Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Berwick Drug Arrests
(Berwick) Maine Drug Enforcement Agents yesterday arrested nine people in Berwick in connection with suspected illegal drug activity and other infractions. The nine men and women were all residents of Berwick, ranging in age from 23 to 42. Agents had been monitoring activity at a home on Katabel Lane for the past two months. Police say they have responded to the residence more than a dozen times since January 2023 for numerous disturbances, including it being the scene of a suspected homicide that occurred that month. A search of the residence Thursday yielded over 140 grams of fentanyl and other evidence indicating illegal drug activity.
CBS News in Machias to Document Illegal Marijuana Farms in Maine
(Machias) CBS News was in Machias earlier this year to document the black market marijuana boom in Maine. The illegal farms have sprung up in other rural states and reportedly number in the hundreds in the Pine Tree State alone. Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier said in one incident alone, they unearthed more than a million dollars in black market marijuana and seized 2600 plants. You can view the segment on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Machias) Illegal black market marijuana farms suspected of being run by Chinese organized crime syndicates have sprung up in rural states like Maine and across the US. One estimate says there are close to three hundred operating across Maine alone. CBS News was in Machias earlier this year to document the black market marijuana boom in Maine. Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier said in one recent incident alone, they unearthed more than a million dollars in black market marijuana and seized 2600 plants. You can view the CBS segment on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Ellsworth Courthouse Building Will Still Get Plenty of Use
(Ellsworth) While a proposed new courthouse on the Surry Road in Ellsworth is getting plenty of attention, speculation abounds about what will happen with the current Hancock County Courthouse facility. The Ellsworth American reports one of the reasons for the NEW courthouse is those housed in the State Street building have simply outgrown their space. Courtrooms and offices rented by the Maine Judicial Branch will likely be renovated to house the DA’s office operations, and the County Treasurer and Finance Director will have a dedicated space for often-needed private conversations with employees. Monica Cease currently has to use a storage room for such meetings. In addition, Sheriff Scott Kane said his agency is in need of more room, for patrol officers who now work in crowded conditions, as well as a bigger evidence room. A meeting to address citizens’ concerns about the new courthouse is planned for April 30th.
(Ellsworth) District Attorney Bob Granger could be getting an additional prosecutor – but there’s no place to put him. The DA’s office receives threats on a daily basis – but there’s reportedly zero security. Sheriff Scott Kane says his deputies are working in crowded conditions, and there’s a need for a larger evidence room. And when County Treasurer Monica Cease needs to have a private conversation with an employee, she’s forced to use a storage room. Those are just some of the reasons for a new Hancock County Courthouse planned on the Surry Road in Ellsworth. The new facility will allow the DA’s office and other county departments to breathe in the current courthouse space, where expansion is sorely needed. A meeting to address citizens’ concerns about the new courthouse is planned for 6 p.m. on April 30th.
Local Politics
Ellsworth City Council to Hold Two Special Meetings
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth City Council is holding two special meetings prior to the start of a budget workshop next week. The meetings pertain to funding for storm water improvements for the Main and Oak Street area and school funding and will be held in the Ellsworth City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 24th at 6 and 6:15 pm., respectively. The meetings can also be viewed on the City’s FB page and YouTube Channel.
(Ellsworth) Two special Ellsworth City Council meetings scheduled for next Wednesday prior to the start of a budget workshop. The meetings pertain to funding for stormwater improvements in the Main and Oak Street area, as well as to school funding, and will be held in the Ellsworth City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 24th at 6 and 6:15 pm., respectively. The meetings can also be viewed on the City’s FB page and YouTube Channel.
Lawmakers Send Letter Opposing USPS Consolidations Across the Country
(Washington, DC) A bipartisan group of legislators, including Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Jared Golden, are sending yet another letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy opposing the recent nationwide consolidation of mail facilities. The Senators say the move, including a planned conversion of the Hampden facility and moving area mail sorting to Scarborough, will slow critical mail delivery of medications, Social Security checks, and other important mail.
Lawmakers Pass Sweeping Gun Reform Measures Before Adjourning
(Augusta) The Maine legislature approved sweeping gun legislation before adjourning early yesterday morning. Changes include requiring background checks on private gun sales, waiting periods for gun purchases, and funding for violence prevention initiatives. Maine lawmakers wrapped up their latest session without taking action on a proposal to create a “red flag” law. Although the House was scheduled to take up the bill Wednesday, that never happened, possibly signaling Democrats may have lacked the votes for it to pass.
(August) Sweeping gun legislation was one focus as lawmakers wrapped up the current session early Thursday. Among other bills, lawmakers approved background checks, a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, a ban on bump stocks, and funding for violence prevention initiatives and a mental health crisis center in Lewiston. Democratic lawmakers have raised the white flag for now on a proposed “red flag” law. The House was scheduled to take up the bill on Wednesday, but never did, possibly signaling the majority party lacked the votes needed for the bill to pass.
Governor Janet Mills Directs $60M in Storm Relief to Be Distributed ASAP
(Augusta) Lawmakers passed Governor Janet Mills’ supplemental budget before adjourning yesterday. The budget includes $60M to help Maine communities and businesses recover from storm damage. The Governor immediately directed her Administration to take steps necessary to distribute the funds as soon as the money comes available. The Maine Department of Transportation will receive $50M in grants for infrastructure repair and rebuild, while $10M in funding will go to small businesses. Applications should be available in the coming weeks.
(Augusta) The Maine Legislature wrapped up their current session early Thursday by passing Governor Janet Mills’ supplemental budget for FY 2024-25. The budget includes funding to help the state rebuild after recent devastating storms. Governor Mills wasted no time in directing her Administration to take whatever steps necessary to distribute the $60M in storm relief funds as soon as the money became available. Aid will come in the form of $50M in grants to the Maine Department of Transportation and $10M in funding to small businesses, such as working waterfronts. Applications will be available in early to mid May.
Environment
Lamoine Osprey Pair Returns!
(Lamoine) Not only are hummingbirds on the way to Maine, the Lamoine Osprey are back at their nest on Mud Creek Road! Versant Power reports the pair of raptors continues to return to their specially created platform each year. Versant built the platform to prevent them from nesting near power lines after fire destroyed the birds’ nest in August of 2020. The birds returned to rebuild on the new platform, and Versant then added a solar-powered camera that live-streams the ospreys as they build up their nest, lay eggs, wait for them to hatch, and care for their chicks. Access the live view at versant power dot com forward slash osprey.
(Lamoine) The snowbirds have begun arriving for the season. We’re not talking about the summer dwellers from Florida, but the majestic osprey pair that nests on Mud Creek Road in Lamoine. The raptors’ nest was destroyed by fire in 2020, so Versant Power, which owns the utility pole where the next was built, built a special platform to prevent the birds from nesting near power lines. Versant then added a solar-powered camera that live-streams their activities as they hunt, fish, lay eggs, and hatch and raise their young. Access the live view at versant power dot com forward slash osprey.
Card Brook Cleanup Postponed Due to Rain
(Ellsworth) Tomorrow’s Card Brook Cleanup has been postponed due to the rains that are predicted for Saturday morning. If you haven’t yet registered and would like to help with cleanup NEXT Saturday, April 27th, contact City Communications Specialist Maura Condon – or you can just show up at the Hannaford parking lot at 9 a.m. that morning. Come for all or part of the morning; and afterwards, the Ellsworth Moose Lodge will treat participants to a cookout! We’ve posted more details on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Ellsworth) Rained out – for now. That’s the word from the City of Ellsworth regarding tomorrow’s Annual Card Brook Cleanup. If you haven’t yet registered and would like to help with cleanup NEXT Saturday, April 27th, contact City Communications Specialist Maura Condon – or you can just show up at the Hannaford parking lot at 9 a.m. that morning. Come for all or part of the morning; and afterwards, the Ellsworth Moose Lodge will treat participants to a cookout! We’ve posted more details on our Star 97.7 FB page. And again, the Card Brook cleanup now RESCHEDULED for NEXT Saturday.
Controlled Burns Planned for Acadia National Park
(ANP) If you plan a hike at Acadia National Park or are driving near the Park between now and May 10th, don’t be too alarmed if you see and/or smell smoke. Park officials plan to conduct prescribed fire burning, dependent on weather and fuel conditions, in order to protect cultural landscapes and perpetuate open fields by reducing encroaching woody seedlings. The controlled burns are planned for near the Jordan Pond House, the Pooler Farm off Route 3 in Bar Harbor, and the Flye Farm near Route 102 in Tremont. More specific details will be posted on the Park’s social media pages prior to each burn.
(ANP) The National Park Service will be conducting controlled burns in and near Acadia National Park between now and May 10th. The prescribed burning, which is dependent on weather and fuel conditions, will help protect cultural landscapes and perpetuate open fields by reducing encroaching woody seedlings that threaten such open spaces. Controlled burns are planned between the Jordan Pond House and the pond itself, at the Pooler Farm off Route 3 in Bar Harbor, and at the Flye Farm near Route 102 in Tremont. Specific details will be posted on the Park’s social media pages before each prescribed burn.
Trails Reopen at Woodlawn
(Ellsworth) You can once again stroll the beautiful trails at Woodlawn in Ellsworth! The dry weather has allowed the trails to reopen for folks to stroll, meditate, and enjoy.
Health
Doctors Add Firearm Safety to Patient Questions
(KFF) In wellness visits, primary care doctors have a few minutes with patients to check in about various issues related to their health, including smoking, drinking, medications and exercise. Some physicians have now added gun safety to the list. The move stems from the perspective, shared by the Minnesota Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups, that gun violence is a public health crisis. KFF Health News reports the US as a whole is seeing a spike in gun related injuries, especially among children.
(KFF) When you head to the doctor’s office, you generally expect questions about your lifestyle that include whether or not you drink, smoke, and/or exercise. Now some physicians are adding questions related to gun safety to the list. The move stems from the perspective that gun violence is a public health crisis. The perspective is held by the American Academy of Pediatrics, among others. KFF Health News reports the US as a whole is seeing a spike in gun related injuries, especially among children.
Human Interest
Camp CaPella Day Camp Registration
(Dedham) Camp CaPella has Day Camp spots open for those between the ages of 10 and 18 this summer! They say reach out if you need help with your application, and remember – they never turn anyone away based on their ability to pay!
Governor Mills Orders Flags at Half Mast
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has ordered US and State of Maine flags to fly at half staff today in honor of former Maine Governor Joseph Brennan. Brennan will be laid to rest following a funeral service this morning at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. Brennan served as Maine’s Governor between 1979 and 1987. He passed away April 6th at the age of 89.
Sports
The Cleveland Guardians make it three and one with last night’s 5-4 win over the Red Sox. Red Sox now head to Pittsburgh to spend the weekend running the bases against the Pirates.
The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race kicks off tomorrow in Bangor.
The Ellsworth “boys of summer” at bat this afternoon against John Bapst – game time 1 p.m.