Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Domestic Violence Incident in Bradford
(Bradford) A domestic violence incident in Bradford Monday morning caused Maine State Police to issue a shelter-in-place warning to residents on Drake Road. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, authorities responded to a residence about 7 a.m. and made contact with 60 yo Timothy Philpot, who was outside his residence with a firearm. Philpot reportedly refused to comply with commands or to surrender, resulting in media receiving and reporting the shelter-in-place order shortly before 9:30 a.m. Philpot’s wife was able to get out of the house safely and was uninjured. Negotiators worked for several hours and finally took Philpot into custody. He was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center and later transported to the Penobscot County Jail, where he faces multiple charges.
(Bradford) A Bradford man is in the Penobscot County Jail facing multiple charges after a Monday morning domestic violence incident, Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, about 7 a.m., Maine State Police responded to a residence in Bradford on a domestic violence call. When they arrived, 60 yo Timothy Philpot was reportedly outside the residence on a public way and carrying a firearm. His wife was able to escape safely, but Philpot is said to have refused to comply with commands or surrender. Media was notified about 9:30 a.m. and reported a shelter-in-place order for residents on Drake Road. Negotiators worked for several hours and finally took Philpot into custody.
Independent Commission on Lewiston Shooting Finds More Missed Opportunities
(AP) The independent commission probing Maine’s deadliest mass shooting continues to find what it calls missed opportunities leading up to the tragedy. The commission concluded law enforcement had ample grounds to pursue assault charges against Robert Card for punching a fellow Army reservist in the face six weeks before he killed 18 people in Lewiston. While legal experts and the man he punched concur on that, they say even if charges had been pursued they might not have prevented the shootings.
(AP) The independent commission investigating the Lewiston shooting continues to highlight what is says were missed opportunities to prevent the October 25th tragedy. Robert Card’s best friend, Sean Hodgson, reported he was assaulted when Card began “flipping out” as they returned from a night of gambling. After ignoring his pleas to pull over, Hodgson said Card punched him in the face. That’s when Hodgson reported the incident to his US Army Reserve officers on September 15th, saying he believed Card would “snap and do a mass shooting.” One Army official reportedly told Hodgson to take his account “with a grain of salt”.
Closed Knox County RCC Leads to Delays, Frustrations
(Rockland) Last August, staffing shortages forced the state to revoke Knox County’s ability to take 9-1-1 calls. Since then, calls have been transferred to the Waldo County RCC, which sends information back to Knox County dispatchers who then alert local first responders. The Bangor Daily News reports the situation has proven less than ideal, with incorrect addresses and codes sometimes being relayed, in many cases because Waldo County RCC is largely unfamiliar with Knox County. Knox County officials are working to hire and train more staff, with Rockland recently offering to take over management. Given ongoing improvements at the Knox County Center, officials say such a big shift might not be necessary.
(Rockland) The town of Rockland has offered to take over a struggling Knox County Regional Communication Center, but officials are hoping such a shift won’t be necessary. Last August, staffing shortages forced the state to revoke Knox County’s ability to take 9-1-1 calls. Since then, calls have been transferred to the Waldo County RCC, which sends information back to Knox County dispatchers who then alert local first responders. The Bangor Daily News reports the situation has proven less than ideal, with incorrect addresses and codes sometimes being relayed, in many cases because Waldo County RCC is largely unfamiliar with Knox County. Knox County officials are working to hire and train more staff, especially since any delays or inaccuracies can be a problem when agencies are responding to potentially life-threatening emergencies.
Economy
Disaster Repair Help for Low-Income Homeowners in Rural Maine
(Machias) Homeowners with very low incomes in eligible rural areas damaged during specific storms are now eligible for grants and loans through USDA Rural Development’s “504 Home Repair” pilot program. In Maine, the program is available for homes damaged in presidentially declared disaster areas that occurred since July 18, 2022. For more information, email leigh dot hallett at u s d a dot gov.
(Machias) The USDA has expanded the home repair loan and grant eligibility program known as “504 Home Repair” for those in presidentially-declared disaster areas. The program makes it easier for rural Mainers to repair and rebuild storm-damaged homes. The pilot program covers disasters since July 18, 2022 and may include future natural disasters. For more information, email leigh dot hallett at u s d a dot gov.
Education
Ellsworth Schools Dismissing Early on Eclipse Day
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Monday announced it will be joining other area schools in dismissing early on April 8th. As with other schools, the early dismissal is a safety precaution for the solar eclipse, to help prevent students from potentially looking at the phenomenon without the proper safety eyewear. Ellsworth HS students will be dismissed at 12:30, and EEMS students at 12:40. No activities will take place between 1 and 5 p.m. We’ve posted a link to an animated timetable of the eclipse at various locations here in Maine on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Health
Supreme Court to Hear Mifepristone Case Today
(AP) The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a case today that could impact how women get access to mifepristone, one of the two pills used in the most common type of abortion in the nation. The Associated Press reports the central dispute in the case is whether the Food and Drug Administration overlooked serious safety problems when it made mifepristone easier to obtain, including through mail-order pharmacies.
(AP) The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments today in a challenge that could limit access to a widely used drug for medication abortions, reshape health care policy and upend the Food and Drug Administration’s regulation process. The publication Roll Call reports the justices will focus on a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that found the FDA erred when it expanded how and when the abortion drug mifepristone can be dispensed.
Healthy Acadia to Offer Narcan Training
(Machias) Healthy Acadia will be offering Narcan training on Friday, April 5th in Machias. Participants will be trained in how to administer nasal Narcan and receive information on how to obtain the overdose antidote. Free kits will be provided. The session is planned for 8 a.m. one week from this Friday at the Porter Memorial Library on Court Street.
Infrastructure
Versant Planned Outage
(Ellsworth) A heads up for residents of Ellsworth and Lamoine – Versant Power crews have scheduled maintenance to the electrical system of those towns this Thursday. The work will begin at 9 a.m. and is expected to last about two hours, affecting customers on Buttermilk Road.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Meteorite Display Opens at Portland International Jetport
(Portland) Beginning today, those who catch a plane or land at the Portland International Jetport will have a chance to travel into space – perhaps not literally, but by observing a meteorite exhibit on display from the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. Meteorite Division Chair Darryl Pitt tells Star 97.7 why it’s more than worth a visit. (((Meteor 1 “…that would fit in the back of a pickup.” ))) To date, experts have documented fewer than 700 confirmed lunar discoveries on Earth. Pitt says this particular meteorite resembles Edward Munch’s famous painting “The Scream”, making it one of the rarest pieces of lunar rock on Earth!
(Portland) Starting this morning, travellers who head toward their gates at the Portland International Jetport will likely walk past one of the rarest sites on earth – a unique meteorite known as “The Scream” for its resemblance to Edvard Munch’s famous painting. It’s just one of the pieces of space rock on display from the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum in Bethel. We asked Darryl Pitt, who coordinated the “Fly Me to the Moon” exhibit, why the Portland Jetport. (((Meteor 2 “…to jet around, it just, it seemed to be the right place.” :22))). Not planning to fly into or out of the Jetport? MMGM in Bethel is less than 70 miles from Portland and contains 17 interactive exhibits, and more of the Moon than all the natural history museums in the world combined.
(Bethel) In less than two weeks, all eyes will be on the sky for the April 8th total solar eclipse. But did you know, there’s also an extraordinary display of all things space right here in Maine that you can visit year round? Darryl Pitt is Chair of the Meteorite Division of the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel, and he says MMGM is world class and more than worth a visit. (((Meteor 3 “… it’s just an extraordinary, extraordinary museum.” :20.))) Why Bethel? Pitt says years ago a gentleman gifted a piece of the area as a Land Trust and wanted to give the residents even more, so the museum was born. MMGM is open every day except Tuesdays and draws visitors and scientists from across the world.
(Portland) Beginning today, fliers who travel through the Portland International Jetport will have a chance to see a museum level exhibit from Maine Mineral & Gem Museum’s meteorite collection, including the second largest piece of the moon on earth, additional lunar meteorites, and pieces of Mars. Darryl Pitt, a New York City Music Executive who is among the world’s preeminent meteorite dealers, tells Star 97.7 how he came across one unique piece at a trade show in Tucson – unique because it evokes Edvard Munch’s famous painting “The Scream”. (((Meteor 4 “…the seller didn’t recognize what he had.” :24))) For security reasons, the display is past the TSA checkpoint, but the museum plans to keep the exhibit on display at the Jetport for at least the next five years.
Rotary Club of Ellsworth Cabin Fever Vendor Sale
(Ellsworth) The Rotary Club of Ellsworth will be having its Second Annual Cabin Fever Vendor Sale on Saturday, April 6th, from 9 to 2 at the Ellsworth Elementary Middle School. More than 80 vendors will be at the event, which promises unique items and lots of great food available for purchase. Admission at the door is just a dollar, and kids under 12 are free, with proceeds benefitting Rotary Scholarships and Community Giving. And by the way, the Rotary Club of Ellsworth will be receiving this year’s Director’s Award at the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting in May.
(Ellsworth) If it’s put on by the Ellsworth Rotary, you know the proceeds are going to some great community causes. Mark your calendars now for the Rotary’s Second Annual Cabin Fever Vendor Sale, April 6th from 9 to 2. More than 80 vendors will fill the Ellsworth Elementary Middle School with all kinds of unique offerings; and, of course, delicious food will be for sale as well. It costs just a buck to get in, and kids under 12 are free. Proceeds help support Rotary Scholarships and Community Giving. And by the way, the Rotary Club of Ellsworth will be receiving this year’s Director’s Award at the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting in May.
Cumberland Resident Leaves American Idol Judges in Awe
(Cumberland) Cumberland resident Julia Gagnon will be representing her town and Maine on American Idol on Sunday. The singer, who hails from Guatemala, was adopted from an orphanage and moved to the US as a toddler. This week the 21 yo college student captured one of just three platinum tickets with her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s soulful “Ain’t No Way”, a song she dedicated to her birth mother. Along with three emphatic “yes’s” from the judges, that audition also earned her a standing ovation.
Sports
Celtics lost to the Hawks last night 120-118. The teams meet up in Atlanta again on Thursday.
Red Sox run the bases in Florida this afternoon in a final Spring Training game against the Rangers. Boston at bat against the Mariners in Seattle Thursday night for the regular season opener.
The Bruins take on the Panthers tonight in Florida.