Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Hancock County Sheriff Looking to Hire Chief Deputy, Patrol Officer
(Ellsworth) Promotions, patrol shortages, and positions at other agencies – changes are happening at the Hancock County Sheriff’s office. Multiple officers have recently moved up in rank, one resigned to work as a detective with the DA’s office; another retired but continues to be assigned to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency through the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Scott Kane is currently looking to fill the position of Chief Deputy. Jon Mahon was appointed to that post last Fall, but had agreed only to take on the role short term. He now will primarily work security at the County’s airport in Trenton.
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is once again looking to fill the position of Chief Deputy. Jon Mahon stepped into the role last fall, but only agreed to serve short term. He’ll now primarily work security at the Hancock County Airport in Trenton. Several recent promotions have also forced changes, including a shortage in patrol officers. In addition to the Chief Deputy vacancy, Sheriff Scott Kane is hoping to fill a patrol deputy position that was included in this year’s budget to help make up for a restructuring by Maine State Police.
Waterville Fatal Shooting
(Waterville) A shooting in Waterville yesterday left one person dead and another shot at but uninjured. Public Safety Spokesperson Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, shortly after 8 Monday morning, Waterville Police responded to a reported shooting outside a residence on South Grove Street. The body of the deceased was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed today. No further information was released, but Maine State Police say there is no danger to the public.
(Waterville) One person was killed and another escaped injury in a shooting incident Monday in Waterville. Public Safety Spokesperson Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, Waterville Police responded to a reported shooting outside a South Grove Street residence shortly after 8 a.m. They found the body of one of the victims and say another person was shot at but uninjured. The deceased victim’s body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy is expected today. No further information was released, but authorities say there is no danger to the public.
Bangor Police Investigating Child Death
(Bangor) Bangor police are investigating after a child reportedly died of injuries after being admitted to a hospital Sunday night. Police issued a news release saying the child “presented at a local hospital with life threatening injuries”. The hospital notified the Bangor Police Department, which sent a detective, and the Department of Health and Human Services, who sent a caseworker to investigate. Authorities continue to investigate the incident. Names and other information are being withheld at this time.
(Bangor) Little information has been released, but the Bangor Police Department reports it is investigating the death of a child who died of injuries Sunday night after being admitted to a hospital. According to a news release, the child “presented at a local hospital with life threatening injuries” and passed away during the night. The hospital notified the Bangor Police Department, which sent a detective, and the Department of Health and Human Services, who sent a caseworker to investigate. Names are being withheld while the case is under investigation.
Police Presence at Sumner Memorial High School This Week Part of Training Drills
(Sullivan) Don’t be alarmed if you see a large police presence today and tomorrow at the Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus in Sullivan. The uniform presence is part of a school response training drill involving local, county, state, and federal officials. Law enforcement vehicles will be outside on campus; while inside, officers will be conducting drills using training weapons that do not contain live rounds. Students, of course, are on break this week, and parts of the school have been secured to ensure the safety of everyone. Later in the week, the Sullivan Fire Department will be conducting a training session at CMSLC involving the school’s fire alarm system.
(Sullivan) Safety officials are taking advantage of school break week to conduct school response and other drills at the Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus in Sullivan. The school posted on FB, notifying the community of a large police presence on campus today and tomorrow involving local, county, state, and federal officials. Law enforcement vehicles will be parked outside; while inside, officers will conduct drills using training weapons that do not contain live rounds. Parts of the school have been secured to ensure the safety of everyone and so that coaches and teams can still use the gymnasiums without interruption. The Sullivan Fire Department will be using the building for training later in the week involving the school’s fire alarm system.
Economy
Property Tax Deferral Program Apps due by April 1
(Ellsworth) No fooling, the City of Ellsworth reminds folks applications for the State Property Tax Deferral Program are due by April 1st. The program is a lifeline loan program that can cover the annual property tax bills of Mainers age 65 and older or those who are permanently disabled and cannot afford to pay them on their own. The program allows vulnerable community members to age in place, while ensuring property taxes are still delivered to municipalities. Repayment of the loan is required once the property is sold or becomes part of an estate. Applications must be filed with the Ellsworth Tax Assessor by April first and are then reviewed for eligibility.
(Ellsworth) Applications for the State Property Tax Deferral Program are due by April 1st. The City of Ellsworth says the program covers annual property tax bills of Mainers 65 and older or those who are permanently disabled and can’t afford to pay them on their own. Repayment of the loan is required once the property is sold or becomes part of an estate. Applications must be filed with the Ellsworth Tax Assessor by April first and are then reviewed for eligibility. The program allows vulnerable community members to age in place, while ensuring property taxes are still delivered to municipalities.
Auction Items Pouring in for DCP’s THAW Fundraiser
(Ellsworth) Auction items are pouring in for Downeast Community Partners’ second annual THAW Event. To Warm a Winter’s Night is a critical fundraiser for The Heating and Warmth Fund, which is totally community funded to help keep those in need warm. Unlike government funded programs, THAW is able to help folks at their moment of need, without the paperwork, red tape, and sometimes weeks of waiting. Silent auction items include a cordless electric lawnmower donated by Versant, a 90-minute oyster boat tour and tasting, tickets to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and gift certificates at shops and restaurants across the region. Plus, there will be live music by Chris Ross, the Crown Vics, and Golden Oak. Get your tickets to the February 24th event – that’s this Saturday – at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Chamber Executive Director PJ Keenan will be live-auctioning a Samsung Heat Pump from Dave’s World. Items are pouring in for the silent auction, and the evening will be filled with music by Chris Ross, Golden Oak and the Crown Vics. It’s Downeast Community Partners’ To Warm a Winter’s Night – the year’s biggest fundraiser for THAW – The Heating and Warmth Fund – which helps ensure our neighbors in need stay supplied with wood, gas, oil, or other heating needs. Presenting sponsors include Darling’s Auto Mall GMC Buick, Machias Savings Bank, and The Reny’s Charitable Foundation. Check out a preview of silent auction items at downeast community partners dot com, and get your tickets soon at grand online dot org.
Education
University of Maine at Augusta Opens New State-of-the-Art Medical Lab
(Augusta) Students and faculty at the University of Maine at Augusta are celebrating the opening of a new medical lab training facility. The new space doubles student capacity and features cutting edge lab technology and equipment. A University spokesperson said the need for such a training space is critical, with some 90 medical lab tech positions currently open across the state. The under-budget $1.75M project was funded with support from the University, along with several grants, including the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan Grant.
(Augusta) Close to 90 medical lab tech positions are currently unstaffed across Maine, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts some 24,000 openings annually, nationwide, over the next decade. The University of Maine hopes to help fill those gaps with its new state-of-the-art medical lab training facility, now up and running at the Augusta campus. The new space doubles student capacity, which had been limited to 8-10 students. The under-budget $1.75M project was funded with support from the University and several grants, including the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan Grant.
Washington County Community College Offering Course on Aquaculture
(Machias) Aquaculture may be the future of Downeast Maine. Washington County Community College encourages anyone interested to join them for AQU 101, an introduction to aquaculture, beginning March 4th at WCCC. The course is open to students, educators, guidance counselors, and the general public and begins with an 8-week online course via Zoom, followed by a 2-day in person industry skills boot camp. The course is free. Register through WCCC.
(Machias) Maine’s aquaculture industry is diverse and well suited to Maine’s extensive, sparsely developed 3,500 mile coastline and economy based on marine resources. Whether you’re a student, an educator, guidance counselor, or a member of the general public, you’re invited to take a free course, AQU 101, an introduction to aquaculture, offered through Washington County Community College and the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center. Sign up for the course, which begins March 4th with an eight-week Zoom session, followed by a 2-day in person industry skills boot camp. For more information or to register, contact WCCC.
Infrastructure
Heavy Load Road Closures
(Ellsworth) It’s a sure sign of Spring, even though Spring may be a few weeks off. Those bright red and orange signs showing roads closed to heavy loads except when solidly frozen have now been posted. We’ve shared a list of City of Ellsworth area roads that are affected on our Star 97.7 FB page, courtesy of the City of Ellsworth.
(Ellsworth) Spring may be a few weeks off, but not when it comes to the freezing and thawing of rural roads in particular. Bright red and orange signs warning of load limits have now been posted showing load limits for trucks that travel rural roads in particular. You’ll find a list of affected roads in the Ellsworth area posted on our Star 97.7 FB page, courtesy of the City of Ellsworth.
Human Interest
Vacation Matinee at The Grand
(Ellsworth) If it’s school break week, it must be Vacation Matinee week at The Grand in Ellsworth! Every day through Friday this week, bring the kids and enjoy Disney Pixar’s Elemental for just a dollar per person! Shows at 1 p.m. daily. Come early to get snacks and a great seat. Sponsored by the City of Ellsworth.
(Ellsworth) Taking a break from the “mental” workout of school this week? Enjoy ELE-mental at the Grand. Every day at 1 p.m., now through Friday, enjoy Disney Pixar’s Elemental for just a buck per person. Come early to get the Grand’s mouth watering popcorn and other snacks and to snag a great seat. That’s 1 p.m. daily through Friday at The Grand in Ellsworth! Sponsored by the City of Ellsworth.
Sports
Bruins beat the Dallas Stars yesterday 4-3. Bruins in Edmonton Wednesday to put the sticks to the ice against the Oilers.
Sumner’s Kaleb Colson clinched two more state titles at Monday’s state championship track meet at Bates College – in the mile and the 800m. And Ada Fisher walked away with school records in hurdles and the 200m.
William Byron captures the win at the Daytona 500.
High school tournament updates coming your way throughout the day and evening all week long on Star 97.7.