Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Hiker Rescue
(Addison) A stranded hiker had to be rescued from Ingersoll Point Preserve in South Addison Sunday night. The Addison Volunteer Fire Department reports the woman was on a trail when it became dark and she was unable to walk out. Members of Addison and Epping Fire and Pleasant River Ambulance Service responded to a call to the Washington RCC about 8:30 Sunday night, hiking in to make contact with the woman, who was located and brought to safety within about three hours. Maine Fish & Wildlife, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Gouldsboro Ambulance helped with the assist, while Moosabec Ambulance Service took care of the responders.
(Addison) A woman hiking at Ingersoll Point Preserve in South Addison had to be rescued Sunday night after darkness overtook her and she was too weak to find her way out. The Washington RCC received a distress call about 8:30 p.m., and Members of Addison and Epping Fire and Pleasant River Ambulance Service responded, with crew members hiking in to locate and bring the woman to safety. The rescue took about three hours. Crews were assisted by Maine Fish & Wildlife, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Gouldsboro and Moosabec Ambulance Services.
MPUC Warns of Scam Calls
(Hallowell) The Maine Public Utilities Commission is warning utility customers of a potential scam targeting customers by claiming to represent the Commission. MPUC says a caller claims a customer has been overcharged on their last two electric bills and offers to send a rebate check. The caller then asks for banking or credit card information so the monies can be refunded. The Commission says it will not contact a customer regarding such matters unless they have filed a complaint; and even then, they will never ask for banking or credit card information.
(Hallowell) Utility customers, beware of the latest scam. The Maine Public Utilities Commission warns a caller is claiming to be a member of the Commission. MPUC says the caller claims a customer has been overcharged on their last two electric bills and offers to send a rebate check. They then ask for banking or credit card information so the monies can be refunded. The Commission says it will not contact a customer regarding such matters unless they have filed a complaint; and even then, they will never ask for banking or credit card information.
Fire Claims Two Lives
(Great Pond) A fire in Great Pond Monday morning may have claimed the lives of two people. Maine State Police report to Star 97.7, about 5 a.m. yesterday, the Aurora Fire Department responded to a residence on Old Dam Way. They say two bodies were discovered inside the home and taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the MSP Major Crimes Unit North are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and the deaths.
(Great Pond) Authorities are investigating a fatal fire that may have claimed two lives in Great Pond Monday morning. Maine State Police tell Star 97.7, the Aurora Fire Department responded to a report of a blaze at a residence on Old Dam Way about 5 a.m. yesterday. Two bodies were discovered inside the home and taken to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the MSP Major Crimes Unit North are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and the deaths.
Economy
Unclaimed Relief Payments
(Augusta) Are you missing out on pandemic-era relief money that belongs to you? Maine State Treasurer Henry Beck says approximately 40,000 unclaimed relief payments are available through Maine’s Unclaimed Property program. That’s about 2% of the nearly 2.3 million payments distributed and amounts to some $19M in checks that have not been cashed. To determine if your relief payment has gone unclaimed, visit maine unclaimed property dot gov.
(Augusta) During the pandemic era, the office of Governor Janet Mills authorized three direct relief payments to assist qualified Maine people. The payments were distributed in 2021, 22, and 23; but about 2% of those checks – totaling about $19M – have not been claimed or cashed. Treasurer Henry Beck says you can determine if your relief payment has gone unclaimed by visiting maine unclaimed property dot gov. With 40,000 unclaimed relief payments, it might be worth checking into.
CMP Parent Company May Go Private
(Maine) Central Maine Power and its parent company, Avangrid, Inc., may soon be under the total control of a privately owned energy giant. MaineBiz reports a Spanish company is already a major stockholder and has struck a deal to acquire the remaining 18.4% of outstanding shares. CMP distributes power to about 635,000 Maine customers, mainly in the central and southern parts of the state. It’s unclear how the buyout would affect those customers.
(Maine) A Spanish electricity company that is one of the world’s largest may soon take over total control of Central Maine Power and its parent company, Avangrid, Inc., making it a privately owned company. MaineBiz reports Iberdrola is already a major stockholder and has struck a deal to acquire the remaining 18.4% of outstanding shares. It’s unclear how the buyout would affect CMP’s approximately 635,000 customers – most of whom are in the central and southern parts of the state.
Annual Reports for Businesses and Non-profits Due June 3rd
(Augusta) A reminder from Secretary of State Shenna Bellows – annual reports are due Monday, June 3rd for all businesses and non-profits on file with the Secretary’s office as of December 31st, 2023. A substantial late filing penalty will be assessed on all reports received after June 3rd. That penalty may not be waived. For more information on filing fees or how to file, visit the link posted with this story on our Star 97.7 website. www.10informe.org/aro/index
(Augusta) There are new filing requirements on both the state and federal levels for all businesses and nonprofits on file with the office of Secretary of State Shenna Bellows as of December 31st, 2023, and you’re reminded those reports are due June 3rd. They say a substantial late filing penalty will be assessed on all reports received after that date, and the penalty cannot be waived. You can file by paper or at the link posted with this story on our Star 97.7 webpage. Cost of filing varies with the type of business. www.10informe.org/aro/index
COA’s Beech Hill Farm Opens for the Season on May 28th
(Bar Harbor) College of the Atlantic’s Beech Hill Farm opens for the season on Tuesday, May 28th. The farm stand will be stocked with fresh, local, organic vegetables, flowers, baked goods, meat, dairy and more. They’ll also have vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings for sale. The Farm is located at 171 Beech Hill Road, offers 50% off all EBT and WIC purchases, and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 to 4 through the Fall.
(Bar Harbor) Get your fresh, local organic veggies, flowers, baked goods, meat, dairy and more. College of the Atlantic’s Beech Hill Farm opens for the season on Tuesday, May 28th. They’ll also get you ready for the summer growing season with vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings for sale. The Farm offers 50% off for all EBT and WIC purchases, and they’ll be open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 9 to 4 through the Fall. Visit them, beginning May 28th, at 171 Beech Hill Road.
Health
Diet for the Health of It
(Undated) Researchers are urging folks to diet for the health of it. They say eating a vegan, vegetarian, or lacto-ovo vegetarian diet significantly reduces the overall risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and dying early from cardiovascular disease. That’s according to a new “umbrella” analysis of more than 20 years of research, reported by “Life, but Better”. Nutritionists caution the protective nature of the diets could be sabotaged if dieters make poor dietary choices, like consuming unhealthy plant foods such as sugary fruit juices, refined grains, potato chips and sodas. They say it’s also known people who follow plant-based diets often live healthier lives overall, incorporating regular exercise and avoiding sugar-sweetened drinks, refined grains, snacks, alcohol and tobacco.
Energy Drinks Can Lead to Serious Issues in Kids and Teens
(Undated) Health experts are sounding the alarm over energy drinks, especially when it comes to kids and teens. The Baltimore Sun reports the energy drink market has exploded and is expected to reach $33B by 2030. The drinks can contain anywhere from 200 to 350 mg of caffeine, which can cause significant health problems, especially in teens and adolescents. Many energy drinks associate themselves with video games and online celebrities. But after months of drinking them, teens have reported suddenly dissociating, chest pain, waves of panic, and bright lights suddenly hitting them – one reportedly experiencing the problems while driving. Panera Bread this week said it will stop selling its Charged Lemonade drinks after two wrongful-death lawsuits concerning the beverage were filed against the company.
Infrastructure
Planned Power Outage – Eddington
(Eddington) Versant Power has planned electrical system maintenance Thursday in Eddington. Customers on Blackcap Road may experience service interruptions during the nine hours it will take to complete the work, which is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on May 23rd.
(Eddington) If you live in Eddington, be aware of a lengthy period of electrical system maintenance work planned by Versant Power for Thursday. Customers particularly on Blackcap Road may experience service interruptions during the work, which is set to begin at 7 a.m. on May 23rd and should last about nine hours.
Bar Harbor Pier Closed
(Bar Harbor) A quick heads up for anyone in Bar Harbor today – the Town Pier is closed today and tomorrow for final paving and line striping.
Winter Harbor-Bar Harbor Ferry Trips Begin This Week
(Winter Harbor) The Winter Harbor to Bar Harbor Ferry begins its 2024 season this Friday, May 24th. Beat the traffic and parking fees, and hop on the ferry in Winter Harbor for a day on the island. The trip includes sea breezes and views of Crowe, Ironbound, and other picturesque islands. The ferry is dog friendly and departs for Bar Harbor every couple of hours. Then return and complete your shopping and art walk through the quaint village of Winter Harbor or by enjoying the unbeatable scenery of the Schoodic Peninsula.
(Winter Harbor) Ready to beat the heat, the traffic, and those pricey parking fees? The Winter Harbor to Bar Harbor Ferry begins service for the season this Friday, May 24th. Providing daily passenger service, the ferry is dog friendly and departs both locations every couple of hours, so after a day of shopping and sightseeing on the island, you can head back to Schoodic to enjoy dinner, grab groceries at Winter Harbor Provisions, and wrap up your day with a peaceful, scenic drive out to Schoodic Point. Day made.
Sports
Red Sox off to a great start down in Florida. They shut out the Tampa Bay Rays 5-zip at Tropicana Field.
Celtics in Boston tonight as they kick off the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.