Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
MBHS Encourages Park, Stop, Look Lock
(Augusta) Today’s warmer temperatures are a good reminder for families and caregivers to stop, look, and lock once you park. The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety says vehicular heatstroke is a leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children 14 and younger. Since 1998, when tracking began, more than 965 children have died – most of those preventable deaths occurring when a parent or caregiver “forgot” and left a child in a hot car. They say, you may think it can’t happen to you, but a busy adult may unintentionally forget that quiet or sleeping child in the back seat. Experts report vehicle temperatures can quickly rise more than 50 degrees above the outside air temperature.
(Augusta) Most of us feel it’s unthinkable that we would leave a child locked in a hot car. But the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety says it happens all too often – with more than 965 such preventable deaths reported since 1998 when tracking began. They say with our busy lives, it’s easy to forget a quiet or sleeping child in the back seat. Toddlers and young children are at-risk as well, because they are more likely to climb into a vehicle without supervision. Experts say vehicle temperatures can quickly rise more than 50 degrees above the outside air temperature, and a child’s body temperature increases 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s. MBHS says once you park, make it a habit to stop, look, and lock.
Unity Incident
(Unity) Tense moments Monday in Unity. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, a Maine Forest Ranger was investigating illegally cut trees at 118 Jacy Place in Unity when he was confronted by gunshots. The Ranger was not hit and radioed for assistance. As a result, 38 yo Sharod Parker was arrested for Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon and booked into the Waldo County Jail. A search warrant turned up additional evidence in the case. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say more details will be released at a later date.
(Unity) A Unity man is in the Waldo County Jail today after he allegedly fired gunshots when a Maine Forest Ranger went to his residence to investigate illegally cut trees. Upon hearing the gunshots, the Ranger called for assistance. As a result, 38 yo Sharod Parker of 118 Jacy Place was arrested for Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon and booked into the Waldo County Jail. A search warrant turned up additional evidence in the case. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say more details will be released at a later date.
Sentencing Hearing Set for Kailie Brackett in Perry Murder Case
(Machias) A sentencing hearing is set for May 10th for 39 yo Kailie Brackett, who was found guilty of the intentional or knowing depraved murder in the death of Kimberly Neptune in her Perry apartment in April 2022. Brackett and 40 yo Donnell Dana, were accused of stabbing Neptune nearly 500 times after they went to her apartment to rob her of drugs. The state dropped the murder charge against Dana. Attorneys for Brackett are seeking a new trial. Sentencing will take place at 9 a.m. Friday at the Washington County Courthouse.
Authorities Make Second Arrest in Biddeford Drug Bust
(Biddeford) Authorities on Monday made a second arrest in a Biddeford drug seizure case. On May 1st, MDEA Agents arrested Almuntadhar Mohammed for drug trafficking warrants, seizing over seven pounds of fentanyl from his Ray Street apartment. Monday, authorities also arrested and charged 23 yo Alyssa Staples of Biddeford. The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency reports Staples and Mohammed are in a domestic relationship and live together at the Ray Street address. An eight-months long investigation revealed Mohammed purchased large quantities of fentanyl from out of state sources, repackaged it and sold it throughout southern Maine. The investigation is continuing, and more arrests are expected.
Secretary Warns of Misleading Corporation and Non-Profit Solicitations.
(Augusta) Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is warning Maine corporations and non-profits to be vigilant about a misleading solicitation they may have received in the mail, offering to file Beneficial Ownership Information Reports on their behalf for a fee of between $175 and $195 dollars. The reports are a new federal reporting requirement, but there is no fee tor submitting them to FinCEN, a bureau within the US Department of the Treasury. The misleading solicitation form is from an organization identified as CPS and looks similar to other forms and solicitations. If you are unsure, contact the State’s Corporate Division at 624-7736.
Waldo County Disaster Recovery Center Now Open
(Belfast) Another Disaster Recovery Center is now open in Maine. WABI-TV reports Waldo County is now home to the state’s fifth Disaster Recovery Center. The DRC is located at the former Superior Courthouse in Belfast and will be open from 9 to 5 Monday through Saturday. Additional centers are located in Ellsworth, Machias, Orr’s Island, and Wells. Remember, the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance from the January storms is now less than two weeks away on May 20th.
(Belfast) With the deadline looming to apply for FEMA assistance from the January storms, another Disaster Recovery Center is now open in Belfast. WABI-TV reports the state’s fifth DRC is located at the former Superior Courthouse in Belfast and will be open from 9 to 5, Monday through Saturday. Additional recovery centers are located in Ellsworth, Machias, Orr’s Island, and Wells. You can apply for assistance in person, online or by phone, but you must apply by May 20th.
Local Politics
King Advocates for Greater Access to KWW
(Washington, DC) When Katahdin Woods and Waters was first designated a national monument under President Barack Obama, then Maine Governor Paul LePage reportedly wouldn’t even allow signs to point the way to the newly designated area. That’s a far cry from Senator Angus King who wants to provide additional access to the increasingly popular monument. King has reintroduced legislation to authorize additional access to KWW by giving the National Park Service permission to acquire land from willing donors or sellers. NPS could then use those lands to better connect the Monument to the Millinocket region and major roadways. The bill expressly forbids use of eminent domain.
Governor Mills Moves to Increase Women in Construction Industry
(Augusta) Women make up only about 15% of Maine’s construction industry; just 11% nationally. On Monday, Governor Janet Mills took steps to increase those percentages by signing an Executive Order to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of women in Maine’s construction sector. The Executive Order directs several state agencies to take a series of actions to better measure the shortage of qualified workers, connect women with employment opportunities, and pursue state and federal funding to incentivize the hiring of women.
Franklin Updates Policies and Procedures for Community Center
(Franklin) The Town of Franklin’s Community Center has become a popular gathering place where residents and those from surrounding communities come together to celebrate milestones and meet with friends and family. The Community Center Board of Trustees says they’re pleased to continue offering use of the meeting room and park area free of charge, but the popularity of the venue has prompted them to update policy and procedure. They say you’ll find that new information at the Town Office during regular business hours.
(Franklin) The Franklin Community Center has seen birthdays, weddings, parties, and other milestone events over the years, and members of the Board of Trustees say they’re happy to continue offering use of the meeting room and park area free for residents and those in surrounding communities. However, they say the center’s growing popularity has prompted them to update policy and procedure for using the facility. They say you’ll find that new information at the Town Office during regular business hours.
King Named “Fiscal Hero”
(Washington, DC) The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has named U.S. Senator Angus King a “Fiscal Hero” of the 118th Congress. The honor recognizes the Senator’s extensive work to improve the nation’s fiscal stability and fix the budget process. King’s office reports to Star 97.7, Fiscal Heroes earn this designation by leading bipartisan efforts to work through policy options to fix the debt and the budget process, taking responsible votes, participating in fiscally-focused events, delivering floor speeches, advocating to keep tough choices on the table, and introducing legislation to improve the budget process and the nation’s fiscal position.
Economy
Community Closet Announces Reopening
(Ellsworth) Lots of people were disappointed when Community Closet closed last year after six years of serving the Ellsworth community. Good news, a new store – 207 Community Closet – will open in June at a new location on Water Street. CC 207 will provide access to maternity and baby needs, hygiene products, clothing, shoes, blankets and other necessities without limits and at low to no cost at the retail store. Follow Community Closet 207 on FB for updates.
(Ellsworth) For six years, Jackie Wycoff and her small band of dedicated volunteers manned Community Closet in Ellsworth, providing residents of Hancock and Washington Counties with such varied needs as blankets and baby items, clothing and cooking utensils, hygiene products and more. Great news, a new store – 207 Community Closet – will open in June at a new location on Water Street. CC 207 will provide access to clothing, shoes, maternity and other needs, all without limits and at low to no cost at the retail store. Follow Community Closet 207 on FB for updates.
Education
MDOE Kicks Off Teacher Appreciation Week with “Live and Work in Maine” Event
(Portland) The Maine Department of Education kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week yesterday by launching the second year of their “Live and Teach in Maine” campaign. MDOE, along with local teachers, educational leaders and others unveiled new initiatives Monday afternoon at Portland International Jetport, designed to showcase the value of teaching in Maine. Live and Work in Maine is a state-wide initiative dedicated to promoting the opportunities for career advancement here in Maine.
(Portland) It is Teacher Appreciation Week, and the Maine Department of Education kicked off the week yesterday by launching their “Live and Teach in Maine” campaign at Portland International Jetport. Along with local teachers and educational leaders, MDOE promoted the advantages of teaching in Maine, including focus on a whole student approach, encouraging innovation, and inspiring trust in our schools. The program was part of Live and Work in Maine, a state-wide initiative dedicated to promoting the opportunities for career advancement here in Maine.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Sponge Bob Takes Up Residence in Sullivan
(Sullivan) Belfast had its rubber ducks – now it seems a cove in Sullivan has its own yellow attraction. Sponge Bob seems to have taken up residence on a tiny island off US One, just before Route 200. No one’s quite sure where the “sea sponge” came from, but a cut-out of the cartoon character appeared on the tiny island sometime overnight on Friday. We’ve posted pictures of the toothy character on our Star 97.7 FB page. We hope he’ll be around for awhile. He’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face as you drive by.
Sullivan Daze Committee Looking for Vendors and Volunteers
(Sullivan) One of the area’s premier summer events is Sullivan Daze, an annual all-day festival held the first Saturday in August in Sumner Park. The celebration includes a parade down Taunton Drive, activities for all ages, and an evening of fireworks over Taunton Bay. Organizers are looking for craft vendors, volunteers, and donations for their raffle table. Check out all the information on the Sullivan Daze – that’s D A Z E – FB page or contact the Town Office to learn more.
Sports
Red Sox in Atlanta to go bat-to-base against the Braves this evening.
Round Two, Game One of the NBA playoffs pits the Boston Celtics against the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at TD Garden.
The Bruins hit the ice running last night in Round 2 Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs – they beat the Panthers 5-1 down in Florida. Teams remain in Florida for Game Two tomorrow night.