Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Reward Offered in Stolen Front End Loader Case
(Eddington) A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who stole a front-end loader in Clifton. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office tells WABI the machine was reported stolen on the morning of October 12th from the Woodchuck Hill Road. It was later found in Eddington on property owned by someone not involved in the theft. Authorities say the machine was driven through a gate, and down Route 9 several miles before being hidden.
(Eddington) Authorities continue to seek the public’s help in finding the person or persons responsible for stealing a front-end loader in Clifton earlier this month. WABI reports the machine was stolen from Woodchuck Hill Road on the morning of October 12th, and was driven through a gate and down Route 9 for several miles before being hidden. The machine was ultimately found in Eddington on property owned by someone not involved in the theft. There’s a $5K reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Local Politics
NMMC Nurses to Hold Informational Picket
(Fort Kent) Registered nurses at Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent will hold an informational picket tomorrow from 11 to 1 to urge their employer to bargain in good faith and quicken the pace of negotiations. The Maine State Nurses Association tells Star 97.7, the nurses voted in January to unionize. They say the two sides have only met about a dozen times since bargaining began in April and that nurses plan to file an unfair labor practice charge against NMMC with the National Labor Relations Board.
(Fort Kent) More trouble with the state’s healthcare providers – this time at Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent. The Maine State Nurses Association tells Star 97.7, Registered nurses there voted in January to unionize, but the two sides have only met about a dozen times since bargaining began in April. The nurses will hold an informational picket from 11 to 1 tomorrow to urge their employer to bargain in good faith and quicken the pace of negotiations. They also plan to file an unfair labor practice charge against NMMC with the National Labor Relations Board.
Voters Encouraged to Mail Absentee Ballots Early
(Augusta) The Maine Secretary of State’s Office continues to remind voters to get those mail-in ballots mailed early. The reminder comes amidst ongoing concerns about the Postal Service’s ability to handle and deliver those ballots on time. Remember to make your choices, sign the back of the envelope, make sure you have proper postage, and get them in the mail so your vote counts. By the way, the Ellsworth City Clerk’s office will have extended hours on Wednesday, October 30th from 5 to 7 p.m. to accommodate citizens for all election business, including absentee voting and registering to vote.
(Augusta) If you have an absentee ballot laying around, the Maine Secretary of State’s Office continues to caution voters to get them in the mail early. The reminder comes even as concerns grow about the Postal Service’s ability to handle and deliver ballots on time. So mark those bubbles clearly, sign the back of the envelope, make sure you have adequate postage, and get them in the mail so your vote is sure to count. And to help you out, the Ellsworth City Clerk’s office will have extended hours on Wednesday, October 30th from 5 to 7 p.m. to accommodate citizens for all election business, including absentee voting and registering to vote.
Economy
New Hotel Proposed for Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) With the rise in tourism, more visitors are opting to bypass Bar Harbor in favor of making Ellsworth their home base, leading to changes in the city’s hotel scene. The Bangor Daily News reports the former Ramada Inn near Hannaford was sold in 2021 and has been renovated and reopened as Hawthorne Extended Stay. Meanwhile, a new 72-unit suite hotel, Stone Park, opened earlier this year near High and Myrick Streets. Now the Witham family has expressed interest in building a new hotel near the current Hampton Inn. That structure would reportedly be a four-story 83-room Home2 Suites.
(Ellsworth) Even as Bar Harbor’s town council mulls the idea of a temporary ban on new tourist lodging development, Ellsworth is expanding its welcome mat. The Bangor Daily News reports the former Ramada Inn near Hannaford was sold in 2021 and has been renovated and reopened as Hawthorne Extended Stay. Meanwhile, a new 72-unit suite hotel, Stone Park, opened earlier this year near High and Myrick Streets. Now the Witham family has expressed interest in building a new hotel near the current Hampton Inn near Walgreens. That structure would reportedly be a four-story, 83-room Home2 Suites. The growth comes as the number of tourists flocking to Acadia National Park continues to grow, with many opting to bypass the increasingly crowded Bar Harbor in favor of staying in nearby Ellsworth.
URCI Offers Business Brainstorming Forum
(Ellsworth) It’s always a productive time when area business leaders get together for some creative brainstorming. That’s exactly what the Union River Center for Innovation in Ellsworth is offering on November 13th. Businesses are invited to participate in a creative brainstorming session from 5 to 7 p.m.. The session will help shape an upcoming “Entrepreneurial Exploration” workshop series. Plus, you’ll receive industry knowledge from a panel of experts, including Coastal Enterprises and the Small Business Development Center. The event is free for Ellsworth area business owners and prospective entrepreneurs, with drinks and light snacks provided. You must RSVP, but that’s easy – we’ve provided the link on our Star 97.7 FB page, courtesy of the City of Ellsworth.
RSVP here:
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Downtown and surrounding areas are a magical mix of new, innovative businesses and businesses that have been around for years, having weathered the pandemic, inflation, and other crises. The Union River Center for Innovation invites both to put their heads together in a creative brainstorming session on November 13th from 5 to 7. The session will help shape an upcoming “Entrepreneurial Exploration” workshop series. Plus, you’ll receive industry knowledge from a panel of experts, including Barbee Business Services, the law firm of Eaton Peabody, and TS2 Marketing Consulting. The event is free for Ellsworth area business owners and prospective entrepreneurs, with drinks and light snacks provided. You must RSVP, but that’s easy – we’ve provided the link on our Star 97.7 FB page, courtesy of the City of Ellsworth.
RSVP here:
Environment
Study Shows Decline in Lobster Population
(Maine) Size, range, and population – a University of Maine study of lobsters in the Gulf of Maine shows when it comes to the clawed crustaceans, all three statistics have changed in the past three decades. MaineBiz reports the study shows the population has spread out and declined since 1995, but the average size of an adult lobster was greater in 2021 than in 1996. The study further revealed the changes are occurring amid a third trend – more lobsters are migrating from boulder shelter habitats into sediment or featureless ledge habitats with little to no geological features for shelters. It’s hoped the knowledge will help inform longtime conservation efforts and regulations within the more than $740M fishery.
(Maine) Climate is a likely culprit in ongoing changes in lobster statistics happening in the Gulf of Maine. MaineBiz reports a University of Maine study shows the lobster population has spread out and declined since 1995; but the average size of an adult lobster was greater in 2021 than in 1996. The study further noted the changes are occurring among another trend. More of the crustaceans are migrating away from the long-favored boulder shelter habitats into sediment or featureless ledge habitats that have little or no geological features for shelters. The study found occupancy of boulder habitats dropped 60%, while the number residing in sediment or featureless ledge habitats increased 633% and 280% respectively. It’s surmised the change may be due to a decline in predators as waters warm with the changing climate.
Health
National Nut Day
(Undated) Years ago, our ancestors foraged for nuts for survival. Registered Dietitian Sammi Haber Brondo tells Star 97.7, they had the right idea. (((Nuts 1 “…vitamin E, which is an antioxidant.” :22))). Brondo says all this means nuts really support our heart health, gut health, skin, immune systems, and brain health – a great food to support our overall health. Today is National Nut Day – so feel free to grab a handful … simply for the health of it.
(Undated) October 22nd is National Nut Day. Star 97.7 spoke with Sammi Haber Brondo, a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, who tells us nuts are a great way to overcome that midday slump and keep our energy levels up. (((Nuts 2 “…so a really easy, convenient food to add to keep our energy levels up.” :21))) Brondo says if you have a CVS near you, check out their new Well Market line of nut snacks that includes Mexican Hot Cocoa Roasted Almonds, Everything Bagel Seasoned Roasted Whole Cashews and more.
(Undated) Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios – today is National Nut Day, a great day to grab a handful of those healthy munchies. But what if you’re allergic to nuts? Registered Dietitian Sammi Haber Brondo tells Star 97.7, there are snacks that provide the same nutritional benefits. (((Nuts 3 “…easy, convenient, and delicious snack.” :22))). Brondo says like nuts, such snacks contain the healthy vitamins and micronutrients that are so beneficial for our heart, skin, brain, and gut health.
(Undated) You have the right to remain nuts … or at least to remain eating them, especially today! October 22nd is National Nut Day! Star 97.7 asked Registered Dietician and Nutritionist Sammi Haber Brondo, which type of nut is best for you? (((Nuts 4 “… that any are, quote unquote, better than the other.” :22))) Brondo says nuts work for nearly every type of dietary preference – from vegan to paleo. She says the key to a healthy diet is one that’s realistic and enjoyable, and she believes truly all foods can fit. Learn more at her social media accounts, @veggies and chocolate and check out The Essential Vegetable Cookbook, available at most outlets where books are sold.
Infrastructure
Versant Planned Outage in Eastport
(Eastport) A heads up for customers in multiple locations in Eastport – Versant Power is planning work on the electrical system this Friday, October 25th. The work will begin at 9 a.m. and is expected to take about an hour. We’ve listed the streets affected with this story on our Star 97.7 Local News page.
Streets affected: Barren Road, Cleveland Street, Custom Street, Franklin Street, Hallet Street, Hawkes Avenue, Hayes Avenue, Lincoln Street, Pleasant Street, Shackford Street, South Street, Stevens Avenue, Third Street,and Trecartin Street.
(Eastport) A number of customers in Eastport could be in for temporary service interruptions on Friday as Versant crews work on the electrical system in that city. The work will begin at 9 a.m. and will likely take about an hour. Customers on 14 roads and streets will likely be affected. We’ve listed those locations with this story on our Star 97.7 Local News Page.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Splash Pad Now Closed
(Ellsworth) We know these unseasonably warm days make it feel summer-like – but the colder temps are coming. With that in mind, the Splash Pad at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth is now closed so crews can winterize and prepare it for those cooler temperatures we know are ahead. All outdoor public restrooms will be closed Friday, October 25th. Winter porta-potty availability is being reviewed by Public Works.
(Ellsworth) We know these gorgeous warm days have folks thinking summer – maybe even a visit to the Splash Pad at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth. Hopefully, you got that in this weekend, because the Splash Pad is now closed so crews can winterize and prepare it for the upcoming cold spells we know are coming. Outdoor public restrooms will be closed this Friday, October 25th, but Public Works is reviewing the availability of winter porta-potties. Stay tuned.
Sports
The Bruins in Nashville tonight to skate against the Predators.
The Celtics home against the NY Knicks