Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Chelsea Fire Update
(Chelsea) Authorities say Sunday’s fire that destroyed a structure at the New England Rent to Own in Chelsea began in an area of the warehouse that was storing lithium batteries. At least eight departments responded to the River Road structure and found it fully ablaze. The State Fire Marshal’s Office has ruled the fire accidental. It’s the second fire in less than a week suspected of starting with lithium batteries. A fire at the Stacyville Fire Department on May 21st was also blamed on lithium batteries.
(Chelsea) The State Fire Marshal’s Office says Sunday’s blaze that destroyed a warehouse at the New England Rent to Own in Chelsea began in an area where lithium batteries were being stored. It’s the second fire in less than a week being blamed on lithium batteries. A fire at the Stacyville Fire Department on May 21st began along an interior wall where such batteries were being stored. The Fire Marshal’s Office has ruled both fires accidental.
MDOL Safety Classes
(Augusta) Does your workplace have a Safety and Health Committee? Are you in compliance with wage and hour rules? Does your organization use a van to transport others, and are you clear on the rules for operating that vehicle? The Maine Department of Labor is offering classes on all these topics and more in June, designed to get you up to speed on workplace safety and labor law requirements – laws they say can be complex and confusing. For a list of classes, dates and times, visit MDOL at maine dot gov.
(Augusta) Do your employees work with machinery – if so, are you up to date on the safety requirements? Would you know what to do in a confined space rescue situation? What about developing and conducting assessments, audits, and inspections? The Maine Department of Labor is offering classes on all these topics and more next month, designed to get you up to speed on workplace safety and labor law requirements – which they admit can be complex and confusing. For a list of classes, dates and times, visit MDOL at maine dot gov.
Local Politics
City Hall Notaries Can Perform Marriage Ceremonies
(Ellsworth) Thinking of becoming a June bride or groom? The City of Ellsworth will provide a notary to perform marriage ceremonies during regular business hours at City Hall. Just make an appointment by calling or emailing the City Clerk’s office. Walk-in availability is not guaranteed, and not all notaries at City Hall offer this service. The cost of the ceremony is $100, with $25 going for Christmas for Kids. There’s a 2.5% surcharge when paying by credit or debit.
(Ellsworth) Thinking of “going to the chapel” in June? Did you know, the City of Ellsworth will provide a notary to perform marriage ceremonies during regular business hours at City Hall? All you need to do is make an appointment by calling or emailing the City Clerk’s office. Don’t take a chance; walk-in availability is not guaranteed. Cost is $100, with $25 going to Christmas for Kids.
Ellsworth Candidates Vie for House District 13
(Ellsworth) You’ve likely seen their signs and wondered “who’s who” before you vote. Two Republican candidates, Cheryl Hewes and Russell White are vying for House District 13, the Ellsworth area, hoping to unseat Democrat Mark Worth. Hewes taught in a private school for 15 years. Her website, cheryl hewes m e dot com, proclaims she stands for parental rights and believes parents have sole authority over their children. White does not have a campaign website but is reportedly an Air Force Veteran. The Bangor Daily News reports the House of Representatives will be in play again this year because Democrats, the majority party, have only a slight advantage on minority Republicans with two open seats.
(Ellsworth) Democrats have just a slight advantage as the House majority party. The Bangor Daily News reports the House of Representatives will once again be in play this year because of having a mere 79-68 advantage on minority Republicans with two vacant seats. In the Ellsworth area, two Republican candidates, Cheryl Hewes and Russell White, are vying for House District 13, hoping to unseat Democrat Mark Worth. Hewes taught in a private school for 15 years. Her website, cheryl hewes m e dot com, proclaims she stands for parental rights and believes parents have sole authority over their children. White does not have a campaign website but is reportedly an Air Force Veteran.
Environment
City of Ellsworth to Host Outdoor Recreation Fair
(Ellsworth) It’s time to get outdoors! No better way to start the season than the Outdoor Recreation Fair, sponsored by the City of Ellsworth. The event is planned for Saturday, June 8th, from 10 until 3 at the Union River Center for Innovation on Water Street. Pinniped Kayak will be there with kayaking demos, there will be pop-up gear repair, and local businesses championing regional recreation, along with community groups that support area trails and outdoor activities in and around Ellsworth. And be sure to enter the Sunrise Trail ATV raffle!
(Ellsworth) Everything you need to know to get outdoors this season! It’s the Outdoor Recreation Fair, sponsored by the City of Ellsworth. The event is Saturday, June 8th, from 10 until 3 at the Union River Center for Innovation on Water Street. See kayaking demos, check out the pop-up gear repair. And talk with local businesses that champion recreation and community groups that support Ellsworth area trails and outdoor activities. And be sure to enter the Sunrise Trail ATV raffle! That’s June 8th from 10 to 3 at the Union River Center for Innovation on Water Street!
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Pride Fest
(Ellsworth) Live music, a silent auction, special speakers, including City Council’s Dr. Casey Hanson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and a really sweet bake sale – it’s the 2024 Ellsworth Pride Fest! This year, the event will be held June 9th, from 11:30 to 4:30 at Knowlton Park. Towns and cities across Maine – and across the country will be hosting events all month long during Pride Month, including Bar Harbor, Bangor, and Belfast. And don’t forget the LGBTQ-plus and allies hike at Woodlawn Trails on Saturday, June 15th, and an Intergenerational Coffehouse Chat on June 29th. Visit Ellsworth Pride on FB to learn more.
(Ellsworth) It’s a colorful celebration of acceptance and belonging. This year’s Ellsworth Pride Fest is set for Sunday, June 9th, from 11:30 to 4:30 at Knowlton Park. The day will include live music, a silent auction, special speakers, a bake sale and more. June is Pride Month, and celebrations will be taking place in cities and towns across Maine and across the country, including in Bangor, Bar Harbor, and Belfast. And don’t forget the LGBTQ-plus and allies hike at Woodlawn Trails on Saturday, June 15th, and an Intergenerational Coffeehouse Chat on June 29th. Visit Ellsworth Pride on FB to learn more.
Pink Tulip Festival
(Ellsworth) Plant yourself at the Donald Little Park on State Street this Saturday! The Ellsworth Garden Club will be there for its annual Pink Tulip Festival and Plant Sale. They’ll have everything you need – including helpful tips and information – to make your garden a blooming success. Native and non-native species, trees, shrubs, irises, hostas, daylilies, annuals and perennials. Members of the Ellsworth Elementary Middle School will be there with seedlings they’ve been growing. And there will be baked goods and other food and drink and the Fletcher’s Landing Philarmonic Orchestra providing music. It’s an event the whole family will enjoy! 9 to 1 this Saturday, rain date is Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Club’s Little Park Endowment Fund and the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center.
(Ellsworth) Daylillies, hostas, sunflowers … oh, my! This Saturday, is the Ellsworth Garden Club’s Annual Pink Tulip Festival and Plant Sale at the Donald Little Park on State Street! Just about every plant you could want, from annuals, to perennials – native and non-native species – to a large selection of vegetables. Plus, experts to help you grow your best garden. The Ellsworth Elementary Middle School will be there with seedlings they’ve been growing. The Fletcher’s Landing Philharmonic will provide music while you browse. And there will be baked goods, drinks, and other food for sale. It’s an event the whole family will enjoy! 9 to 1 this Saturday, rain date is Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Club’s Little Park Endowment Fund and the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center.
Lara Herscovitch at Milbridge Theater and Community Arts Center
(Milbridge) Lara Herscovitch will be bringing her amazing talents to the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center this Friday. Lara tells Star 97.7, she started writing poetry at age 7 and songs at age 9. As a young person, she took the traditional route with piano, but … (((Lara H 1 “…so I went to college and grad school.” :19))). Her field was social work policy and international development in education; so Lara found herself traveling the world and spending a lot of alone time in hotel rooms. She said that’s when she picked up the guitar, and fortunately, that propelled her back into her first love, the world of music. Tickets for her 7 p.m. Friday night show available on Eventbrite and at the Door.
(Milbridge) Although she began writing poetry and music before she was 10, Lara Herscovitch chose a different career path – a precursor to a law degree, and a grad school degree that led to travel and a lot of alone time in hotel rooms. She tells Star 97.7, because she couldn’t drag her piano around with her, she picked up the guitar. (((Lara H 2 “…in Stanford, Connecticut, and that changed everything.” :17))) Today, you’ll find Lara on all the digital music platforms, including Apple, Spotify and Amazon and on her YouTube Channel. Best of all, she’ll be performing in person this Friday night at 7 at the Milbridge Theater and Community Arts Center! Tickets are available on Eventbrite and at the door.
(Milbridge) Lara Herscovitch will bring her James Taylor/Carol King Troubador style music to the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center this Friday night. She said her most recent release, Italian Balconies, was inspired by the Italian people who, when COVID forced our separation via lockdown, went out to their balconies and brought music to one another as a force of community. (((Lara H 3A “…the lessons that were on offer at that time.” :17))) Lara describes her style as new folk in the singer songwriter tradition – lyric poetry set to great melodies. You won’t want to miss her Friday night concert. Tickets through Eventbrite or at the door.
(Milbridge) This Friday, Singer-songwriter Lara Herscovitch will be performing at the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center. Lara describes herself as a born optimist and silver-lining-finder whose goal is to leave her audience feeling good, feeling hopeful, inspired, and more connected. Although she currently lives in Connecticut, she tells Star 97.7, she has definite ties to the Pine Tree State. (((Lara H 4 “…and I hope people can come!” :19))). The concert begins at 7 p.m.. Get tickets on Eventbrite and at the door.
Sports
Red Sox vs. Orioles. Teams run the bases in Baltimore one more time this evening. Red Sox back at Fenway Thursday for a run against the Detroit Tigers.
The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown received the Larry Bird Trophy as the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics have some time off before the NBA Finals get underway a week from tomorrow (Thursday, June 6th) .