Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Alleged Child Abduction Deemed a Hoax
(Ellsworth) The alleged attempted abduction of a young girl this week in Ellsworth turned out to be a hoax. Captain Shawn Willey reports to Star 97.7, on February 6th the Ellsworth Police Department received a complaint of an attempted abduction of an 11 year old girl just after she had gotten off the school bus. Officers and detectives investigated and determined the complaint was a hoax and that there was no concern to the public.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Police on Tuesday received a complaint about the alleged abduction of a young girl – turns out, it was a hoax. Captain Shawn Willey reports to Star 97.7, on February 6th, authorities received a complaint that a person had tried to abduct an 11 year old girl just after she had gotten off the school bus in Ellsworth. Following an investigation by officers and detectives, the report was determined to be a hoax and there was no concern to the public.
Maine State Police Encourage Safe Driving Habits on Super Bowl Sunday
(Augusta) Super Bowl fans will likely gather for celebrations this Sunday, and the Maine State Police are reminding partygoers to make the call for a designated driver if needed. The MSP offers these game day tips to help you get back home alive – first, they say, make a solid game plan. Have someone on your team who won’t be drinking during the festivities and can drive partygoers home. If that person commits a foul during the big game, call a taxi or other form of sober ride. If you host a Super Bowl party, ask your guest if they have a designated driver, and consider including some non-alcoholic beverages. That, they say, amounts to a touchdown.
(Augusta) If you’re headed to a Super Bowl Party on Sunday, Maine State Police say make sure you score by making a game plan before you leave for that party or event. They say plan ahead to have someone who won’t be drinking and who can be the designated driver home. If someone is attending your gathering, has been drinking and wants to drive, they say call a “foul”. Take their keys and help them secure a sober ride home. And know the risky plays – men are more likely than women to be driving impaired when fatal crashes occur, and remember the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers in fatal crashes is about twice as high at night as during the day. Tackle the celebration safely, and make sure you and others live to see another Super Bowl.
Economy
Winter Harbor 5 & 10 for Sale
(Winter Harbor) The Winter Harbor 5 & 10 is up for sale. The store has been a staple on Main Street for more than 50 years and is owned by Pete Drinkwater, who says it’s time to retire and look for a new owner. The store was founded in 1972, with the Drinkwaters purchasing it in1989. It’s been featured in many national magazines, on TV shows, and websites. The building comes with a 4-bedroom residence and is listed by Realty of Maine – Drinkwater is a realtor – for $750,000.
(Winter Harbor) It’s been an institution on Main Street since 1972, and now the Winter Harbor 5 & 10 is up for sale. The store was founded by Mary and Larry Graffam and was purchased by current owner Peter Drinkwater in 1989. It’s been featured in national magazines and is a bit like Amazon, in that you can find a little bit of everything. The building comes with a 4 bedroom residence and is listed by Realty of Maine – Drinkwater is a realtor – for $750,000.
Environment
Lottery to Allow Sixteen New Entrants Into Lucrative Elver Fishery
(Augusta) Sixteen Maine residents will have a chance to join the state’s lucrative elver fishery this year. The Department of Marine Resources is holding a lottery, now through 4:30 p.m. on March 4th, for a right to apply for an elver license. Participants must be at least 15 years old by the start of the 2024 season. Applicants must apply online at maine dot gov forward slash elver lottery or in person at the DMR offices in Augusta. The permits are the result of licenses from previous years that weren’t renewed. Last year’s catch brought license holders up to $2K a pound.
(Augusta) Now through 4:30 p.m. on March 4th, Mainers have the chance to apply for an elver license. There are just 16 available this year, due to non-renewed licenses from previous years. Eligible applicants must be 15 years old by the beginning of the 2024 season. Last year’s harvest brought upwards of $2,000 per pound for the coveted baby eels, a delicacy, largely in Asian markets. Apply online at maine dot gov forward slash elver lottery or in person at the DMR offices in Augusta.
Maine Signs Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Heat Pumps
(Maine) Maine this week joined nine other states in signing a new memorandum of understanding that sets a goal for heat pumps to make up 65% of residential heating, cooling and water heating sales by 2030. The memorandum is led by NESCAUM – Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management – and has been signed by environmental agencies in California, Colorado, Oregon, New York, Maryland and five New England states. After Maine reached its goal of installing 100,000 heat pumps two years early in 2023, Governor Janet Mills set a new goal of installing 175,000 additional heat pumps by 2027.
(Maine) The recent storms and ongoing sea level rise have dwellers along the coast, especially, concerned with the effects of climate change. The Boston-based non-profit NESCAUM – Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management – reports Maine this week joined nine other states in signing a memorandum of understanding that sets a goal for heat pumps to make up 65% of residential heating, cooling and water heating sales by 2030, with a goal of 90% by 2040. After Maine reached its goal of installing 100,000 heat pumps two years early last year, Governor Janet Mills set a new goal of installing 175,000 additional heat pumps by 2027.
2024 is Year of the Cicada
(Undated) They could be coming by the trillions and will be drowning out the silence in 17 states this year. 2024 is the year of the cicadas. Experts say two separate periodical cicada “broods” will emerge simultaneously this year. That hasn’t happened in 221 years – the last synchronized event in 1803 – and won’t happen again until 2245. Fortunately Broods 13 and 19 will emerge mostly in the southern and Midwestern states, reaching only as far east as southern Virginia. USA Today writes how long they’ll be around depends on weather and location, but they’ll start to emerge in mid-May and will likely fill the air until late June. And, yes, there will be trillions … and they will be making some noise.
(Undated) (((Cicadas Sfx …:06))) Imagine listening to that all day, every day, and into the night … for at least six weeks. 2024 is the Year of the Cicadas, when two separate cicada “broods” will emerge simultaneously in 17 states. That hasn’t happened in 221 years and won’t happen again until 2245, say experts, writing in USA Today. Literally trillions of the buzzing beasts are expected to emerge in mid-May and be around until the end of June. Shortly after a 17 year cicada nymph hatches from its egg, it burrows into the ground, where it spends the first 17 years of its life, then emerges to live just about 6 weeks while it mates. Scientists say the winged pests may be annoying but are harmless. Fortunately Broods 13 and 19 will fly forth mostly in the southern and Midwestern states this year, reaching only as far east as southern Virginia.
February Designated Browntail Awareness Month
(Maine) What’s bugging you these days? In recent years, the itch-inducing Browntail Moth has made its way into the Pine Tree State. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry says now is the time to take proactive measures against the invasive pest. They say it’s important in the next few weeks to look for winter webs, typically found at the tips of tree branches and resembling palm-sized structures tied to the leaf stem with white silk. They say, if found, take steps to protect yourself from the toxic caterpillars, snip the webs, and drown them in soapy water. If out of reach, call a professional arborist. Taking these precautions now can significantly reduce the numbers of caterpillars, whose hairs can cause itchy rashes and respiratory distress, later in the spring.
(Maine) February is the month to look for the invasive browntail moth – at least their webs, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. In recent years, the itch-inducing browntail has winged its way farther north into the state of Maine. Forestry experts say it’s important to look for winter webs now, which can be found in oak, crabapple, birch, poplar, and other trees and rose bushes. They say it’s important to wear protective clothing, snip the webs and drown them in soapy water. If out of reach, call a professional arborist. Taking such steps now can significantly reduce the numbers of caterpillars, whose hairs can cause itchy rashes and respiratory distress, later in the spring.
Human Interest
Ellsworth Cheerleaders Going for Second Straight State Title
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth High School Cheerleaders will be in Augusta tomorrow, looking to defend last year’s State title, the first in the school’s history. This year’s squad has just one senior, along with two juniors, seven sophomores, and two freshmen, but that hasn’t stopped them from capturing victories in all three major competitions leading up to Saturday’s Super Bowl of cheering. Good luck, ladies and coaches – you’ve got this!
(Ellsworth) It may not be the Super Bowl, but for those of us in the Ellsworth area, it couldn’t be bigger. The Ellsworth High School cheerleading squad will be at the Augusta Civic Center tomorrow, hoping to defend last year’s state title, the first in the school’s history. This year’s team has just one senior and 11 underclassmen, but that hasn’t in any way hindered them from capturing all three major titles leading up to tomorrow’s culminating competition. We’ll be on the edge of our seats cheering YOU on – go get ‘em girls!
DCP Holiday Numbers are a Real Gift
(Ellsworth) The numbers from the Christmas giving programs are in, and they show just what a gift Downeast Community Partners is to Hancock and Washington Counties. This past year, DCP provided more than 800 children with holiday gifts – 367 in Hancock County and 461 in Washington County. DCP thanks the many amazing businesses, individuals and volunteers who helped organize and prepare all the gifts to make holiday magic for children and families in our communities. A huge shoutout to DCP’s Cheryl Robbins, who spends countless hours each year coordinating the program, doing a tireless amount of shopping, and turning a huge garage into Santa’s Workshop, making sure the magic happens for everyone in need.
(Ellsworth) Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. During the holiday season in Hancock and Washington Counties, the jolly magic maker goes by the name of Cheryl Robbins and works on behalf of Downeast Community Partners. This year’s numbers are just in. Under Cheryl’s capable leadership, DCP provided 828 children with holiday gifts. Robbins spends hours shopping, recruiting, supervising and making sure there are gifts for every child in need. She turns an ordinary garage into a true Santa’s workshop. Cheryl says it wouldn’t happen without the many businesses, individuals, and volunteers who contribute funds, gifts and hours to the program.
Darling’s Auto Group Donates Vehicle
(Bangor) The Maine Discovery Museum has a brand new Ford Transit Connect, thanks to Darling’s Auto Group. The van will be used by the Museum to help transport their STEM outreach programming. The programming takes the MDM team all over the state. The brightly wrapped van features the museum’s mascots and logo. The Maine Discovery Museum team calls it “Vantastic”.
(Bangor) The Maine Discovery Museum recently received what they are calling a “Vantastic” gift, courtesy of Darling’s Auto Group. Darling’s presented the museum with a brand new Ford Transit Connect. The van will be used to help transport the MDM’s STEM outreach programming, which takes the team all over the state. Watch for the brightly wrapped vehicle that features the museum’s mascots and logo.
Sports
Bruins held the Canucks scoreless last night at TD Garden – final score, 4-zip.
Bruins host the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
Celtics on the home court this evening to take on the Washington Wizards.
Sunday is the Super Bowl, pitting the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the San Francisco 49ers.