Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Updates on Bangor Fatal Fires
(Bangor) The State Fire Marshal’s Office has released the names of victims killed in two separate fires in Bangor this month. On November 10th, 35 yo Joseph P. Demanuela, Jr. died as the result of a fire inside a tent he was living in on Cleavelend Street. In the Monday morning fire at 62 Fairways yesterday, the victim has been tentatively identified as 84 yo Carla Durgin, the sole owner and occupant of that property. Investigators continue working to identify the cause of both of those fires.
(Bangor) Two fatal fires in the last two weeks in Bangor. Shortly after 5 yesterday morning, crews were called to a structure fire at 62 Fairways. That fire was quickly knocked down, but human remains were found, which have been tentatively identified as those of 84 yo Carla Durgin, the owner and sole occupant of that property. In an earlier fire on November 10th, officials now say the victim was 35 yo Joseph P. Demanuela, Jr. Demanuela, Jr. was living in a tent on Cleaveland Street in Bangor and died as the result of a fire inside that tent. Officials are still working to determine a cause of each of those blazes.
Belgrade Shooting Update
(Belgrade) Authorities have released more information on that Sunday morning shooting in Belgrade we told you about yesterday. Maine State Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting at a residence on Point Road in Belgrade. The victim, 58 yo Christina Bell, who lives at the residence, was LifeFlighted to Maine Medical Center and was later transferred to a Boston hospital. Police say she is expected to survive. Authorities say 26 yo Samuel Bell, identified as the victim’s son, left the residence in his vehicle but was later taken into custody and transported to the Kennebec County Correctional Facility, where he is charged with Attempted Murder and Elevated Aggravated Assault. Authorities say Samuel Bell did not live with his parents at the Point Road address. No further details were available.
(Belgrade) Authorities have made an arrest in that Sunday morning shooting in Belgrade. Maine State Police responded to a reported shooting at a Point Road residence shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday. They say the victim was 58 yo Christina Bell, who lives at the residence. Bell was initially taken by Life Flight to Maine Medical Center and later transferred to a hospital in Boston, where she is expected to survive. A man identified as her son, 26 yo Samuel Bell, reportedly left the residence in a vehicle after the shooting but was later apprehended. Samuel Bell is in the Kennebec County Correctional Facility and is charged with Attempted Murder and Elevated Aggravated Assault. Authorities say Samuel Bell did not live with his parents at the Point Road address. Police have not yet released a motive.
Local Politics
Bar Harbor Approves Lodging Moratorium
(Bar Harbor) No room for the inns – that’s the decision by Bar Harbor officials who have placed a 60 day moratorium on larger lodging facilities. The effort to stall such lodging was previously shot down, but a proposal put forth by Town Council Vice Chair Gary Friedmann passed and will be in effect for the entire town through mid January. The Bangor Daily News reports the ordinance includes an emergency preamble that states the town “is experiencing unprecedented pressure on public facilities and infrastructure,” and that residents have expressed concerns about the development and operation of such accommodations … including concerns about health and safety, environmental impacts, quality of life and more. The ordinance can be renewed as-is or tweaked after 60 days.
(Bar Harbor) It’s out with the inns in Bar Harbor, at least temporarily. The Bangor Daily News reports town officials last week voted an emergency moratorium on the building of larger lodging facilities. The 60-day emergency moratorium went into effect November 19th and will give the town time to evaluate the concerns of citizens and to develop additional rules regarding development if necessary. Residents have reportedly expressed concerns about the development and operation of such accommodations, including health and safety, environmental impacts, quality of life and more. The ordinance can be renewed as-is or tweaked after 60 days.
Economy
Small Business Saturday
(Maine) Black Friday deals have been popping up for weeks, but it’s so important to remember our local businesses, especially this Saturday on Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday was actually founded by American Express in 2010 as a chance to shop small and give back. It’s our local small businesses to whom we turn when it comes to sponsor dollars for our local sports teams, donations to our holiday auctions, and support for community members facing health and other crises. Shop your community, support a local eatery, and benefit the communities you care about this weekend on Small Business Saturday.
(Maine) We all take advantage of Black Friday deals, and likely shop the big box stores and online retailers. This Saturday, it’s a chance to balance that out by supporting our smaller, local businesses on Small Business Saturday. Remember, it’s our local retailers and eateries to whom we turn when it comes to asking for dollars to support local sports teams, donate items to our benefit auctions, and give to causes such as a community member who is facing a health or other crises. Star 97.7 encourages you to shop your community, support a local eatery, and benefit the communities you care about often, and especially this weekend on Small Business Saturday.
Education
December at the Versant Power Astronomy Center
(Orono) During December at the Versant Power Astronomy Center, journey to the farthest reaches of the solar system, traveling through the dimensions of ice while immersed in a kaleidoscopic igloo. (((December 1 “…and also ice in our solar system.” :09))) Astronomy Center Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, you’ll be dazzled by the icy wonderland of the arctic and learn how our actions are responsible for the melting of the polar ice caps and just how close we are to the tipping point of dramatic climate change. That’s Fridays in December at 7 p.m. at the planetarium on the UMaine campus in Orono.
(Orono) Sunday is December 1st, and that rings in a new month of programming at the Versant Power Astronomy Center on the University of Maine Orono campus. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, they have just the ticket to get you into the holiday spirit. (((December 2 “…peace on earth.” :19))) That’s Sundays at 2 p.m. in December. Tickets at the door or at astro dot umaine dot e d u. The center will be closed, so no programs scheduled December 22nd through January 2nd, as the school will be on winter break.
(Orono) Take a break from the hustle and stress of holiday shopping, and get into the spirit with some holiday music at the Versant Power Astronomy Center! Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7 about the December music show. (((December 3 “…favorites of holiday music.” :15))) The holiday music shows begin this Sunday, at 4 p.m. and can be enjoyed December 1st, 8th, and 15th. Tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) December will be a great month for viewing the planets in the night sky. Versant Power Astronomy Center Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7 just what to look for … (((December 4 “…spectacular, and it’s getting brighter and brighter.” :19))) Laatsch says also look for Venus in the evening sky. It will be in the SW just after sunset and Saturn in the south at sunset. Saturn’s rings will be at edge on, meaning they appear to disappear during the month of December!
Environment
Rainy Days Won’t Make Up for State’s Deficit
(Maine) It seems like we’ve had a lot of rainy days lately, but experts say the recent precip is not likely to end Maine’s drought. The National Weather Service in Gray reports that as of last week, about 65% of the state was under drought conditions, with another 27% facing abnormally dry conditions. NWS says rainfall deficits range from six to nine inches throughout the state. Experts say dry periods are becoming more frequent in Maine, with some parts of the state experiencing unusually dry or drought conditions almost annually.
(Maine) Our recent rainy days have made a dent, but aren’t likely to stem the drought conditions experienced across much of the state. According to the National Weather Service in Gray, as of last week, about 65% of the state was under drought conditions, with an additional 27% abnormally dry. Rainfall deficits range from 6 to 9 inches in various parts of the state, with one government source saying dry periods are becoming more common in Maine, with parts of the state experiencing unusually dry or drought conditions almost annually.
Infrastructure
Versant Planned Maintenance
(Steuben) If you live on Augusta Road or Mel Lane in Steuben, be prepared for possible electric service interruptions beginning at 9 a.m. this morning. Versant crews have scheduled maintenance on the electrical system that supplies those areas. Work is expected to take about two hours.
Technology
Businesses Shift from X to Blue Sky
(Undated) As dissatisfaction with Trump-ally Elon Musk grows, MaineBiz reports interest in his social media platform X is waning, with many turning to Blue Sky as a microblogging alternative. Blue Sky was developed by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, who has since left the Twitter board and deleted his own account there. Like Twitter and X, Blue Sky users have the ability to post short messages, images and videos and can “like”, repost and reply. Blue Sky has a reported user count of 20 million and growing, including the University of Maine, Husson University, the Portland Press Herald, the Bangor Daily News and many members of the Boston media.
(Undated) A media platform known as Blue Sky is proving to be a growing alternative for those leaving the Elon Musk-owned X, formerly Twitter. MaineBiz reports Blue Sky has attracted a variety of sports, news, academic, and nonprofit organizations, including the University of Maine, Husson University, the Portland Press Herald, and the Portland Sea Dogs, though some are keeping their X accounts as well. Blue Sky was developed by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, who has since left the Twitter board and deleted his own account on that platform. Marketing experts say Blue Sky’s 20 million and growing number of followers include a diverse demographic characterized by younger, tech-savvy individuals who prioritize privacy.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Lily’s Angel Tree
(Ellsworth) Lily’s Angel Tree is now up in the lobby of The Grand in Ellsworth. It’s year twelve of collecting Christmas gifts for local children in need. Now through December 11th, stop in and select an angel or angels from the tree, shop for the items listed, and return the new, in-the-original-package gifts, unwrapped, to the Grand. Stop in Tuesday through Friday from 8 to 4, weekends from 11 to 4. And if you have questions, you can email lilys Christmas angels at gmail dot com.
(Ellsworth) There’s a good deal of need this Christmas, and a good deal of help out there, as well – but it all depends on us. One source of giving this holiday is Lily’s Angel Tree, now up in the lobby of The Grand in Ellsworth. The way it works is simple. Stop by the Grand now through December 11th, select an angel or angels from the tree, shop for the items listed, and return the gifts unwrapped to the Grand – asking new gifts in original packaging only, please. You can access the tree weekdays from 8 to 4, weekends 11-4, and if you have questions, feel free to email lilys Christmas angels at gmail dot com.
Ellsworth Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
(Ellsworth) Christmas in Ellsworth brings together businesses, nonprofits and City leaders to highlight all the City has to offer this time of year! The downtown windows are beautifully lit up and decorated, warmly inviting us to shop and dine locally. On Saturday, November 30th, enjoy the Ellsworth tree lighting from 3-5 in the City Hall parking lot. The Nutcracker is sold out at The Grand; but beginning December 13th, enjoy the musical version of A Christmas Story – tickets at grand online dot org. The Ellsworth Public Library has a wreath making workshop on December 5th, and that’s also the evening the walk-through light show begins at Woodlawn. And then, of course, the 44th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights, December 7th, starting at 4 p.m. This year’s theme is Christmas in Toyland. There’s still time to add YOUR group or float – contact Kim Fitch at the Grand.
(Ellsworth) Christmas in Ellsworth is a magical season! It all begins with the annual tree lighting at City Hall this Saturday, from 3 to 5 in the City Hall parking lot. Enjoy the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers and A Christmas Story at The Grand, along with a visit with Santa on December 7th before the 44th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights kicks off. Santa will also be at the Ellsworth Public Library on December 11th and 18th , and kids can enjoy Breakfast with Santa at the Y on December 14th. Enjoy the Woodlawn walk-through light show beginning December 5th, the Beth C. Wright Trees of HOPE Festival on December 15th; late night shopping in Downtown Ellsworth on the 19th, the Heart of Ellsworth Marketplace December 19th -21st, and a craft show at the Woodlawn Barn on December 21st. For all the holiday events, visit Christmas in ellsworth dot com.
Sports
The Celtics made quick work of the Clippers last night at TD Garden, beating them 126-94. Celtics take on the Bulls Friday in Chicago.
The Bruins host the Canucks tonight at TD Garden.