Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Leeds Man Charged with Murder in Missing Person’s Case
(Leeds) A man from Leeds has been charged with murder in the case of a missing Windham man. Authorities say the family of 34 yo Alex Jackson reported him missing on May 14th last year. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, multiple law enforcement agencies have been working on the case for the past ten months. Friday evening, 30 yo Joseph Chute was arrested and charged with Jackson’s murder. Chute is being held without bail in the Androscoggin County Jail. Jackson’s body has not been recovered. Chute is expected to make his initial court appearance today.
(Leeds) Authorities have made an arrest in the case of a Windham man who was reported missing nearly a year ago. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, the family of 34 yo Alex Jackson reported him missing on May 14th, 2023. Jackson’s body has not yet been recovered, but multiple law enforcement agencies have worked the past ten months on an investigation. On Friday, police arrested 30 yo Joseph Chute and charged him with Jackson’s murder. He’s being held without bail in the Androscoggin County Jail and is expected to make an initial court appearance in Androscoggin Superior Court later today.
Jonesport Fire
(Jonesport) Multiple crews responded to a 3-acre blaze on some blueberry barrens off Mason Bay Road in Jonesport on Sunday. The fire destroyed a car, but several homes and other nearby structures were unharmed. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation. The fire is being investigated by Maine Forest Rangers.
(Jonesport) Maine Forest Rangers assisted firefighters from Jonesport, Addison, and other towns in battling a blaze on some blueberry barrens off Mason Bay Road in Jonesport yesterday morning. The fire threatened several structures and destroyed a car before being contained. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation. The fire remains under investigation.
Augusta Appoints New Police Chief
(Augusta) Congratulations to Augusta’s Deputy Chief Kevin Lully, who has been appointed Police Chief of the capital city. Lully has worked with the Department for 29 years. He’s also a dedicated community member with a Bachelors in behavioral science, in addition to his criminal justice degree. Lully participates in Maine Special Olympics and other organizations and is always a helpful advocate in getting reports to the news media.
(Augusta) Maine’s capital city has a new police chief. Former Deputy Chief Kevin Lully has worked with Augusta Law enforcement for nearly three decades. The husband and father of two girls holds a Bachelors in behavioral science, in addition to his criminal justice degree. Lully participates in the Maine Special Olympics, Family Fun Night & National Night Out and other community events, and is always a helpful advocate with the news media.
Washington County EMA to Update Hazard Mitigation Plan
(Machias) The Washington County Emergency Management Agency has begun working on its 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Officials say with the recent damaging storms still fresh on everyone’s mind, public participation is more important than ever. The EMA will hold an official “kick-off” meeting for the HMP update process on April 10th at 6 p.m. at the Sunrise Economic Council in Machias. The meeting is public, and everyone is welcome. It will also be available on Zoom.
(Machias) With recent storms still all too fresh on everyone’s minds, the Washington County Emergency Management Agency has begun working on its 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. A “kick-off” meeting is planned for 6 p.m. on April 10th at the Sunrise Economic Council in Machias. The meeting is public, and everyone is welcome. It will also be available on Zoom. The EMA says a survey will be made available to the public in the near future to help municipal and county officials understand community concerns.
Local Politics
Mills Proposes Budget Change Package to Invest in Housing, Child Care & Nursing Home
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills on Friday unveiled a budget change package that invests in some of the state’s most urgent challenges – housing, childcare, and long-term nursing home care. The package proposes one time funding to build more housing, deliver grants to childcare providers, and accelerate nursing facilities reform. The package includes $17.5M for the Maine Emergency Management Agency, most of which is dedicated towards covering the state-match recovery to receive federal funding for storm repair.
(Augusta) Housing, Childcare, and reforms to funding for the state’s nursing home facilities. Those are among critical changes proposed Friday in Governor Janet Mills Budget Change Package. The proposal includes $22M in one time funding to build more housing in Maine, $5M to MaineHousing to support purchase of mobile home parks by their residents, just under $12M in grants to childcare providers, and $23M to support nursing facilities as MaineCare implements comprehensive rate reform.
Mandatory Electronic Reporting in Effect
(Maine) Beginning today, all federal lobster permit holders must begin electronic vessel trip reporting. Information must be submitted within 48 hours of completing each trip. NOAA Fisheries reports implementing the requirement will lead to greater timeliness, availability, accuracy and quality of data submitted for management and conservation efforts. Fishermen can find the answers to frequently asked questions, along with information on software requirements at fisheries dot noaa dot gov.
(Maine) A new requirement for all federal lobster permit holders as you head out on the water today. As of April first, mandatory electronic vessel trip reporting is in effect. Information must be submitted within 48 hours of completing each trip. NOAA Fisheries reports implementing the requirement will lead to greater timeliness, availability, accuracy and quality of data submitted for management and conservation efforts. Fishermen can find the answers to frequently asked questions, along with information on software requirements at fisheries dot noaa dot gov.
Economy
Legislation Could Bring Funding to Rebuild Working Waterfront
(Augusta) Maine’s legislature continues to work on potential funding to support rebuilding the state’s working waterfront, which was decimated by winter storms. The Maine Department of Marine Resources reports LD 2225 could make as much as $25M available to working waterfront properties that provide significant community benefits. The Department reminds anyone who owns a wharf or pier for multiple commercial fishermen to maintain a record of expenses and to repair or rebuild such structures with frameworks that are resilient against future weather events. We’ve posted the complete DMR bulletin, which includes information on loans, legislation, and the potential easing of permit requirements, on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Marine Resources reminds those who are rebuilding working waterfront structures to make rebuilds resilient against future weather events. MDMR recommends making wharfs and piers higher, chaining them down, or building with materials other than pilings. Potential funding legislation could make as much as $25M available to properties which provide significant community benefits. MDMR cautions owners to maintain accurate records of expenses incurred while rebuilding. We’ve posted the complete DMR bulletin, which includes information on loans, legislation, and the potential easing of permit requirements, on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Greenway Celebrates 30 Years in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Greenway Equipment in Ellsworth is celebrating 30 years as a local John Deere dealer. The Smith family purchased Greenway Equipment Sales in Ellsworth in 1994. The family was well known statewide for their wholesale food business, Carl Smith Foods, which originated in Aroostook County in 1948. They say it was a smooth transition to selling power equipment, sticking with the same principles of offering an outstanding quality product at a fair and competitive price, backed by a team of highly trained employees who treat customers with honesty and fairness. Greenway is one of just two remaining locally owned John Deere dealerships in the state.
(Ellsworth) A happy anniversary this spring to Greenway Equipment Sales in Ellsworth. The Ellsworth business was purchased by the Smith family in 1994. The Smiths were well known statewide for their wholesale food business, Carl Smith Foods, which began in Aroostook County in 1948. This spring marks 30 years of serving the Ellsworth and Bangor areas as a John Deere dealer, with the same principles the family applied to their food business. Greenway has grown dramatically in the past three decades, with the Bangor store now in its third location on Outer Hammond Street. Greenway Equipment is proud to be one of just two remaining locally owned John Deere dealerships in Maine.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Grand Presents Fiddler on the Roof
(Ellsworth) Once again, the Grand in Ellsworth is hitting it out of the park with the story of a poor Jewish milkman who tries to protect his five daughters in the face of growing anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia. The Grand Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7 more about the live theatre production of “Fiddler on the Roof”. (((Fiddler 1 “..and it’s a timeless, timeless story.” :20))) The musical runs three weekends, beginning this Friday – and nobody does it better than The Grand. Tickets at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) Beginning Friday, the Grand presents a live theatre production of “Fiddler on the Roof”, the timeless and time-LY tale of community, and a father trying to protect his daughters from changing social mores in a village in pre-Revolutionary Russia. The Grand Executive Director Nick Turner “leaked” some special information to Star 97.7, about how attendance at this particular production will help improve the iconic theatre. (((Fiddler 2 “…to raise about $50K to fix that roof.” :20))) The monies will also go toward the vision of much needed improvements, such as new carpeting, seats, accessible bathrooms, and an HVAC system. An opportunity to see a fabulous production and help out Ellsworth’s entertainment hub – tickets at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth is a community rich in many ways – not the least of which is the top notch arts and entertainment presented by The Grand. The first three weekends in April, the Grand is presenting the final musical of the season, “Fiddler on the Roof.” Grand Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, proceeds from the production will be the first step in enriching our iconic venue. (((Fiddler 3 “…that’s the first step in that.” :19))). Live theatre, a live orchestra, an amazing set, and an opportunity to help the Grand continue to bring it all to Ellsworth. Tickets at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) Concerts, movies, live theatre, vacation matinees, opera and dance – just some of the first-class productions we enjoy here in Ellsworth thanks to the iconic Grand theatre. Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, April begins an opportunity for us to begin to give back to the venue that gives so much to our community. (((Fiddler 4 “…downtown and in Ellsworth.” :25))). Start by treating yourself … and the Grand … by attending this month’s live theatre production of “Fiddler on the Roof”. Starts this weekend – tickets at grand online dot org.
Sports
March Madness has come down to the Final Four, with #4 Alabama taking on #1 UConn and #1 Purdue going up against #11 North Carolina State next Saturday. NCAA women’s tournament play continues this afternoon with Penn State against Villanova and Illinois taking on the Washington State Cougars.
The Red Sox run the bases with the Athletics tonight in Oakland.
The Celtics are in Charlotte tonight to take on the Hornets.
The Bruins have the night off – they’ll be in Nashville Tuesday to skate against the Predators.