Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lewiston Shooter’s Family to Testify Today
(Augusta) The commission investigating the Lewiston mass shooting will hear from members of the shooter’s family today. Family members of Robert Card are expected to share their thoughts on what led to the tragedy. Today’s meeting will be the commission’s tenth since it was formed in response to the October 25th killings that shocked the country and the world. An official from the Army Reserve’s Psychological Health Program is also expected to testify today.
(Augusta) Members of the commission investigating Maine’s worst tragedy will hear from members of the shooter’s family today when they gather at the University of Maine at Augusta. It’s the tenth meeting of the commission and the first time family members have appeared before commission members. An official from the Army Reserve’s Psychological Health Program is also expected to testify today.
Missing Sullivan Woman Found
(Sullivan) Authorities Wednesday located a missing Sullivan woman. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, authorities were called to Tunk Lake Road Tuesday afternoon to check on the welfare of a woman believed to be in a mental health crisis. Police say the woman took off on foot into the woods before they arrived. A search of the area at first failed to locate the woman, identified as Suzanne Mingle. Officials did not say where Mingle was found. Authorities credited the Maine Warden Service, Sullivan Fire and Rescue, and others who aided in the search.
(Sullivan) Authorities have located a woman missing from Sullivan. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department says they were called to Tunk Lake Road Tuesday afternoon for a welfare check. Before they arrived, the woman, identified as Suzanne Mingle, took off on foot into the woods. She was last seen along the Sunrise Trail, wearing white pajama pants and a blue housecoat. Search parties found Mingle yesterday, but did not disclose information on where she was found or her condition. Authorities credited the Maine Warden Service, Sullivan Fire and Rescue, and others who aided in the search.
Dry Weather Keeps Maine Forest Rangers, Local Fire Crews Busy
(Franklin) The recent dry weather is keeping Maine Forest Rangers and local fire departments busy responding to wildfires. Crews from Sullivan, Franklin, Trenton, Gouldsboro, Eastbrook and at least five other departments worked to contain a fire off Hog Bay Road in Franklin Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters worked into the night, with the blaze burning roughly 8 acres. Also, yesterday afternoon, Maine Forest Rangers and Beddington firefighters worked a wildfire near Beddington Lake in Washington County. As of about 1:30 yesterday, that fire was contained to just under three acres. Cause of the fires remains under investigation.
(Franklin) The spell of dry weather is having an impact on the environment and keeping Maine Forest Rangers and local fire crews busy. Firefighters from Lamoine, Sorrento, Steuben, Winter Harbor, Hancock and at least five other departments battled a wildfire off Hog Bay Road in Franklin early Wednesday afternoon. A helicopter also responded with water drops, and crews worked into the night as that blaze burned roughly 8 acres. Also yesterday, Maine Forest Rangers and Beddington firefighters worked a wildfire near Beddington Lake in Washington County. As of about 1:30 yesterday, that fire was contained to just under three acres. Cause of the fires remains under investigation.
K&B Fire
(Ellsworth) – An overnight fire has badly damaged an auto repair business in Ellsworth. Firefighters were awakened just before 2-o’clock this morning after K&B Automotive on the Surry Road reported the blaze to 9-1-1. Firefighters from Ellsworth, Surry, Hancock, Lamoine, Trenton and Orland responded to the scene and found a garage ablaze. It took about 2-and-a-half hours to get the fire out. The State Fire Marshal’s office was called to look for the cause. No injuries are reported.
(Ellsworth) – Fire badly damaged an Ellsworth auto repair shop overnight. Firefighters from six communities responded to the 2AM call while several other departments stood by. The fire was at K&B Automotive on the Surry Road. Firefighters were able to get the fire knocked down in less than an hour and it was completely out in about 2 and a half hours. No injuries are reported and the fire marshal’s office was called to look for the cause. Ellsworth firefighters got help from Surry, Lamoine, Trenton, Hancock and Orland.
Local Politics
King, Colleagues Request Funding to Support Organic Agriculture
(Washington, DC) In a 2020 study, Maine ranked second in the country per capita for the availability of organic food, with 37 organic farms across the state for every 100,000 Mainers. In addition, the study showed Maine vegetable farms produced the most organic produce in the nation. Senator Angus King has joined colleagues in urging support of organic farming in the FY 2025 spending bill. Members urged leaders to consider grant funding for research, technical support and more to help the organic industry continue to flourish.
(Washington, DC) A 2020 study showed Maine vegetable farms produced the most organic produce in the nation. The state ranked second in the country per capita for the availability of organic food, touting 37 organic farms across the state for every 100,000 Mainers. Senator Angus King has joined colleagues in urging support of organic farming in the FY 2025 spending bill. Members urged leaders to consider grant funding for research, technical support and more to help the organic industry continue to flourish.
Janet Mills Will Not Sign Off on 35 Bills
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills said this week she will not sign the 35 bills approved by lawmakers on Friday, the last day of this year’s session. The proposed bills included everything from creating a board to rename offensive places in Maine to setting up a statewide tracking system for rape kits. The Governor had earlier cautioned that the proposed legislation was pushing the budget to the breaking point. A spokesperson for Governor Mills said by considering and passing so many bills on veto day, legislators were working on legally questionable ground. She urged lawmakers to consider the bills again when they reconvene next year.
(Augusta) That would be a no – times 35. Before the legislature adjourned for the year last Friday, members sent proposals for 35 bills to the Governor for her signature, none of which Governor Janet Mills will sign. The Governor had earlier cautioned that the proposed legislation was pushing the budget to the breaking point. A spokesperson for Mills said by considering and passing so many bills on veto day, legislators were working on legally questionable ground. She urged lawmakers to consider the bills again when they reconvene next year. The proposals included everything from setting up a statewide tracking system for rape kits to creating a board to rename offensive places in Maine.
Postal Service to Pause Changes at Hampden Facility
(Hampden) The U.S. Postal Service says it will pause proposed changes at the Hampden Processing Facility until January 1st. WABI-TV reports the USPS had proposed converting the Hampden facility into a local processing center, which would force outgoing mail to go to Scarborough for processing. Maine’s congressional delegation has argued the change would cause delays to critical deliveries like medications, Social Security checks, and other important mail.
(Hampden) Hold the mail – or at least changes proposed to mail facilities and deliveries here in Maine. The U.S. Postal Service says it will pause changes proposed at the Hampden Processing Facility until January 1st. WABI-TV reports the USPS had proposed converting the Hampden facility into a local processing center, which would force outgoing mail to go to Scarborough for processing. Maine’s congressional delegation argued the change would cause delays to critical deliveries like medications, Social Security checks, and other important mail. The Postal Service says it will pause similar changes to other facilities across the country, as well.
Environment
Keystone Project Gains Ground
(Franklin County) The Keystone Project in Franklin County is gaining ground – literally. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands on Wednesday announced the addition of more than 2700 acres, land they say will play a critical role in preventing development in the valley between Saddleback and Mount Abraham. Project partners coordinated with seven different landowners to protect 21 separate parcels. The addition connects other preserved lands with the Appalachian Trail Corridor.
(Franklin County) More than 2700 acres of lands that are part of the traditional territory and of ongoing cultural significance to the Wabanaki are now preserved as part of the Keystone Project. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands said Wednesday protection of the latest additions contributes to a contiguous landscape of over 100,000 acres that are permanently conserved and that play important roles in supporting outdoor recreation, connected wildlife habitats – allowing species to migrate -, timber harvest, mature forest, and carbon storage. The lands are in the valley between Saddleback and Mount Abraham and connect other preserved lands with the Appalachian Trail Corridor.
Infrastructure
Versant Building New Substation to Serve Machias, Whitneyville
(Machias) Construction is underway on a new Versant Power substation off Route One that will serve customers in Machias and Whitneyville. The new station on October Lane will replace the former Bad Little Falls substation, is out of the public eye, and is no longer located along the Machias River. Versant says the substation will feature all-new modernized equipment, including a new transformer, control house, and improved communications technology. The substation is expected to be up and running in early fall.
(Machias) Something new and powerful is underway off Route One in Machias. Construction is underway on a new substation that will serve customers in Machias and Whitneyville. Versant Power says the new station on October Lane will replace the former Bad Little Falls substation, is out of the public eye, and is no longer situated along the Machias River. The utility says the new technology at the Machias substation will make service more reliable, and will allow crews to more quickly identify and communicate outages, leading to shorter outages and more precise data for customers. The new transformer, breakers, and other equipment will be installed this summer, with plans to have the substation up and running in early fall.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Special Olympics Torch Run
(Ellsworth) Paris may have the Summer Olympics, but Bangor has the Special Olympics – and that’s about as inspiring as it gets. Corporal Shawn Merchant with the Ellsworth Police Department tells Star 97.7 about the very special way they kick off the Bangor Games. (((Torch 1 “…all the way to Bangor.” :11))) Merchant says this year, due to the small field of runners, they’ll be starting at Key Bank in Ellsworth instead of on the island. Members of law enforcement often run with the torch, but any runner is welcome to participate in the June 7th event. Contact Corporal Merchant at the Ellsworth Police Department if you’d like to be involved.
(Ellsworth) In just a few weeks, the Summer Games will kick off … right here in Bangor. We’re talking about the Special Olympics. The inspiring event begins with the annual torch run, which takes place on June 7th this year. Corporal Shawn Merchant tells Star 97.7, this year runners will take off from Key Bank in Ellsworth on their way to Bangor. (((Torch 2 “…usually have quite a few runners there.” :11))). Merchant has participated for 12 years, organizing the torch run the past eight. He says they can always use runners. If you’re interested, call Corporal Shawn Merchant at the Ellsworth Police Department.
(Ellsworth) Runners, if you’ve ever dreamed of carrying the Olympic torch, here’s an opportunity to participate in something we guarantee is just as inspiring, if not more so. Corporal Shawn Merchant tells Star 97.7, they can always use you to help kick off this year’s Special Olympics in Bangor by participating in the June 7th torch run. (((Torch 3 “…we do that all the way to Bangor.” :13))) This year, the torch will leave from Key Bank in Ellsworth on June 7th. Want to participate? Contact Corporal Merchant at the Ellsworth Police Department.
(Ellsworth) You don’t have to wait for the Paris Olympics to get your dose of inspiration. The Ellsworth-to-Bangor Special Olympics Torch Run will kick off the Bangor Games on June 7th. Corporal Shawn Merchant with the Ellsworth Police Department tells Star 97.7, the event used to start on MDI. (((Torch 4 “…because I haven’t got any runners for the island.” :06))) But runners will be running along the roads out of Ellsworth, through the Lucerne Hills, and all the way into Bangor. Merchant says it’s appreciated if you give them a wide berth and maybe a bit of encouragement when you pass by. (((Torch 5 “…and throw a honk when you go by.” :09))) If you’re interested in running on June 7th, you don’t have to run any great distance. Contact Corporal Merchant at the Ellsworth Police Department to get involved.
Sports
Bruins and Panthers putting the sticks to the ice Friday in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs – Florida leading 3 games to 2.
Celtics clinch Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs with last night’s 113-98 win over Cleveland.
Tampa Bay takes last night’s game, beating Boston 4 to 3. Red Sox and Rays play one more time this evening at Fenway.