Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Authorities Identify Man Shot by Brewer Police Chief
(Brewer) The Maine Attorney General’s Office has released the name of the man who died after he was shot by Brewer Police Chief Jason Moffit last Thursday. Authorities say 39 yo Barry Chick, Jr., was allegedly trying to rob the Brewer WalMart and then fled into nearby woods. When located by Chief Moffit, he appeared to be reaching for a weapon and was then shot and killed. Per protocol, Chief Moffit is on administrative leave while the office of the Attorney General investigates.
(Brewer) Authorities have released the name of the suspect who was shot and killed last Thursday after he allegedly tried to rob the Brewer WalMart. The Maine Attorney General’s office says 39 yo Barry Chick, Jr. was the man who fled into nearby woods when confronted by loss control staff at the store. Brewer Police Chief Jason Moffitt reportedly found Chick,Jr., issued commands and then shot and killed the suspect after he appeared to be reaching for a weapon. Per standard procedure, Chief Moffit is on administrative leave while the office of the Attorney General investigates.
Local Politics
Maine Nurses Applaud Senate Passage of Nurse-to-Patient Ratios Bill
(Augusta) Maine nurses are applauding the state Senate for passing LD 1639, The Maine Quality Care Act, on Wednesday. The Maine State Nurses Association says the bill will limit the number of patients nurses must take on their daily assignments, based on patient need and the severity of a patient’s condition. The Association reports the working conditions of direct-care nurses often include short staffing, unsafe patient loads, lack of breaks and meal periods and forced overtime, which many times leads to nurses leaving bedside care for good.
(Augusta) Stacy Brenner is a nurse and midwife with years of experience who now advocates for that profession as a Democratic State Senator. Brenner says being in the Legislature feels like a relaxing hobby in comparison to working as a bedside nurse, with the fear of near misses and possibly devastating errors. That’s why Brenner sponsored LD 1639, The Maine Quality Care Act, which was passed by the Senate Wednesday. The Maine State Nurses Association applauded the bill’s passage, saying the working conditions of direct-care nurses often include short staffing, unsafe patient loads, lack of breaks and meal periods and forced overtime, which many times leads to nurses leaving bedside care for good.
Democrats Advance Gun Control Measures
(Augusta) Democrats on Wednesday advanced gun control measures designed in response to the deadly mass shooting in Lewiston last October. The proposals would implement a 72-hour waiting period, ban bump stocks, boost mental health reforms and extend background checks to advertised gun sales. The Judiciary Committee voted mostly along party lines, setting up a potentially tense set of floor votes in the coming weeks.
(Augusta) Gun reform continues to be a controversial subject, even in light of the Lewiston mass shooting last October. On Wednesday, Democrats advanced gun control measures that would implement a 72-hour waiting period, ban bump stocks, boost mental health reforms and extend background checks to advertised gun sales. The Judiciary Committee voted mostly along party lines, setting up a potentially tense set of floor votes in the coming weeks.
Surry Road Property Purchased for Hancock County Courthouse
(Ellsworth) The Maine Judiciary has closed on the purchase of a property on the Surry Road that will be the site of a new $55M Hancock County Courthouse. The Ellsworth American reports the just-under-18-acre property includes a house that will be razed to make room for the new judicial facility. The proposed site has garnered a good deal of opposition from neighbors, who cite the residential atmosphere of the area and already-congested traffic on the road heading into and out of Ellsworth. Work on the building project is expected to begin in the summer of 2025.
(Ellsworth) Officials say the current Hancock County Courthouse in Ellsworth is more than 100 years old, presents problems with security, space, and other inadequacies, and is not conducive to expansion. Despite opposition from area residents, the Maine Judiciary this month closed on the purchase of a property on the Surry Road that will house a new $55M courthouse. The Ellsworth American reports the 17.9 acre property currently includes a house that will be razed to make room for the new judicial facility. Area homeowners oppose the site for the courthouse, saying it’s a residential area that already wrestles with traffic congestion heading in and out of Ellsworth.
Washington County Residents Champion New Public Safety Building
(Machias) Meanwhile, in Machias, Washington County residents are excited about a new public safety building that will begin going up this spring. Earlier this year, the District Attorney’s office was moved from a building at 82 Court Street to the former Talbot Law Offices. The vacated building, which was found to be dilapidated and rotting, was razed, making room for the new facility, which will house the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, MDEA Detectives, the Sheriff’s IT Department and the Jail Administrator. The move will make room in the old building to expand the jail and jail staff. Washington County Manager Renee Gray, tells Star 97.7, the new build is being paid for with ARPA funding and without the use of tax dollars.
(Machias) In Machias, it’s a new public safety building that will soon be under construction. Washington County Manager Renee Gray tells Star 97.7, earlier this year, the District Attorney’s office was moved from a building at 82 Court Street to the former Talbot Law Offices. The vacated building, which was found to be dilapidated and rotting, was razed, making room for the new facility, which will house the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, MDEA Detectives, the Sheriff’s IT Department and the Jail Administrator. The move will make room in the old building to expand the jail and jail staff. Gray says no tax dollars will be used for the new facility, which is being paid for by ARPA funds.
Economy
City of Ellsworth to Discuss Housing Options
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth is hosting a public forum to discuss topics related to housing. The Planning and Economic Development Departments would like to hear from the Ellsworth community about their housing experiences and will review potential solutions to help increase the housing stock, including future land use and amendments. The event is free, but has a maximum attendance of 50. RSVP for the April 4th event at the link you’ll find on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth citizens are encouraged to attend a public forum next week to discuss topics related to housing in Ellsworth. The Planning and Economic Development Departments hope to spark discussion about housing data in the region, housing choice preference and issues, ideas for increasing the city’s housing stock, and future land use. The event is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4th, at the Downeast Family YMCA and has a capacity of 50 attendees. RSVP at the link you’ll find on our Star 97.7 FB page.
MSM Reaches Goal in Capital Campaign
(Cherryfield) In January 2023, Maine Seacoast Mission set a goal of raising $1.8M in an ambitious Downeast Capital Campaign. Wednesday, the Mission announced, “mission accomplished”. The campaign funding will be used to improve MSM’s Downeast campus, including a first phase that includes a new food pantry and community space, to be completed this spring. Other renovations include building a new challenge course to replace the aging ropes course, the addition of cabins to facilitate an overnight retreat hub, updating the campus trail system, and adding new play areas. An open house is planned for June 12th for visitors to tour completion of the project’s first phase.
(Cherryfield) “Mission Accomplished”. Those were the grateful words of Maine Seacoast Mission Wednesday in announcing the completion of an ambitious Downeast Capital Campaign. The Mission launched the campaign in January 2023, with a goal of raising $1.8M to expand and renovate its food pantry, create an engagement community center, and make other improvements to allow for recreation and an overnight retreat center. The new food pantry and community center will be completed this spring, with an open house planned for June 12th.
Witham Employee Housing Ribbon Cutting
(Bar Harbor) The Witham Family Hotels doing their part to ease the affordable housing crunch. They’ll be cutting the ribbon at new employee housing this afternoon between 3 and 6. That’s at 39 Kebo Street in Bar Harbor, and everyone is welcome.
(Bar Harbor) The Witham Family Hotels taking care of business today – and their employees. They’re inviting the public to a ribbon cutting this afternoon at their new employee housing. That’s from 3 to 6 at 39 Kebo Street in Bar Harbor.
Environment
FBC Purchase Land in Lamoine Once Eyed for Glampground
(Lamoine) Lamoine voters were taking no chances at a Town Meeting earlier this month, voting to ban hotels, motels, glampgrounds and resorts in all zoning districts. The vote was prompted by an Arizona-based developer who last year eyed a Partridge Cove property to build more than a hundred dome-like structures for star-gazing. To seal the deal of protecting the property, Frenchman Bay Conservancy has now purchased the 228-acre parcel with funding through the group’s Watershed Moment. The Ellsworth American reports the acquisition has been years in the making. Land Protection Manager Erin Witham says the purchase will permanently protect more than a third of a mile of shoreline.
(Lamoine) Two-hundred twenty-eight acres of pristine undeveloped land in Lamoine will likely stay that way permanently after Frenchman Bay Conservancy purchased the Partridge Cove property. The purchase secures permanent protection not only for the land, but for more than a third of a mile of shoreline. The Ellsworth American reports FBC will work on cleaning up damage from recent storms, and then plans to install a gravel parking lot for public access. The acquisition confirms the wishes of Lamoine residents who voted overwhelmingly at this month’s Town Meeting to ban hotels, motels, glampgrounds, and resorts in all zoning districts. That vote followed a moratorium that was the result of a proposal by an Arizona-based developer who last year had eyed the property to build a glampground resort.
Health
MDI Hospital One of Eleven Health Facilities to Benefit from Congressional Funding
(MDI) MDI Hospital is one of eleven healthcare facilities in Maine that will benefit from more than $42M in Congressional funding approved this week. The hospital will receive $5M to renovate, expand, and add equipment to its emergency department. Other beneficiaries include the East Machias Clinic, part of the RMC in Lubec, to construct and equip a healthcare facility in Washington County, and Eastport Health Center for construction and equipping of a new dental, medical and behavioral health center.
(MDI) Eleven healthcare facilities in Maine will be able to renovate, expand, construct and/or equip their facilities, thanks to $42M in congressional funding announced this week. MDI Hospital will use its $5M to renovate and add equipment to its emergency department. The East Machias Clinic, which is part of the Regional Medical Center at Lubec, will receive $5M to construct and equip a healthcare facility in Washington County, and the Eastport Health Center will use its $5.1M to build and equip a new dental, medical and behavioral health center.
Infrastructure
Oak Street Work
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Public Works Department will be working on Oak Street next week. Beginning at 8:30 Monday morning, crews will commence digging on the southbound shoulder of Oak between Church and Park Streets. There will be alternating traffic in the area, so drivers should plan for delays and exercise caution for the safety of those working on the roadway. Work is expected to finish by 4 p.m. each day.
(Ellsworth) Motorists who travel Oak Street in Ellsworth will want to plan for delays next week. The Ellsworth Public Works Department will be working on the southbound shoulder of Oak between Church and Park Streets, beginning at 8:30 Monday morning. Crews will be alternating traffic, and they ask for patience and caution for the sake of their safety. Work is expected to wrap up by 4 p.m. each day.
Sports
Maine basketball standout Cooper Flagg joins an elite group, including LeBron James, Jason Tatum, and Kobe Bryant in being named the 23-24 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. The award champions high school student athletes’ athletic talents, academic success, and exemplary character. (17 yo from Newport; Flagg plans to play for Duke U in the fall and is projected No. 1 pick for the 2025 NBA Draft.)
Bruins lose to Tampa Bay 1-3. Bruins off tonight. They’ll be at Capital One Arena Saturday to take on the Washington Capitals.
Celtics taking on the Hawks this evening in Atlanta. Celtics shooting hoops with the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday at Smoothie King Center.
Red Sox open the regular season on the West Coast tonight with a game against the Seattle Mariners.
The #6 University of Maine men’s hockey team faces #12 Cornell tonight in first-round play of the NCAA Tournament.
How are your brackets? In March Madness, the NCAA Basketball Tournament back underway tonight in the Sweet Sixteen Playoffs. (Elite Eight play Saturday and Sunday)