Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Two Dead, Multiple Hospitalized Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
(Freedom) Two people are dead and multiple others were taken to hospitals after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning in Freedom Tuesday. WABI-TV reports Freedom Fire Chief Jim Waterman says the Belfast Road residence where the incident occurred was previously known to be the site of an illegal marijuana growing operation. Waterman said first responders were called to the home at 6 yesterday morning and found a severed heat exhaust pipe. They also discovered five bodies, two belonging to persons who were deceased. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office and State Police are also investigating.
(Freedom) A severed heat exhaust pipe is believed responsible for a carbon monoxide leak that left two people dead and three others transported to hospitals Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at a home in Freedom. WABI-TV reports Fire Chief Jim Waterman said the Belfast Road residence was previously known to be an illegal marijuana growing operation. In May, the same property was busted for the illegal grow, and more than 1900 plants were seized by police. First responders were called to the home at 6 yesterday morning and discovered five bodies, two belonging to persons who were deceased. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office and State Police are also investigating.
MSP Continues to Investigate Missing Teen
(New Sweden) Maine State Police continue to investigate a case involving a missing Aroostook County Teenager. They say now-14-yo Stefanie Damron was last seen walking out of her New Sweden home on West Road and into nearby woods on September 23rd. Despite extensive efforts, Stefanie remains missing. She’s described as five feet tall with green eyes and shoulder-length brown hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved blue shirt, and black Harley Davidson hiking boots. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Maine State Police Houlton barracks.
(New Sweden) Maine State Police, K9 patrols, the computer crimes unit, and the FBI’s Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team. Those are some of the extensive investigative resources used so far in the search for a New Sweden teen last seen walking out of her West Road home and into nearby woods on September 23rd. Maine State Police say in spite of those extensive efforts, now-14-yo Stefanie Damron remains missing. She’s described as five feet tall with green eyes and shoulder-length brown hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved blue shirt, and black Harley Davidson hiking boots. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Maine State Police Houlton barracks.
Remembering Lewiston
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has ordered flags lowered to half staff statewide this Friday in remembrance of those lost, injured, and impacted by the tragedy in Lewiston last year. October 25th marks one year since the shootings that claimed eighteen lives and injured 13 others.
(Augusta) It was a year ago Friday that a gunman walked into Just-in-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston, opened fire, and ended 18 lives, injuring at least 13 others. Governor Janet Mills has ordered flags lowered to half staff statewide this Friday in remembrance of those lost, injured, and impacted by the tragedy.
Drug Overdose Deaths Drop in Past Year
(KFF) Drug overdose deaths dropped a record amount during the past year, according to provisional data released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reported 94,758 individuals died from drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending May 2024 — a 15 percent drop from the previous 12-month period. The agency estimates that number may rise to 98,820 when finalized, which would be a 12.7 percent drop. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, commended the data, which showed a decline in nationwide drug-related deaths for the sixth month in a row.
Tobacco Use Down Among Teens
(AP) Teen smoking hit an all-time low in the U.S. this year, part of a big drop in the youth use of tobacco overall, according to a US government survey. There was a 20% drop in the estimated number of middle and high school students who recently used at least one tobacco product, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches and hookahs. The Associated Press reports the number went from 2.8 million last year to 2.25 million this year — the lowest since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s key survey began in 1999.
Environment
PFAS Advisory Meeting Scheduled
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s PFAS Fund Advisory Committee is actively seeking public feedback on the next phase of the PFAS Fund’s implementation. A public meeting will be held tomorrow, October 24th, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in Augusta, and virtually via Zoom. The Advisory Committee was established by the Legislature to oversee and recommend the use of the $60 million PFAS Fund. The Committee is seeking feedback on, among other issues, suggestions for future research on PFAS in agriculture, and information on gaps in the support of Maine’s farming industry.
(Augusta) Maine has a $60M fund for dealing with PFAS contamination. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s PFAS Fund Advisory Committee is actively seeking public feedback on the next phase of the PFAS Fund’s implementation. A public meeting is scheduled tomorrow, October 24th from 1 to 2 p.m. in Augusta and virtually via Zoom. The Committee is seeking feedback on experiences accessing PFAS Fund resources, the effectiveness of the PFAS Navigator Program, and other helpful comments.
Regulators Delay Lobster Size Limits
(Augusta) Fisheries regulators have given the lobster industry a bit of a breather by delaying new size limits for six months. During the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting this week, the lobster board said increasing the minimum lobster size by fractions of an inch would help rebuild stocks affected by a decline in the number of young lobsters. The board argued increasing the minimum catch size would let younger lobsters live longer and reproduce more. The Bangor Daily News reports under the new rule, the measurement for a legal lobster will increase next July from 3-1/4 inches to 3-5/16 inches. The allowable size will increase again a year and a half later.
(Augusta) Restrictions on lobster size that were to go into effect at the beginning of the year have been delayed six months, giving the industry a bit of a breather. The Bangor Daily News reports during a meeting of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the lobster board argued increasing the minimum lobster size by fractions of an inch would help rebuild stocks affected by a decline in the number of young lobsters. Board members voted overwhelmingly Monday to delay the rules until next July. Under the new rule, the measurement for a legal lobster will increase from 3-1/4 inches to 3-5/16 inches. The allowable size will increase again a year and a half later. The Canadian lobster industry has not adopted bigger legal sizes, which has been one of the central criticisms to the new regulations from US fishermen.
Federal Funds Denied for Searsport Wind Port Project
(Searsport) Request denied. That was the response to Maine’s request for $456M in federal funds to build a port to support the offshore wind power industry in the Gulf of Maine. State Transportation Commissioner Bruce Van Note called the request for funding “fiercely competitive” and said the rejection does not reflect nor undermine the need for the port and its vast economic and environmental benefits.
(Searsport) The State of Maine applied for but was denied $456M in federal funds to build a wind port on Sears Island that would support the ambitious offshore wind power industry in the Gulf of Maine. State Transportation Commissioner Bruce Van Note called the request for funding “fiercely competitive” and said the rejection in no way undermined the need for the port and its vast economic and environmental benefits. The port would be the first purpose-built one in the U.S. accommodating floating turbines. Supporters insist it would create local jobs, lower taxes for residents, and attract families to Searsport and the surrounding area.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Lost on a Mountain in Maine Premiere at The Grand
(Ellsworth) It was the summer of 1939 when a 12 year old boy became separated from his family in the wilderness of Northern Maine. Donn Fendler traveled 80 miles in nine days, incredibly surviving the remote and dangerous wilderness. Now the best-selling book, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, is a major motion picture, produced by Sylvester Stallone and premiering November 1st at The Grand in Ellsworth. Grand Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7 why this is such a special event at Ellsworth’s top entertainment venue. (((Lost 1 “…so this is a really special occasion.” :21))) Tickets for this very special showing are already selling fast – learn more and get your tickets today at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) Lost on a Mountain in Maine – the harrowing true story of 12 yo Donn Fendler, who in the summer of 1939 became separated from his family while hiking Mount Katahdin in the remote wilderness of northern Maine. The mountain has claimed multiple lives – but young Fendler managed to survive, covering eighty miles in nine days with no shelter or supplies, before being found alive. Now the book, read by Maine school children everywhere, is a major motion picture, produced by Sylvester Stallone. In a very special exception, Grand Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, the Grand will be premiering this breathtaking saga. (((Lost 2 “…true story on an epic screen.” :21))) See it first … on one of the largest screens in the state – the Grand in Ellsworth. Tickets at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) Live musicals, opera, concerts, special events – the Grand in Ellsworth has it all. But it’s not often you get to see first run movies at Ellsworth’s premier entertainment venue. Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, the producers of one very special story that belongs to Mainers everywhere decided the Grand was the perfect place for this movie’s premier …. Lost on a Mountain in Maine. (((Lost 4 “…trailers and more at grandonline dot org and on YouTube.” :19))) The Grand is hosting five showings of the movie, beginning with the movie’s release on November 1st – and Turner says tickets are already selling. Get yours at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) School children across Maine thrill to the true story of 12 year old Donn Fendler, who for nine days back in 1939 was lost in the remote wilderness of northern Maine, having become separated from his family during a hike. The wildlife, the elements, the dangerous topography, have claimed many a life, but young Fendler survived, crossing 80 miles of treacherous terrain before being rescued. The movie, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, produced by Sylvester Stallone, premieres November 1st – and Grand Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, you can see it first right here in Ellsworth. (((Lost 3 “…so let’s fill it up, Mainers!” :19))) Five special showings only … tickets at grand online dot org.
Consumers Spend Big on Sugar this Halloween
(Undated) Snickers, Twix or M&Ms – A new survey from Advantage Solutions shows almost half the respondents will spend more than $50 on Halloween candy this season. 46% will purchase sweets based on the best price. And get this … 55% of those surveyed admit they will purchase candy multiple times during the season, with 1 in 4 buying 3 or more times.
Ellsworth Graduate Crowned Miss United States of America Maine
(Ellsworth) Congratulations are in order for recent Ellsworth high school graduate Brooke Pirie. The Ellsworth American reports Pirie has been crowned United States of America Miss Maine. She represented Miss Hancock County during the USOA pageant at the Augusta Civic Center earlier this month. Pirie is currently in her first semester studying pre-med at Husson University. She’ll go on to compete for the title of United States of America Miss in Las Vegas on Memorial Day Weekend.
Sports
The Predators made quick work of the Bruins last night with a 4-zip win down in Nashville.
The Celtics open their regular season strong with a 132-109 win over the Knicks.