Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Teen Ejected, Seriously Injured in I-95 Crash
(Bangor) A 17 yo passenger was seriously injured Saturday night in a single-vehicle crash on I-95 near Stillwater Avenue. The crash occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Maine State Police say the driver, also a 17 yo, lost control of his truck while attempting to pass another motorist on the wet roadways before striking a guardrail. The passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle. That person was taken by ambulance to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. The crash is under investigation. No word on the victim’s condition.
(Bangor) A teen was seriously injured Saturday night when the vehicle the teen was riding in hit a guardrail while the driver was attempting to pass another motorist on the wet roadways. Maine State Police report to Star 97.7, both the driver and passenger were 17 year olds; the passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and taken by ambulance to a hospital – no word on their condition. The crash happened shortly before 11 p.m. on I-95 near Stillwater Avenue. Authorities continue to investigate.
Nineteen Year Old Injured in Appleton Four-Wheeler Crash
(Appleton) A 19 year old man was LifeFlighted to Eastern Maine Medical Center Saturday afternoon after the four-wheeler he was operating flipped and landed on top of him. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the man was not from the Appleton area, where the crash occurred, but was riding far ahead of his riding group. Authorities say when the group caught up with him, they found him on the ground beneath the vehicle. He reportedly suffered a head wound and other injuries. No word on his condition.
(Appleton) A Saturday afternoon crash involving a four-wheeler in Appleton resulted in serious injuries to the driver. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the 19 yo driver, who was not from the area, was riding far ahead of another group of riders, and when they caught up to him, he was on the ground with the four wheeler on top of him. The incident, which occurred about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, resulted in the victim being LifeFlighted to Eastern Maine Medical Center with a head wound and other serious injuries. No word on the victim’s condition.
Environment
Emergency Forest Restoration Project Launched
(Hancock County) Possible funding for Hancock County private forest owners who experienced storm damage is available through the USDA’s Emergency Forest Restoration Program. Damaged areas must be on owned property that is 120 feet wide and at least an acre. Deadline to apply is this Friday, May 24th. We’ve shared a link to information on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Hancock County) The Town of Mt. Desert reports there is possible funding available for Hancock County private forest owners who experienced winter storm damage. The funding is for owned property that is 120 feet wide and at least an acre and is made possible through the USDA’s Emergency Forest Restoration Program. Deadline to apply is this Friday, May 24th. We’ve shared a link to information and applications on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Economy
Asticou Inn Closed for Renovations in 2024
(NE Harbor) You’ll have to look elsewhere for those famous popovers from the Asticou Inn this year. A post on the Inn’s website says they’ll be closed in 2024 for renovations. The Bangor Daily News reports when it reopens next year, the historic hotel will be under new management – it’s one of three lodging properties on MDI acquired in recent years by Hotelier Tim Harrington, whose company owns ten high-end lodging properties in Kennebunkport. Harrington’s company will reportedly invest $10M in renovating the Asticou Inn.
(NE Harbor) The Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor is a favorite summer destination – not only for lodging, but for dining while overlooking the harbor and enjoying those melt-in-your-mouth popovers. Patrons will have to wait a full year to experience that. A post on the Inn’s website says they’ll be closed in 2024 for renovations. The Bangor Daily News reports when it reopens next year, the historic hotel will be under new management – it’s one of three lodging properties on MDI acquired in recent years by Hotelier Tim Harrington, whose company owns ten high-end lodging properties in Kennebunkport. Harrington’s company will reportedly invest $10M in renovating the Asticou Inn.
Health
EMS Appreciation Week
(Undated) This is the 50th Anniversary of celebrating EMS Week, a chance to show appreciation to the paramedics, EMT’s, and others who serve selflessly. These heroes are called out at all hours of the day and night to respond to car crashes, drug overdoses, medical events and more. They are truly lifesavers. Moosabec Ambulance Service tomorrow will be visiting Beals and Jonesport elementary schools, giving presentations again on Thursday to Jonesport-Beals High School students. And they welcome you to their open house, touch a truck, and community outreach this Saturday from 10 until 2. Bring the kids, and show your appreciation to all the first responders standing by whenever you’re in need.
(Undated) Whether it’s a drug overdose, a domestic event, a heart attack, car crash, or hiking accident – dedicated EMS workers are ready at all hours of the day and night to respond selflessly, providing comfort, care, and lifesaving measures. This is the 50th year of celebrating EMS week. Many small, independent units still serve the people of rural Downeast Maine, most often as a second job. Be sure to take the opportunity this week to give them a shoutout, a note of appreciation, a word of thanks for their continued dedication.
Infrastructure
MDOT Seeks Federal Grant for Sears Island Offshore Wind Port
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Transportation said Friday it has applied for $456M in federal grant funding to help build the East Coast’s first floating offshore wind port. The port will be built on a portion of state-owned Sears Island, although some nearby residents continue to insist Mack Point would be the more environmentally friendly location. Experts say, unlike Mack Point, the Sears Island site is not expected to require dredging and should not impact activities in the Port of Searsport.
(Augusta) Maine will likely be on the cutting edge of offshore wind energy. On Friday, the Maine Department of Transportation announced it has applied for $456M in federal grant funding to help build the East Coast’s first floating offshore wind port on a state-owned portion of Sears Island. Last month, the US Department of the Interior announced its proposal for the first public auctions of wind energy areas in the Gulf of Maine. They say the eight lease areas will have the potential to power more than five million homes with clean, renewable energy.
University of Maine Planned Power Outage
(Orono) The few left on the University of Maine’s Orono campus may experience a service interruption tonight and continuing into Tuesday morning. Versant Power reports crews will be moving part of a substation. A resulting outage is expected to begin about 9 tonight and last until 1 a.m. Tuesday morning.
(Orono) Good thing graduation ceremonies on U Maine’s Orono campus were held earlier this month. Anyone cramming for exams might be in the dark this evening. Versant Power reports crews will be moving parts of a substation, which will result in a service interruption beginning tonight at 9 and lasting until about 1 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Knowlton Park Splash Pad Opens
(Ellsworth) The Splash Pad at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth is now open for the season. The City says users will find a few jets aren’t working, but parts have been ordered to make those repairs. The Splash Pad is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, unless the air temperature falls below 65 degrees.
(Ellsworth) It could be a hot summer, so folks will be glad to know the City of Ellsworth has opened the splash pad at Knowlton Park. The splash pad will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week through the season, unless the temperature drops below 65 degrees. They say users will find a few jets aren’t working, but parts have been ordered and repairs will be made shortly.
Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center Reaches Fundraising Goal
(Milbridge) The Milbridge community has stepped up and helped the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center step INTO the digital age! At the end of the summer, the center launched a matching challenge to purchase a digital projection system and movie cinema screen, hoping to raise a total of $100,000. Donations and a grant from the Davis Family Foundation have helped them reach that goal and an order has been placed. Milbridge Theatre Executive Director David Plath says the addition will add opportunities to present second run films, documentaries, educational presentations and more.
(Milbridge) You might say The Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center is the little theatre that could. At the end of the summer, the center launched a matching challenge to purchase a digital projection system and movie cinema screen, hoping to raise a total of $100,000. Generous donations and a grant from the Davis Family Foundation have helped them reach that goal, and an order has been placed. Theatre Executive Director David Plath says the addition will add opportunities to present second run films, documentaries, educational presentations and more.
Max the Cat Awarded Honorary Degree
(Castleton, Vermont) Among all the graduates earning college degrees this month, one in purr-ticular stands paws above the rest. Max the cat is a familiar visitor to the Vermont State University’s Castleton campus. He has a house just up the street from the university, where he cares for his group of humans, but loves to head up to the college to hang out head-BUTT his intellectual peeps, who often pick up the tabby for selfies. Max even goes along on walking tours when prospective students visit – a definite draw. After four years, VSU decided it was time Max was awarded a degree – a doctor of litter-a-ture, con”FURR”ed on him yesterday with the rest of the 2024 graduating class. Congratulations, Max! We’re hope you’re curled up somewhere napping off all the excitement.
(Castleton, Vermont) Yesterday was a big day for college students across the country, not the least of whom was Max the cat. Max is a familiar and much loved fixture on Vermont State University’s Castleton campus. Over the past four years, he’s proven to be the purr-fect student, often going on tours and allowing himself to be picked up for selfies with the other undergrads. Max does have a home near campus and a human family … including cat mom Ashley Dow, who says he just loves going up to campus and shooting the hairballs… er, we mean the breeze … with the other intellectuals. On Sunday, the University con-FURR-ed on Max a Doctor of Litter-a-ture. He’ll likely be back next year. Rumor has it he’s been hired as a Teaching Assistant, with continued adoration and catnip a part of his hiring “claws”.
Sports
There won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year. Seize the Grey followed up Mystik Dan’s photo-finish win at the Kentucky Derby by winning the Preakness at longshot 9 to 1 odds Saturday. The final event is the Belmont Stakes, set for June 8th
Red Sox beat the Cardinals yesterday 11-3. Red Sox in Florida tonight for another round against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Celtics are now first in the Eastern Conference. They’ll be up against the Pacers in Boston as they head into the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday.
Xander Schauffele (ZAN-dur SHOW-flee) birdies the last hole of the day to win a one-shot victory – his first major at the PGA Championship thriller at Valhalla.