Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Vigil Planned for Ten Year Old Abuse Victim
(Bangor) Concerned citizens are planning a vigil as they continue mourning the death of 10 yo Braxtyn Smith, whose parents and grandmother are charged with depraved indifference murder in his demise. WABI-TV reports the community is still reeling at revelations of months of neglect and abuse Braxtyn endured before his death last month. The candlelight vigil is planned for 6:30 this Saturday evening at the Bangor Waterfront.
(Bangor) A candlelight vigil is planned for tomorrow evening as the community continues to mourn the death of 10 yo Braxtyn Smith. A memorial has been set up outside his Beal Street home. Braxtyn’s parents and grandmother are charged with depraved indifference murder in his death. WABI-TV reports the community is still reeling at the graphic revelations of neglect and abuse the young boy endured in the months leading up to his death on February 18th. The candlelight vigil is planned for 6:30 Saturday evening at the Bangor Waterfront.
700 Acre Island Incident Update
(Belfast) An update on a story we brought you yesterday about an incident on 700 Acre Island in Waldo County. On March 4th, a man was reportedly seen going into the woods wearing a ballistic vest and possibly carrying a concealed firearm. Authorities responded and located the man in a skiff off the island. The suspect was reportedly unarmed, cooperative, taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities have been conducting searches on the island this week, utilizing Maine’s Yellow Flag Law. A firearm and other articles of interest were found and are in the possession of law enforcement. Waldo County Sheriff Jason Trundy reports criminal charges have yet to be filed. The investigation remains active.
(Belfast) The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, the US Coast Guard, and the Maine Marine Patrol this week utilized Maine’s Yellow Flag Law in searching 700 Acre Island after a disturbing incident. Authorities say Monday morning a man was seen going into the woods on the island wearing a ballistic vest and possibly carrying a concealed firearm. Authorities then located the man in a skiff off the island. The suspect was reportedly unarmed, cooperative, taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation. Waldo County Sheriff Jason Trundy tells Star 97.7, a subsequent search of the island turned up a firearm and other articles of interest. Criminal charges have still not been filed. The investigation remains active.
Economy
The Black Sheep Restaurant Opens in Sullivan
(Sullivan) There wasn’t an empty space in the parking lot, folks were cozied up to the bar with the big screen, and the friendly waitstaff was hopping to serve tables and to-go orders with a side of smiles. The Black Sheep Restaurant opened in Sullivan yesterday to an enthusiastic crowd who couldn’t stop raving about the modern, yet comfy, atmosphere and a chance to socialize with friends and family over delicious food. Brothers Lyle and Jordan Crosby started the Black Sheep Food Truck and then saw an opportunity to expand in the building formerly occupied by Chester Pike’s on US Route One. For now, they plan to be open from 6 to 2 Thursday, Friday and Saturday and open for a late breakfast and lunch on Sundays.
(Sullivan) Neither sleet, nor rain, nor snow, nor all three that hit Sullivan Thursday kept folks from opening day at The Black Sheep Restaurant. The long-anticipated business began with The Black Sheep Food Truck that frequented Ellsworth last year. Based on their success, brothers Lyle and Jordan Crosby decided to expand by purchasing the former Chester Pike’s on Route One and undertaking an ambitious remodel. The result – yesterday, there wasn’t an empty space in the parking lot. Inside, enthusiastic diners cozied up to the bar with the big screen TV or sat and socialized in the muted grey dining room that evoked a modern, yet comfy, place to eat and socialize. A tantalizing menu offers breakfast from 6 to 10:30, then lunch until 2, with salads, burgers, sides and more. For now, the Crosbys plan to be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a later breakfast and lunch on Sundays.
2024 Elver Lottery Winners Posted
(Augusta) Sixteen Mainers have won a chance to enter this year’s lucrative elver fishery. The Maine Department of Marine Resources posted the list of lottery winners Thursday. We’ve shared the list on our Star 97.7 FB page. This year’s elver haul netted harvesters more than $2K a pound.
(Augusta) Sixteen Mainers have been added to the list of those fortunate enough to win a chance at obtaining an elver fishing license. The Maine Department of Marine Resources posted the list of 2024 lottery winners Thursday. We’ve shared that on our Star 97.7 FB page. This year’s elver harvest netted fishermen more than $2K a pound.
Education
Scarborough Schools Celebrating Inclusion
(Scarborough) Scarborough Middle and High Schools are celebrating inclusion today. The schools earned Special Olympics National Banner Recognition for demonstrating a commitment to inclusion. The schools say they’ve worked hard on providing an inclusive school climate that exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff. Scarborough had to meet ten standards of excellence developed by a national panel from the Special Olympics and the education community. Today’s celebration includes special speakers, Unified Basketball games, a police and fire escorted parade, and a special video presentation. Well done, Scarborough!
(Scarborough) Students with and without disabilities training and competing as teammates; inclusive youth leadership and whole-school engagement, and a commitment to inclusion. Those are some of the reasons Scarborough Middle and High Schools today are celebrating earning Special Olympics National Banner Recognition. Schools that are honored must meet ten standards of excellence developed by a national panel from Special Olympics and the education community and must reapply for banner status every four years. Today’s celebration includes special speakers, Unified Basketball games, a police and fire escorted parade, and a special video presentation. Congratulations, Scarborough!
Environment
MRC Votes to Amend Shellfish Ordinance
(Bar Harbor) Changes are on the horizon for shellfish regulations in the Town of Bar Harbor. The Mount Desert Islander reports, last week the Marine Resources Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the Town Council that the harvesting of certain shellfish be added to Bar Harbor’s shellfish conservation ordinance. The change would mean quahogs, razor clams, eastern oysters and hen clams would fall under town regulations. It’s a first attempt by the committee to add these species to the ordinance. The committee also voted to change the allotted licensure for commercial harvesting by non-residents from 10% to unlimited.
(Bar Harbor) The harvesting of quahogs, razor clams, eastern oysters and hen clams may soon fall under Bar Harbor’s town regulations. The Mount Desert Islander reports the Marine Resources Committee last week voted unanimously to recommend to the Town Council the shellfish be added to the town’s shellfish conservation ordinance. The vote brings changes in limits to harvests. It also changes the allotted licensure for commercial harvesting by non-residents from ten percent to unlimited.
ANP Trails Close for Mud Season
(ANP) As of today, the National Park Service has temporarily closed the carriage roads in Acadia National Park. The closure ensures the roads won’t be damaged by foot, hoof, and bicycle traffic during the spring thaw, which you may have noticed is early this year. Park officials say the roads will reopen once the gravel surface dries out and becomes firm enough to prevent damage.
(ANP) The spring thaw came early this year, and so has the closure of Acadia National Park’s carriage roads. As of today, the roads are off limits. That’s to ensure they won’t be damaged by foot, bicycle and horse traffic. Park officials encourage visitors to explore Acadia’s hiking trails, with the exception of those closed for peregrine falcon nesting.
March Sky Viewing
(Orono) If you’re a sky-watcher, Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7, there’s some good viewing right now. (((Sky 1 “…so that will be something to watch for, as well.” :09))). The Planetarium has some great eclipse-related programming right up to the total solar eclipse on April 8th. Find out more at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) You probably never thought about it, but Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7, the moon determines a couple of special religious holidays this month. (((Holidays “…so it’s also related to that lunar calendar.” :22))) There’s a host of great eclipse-related programming scheduled at the Planetarium, right up to the total solar eclipse on April 8th. Find out more at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
Purple Martin Protection
(Undated) Purple martins overwinter in Brazil, but the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife tells Star 97.7, they’ll soon be returning to Maine to breed. MDIFW is asking the public to provide hollow gourds to attract the birds and provide a safe place to nest. They say the cavity nesters historically used natural rock crevices or cavities in dead trees, but that a decline in such natural hollows means the need for man-made housing. The birds’ range has retracted over time, with breeding in only nine small areas of central and southern Maine reported in recent years, with the population declining 95% in the past 50 years. For more information on providing a safe nesting source, visit m e fish wildlife dot com.
(Undated) The purple martin population has declined; there are now just 10 colonies in Maine, made up of only 150 adults – a dramatic 95% reduction in the last 50 years. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife tells Star 97.7, the birds overwinter in Brazil but will soon be returning to Maine to breed. While the cavity nesters historically used natural rock crevices or cavities in dead trees, a decline in such natural habitat means the need for man-made housing. People typically use gourds to provide a safe nesting place for the birds. For more information on how to become a purple martin landlord, visit m e fish wildlife dot com.
Human Interest
Michaud Receives 2024 Maine Lobstermen’s Association Officer of the Year Award
(Rockport) He’s the 2024 Maine Lobstermen’s Association Officer of the Year. Maine Marine Patrol Officer Alex Michaud received the award during last weekend’s Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. Michaud joined the MMP in 2017 and serves in the St. George-Warren Patrol. The award is given annually to an officer who has demonstrated outstanding service in support of the Maine lobster industry. Officer Michaud was praised for his strong patrol and search and rescue efforts, as well as for investigating many lobster fishery violations, including v-notching, untagged traps, and trap limits.
(Rockport) Maine Marine Patrol Officer Alex Michaud has been named the 2024 Maine Lobstermen’s Association Officer of the Year. The honor was bestowed at last weekend’s Fisherman’s Forum in Rockport and is given annually to an officer who has demonstrated outstanding service in support of the Maine lobster industry. Officer Michaud serves in the St. George-Warren Patrol and was praised for his strong patrol and search and rescue efforts, as well as for investigating many lobster fishery violations, including v-notching, untagged traps, and trap limits.
Mainer is First Woman American Woman to Sail Alone Nonstop Around the World
(Boothbay) Boothbay’s Cole Brauer landed in A-Coruna, Spain Thursday morning, making history as the first American woman to sail alone and nonstop around the world. MaineBiz reports the 29 yo Brauer sailed the 40-foot First Light, as the race known as the Global Solo Challenge’s youngest and only female competitor, setting out on the 26,000 mile journey on October 28th. The competition is considered one of the most difficult contests in sports. Brauer finished second overall out of 16 competitors from 10 countries.
(Boothbay) A Maine woman made history Thursday morning, when she landed in A-Coruna Spain, the first American woman to sail alone, nonstop around the world. Boothbay’s Cole Brauer set out from A-Coruna on October 28th as part of the Global Solo Challenge, known as one of the most difficult contests in sports. MaineBiz reports the 29 yo Brauer sailed the 40-foot First Light and was the race’s youngest and only female competitor in the 26,000 mile race. Brauer finished second overall out of 16 competitors from 10 different countries.
Sports
Bruins over Maple Leafs 4-1 last night in Boston. Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday at TD Garden.
Celtics lost to the Nuggets in Denver 115-109. Celtics at Footprint Center Saturday to take on the Phoenix Suns.
The Red Sox have the afternoon off – they’ll be on the mound Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays, as Spring Training continues.