Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Missing Waldo County Juvenile Found Safe
(Morrill) A 15 yo who went missing May 6th from her home in Morrill has been located. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, Amelia King was believed to have been with 18 yo Jeffrey Philbrook when she left the residence Monday, and family and friends were unable to get in touch with her. Authorities did not provide further details but say she was found safe.
(Morrill) Waldo County authorities say they have safely located a 15 yo girl who went missing from her Morrill home Monday afternoon. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, Amelia King was believed to have been with 18 yo Jeffrey Philbrook when she disappeared. Authorities did not provide any further details.
Old Town Double Fatality
(Old Town) Two people died Thursday morning when their vehicle crashed on I-95 in Old Town. Authorities say an initial investigation indicates the driver, 26 yo Patrick McMullin of Howland, was southbound near mile marker 199 shortly before 6 a.m. when he lost control of his Jeep while trying to pass another vehicle. The Jeep went off the road and struck a tree. McMullin and his passenger, 18 yo Treasa Savage of Lincoln, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The interstate was down to one lane for about two hours while authorities investigated.
(Old Town) An attempt by a driver to pass another vehicle on I-95 ended in tragedy Thursday morning. Authorities say an initial investigation indicates the driver, 26 yo Patrick McMullin of Howland, was southbound near mile marker 199 in Old Town shortly before 6 a.m. when he lost control of his Jeep, went off the road and struck a tree. McMullin and his passenger, 18 yo Treasa Savage of Lincoln, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities closed all but one lane for about two hours while they investigated the crash.
Local Politics
Lawmakers Recommend Funding for 80 Bills
(Augusta) Lawmakers ran out of time during the last session, but met this week to comb through 245 bills, ultimately recommending funding for 80 of them. WMTW reports those 80 include a bill that would require health insurance providers to cover the cost of over-the-counter, federally approved oral contraceptives. The legislature will be meeting again today and must approve the bills before Governor Mills takes further action. The Governor warned the bills, which include millions in additional state spending, are pushing the budget to the “breaking point”.
(Augusta) The state Legislature will be back in session today. Lawmakers this week combed through some 245 bills they had run out of time to consider during the last session. They ultimately recommended funding for 80 of the bills. WMTW reports the bills, which include creating a tracking system for rape test kits and monies for transitional housing for persons recently released from jail, must be approved by the Legislature before Governor Mills takes further action. The Governor warned the bills, which include millions in additional state spending, are pushing the budget to the “breaking point”.
Addison Residents Can Now Renew Vehicle Registrations Online
(Addison) Addison residents, you can now take care of those vehicle registrations online! Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced yesterday Addison has launched Rapid Renewal, which allows Mainers to conduct business with municipal and state government in one seamless online transaction. Participation in Rapid Renewal is optional, but certainly convenient. Participating towns will accept payments via check and credit cards, and residents can continue to visit their town’s administration to pay in person if they so choose. Access the online service at maine dot gov. www.maine.gov/online/bmv/rapid-renewal/
(Addison) More than 340 municipalities have signed on with the online vehicle registration service known as Rapid Renewal. The latest to offer the service – the town of Addison. Rapid Renewal allows Mainers to conduct business with municipal and state governments in one seamless online transaction. Participation in Rapid Renewal is optional, but certainly convenient. Participating towns will accept payments via check and credit cards, and residents can continue to visit their town’s administration to pay in person if they so choose. Access the online service at maine dot gov. www.maine.gov/online/bmv/rapid-renewal/
Education
Ellsworth High School Teacher is Hancock County Teacher of the Year
(Ellsworth) An Ellsworth High School Teacher is Hancock County’s Teacher of the Year. Ryan Lowell has taught English Language Arts at the school for the past three years. Principal Dan Clifford tells Star 97.7, Lowell is deserving and successful because of his positive relationships with his students, his work ethic, and his student-first approach. The school was planning an assembly for 8:00 this morning. Other local winners include Washington County’s Ashley Cirone, who teaches at Harrington Elementary, Penobscot County’s Emilie Throckmorton of Bangor High School, Waldo County’s Shilo Burnham who teaches at East Belfast School, and Knox County’s Jim Morse of Camden-Rockport Middle School. We’ve posted all 16 winners on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Ellsworth) The Maine Department of Education Thursday released the names of the 16 Maine County Teachers of the Year. Among them, Ellsworth High School English Language Arts Teacher, Ryan Lowell, representing Hancock County. Principal Dan Clifford tells Star 97.7 Lowell, who has taught at EHS for three years, is deserving and successful because of his positive relationships with his students, his work ethic, and his student-first approach. The school was planning an assembly for 8:00 this morning. Other local winners include Washington County’s Ashley Cirone, who teaches at Harrington Elementary, Penobscot County’s Emilie Throckmorton, a teacher at Bangor High School, Waldo County’s Shilo Burnham of East Belfast School, and Knox County’s Jim Morse of Camden-Rockport Middle School. We’ve posted the names, photos, and schools of all 16 winners on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Environment
Maine Natural Areas Program
(Augusta) The Maine Natural Areas Program has launched a Marsh Migration Model to address sea level rise. The initiative’s goal is to help communities and land managers identify critical areas necessary for the inland migration of tidal marshes. Maine’s 22,000 acres of tidal marsh serve as natural buffers to coastal communities, mitigating flooding and reducing the impact of storm surges and waves. They also provide spaces for plant and animal species in which to live and grow. The vital ecosystems face threats from sea level rise, coastal development and other human disturbances. The report is available by searching M N A P Coastal Resiliency.
(Augusta) Maine has approximately 22,000 acres of tidal marsh, providing diverse ecosystem services, such as carbon removal, water quality enhancement, recreational opportunities and habitat for plant and animal species. Tidal marshes also serve as natural buffers to coastal communities, mitigating flooding and reducing the impact of storm surges and waves. But those tidal marshes are threatened by sea level rise, coastal development and other human disturbances. The Maine Natural Areas Program has launched a Marsh Migration Model to address sea level rise. The initiative’s goal is to help communities and land managers identify critical areas necessary for the inland migration of tidal marshes. You can access the report by searching M N A P Coastal Resiliency.
ANP Releases Environmental Assessment on Gathering of Sweetgrass
(ANP) Acadia National Park may enter into an agreement with five federally recognized tribes, known collectively as the Wabanaki, allowing the tribes to harvest sweetgrass from salt marshes within the park. When the park was established in 1916, the land was placed under the policies and regulations of the National Park Service, which prohibited the gathering of sweetgrass, even by tribes culturally affiliated with the land. Recently, park officials released an Environmental Assessment, detailing the effect of such plant gathering on the environment. New regulations allow the park to negotiate and enter into agreements with the tribes for plant gathering. Comments on the assessment will be received through June 5th at park planning dot n p s dot gov.
(ANP) Sweetgrass has for centuries been used by Native Americans for purifying ceremonies, healing, prayer, smudging and basketry. To many, sweetgrass is considered a sacred plant. When Acadia National Park was established in 1916, the land was placed under the policies and regulations of the National Park Service, which prohibited the gathering of sweetgrass, even by tribes culturally affiliated with the land. Recently, park officials released an Environmental Assessment, detailing the effect of such plant gathering on the environment. New regulations allow the park to negotiate and enter into agreements with certain tribes for the gathering of sweetgrass and other plant parts. Comments on the assessment will be received through June 5th at park planning dot n p s dot gov.
Economy
Bar Harbor Signals Tourist Season with Cruise Ships and Paid Parking
(Bar Harbor) It must be tourist season in Bar Harbor. The first cruise ship of the season arrived this week, and paid parking begins May 15th. The Mount Desert Islander reports some businesses say they’ve experienced a slower transition from winter to spring this year, as the first cruise ships have traditionally docked in April. They say weather – including a late-arriving snowstorm on April 4th – put a temporary damper on business, and back to back January storms left many hustling to repair and rebuild for the busy summer and fall seasons.
(Bar Harbor) The first cruise ship arrived in Bar Harbor this week – a sure sign it’s the beginning of tourist season. Other signs include paid parking going into effect on May 15th, reservations being required for the Cadillac Summit Road beginning May 22nd, and a general increase in traffic already being experienced by those traveling between Ellsworth and the island. Weather, including a post-April-Fool’s-Day snowstorm – hampered the transition to spring for some business owners, but that was just temporary. Many say they also had to scramble to rebuild and make repairs after those devastating back to back January storms.
Infrastructure
Applications Available to Help Rebuild Working Waterfronts
(Augusta) Applications for state funding are now available to help repair and rebuild working waterfronts damaged by the winter storms that battered Maine’s coastline. The $25M in funding is available through the Working Waterfront Resilience Grant Program and comes from the $60M secured by Governor Mills and approved by the Legislature for rebuilding piers and wharves, certain buildings, electrical and mechanical systems and fuel systems and tanks. We’ve posted a link to guidelines and applications on our Star 97.7 FB Page.
(Augusta) $25M in state funding is now available to help working waterfronts repair and rebuild from damage sustained by devastating winter storms that battered Maine’s coastline. The funding is available through the Working Waterfront Resilience Grant Program and is part of a $60M package secured by Governor Mills and approved by the Legislature. You can find guidelines, requirements, and an application at a link we’ve posted on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Sports
Game Two of the NBA Playoffs going to the Cavaliers last night 118-94. Celtics and Cavs tied going into Game Three Saturday in Cleveland
Red Sox at Fenway tonight to take on the Washington Capitals.
And the Bruins and Panthers continue skating for a win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs – teams tied at a game apiece. Game three tonight in Boston.
The Charlotte Hornets have hired the Celtics’ top assistant coach, Charles Lee, to be their next head coach. Lee will complete the Celtics’ Playoff run before heading for North Carolina.