuaries is on the list of nonprofits that could win up to $5,000 this month as part of Bangor Savings Bank’s Community Matters More Campaign. Birdsacre Director Grayson Richmond tells Star 97.7, they can always use volunteers who are handy with a set of tools, as well. (((Birdsacre 4 “…think about giving back to your community.” :21))) We’ve posted photos and a link to ways you can help on our Star 97.7 FB page.
MDIFW Seeks Nominations for Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award
(Augusta) Know someone who has been an outstanding steward of the environment and Maine’s natural resources? The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife invites you to nominate them for the 2023 Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominees must have hunted, trapped and fished in Maine for a combined total of 40 years and been active in mentoring, teaching or instructing outdoor activities. Nomination forms are available at m e fish wildlife dot com.
Human Interest
MaineCF Awards Grants to Arts Organizations
(Ellsworth) The Maine Community Foundation has awarded more than $472K to 59 arts organizations across the state. Among local recipients are Opera House Arts in Stonington to upgrade theater lights to energy-efficient LED lights, and the Penobscot Theatre Company for its production of “Queen”.
Sports
The Celtics host the Brooklyn Nets. The Bruins in Toronto to skate against the Maple Leafs.
Local High School basketball action today, on the girls’ side, MDI vs. Bucksport, and Ellsworth takes on Hermon. The Narraguagus boys take on GSA, Jonesport-Beals vs. Shead, and Calais up against Machias. And these matchups feature both the boys’ and girls’ teams – Sumner vs. Searsport and WA takes on Foxcroft Academy.
Local high school teams reporting in from last night, on the girls’ side, Central over Searsport, but the Searsport boys beating Central. The Ellsworth boys defeated Hermon, and the Bangor Christian boys with an easy win over Deer Isle/Stonington.