Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
MSP Investigate Fatal Crash in Benton
(Benton) Maine State Police are investigating a fatal weekend crash in the Kennebec County town of Benton. They say shortly before 4:30 Sunday afternoon, troopers responded to the crash on northbound I-95 for the report of a single vehicle accident. An initial investigation indicates 20 yo Isaiah Mathieu of Clinton failed to negotiate a curve and veered off the right side of the road, striking a guardrail. It appears Matheiu then entered a ditch near the treeline. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say speed may have been a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.
(Benton) A 20 yo Clinton man died Sunday when he apparently failed to negotiate a curve on I-95 near Benton. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, Maine State Police were called to the crash shortly before 4:30 Sunday afternoon. The incident remains under investigation, but officers say it appears speed and failure to negotiate a bend in the road caused Isaiah Mathieu’s car to leave the roadway and strike a guardrail before going into a ditch near the treeline. Mathieu was pronounced dead at the scene.
Augusta WalMart Bomb Threat
(Augusta) It’s becoming a habit – and not a good one. For the third time in as many months, authorities had to clear the Augusta WalMart because of a bomb threat. Augusta police responded to the store Monday at around 12:30 for a terrorizing complaint. Chief Kevin Lully tells Star 97.7, the threat was communicated through a message left at the store. Staff and police cleared and checked the store, which was closed for a short time. Similar incidents happened at the store on September 12th and again on October 23rd.
(Augusta) For the third time in as many months, authorities had to clear the Augusta WalMart after a threatening message was left at the store. Augusta Police Chief Kevin Lully tells Star 97.7, officers were called to the store about 12:30 Monday afternoon for a terrorizing complaint. The store was evacuated and checked, but has since reopened. Similar incidents were reported at the store in both September and October.
Ellsworth Temporary Fire Ban
(Ellsworth) There’s a temporary fire ban in effect for Ellsworth. Ellsworth Fire Chief Scott Guillerault on Monday issued the ban on open burning until adequate rainfall is received and the Maine Forest Service lowers the fire class, reducing fire danger in the area. For more information, you’re advised to contact the Ellsworth Fire Department.
(Ellsworth) Don’t strike that match. The Ellsworth Fire Department yesterday instituted a temporary fire ban for Ellsworth. Chief Scott Guillerault said the ban on open burning will remain in effect until adequate rainfall is received and the Maine Forest Service lowers the fire class, reducing the fire danger in the area. Contact the Ellsworth Fire Department with questions.
Local Politics
Lobstermen See Trump’s Election as Bright Spot
(Maine) Maine’s commercial fishermen say they have high hopes for a second Trump administration. The Bangor Daily News reports the state’s fishery has largely supported the Republican president-elect since his first run in 2015. A chief issue? Plans for offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine, which fishermen argue will be an economic detriment to their fisheries and could cause environmental harm to their fishing grounds. Some also hope Trump will rescind federal restrictions such as mandates to use whale-safe fishing gear, which have proven to be an added expense and complication to the generations-old profession.
(Maine) Commercial fishermen say they hope President-elect Donald Trump is not just shooting the breeze when it comes to nixing offshore wind development. The Bangor Daily News reports many lobster fishermen feel such development in the Gulf of Maine will hurt the industry’s bottom line, and they fear it could cause environmental harm to fishing grounds. Some also hope Trump will rescind federal restrictions such as mandates to use whale-safe fishing gear, which have proven to be an added expense and complication to the generations-old profession. Maine’s fishery has largely supported Trump since his first run for Commander in Chief in 2015.
Economy
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
(Ellsworth) From florals to crafts, to lobstering, to our local public house – today, November 19th, is all about celebrating women business owners. Global Women’s Programs Executive Pam Seagle tells Star 97.7 what Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is all about. (((WED 1 “…that are outside the U.S., too.” :15))) The guide to which Seagle refers highlights women small business owners, and you can access it to find local women entrepreneurs at B of A marketplace dot Seneca women dot com.
(Ellsworth) Today is Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. Global Women’s Programs Executive Pam Seagle tells Star 97.7, 63% of women business owners say they have to work harder to achieve the same level of success as men. (((WED 2 “…to do the things that moms are expected to do.” :18))). Of course, we encourage folks to support all our local businesses this holiday season, but if you’d like to do a little extra for those local female entrepreneurs, check with the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce or the local chamber in your area.
(Ellsworth) For small business owners, the holiday hustle and pressure to make sales is real. Pam Seagle, Global Women’s Programs Executive with Bank of America, tells Star 97.7, the pressure can be especially tough for women entrepreneurs. (((WED 3 “…and it can all become a lot.” :24))) Today is Women’s Entrepreneurship Day…the perfect opportunity to stop in one of our many women-owned businesses and support them with a little early holiday shopping.
(Ellsworth) Women entrepreneurs face a special set of challenges, especially, often, with the added responsibilities of children and family. Today is Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. Global Women’s Programs Executive Pam Seagle tells Star 97.7, Bank of America and Seneca Women have put together a special guide to help you support local, national, and international female entrepreneurs. She says it also helps if you’re unsure about what to buy this holiday. ((((WED 4 “…you’ll go into some of our suggestions.” :16))) And if you didn’t catch that website, it will be with this story on our Star 97.7 Local News page.
U.S. Expected to Receive 65,000 Additional H-2B Visas
(Washington, DC) An early Christmas gift for businesses that struggle to find temporary workers. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King say the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor are expected to make close to an additional 65,000 H-2B temporary non-agricultural worker visas available for Fiscal Year 2025. That’s on top of the congressionally mandated 66,000 available each fiscal year. The allocation includes 20K visas for workers from Haiti, Colombia, Costa Rica and other Central American countries. The Senators said the additional visas will be a welcome relief for small businesses throughout Maine that continue to face worker shortages.
(Washington, DC) Businesses everywhere are feeling the pinch with a lack of willing and available workers. And while by law, employers must first make a concerted effort to hire American workers, H-2B visas fill needs for American small businesses when American workers just can’t be found. So it was welcome news Monday when Senators Angus King and Susan Collins announced the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor are expected to make another close to 65,000 H-2B temporary non-agricultural worker visas available for Fiscal Year 2025. That’s on top of the congressionally mandated 66,000 available each fiscal year. Twenty thousand of those are expected to apply to Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and other Central American countries.
Education
Local Schools Chosen to Participate in 2025 WinterKids Games
(Maine) Sixteen Maine schools have been chosen to participate in the WinterKids 2025 Winter Games, January 13th to February 7th. The WinterKids Winter Games provides an opportunity for students and faculty to engage in outdoor learning while exploring weather science in Maine’s winter landscape. The schools that are chosen compete for a chance to win cash prizes, including a $5,000 prize for the top ranking school. Local schools selected to participate include Cranberry Isles School, Ella P. Burr in Lincoln, Lamoine Consolidated School, and Rose M. Gaffney in Machias.
(Maine) Students and staff in 16 schools across Maine will have an extra incentive to get outdoors this winter – they’ve been chosen to compete for cash prizes in the WinterKids 2025 Winter Games, January 13th through February 7th. Each week, participating schools will focus on a different aspect of winter weather – temperature, precipitation, wind, and clouds, conducting hands on activities that encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and outdoor physical activity. The top ranking school will win a $5,000 prize. Local schools selected to participate include Cranberry Isles School, Ella P. Burr in Lincoln, Lamoine Consolidated School, and Rose M. Gaffney in Machias.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Work
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth says Northeast Paving will begin shimming High Street tomorrow. There will likely be flaggers and lane closures as the work progresses. No further details at this point, but we’re sure they’ll keep us posted.
(Ellsworth) Look for work to begin on High Street tomorrow. The City of Ellsworth says Northeast Paving plans to begin shimming, and drivers can expect flaggers and lane closure as the work progresses. The City didn’t have further details, but we’re sure they’ll keep us posted.
Woodlawn Temporary Trail Closures
(Ellsworth) If you enjoy the trails at Woodlawn, you’ll want to be aware that beginning this Friday through the end of December, part of the trail system will be closed for the Holiday Light Trail. The North Trailhead near the barn and the story trail loop will be closed. The Woodlawn Holiday Light Trail opens December 5th.
(Ellsworth) Let there be light – at Woodlawn in Ellsworth. It won’t be long now! The Holiday Light Trail opens December 5th. In preparation of the event, a couple of sections of the trails at Woodlawn will be closed beginning this Friday. The North Trailhead near the barn and the story trail loop will be closed through December.
Sports
Celtics vs. Cavs as NBA Cup continues – tonight’s game at TD Garden
Bruins lose to the Blue Jackets 5-1. Bruins off now until Thursday when they host Utah