Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Prepare for Winter Travel
(Undated) You know by now this weekend’s weather is going to be brutal – and there’s a lot of winter yet to come. The Better Business Bureau has tips for traveling in winter. They say if you’re road tripping, get your vehicle ready. Have a full tank of gas, check under the hood for good connections, make sure you have good tires, and keep an emergency kit handy with jumper cables, a flashlight, basic first aid supplies, a blanket, water and a battery powered radio.
(Undated) Winter travel can bring you to warmer destinations, but the Better Business Bureau says be prepared for that winter drive to the airport or wherever you travel. They say make sure you have a full tank of gas, good tires, and an emergency kit with a blanket, first aid, jumper cables, safety flares, bottled water and non-perishable food. They say it’s also a good idea to make a list of potential places to shelter along your route should you need to stop for the day or night.
Drug Overdose Numbers
(Augusta) A December 2022 Overdose Report released by the Maine Attorney General’s Office found that more than 10,000 drug overdoses were reported in Maine in 2022, including 716 suspected or confirmed deaths. Nearly 80% of confirmed drug fatalities were attributed all or in part to fentanyl. In addition to other actions, Governor Janet Mills has pledged in her inaugural address to establish a drug prevention program in every school and community in Maine.
(Augusta) A December 2022 Overdose Report released by the Maine Attorney General’s Office found 80% of drug fatalities last year were attributable all or in part to fentanyl. The report found there were 10,110 overdoses reported in Maine between January and December last year. The Mills’ Administration has taken actions to stem the plague that has affected the country nationwide, including increasing the purchase and distribution of naloxone, adding residential treatment beds, and expanding Maine’s “Good Samaritan” law.
Surry Fire
(Surry) A Surry family is without a home this morning, following a Thursday morning fire on Morgan Bay Road. Fire officials tell Star 97.7 News the blaze, which was called in about 9 a.m., is believed to have started in the chimney. The homeowner and the family’s animals, which were inside at the time of the fire, were able to escape safely.
(Surry) No injuries, but a Surry family lost their Morgan Bay home to fire Thursday morning. Fire officials tell Star 97.7, the blaze was called in about 9 a.m. The fire is believed to have started in the chimney, but the home was already heavily damaged when crews arrived, so they say it will be difficult to determine an exact cause. The homeowner was inside with family pets when the fire broke out, but all were able to escape safely.
Local Politics
Bar Harbor Names Interim Town Manager
(Bar Harbor) The Bar Harbor Town Council this week named an interim town manager. The Mount Desert Islander reports Finance Director Sarah Gilbert has stepped into the role. Previous Manager Kevin Sutherland resigned in a letter to the Council last week. The town cited “personal reasons” for Sutherland’s departure and thanked him for his work over the past year.
(Bar Harbor) Bar Harbor Finance Director Sarah Gilbert is wearing a new hat – the Bar Harbor Town Council this week appointed Gilbert to serve as interim town manager. The previous town manager, Kevin Sutherland, resigned last week after just a year on the job. Although Sutherland reportedly did not give a reason for his departure, town officials say he stepped down for personal reasons.
Collins, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expedite Weatherization Programs
(Washington, DC) Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins worked with three Democratic colleagues to introduce legislation to improve weatherization assistance and encourage state-driven energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. The Investing in State Energy Act would prevent undue delays in distributing grants through the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State Energy Program to state agencies that implement energy initiatives.
(Washington, DC) Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins is working with three Democratic colleagues to help reduce some of the red tape encountered when receiving grants for weatherization assistance. Collins and others introduced the Investing in State Energy Act that would improve weatherization assistance and encourage state-driven energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives.
Education
Versant Power Planetarium February Offerings
(Orono) This month learn more about our efforts to return to the moon – Versant Power Planetarium Director Shawn Laatsch tells Start 97.7 that includes Maine’s connection to the Artemis mission. (((VASP 1 “…going back to the moon.” :17))) Get tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) There’s always something fun AND educational going on for kids at the Versant Power Planetarium on the University of Maine campus. Director Shaw Laatsch shares with Star 97.7 what’s going on in February. (((VASP 2 “…questions about our universe.” :13))) That’s every Sunday at 2 p.m. – tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) If you’ve never been to the music shows at the Versant Power Planetarium, February is the perfect month to find out what folks “love” about the amazing auditiory/visual experience. Director Shaw Laatsch says this month’s featured group will bring out “The Best of You”. (((VASP 3 “…and things of that nature.” :13))) Music shows are Sundays at 4 p.m. Get tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Look for something visible in the sky this weekend that hasn’t been around for, oh, say, 50,000 years. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium on the University of Maine campus tells Star 97.7 about the “green comet”. (((VASP 4 “…dip below our horizon.” :23))) Bundle up well if you go out to see it THIS weekend!
Environment
Browntail Moth Awareness Month
(Augusta) Most people aren’t thinking about the pesky browntail moth this time of year, but the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry says winter is a critical time to help reduce the moth population. They say look for winter webs in trees, remove them with hand snips or a pole pruner, recruit professional help for those out of reach, and destroy the webs promptly. They say even when dealing with webs, be sure to protect eyes and skin. Leftover hairs can cause an itchy rash, much like poison ivy. DACF has designated February Browntail Moth Awareness Month.
(Augusta) Maine DACF has designated February Browntail Moth Awareness Month. Contact with the moth’s hairs can cause an irritating, itchy rash, much like poison ivy. And while they aren’t out and about in the winter, it’s the perfect time to find and destroy their webs, which are easily visible this time of year. If you find a web – there are pictures on the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry website – hand snip it or call a professional if it’s out of reach, and destroy the web in soapy water to help reduce the population of the pesky pest.
Clam Industry Stifled by Climate Change
(Maine) When it comes to climate change, Maine’s clammers aren’t just tucking into their shells. The Bangor Daily News reports though the soft-shell fishery is typically Maine’s second-most valuable after lobster, statewide landings for the clams are near all-time lows. The industry has raked in about ten million pounds a year for the past decade – that’s down from 40 million a year in the 1970’s. Maine DMR’s Nearshore Marine Resources Program is investigating issues affecting the softshell clam populations, including predation by green crabs, whose numbers have increased with warmer temperatures. Green crabs decimated the industry in the 1950’s.
(Maine) Maine’s softshell clam fishery is typically the state’s second most valuable, after lobster. But the Bangor Daily News reports statewide landings for the clams are near all-time lows. A warming climate has meant the prevalence of predatory green crabs, which decimated the industry in the 1950’s. For the past decade, clammers have raked in about 10 million pounds a year – down from 40 million pounds a year in the 1970’s. The Maine DMR reports it is investigating issues affecting the softshell clam populations.
Human Interest
Maine Named Pizza Box Recycling Powerhouse
(Maine) When the Chiefs and Eagles go at it a week from Sunday, hundreds of Mainers will hit the couch or sports bar and chow down on pizza. Football fans will eat nearly 13 million pizzas during the Big Game, so it’s noteworthy that Maine is a big winner in recycling those pizza boxes. The Paper and Packaging Board reports Maine is one of 10 states and the District of Columbia where at least 90% of residents can recycle their pizza boxes. They say it’s easy to recycle the boxes in three simple steps – empty the box (no problem!), flatten it, and drop it at your recycling center.
(Maine) When it comes to the Big Game on February 12th, fans will consume nearly 13 million pizzas. According to a Paper and Packaging Board analysis, Maine is one of ten states and the District Columbia that comes off as a big winner in recycling those pizza boxes. Americans go through three billion pizza boxes a year, but only 57% realize the boxes are recyclable. P and PB says it takes just three steps – empty the box (not a problem!), then flatten it, and make sure it gets to your local recycler. The top states and DC were winners based on stats that show at least 90% of residents can recycle their pizza boxes.
Toboggan Run Shortened Due to Arctic Chill
(Camden) Arctic air this weekend is forcing many events to either be canceled or altered. The 2023 Toboggan National Committee in Camden decided to move all racing to Sunday, February 5th. An abbreviated race format will begin at 8 a.m., with finals starting at 1. Another change, this year, toboggan racers will go down a newly built apparatus, landing on snow rather than the pond.
Sports
The Celtics host the Phoenix Suns tonight. The Bruins home against the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
Local high school basketball last night, the undefeated Ellsworth boys easily defeated Bucksport. On the girls’ side, Deer Isle/Stonington pulls off a one point win over Machias, Central beats George Stevens, the Jonesport Beals girls get the win over Shead, and the JB JV girls remain undefeated with a win over Shead.
Local high school basketball games scheduled for this evening. The George Stevens boys take on Central, the Ellsworth girls run the court against John Bapst. And the Searsport Lady Vikings up against Islesboro.