Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Woodlawn First Responders Thank You Barbecue
(Ellsworth) If you’re a first responder, whether a firefighter, EMS worker, or law enforcement, Woodlawn in Ellsworth wants to thank you with a Barbecue on – appropriately – May Day! That’s May 1st, from 6 to 7:30. And while that may be a couple of weeks off, they’d appreciate it if you would RSVP by April 26th. Director Kathy Young tells Star 97.7, not only is it Woodlawn’s way of saying thanks, first responders will also get an orientation to the new Barn facility, so they’re comfortable in the event they need to respond there once they open to the public this summer. All first responders from throughout Hancock County – including Forest Rangers, Game Wardens, Sheriff, and dispatchers are invited and encouraged to attend.
(Ellsworth) May Day can mean a call for help; but this year, it’s a call TO the helpers who serve Hancock County as First Responders. Woodlawn in Ellsworth invites you to a special “thank you” barbecue on May 1st from 6 to 7:30. That includes Hancock County fire, police, EMS, forest rangers, game wardens, sheriff and dispatch. Not only will you be shown appreciation for all you do, Director Kathy Young says you’ll also get an orientation to the new Barn facility, so you’re comfortable in the event you need to respond there once they open to the public later this summer. Kindly RSVP by April 26th to info at woodlawn ellsworth dot org.
Local Politics
Republicans Blast Changes to State Budget
(Augusta) Maine Republicans are blasting changes to the state budget approved by Democrats on the legislature’s spending committee. WMTW reports House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham is calling for the removal of Appropriations Committee Co-Chair, Representative Melanie Sachs {sacks}. The controversy comes after a party-line vote early Saturday. The committee approved supplemental budget changes that would shift money away from the state’s highway fund, lower tax breaks for seniors, and draw down much of the 107-million-dollars Governor Mills wanted to put into savings.
(Augusta) A controversial weekend vote has House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham calling for the removal of Appropriations Committee Co-Chair, Representative Melanie Sachs (sacks). Republicans are railing against changes to the state budget approved by Democrats on the legislature’s spending committee. WMTW reports the changes would shift money away from the state’s highway fund, lower tax breaks for seniors, and draw down much of the 107-million dollars Governor Mills wanted to put into savings.
Maine Officials Seek Suspension of Judge
(Ellsworth) State officials want to see the suspension of Hancock County Probate Judge William Blaisdell IV’s law license. The Bangor Daily News reports they’ve petitioned Maine’s top court, seeking to bar Blaisdell from practicing law, including at his private practice in Ellsworth. The petition, filed earlier this month, references a March 8th contempt of court order filed in Waldo County that sought to ensure that Blaisdell pay overdue child support to his ex-wife. As ordered by the judge, he paid his ex-wife nearly $50K in back support and legal costs by a deadline set by that judge, avoiding a jail sentence. But attorneys representing the Maine Board of Overseers say Blaisdell’s actions violate bar rules having to do with fairness and general misconduct.
(Ellsworth) Hancock County Probate Judge William Blaisdell IV’s failure to pay child support when due may cost him his law license. The Bangor Daily News reports state officials have petitioned Maine’s top court to bar Blaisdell from practicing law. The petition comes after a March 8th contempt of court order sought to ensure Blaisdell pay overdue child support to his ex-wife. A judge in that case ordered Blaisdell, who also has a private practice in Ellsworth, to pay $50K in overdue support and legal costs by March 25th or face jail time. Although Blaisdell met that deadline, attorneys representing the Maine Board of Overseers say Blaisdell’s actions violate bar rules having to do with fairness and general misconduct.
Abortion Bill Comes Up Short
(Augusta) A resolution for amending the Maine Constitution to guarantee the right to an abortion has come up short of official votes needed in the House. WABI reports the same thing happened last week in the Senate. Each chamber will get one more vote before the end of the session, set for next week. Republicans called the votes political theater, saying the outcome appeared to be a foregone conclusion. Democrats say the roll call votes in both chambers ensure that lawmakers’ positions on the issue will be on record.
(Augusta) With states across the country reverting to drastic moves that limit a woman’s right to choose, Democrats wanted to amend the Maine Constitution to guarantee the right to an abortion. The resolution came up short of the initial votes needed in the House in order to move forward. WABI reports it’s a repeat of what happened last week in the Senate. Each chamber will get one more vote. Republicans called the votes political theater, saying the outcome appeared to be a foregone conclusion. Democrats say the roll call votes in both chambers ensure that lawmakers’ positions on the issue will be on record.
Red Flag Law
(Augusta) A legislative committee this week voted in support of a red flag bill that would open a path for families to restrict firearms access from people who pose a risk to themselves or others without needing a mental health evaluation. The Portland Press Herald reports one supporter said having that extra mechanism allows for disentangling those in crisis from people with mental illness. The bill would also allow law enforcement to get a court order restricting a person’s access to weapons, but only after they are taken into protective custody and receive a mental health evaluation. The bill now makes its way to the full Maine legislature.
(Augusta) An emotional week in Augusta, as legislators and family members testified late into the night Tuesday regarding a red flag bill that would open a path for families to restrict firearms access from people who pose a risk to themselves or others without needing a mental health evaluation. The Portland Press Herald reports the legislative committee ultimately voted in support of the bill that would also allow law enforcement to get a court order restricting a person’s access to weapons, but only after they are taken into protective custody and receive a mental health evaluation. The bill now makes its way to the full Maine legislature.
Economy
Star 97.7 Changing Hands, Staying Local
(Ellsworth) Some news stories hit a little closer to home than others. Such is the case with this story about Ellsworth’s local radio station, Star 97.7. We’re changing hands. Yep, veteran Maine broadcaster and MAB Hall of Famer Mark Osborne has announced he’s retiring and selling the station he and Natalie Knox turned into Downeast’s powerful promoter of all things local – local businesses, local news, local nonprofits, and music and information that locals love and want to hear. The good news is, the station is being bought by a local guy himself – our own Paul Dupuis, who started broadcasting while he was just a lad, way back in 1988. Even better, not much else will change. We’ll still be local – all the way, with the current music, staff, service, and community outreach you’ve come to count on.
(Ellsworth) When Mark Osborne and Natalie Knox started Star 97.7 almost 20 years ago, they knew the key to success would be keeping it local. In the age of corporate buyouts, Star has remained a strong supporter of all things local – local businesses, local non-profits, local news, local ownership, and the music and information locals have come to count on. So it might be a little unsettling to hear that our owner, veteran Maine broadcaster, and Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Famer, Mark Osborne, has decided to retire and sell the station. Not to worry – it’s being sold to some very capable, LOCAL hands. Our own Paul Dupuis’s Codin Broadcasting has filed an application with the FCC to purchase the station. You know what else is changing? Not much. We’ll still be here and local all the way – with the current music, staff, service and community outreach you’ve come to count on.
Food Drive Kickoff a Success
(Ellsworth) A huge thanks to the community for turning out in support of the Hancock County Food Drive kickoff on March 30th. The county-wide collection event raised more than $6500 and brought in 2,800 pounds of food. More than 50 volunteers … from first responders to local food pantry workers and others … donated their time and energy, while YOU donated so generously in goods and funds to support 17 food security organizations, including school backpack programs, food pantries, and others. The work continues all month long, with opportunities to raise money when you read, work out, or climb – learn more at h c food drive dot org.
(Ellsworth) Food pantries and other food security groups continue to see the need for support rise, sometimes double. Even people working multiple jobs are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Healthy Acadia wants the community to know how grateful they are for your support of the month-long Hancock County Food Drive, which benefits 17 food security organizations locally. The March 30th kickoff brought in more than $6500 and 2,800 pounds of food. More than 50 volunteers donated their time and energy, while the community donated funds and food. There’s still time to get involved with the Miles for Meals, Read-a-thon, and other fundraising opportunities. Learn more at h c food drive dot org.
FEMA Help Available for Storm-Damaged Furnaces, Wells, Septic Systems
(Maine) If you live in Hancock, Washington, Waldo or other eligible counties and your private furnace, well, or septic system suffered damage in the January storms, you may be able to receive help from FEMA. The agency may assist in covering the cost of a licensed contractor or technician and may also pay for the actual repair or replacement of your septic system or private wells, which are not insurable items. Just talk with the FEMA inspector at the time of your inspection. If you’ve already had an inspection and damage wasn’t reported, contact the FEMA Helpline to receive instructions about how to amend your application. We’ve listed an 800 number with this story on our Star 97.7 website. 1-800-621-3362.
(Maine) If flooding or other damage from the January 9-13 storms affected your private property furnace, well, or septic system and if you live in Hancock, Washington, Waldo or any of the other affected counties, you may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The agency may assist in covering the cost of a licensed contractor or technician and may also pay for the actual repair or replacement of your septic system or private wells, which are not insurable items. Just talk with the FEMA inspector at the time of your inspection. If you’ve already had an inspection and damage wasn’t reported, contact the FEMA Helpline to receive instructions about how to amend your application. We’ve listed an 800 number with this story on our Star 97.7 website. 1-800-621-3362.
Environment
Acadia National Park Funding for Climate Restoration
(ANP) Acadia National Park is set to receive $950,000 to address climate change vulnerabilities of coastal archeological sites, collections, and landscapes. The funding, from the Inflation Reduction Act, will help address sea level rise, flooding, and extreme weather events that have and could affect thousands of cultural sites affiliated with tribal nations.
(ANP) Acadia National Park officials will work with Wabanaki communities, the University of Maine, the Schoodic Institute and others to address climate change vulnerabilities of coastal archeological sites, collections and landscapes. The projects will be funded with $950,000 announced Wednesday from the Inflation Reduction Act. Projects will address sea level rise, flooding and other extreme weather events that have or could affect thousands of cultural sites affiliated with tribal nations.
NASA Explains Red Dots During Solar Eclipse
(NASA) Viewers who got to experience totality during Monday’s solar eclipse saw what looked like a solar flare. But NASA says the red dots along the edge of the eclipse were actually giant, rarely seen solar events happening on the sun’s surface, known as solar prominences. The phenomenon is described by NASA as a tangled, twisted structure of magnetic field plasma generated by the sun, anchored to the sun’s surface, and extending out for hundreds of thousands of miles into space over the course of several months. Scientists aren’t sure how or why they are formed. On its website, NASA said the prominence is a rare occurrence, adding to the experience of all who witnessed it.
(NASA) Eclipse viewers who experienced totality unwittingly experienced not only the corona, but an even more rare occurrence known as solar prominences. Many thought the red dots on the edge of the corona were solar flares. But NASA describes them as rare prominences, which are tangled, twisted structures of magnetic field plasma generated by the sun, anchored to its surface, and extending out for hundreds of thousands of miles over the course of several months. While scientists aren’t certain what causes the prominences, they say they become unstable and erupt, bursting plasma out into space, and destroying the structure that was months in the making … in just a matter of hours.
Sports
Red Sox lost to the Orioles 7-5 last night at Fenway. The teams have one more game tomorrow night before Boston begins weekend series against the Angels at Fenway
Celtics host the New York Knicks tonight at TD Garden.
Bruins off until Saturday when they’ll be in Pittsburgh to skate against the Penguins.