Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
FEMA Approves Request to Begin Preliminary Damage Assessment
(Augusta) Step One – restore power and get folks back on line. Step Two – begin preliminary damage assessment from last week’s destructive rain and wind storm. Governor Janet Mills this week reports the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved Maine’s request for the assessment, a lead-in to the formal step of requesting a major Disaster Declaration from the federal government. If FEMA and the Maine Emergency Management Agency agree the costs associated with the storm are beyond the state’s capabilities to address the issues, the Governor can formally request federal assistance. You can help in the assessment by reporting your storm damage to 2-1-1.
(Augusta) If your property had damage from the pre-Christmas week windstorm and deluge, you’ve likely already filed an insurance claim. You can help the state do the same by reporting your damage to 2-1-1. Sources say that will help the state estimate the full impact of the storm, enabling Maine to request the maximum amount of federal aid available. Governor Janet Mills said this week FEMA had approved Maine’s request for preliminary damage assessment, and crews will be on the ground estimating the damage. If the Agency agrees the costs associated with the storm are beyond the state’s capabilities to address, the Governor can formally request federal assistance. Public reports to 2-1-1 will aid in the process.
Online Resource for Those Impacted by Last Week’s Flood
(Augusta) Last week’s driving rains and snow melt caused devastating flooding along the Androscoggin, Kennebec and other rivers in Maine. This week, Governor Janet Mills announced the launch of an online resource for those impacted by such flooding. The Maine Flood Resources and Assistance Hub pulls together information, resources, and assistance, including information on filing insurance claims, dealing with debris, and other public safety information. The pre-holiday storm left hundreds of thousands without power and prompted the Governor to declare a state of civil emergency in 14 of Maine’s 16 counties.
(Augusta) Where does one turn when devastating flooding has forced evacuation and left behind homes and yards full of damage and debris? Governor Mills this week announced the launch of an online resource for those impacted by flooding as a result of last week’s pre-holiday storm. The Maine Flood Resources and Assistance Hub pulls together information, resources, and assistance, including resources for filing insurance claims, dealing with debris, and other public safety information. The storm left hundreds of thousands in the dark and prompted the Governor to declare a state of civil emergency in 14 of Maine’s 16 counties.
Sullivan Man Charged with OUI in Route One Crash
(Sullivan) A Sullivan man is charged with operating under the influence after a crash this week on Route One in Hancock. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports officers responded to the crash, which happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. 55 yo Robert Burnett was charged with OUI and assigned a March court date in that incident.
(Sullivan) Driving under the influence and a resulting crash this week in Hancock led to charges against a Sullivan man. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department tells Star 97.7, 55 yo Robert Burnett was operating under the influence when he crashed his vehicle in Hancock around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon. Burnett is charged with OUI and was assigned a March court date.
Local Politics
Trump’s Lawyers Want Bellows to Recuse Herself from Ballot Ruling
(Augusta) Donald Trump’s lawyers say Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows should recuse herself from ruling on whether or not the former President is qualified to appear on the state’s primary ballot. They say social media posts she made indicate personal bias on the issue of whether Trump engaged in insurrection on January 6, 2021. A spokesperson for Secretary Bellows said she is not commenting while challenges to the March 5th ballot issue are pending.
(Augusta) Lawyers for Donald Trump say a social media post from February 2021 shows Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is biased and are asking her to disqualify herself from ruling on whether or not Trump is qualified to appear on the state’s primary ballot in March. Bellows reportedly posted on the former Twitter, now X, “The January 6 insurrection was an unlawful attempt to overthrow the results of a free and fair election … the insurrectionists failed, and democracy prevailed.” A spokesperson for Secretary Bellows said she is not commenting while challenges to the March 5th ballot issue are pending.
Maine Service Employees Association Members Approve New Contract
(Augusta) State executive branch workers will receive an across-the-board pay increase of 6% on January 1, and a 3% increase in July. That’s one of the terms agreed to this week as the Maine Service Employees Association approved a new two-year contract with the state. Maine Morningstar reports a news release from the Union, which is affiliated with SEIU, writes the new contract covers more than 9,000 executive branch workers in operations, maintenance and support, administrative and other areas.
(Augusta) New year, new contract, and new salaries for more than 9,000 state executive branch workers. Maine Morningstar reports Maine Service Employees Association workers have approved a new two-year contract with the state. As part of the agreement, state executive branch workers will receive an across-the-board 6% pay increase on January 1, and a 3% increase in July. The contracts also contain steps forward for workers with meal allowances, reimbursement for educational courses, and repayment of student debt.
Economy
DCP Reaches THAW Fund Goal
(Ellsworth) Thanks to your generosity, Downeast Community Partners will be able to once again provide heating assistance for those in need through THAW – the heating and warmth fund. With the fund recently depleted, DCP set a goal of raising $10K in ten days. Development Director Sharon Catus tells Star 97.7, 30 donors stepped up, sending amounts from $25 to $1,000 to reach about half way. A charitable foundation then stepped up to push them across the finish line. With Congressional funding for the HEAP program cut by more than 50% this year, the need is ongoing. So mark your calendars for the February 24th THAW Fundraiser at The Grand. Three amazing bands, an amazing array of auction items, and all proceeds going to help our fellow Mainers stay warm this winter.
(Ellsworth) With Downeast Community Partners’ THAW – the heating and warmth fund – recently depleted, DCP issued a challenge of raising $10,000 in ten days. About 30 generous donors stepped up, sending amounts from $25 to $1,000. Still, reaching that ambitious goal looked perilous, until a charitable foundation stepped up to push the challenge across the finish line. Development Director Sharon Catus tells Star 97.7, with Congressional funding for the HEAP program cut by more than 50% this year, the need is ongoing. So mark your calendars for the February 24th THAW Fundraiser at The Grand. Three amazing bands, an amazing array of auction items, and all proceeds going to help our fellow Mainers stay warm this winter.
Infrastructure
Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport Flying High After Qualifying for Federal Funding
(Bar Harbor) The Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport had a pretty special destination this year – and it appears they’ve landed smoothly. The goal was to transport 10,000 passengers, which would qualify them for a million dollars in federal funding. With just days to go until the end of the year, Star 97.7 reached out to Airport Manager Leroy Muise, who tells us it looks like all systems are go. Muise said Cape Air alone has flown some 9800 passengers in 2023. Combined with the airport’s other carriers, as well as charters, it’s highly likely they’ll qualify for that funding. The monies will be included in the 2025 budget and will be used for capital improvements at the airport.
(Bar Harbor) Officials at the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport are flying high after landing the goal of transporting 10,000 passengers this year. Reaching that milestone would qualify the airport for a million dollars in federal funding for capital improvements. With just days to go before the end of the year, Star 97.7 reached out to Airport Manager Leroy Muise, who tells us Cape Air alone has flown some 9800 passengers so far in 2023. Combined with the airport’s charters and other carriers, it looks like they have a sky-high chance at that funding. Muise said the monies will be included in the 2025 budget and will be used for capital improvements at the airport.
Human Interest
Rockland Players Hit 1,000 Point Milestone
(Rockland) It’s rare for high school basketball players to hit the thousand-point mark. Oceanside High School in Rockport is celebrating two such players. WABI-TV reports Senior Carter Galley hit the milestone in Thursday’s win over Yarmouth. Junior Bailey Breen joined the 1,000 point club on Saturday in the Mariners’ win over Spruce Mountain. No surprise, Breen and Galley both plan to play college basketball.
(Rockland) Oceanside High School last week had two players shoot their way into the record books. WABI-TV reports the two Rockland standouts each hit the 1,000 point scoring mark. Senior Carter Galley hit the milestone Thursday in the team’s win over Yarmouth. On Saturday, it was Junior Bailey Breen’s turn to put up his thousandth point in the Mariners’ win over Spruce Mountain. Both players have plans to continue their basketball careers in college.
Woodlawn Closing Out Light Show
(Ellsworth) Oh, no! You haven’t made it to the incredible light show at Woodlawn? Executive Director Kathy Young asked Star 97.7 to help get the word out that the trail will be CLOSED tonight and tomorrow night, due to the soggy forecast. BUT … it will be open for one last session between 5 and 7 p.m. on Saturday … and rumor has it there just might be some big, fluffy white stuff to enhance the beautiful lights. Suggested donation, just $10 per family.
(Ellsworth) Oh, the weather outside is frightful … and, bah, humbug, that has forced cancellation of the holiday light stroll at Woodlawn tonight and tomorrow night. That means if you plan to go – and you really must – you have just one more chance. The trail WILL be open Saturday from 5 to 7 pm; and rumor has it, there might just be some white, fluffy stuff to make it even more magical. Suggested donation, just $10 per family.
MDI Native Sets Log Rolling Records
(MDI) A woman from MDI is rolling toward the record books. WABI-TV reports Alissa Wetherbee, better known as Iron Jill from Axe Women Loggers of Maine, made history this fall for log rolling across the longest river in the U.S.- the Missouri. She previously hit the record books for becoming the first person to roll across the Mississippi River, and says the Missouri was much more challenging, with the three mile crossing taking twice as long, as she was forced to brave whirlpools, currents, and a sandbar. Wetherbee has been practicing her craft for 25 years – we’d say she rolled into the record books naturally.
(MDI) When Tina Turner sang “Rolling on the River”, she may very well have been predicting the prowess of MDI native, Alissa Wetherbee. Wetherbee, better known as Iron Jill from Axe Women Loggers of Maine, made history this fall for log rolling across the country’s longest river, the Missouri. Mind you, that’s three miles, complete with whirlpools, crazy currents, and changing depths – from 40 feet to six inches. WABI-TV reports Wetherbee previously made the record books for becoming the first person to roll across the Mississippi.
Sports
Bruins back in the win column with last night’s 4-1 victory over the Sabres. Bruins off until Saturday when they host the NJ Devils.
The Celtics home tonight against the Detroit Pistons.
HS Basketball results from yesterday: These schools reporting in on the girls’ side: Woodland beating GSA, Calais squeaks past Sumner 41-39, and another close one with Foxcroft beating John Bapst 46-44.
Today’s HS Basketball: The George Stevens boys take on Woodland at 1:30; at 2:30, it’s Machias vs. Shead, and beginning at 3 this afternoon, the WA girls face off with Caribou, that game followed by the boys of those two teams facing off. Other boys’ games, Sumner vs. Calais and John Bapst hit the hardwood against Foxcroft. And the Ellsworth Lady Eagles face off against the MDI Trojans his evening at 7.