Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Bar Harbor Death
(Bar Harbor) Authorities are investigating a death in the vicinity of Des Isle Avenue and the Town Pier in Bar Harbor. Neighbors report Bar Harbor and Maine State Police responded to the area Sunday afternoon and the area remains cordoned off. Bar Harbor Police Chief David Kerns said officers do not believe there is any danger to the public, but declined to give further details at this time. Star 97.7 will update the story as more information becomes available.
(Bar Harbor) Multiple police units responded to Des Isle Avenue in Bar Harbor near the Town Pier Sunday afternoon to investigate the death of a person. Bar Harbor Police Chief David Kerns said they do not believe there is any danger to the public, but declined to give further details, saying, “We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we continue this death investigation with the assistance of the Maine State Police.” Star 977 will update the story as more information becomes available.
Local Politics
Maine Legislature to Reconvene This Week
(Augusta) From conservation to climate change, affordable housing to healthcare issues, and the continued struggle to control gun violence in a state that holds tightly to its hunting traditions but is still reeling from the October Lewiston massacre. Those are some of the issues that will come before the Maine Legislature when it reconvenes on Wednesday. More than 500 bills are currently on the agenda. The current legislative body consists of 80 Democrats, 68 Republicans, and 2 independents, with the fate of many policy issues riding on the 2024 election.
(Augusta) More than 500 bills are waiting for review by the Maine Legislature when it reconvenes on January 3rd. Top among them, everything from conservation to climate change, affordable housing to healthcare issues, and the continued struggle to control gun violence in a state that holds tightly to its hunting traditions but that is still reeling from the October Lewiston massacre. Currently, the legislative body consists of a Democratic majority, but the fate of many policy issues could depend on the 2024 election.
Jonesport Puts Forth Comprehensive Plan
(Jonesport) The plan has been taking shape since 2019, and includes new maps, roads, housing and statistics for the town of Jonesport. A committee of seven has been working to craft the comprehensive plan, a requirement when a town is seeking federal funds. The Machias Valley News Observer reports the plan will go before voters in March; and, if approved, will be valid for ten years. The town is also considering a moratorium on the development and operation of windmills, with the exception of those on personal property. Jonesport spent about $35,000 of town-appropriated funds to create the plan, which was presented to residents at a hearing last month.
(Jonesport) With a wind farm under construction in nearby Columbia, the town of Jonesport is considering a moratorium on windmills. Jonesport held a special town meeting for residents to consider such a move. The town also recently completed a 10-year comprehensive plan that includes new maps, roads, housing and statistics. A committee of seven has been working on that plan since 2019, and the town spent about $35,000 of town-appropriated funds to create the plan, which the Machias Valley News Observer reports will go before voters in March. Having a comprehensive plan is a requirement when a town is seeking federal funds.
Town of Blue Hill Nomination Papers Available
(Blue Hill) Ever thought about making a difference by running for office? The Town of Blue Hill has two open three-year-term seats on the Select Board, an opening for one one-year term on the Select Board, two open seats for School Board, and three open seats for the Planning Board. Pick up nomination papers for the April Town Election at the town office, then make sure you get them back before the close of business on February 5th. Candidates must have no less than 25 and no more than 100 signatures from registered Blue Hill voters in order to qualify for the April ballot.
(Blue Hill) Filling a seat in a small local office can make a big difference. Nomination papers are available in the town office in Blue Hill for several open positions and must be picked up and returned by the close of business on February 5th. Currently, there are two open seats to serve three year terms on the Select Board, an opening for one one-year term on the Select Board, two open seats for School Board, and three open seats for the Planning Board. Interested candidates must have no less than 25 and no more than 100 signatures from registered Blue Hill voters to qualify to appear on the April ballot.
Economy
Nordic Aquafarms Expresses Commitment to Belfast Fish Farm Project
(Belfast) Nordic Aquafarms says it’s committed to developing its proposed $500M fish farm in Belfast. That, in spite of relentless pushback the past five years. The Portland Press Herald reports the company has poured millions into fighting legal challenges from those opposed to the aquaculture development. But a company spokesperson says the project has a viable future and that the outcome could have an impact on the future of the industry in Maine as a whole.
(Belfast) Millions of dollars and five years fighting legal challenges have failed to discourage Nordic Aquafarms’ plans to develop a 55 acre salmon farm in Belfast. A Nordic spokesperson told The Portland Press Herald the company envisioned breaking ground in 2019, with the facility up and running in 2020, bringing jobs and a boost to the local economy. But opponents have forcibly fought back, citing environmental, pollution, and infrastructure concerns. Still, Nordic plans to push forward, saying the outcome could have an impact on the future of the industry in Maine as a whole.
Fishermen Feeding Mainers Reaches Million Meal Milestone
(Brunswick) A one million meal milestone. The nonprofit Fishermen Feeding Mainers wasn’t attempting to hook that mark when they started the program in late 2020. The goal was simply to support hungry families and ground fleet fishermen whose earnings were impacted when restaurants shut down during the pandemic. The Brunswick-based FFM brings local catch to food pantries through the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn, serving local pantries, such as Loaves and Fishes in Ellsworth. The Mount Desert Islander reports the group’s initial goal was to donate 100,000 meals while supporting local fishermen. They credit the generosity of the community for enabling their continued outreach.
(Brunswick) Fishermen Feeding Mainers began during the pandemic in an effort to support hungry families and ground fleet fishermen impacted when restaurants closed. Originally, the Brunswick-based nonprofit donated more than 73,000 pounds of finfish it bought from local fishermen through an anonymous donation and federal COVID funds. To date, the program has served a million meals, including supplying school districts the past three years. The group works with the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and others to distribute seafood to local food pantries through Good Shepherd. Ken Hoogerhyde, pantry manager for Loaves and Fishes in Ellsworth, told the Mount Desert Islander, “If MCFA donated it, I bought it … it’s a great thing for us – we do give out a lot of seafood.”
Education
Versant Power Planetarium January Offerings
(Orono) Brrrr … cold got you thinking of palm trees and snorkeling? Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center tells Star 97.7, they have just the ticket. (((PlanJan 1 “…a little bit of warmth.” :03))) They’re bringing back the popular Expedition Reefs, every Friday night at 7. The program transports the audience to coral reefs to learn about their effect on the environment …(((PlanJan 2 “…during the cold months of January.” :07))) That starts this Friday night at the Planetarium on the University of Maine campus in Orono. Tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Worried about the kids going stir crazy during the cold month of January? Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7, you can open the universe to them all this month at the Planetarium. (((PlanJan 3 “…learning a little bit about our Universe.” :13))). That’s every Sunday afternoon at 2 at the Planetarium on the University of Maine campus in Orono. Tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Come in from the cold at the Versant Power Planetarium this month. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, Sunday afternoons at 4, you can relax to their music show. (((PlanJan 4 …set to that band.” :09))). They also have some special programming for homeschool students coming up a week from today. (((PlanJan 5 “…each of the planets in our solar system.” :13))) Tickets and information on all the planetarium’s offerings this month can be found at astro dot umaine dot e d u.
(Orono) We may not be feeling the warmth, but Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7, today’s the day we’re actually closest to the sun. (((PlanJan 6 “…at 7:38 p.m. in the evening.” :14))). And if you don’t feel the effects of that, Laatsch says you can look to the skies tomorrow and Thursday nights and perhaps catch some shooting stars. (((PlanJan 7 “…and you might catch a few meteors there.” :11)))
Environment
Maine Winters Getting Warmer and Wetter
(Portland) Snow? That’s a no – at least compared to how snowy Maine winters used to be. Last month’s average snowfall was 14.6 inches, with Portland receiving less than 52 inches in all of 2023 compared to a historical average of just under 69 inches – that’s down more than a foot and a half. The Portland Press Herald says meteorologists blame two forces – El Nino and climate change. Portland mirrors much of the rest of the state in that the coldest days aren’t so cold, cold snaps are shrinking, and nights below freezing have decreased, along with those snowfall totals.
(Portland) The coldest days aren’t as cold, cold snaps are shrinking, and the number of nights below freezing have decreased. If you’re a skier, a snowmobiler or supplement your income with snow plowing, you’ve no doubt noticed the amount of snowfall has decreased as well. The Portland Press Herald reports Maine’s winters are growing warmer and wetter, with Portland’s average snowfall in 2023 more than a foot and a half under the historical average of 69 inches. Meteorologists cite two major factors at play – El Nino and climate change. They say this year so far, even in northern Maine, ice fishermen have been pressed to find ice safe enough to fish.
Human Interest
Maine Welcomes First Babies of 2024
(Bangor) Oh, baby! Maine welcomed its first newborns of the year yesterday. First to arrive – six pound, 15 ounce Keeley Richardson who made her entrance at 12:21 Monday morning at Eastern Maine Medical Center, much to the delight of parents Jared and Alexis Richardson. About an hour later, Leif McFarlane arrived at Lincoln Health in Damariscotta. Leif arrived at 1:21 a.m., weighing in at seven pounds, 9.8 ounces, bringing big smiles to the faces of parents Kayleigh MacFarlane and Cameron Miller of Union. Congratulations, everyone!
(Bangor) Congratulations to the year’s first newborns here in Maine and their parents! First to arrive – six pound, 15 ounce Keeley Richardson who made her entrance at 12:21 Monday morning at Eastern Maine Medical Center, much to the delight of parents Jared and Alexis Richardson. About an hour later, Leif McFarlane arrived at Lincoln Health in Damariscotta. Leif arrived at 1:21 a.m., weighing in at seven pounds, 9.8 ounces, bringing big smiles to the faces of parents Kayleigh MacFarlane and Cameron Miller of Union.
Sports
The Bruins in Columbus tonight to put the sticks to the ice against the Blue Jackets. The Celtics in Oklahoma City to try to silence the Thunder.
High School basketball this evening – Woodland girls taking on the Jonesport Beals Lady Royals; boys – Shead vs. Woodland, and Machias vs. Narraguagus. And the girls and boys of George Stevens taking on the teams from Deer Isle Stonington. (Girls at 4, boys at 5:30).