Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
HVFD Gets Final Approval for New Station
(Hancock) The Hancock Volunteer Fire Department is getting a new station. The department currently has two stations – one at each end of town. But their primary station built back in 1957 is too small to accommodate their needs. The fire department tells WABI, they recently received final approval to put the project out to bid for a new, larger building that will include four bays. The new station will be located across the street from their current location on Cemetery Road.
(Hancock) A new station is in the works for the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department. The department currently has two stations – one on each end of town. But their primary station was built nearly 70 years ago and is too small to accommodate current needs. Officials tell WABI they recently received final approval to put the project for a new, larger building out to bid. The new station will be located across from their current station on Cemetery Road and will include four bays.
Bucksport Police Seek Hit-and-Run Driver
(Bucksport) Bucksport Police seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect involved in a hit-and-run last September. Authorities say they’ve identified the person involved and posted pictures of the vehicle, a black Jeep Cherokee traveling in the area at the time of the crash. They say a 91 yo woman was hit while walking in a crosswalk on Main Street in front of MacLeod’s Restaurant. The woman was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. We’ve also posted pictures of the Jeep on our Star 97.7 FB page – police say the vehicle should have damage to the passenger’s side. You’re asked to call the Bucksport Police Department with any information.
(Bucksport) Bucksport Police this morning looking for a suspect in a September hit and run on Main Street. They say a 91 yo woman was in a crosswalk in front of MacLeod’s Restaurant when she was struck. She was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Authorities have released photos of a black Jeep Cherokee that was traveling in the area at the time of the crash. We’ve shared pictures on our Star 97.7 FB page. They say the vehicle likely has damage to the passenger’s side. Anyone with information is asked to call the Bucksport Police Department.
Lobster Cooperative Settles Five Year Legal Battle Against CEO
(Trenton) Lobster 207, a co-op formed by the Maine Lobstering Union, has settled a five year lawsuit against former CEO Warren Pettegrow, his parents, their companies, and another alleged co-conspirator. MaineBiz reports the co-op, formed in 2013 by lobstermen concerned about falling prices, purchased the wholesale division of the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound from Anthony and Josette Pettegrow in 2017. As part of the agreement, Warren Pettegrow was named CEO. Concerns of financial misconduct reportedly surfaced in 2019. The coop then filed suit alleging fraudulent invoices, upcharges for lobster products, and competition with the wholesale lobster business. The union fired Pettegrow in 2020 and an arbitrator ordered the defendants to pay more than a million dollars in damages. Instead of going to trial, the parties this month agreed to a $5M settlement. It’s unclear when the union will collect the money.
(Trenton) A $5M settlement has brought an end to five years of litigation filed by Lobster 207 against former CEO Warren Pettegrow, his parents, their companies, and another alleged co-conspirator. MaineBiz reports the coop was formed in 2013 by lobstermen concerned about falling prices. The coop purchased the wholesale division of the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound from Anthony and Josette Pettegrow in 2017 and named Warren Pettegrow as CEO, with the condition he would not compete with Lobster 207’s operation. Concerns of financial misconduct reportedly surfaced in 2019. The coop then filed suit alleging fraudulent invoices, upcharges for lobster products, and competition with the wholesale lobster business. The union fired Pettegrow in 2020 and an arbitrator ordered the defendants to pay more than a million dollars in damages. The settlement avoids a trial, but it’s unclear when the union will collect the money.
Local Politics
Memo Warns of Budget Shortfall
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills’s budget chief warned of a $118M gap in MaineCare funding as lawmakers returned to Augusta on Wednesday. The Bangor Daily News reports the legislature will need to tackle a variety of factors to stabilize MaineCare costs, while the state is also facing a projected $450M shortfall through FY 2027. The MaineCare funding gap will take priority as it applies to the current fiscal year. According to Finance Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa, the shortfall is the result of growth in enrollment in the state’s Medicaid program, an increase in the use of services following the pandemic, and overall cost increases blamed on inflation and workforce challenges.
(Augusta) Lawmakers returned to Augusta Wednesday amid warnings of a tight budget and budget shortfalls. The Bangor Daily News reports a memo from Governor Janet Mills’s budget chief warned of a $118M gap in MaineCare funding, the result of a plethora of factors. Those include growth in enrollment in the state’s Medicaid program, an increase in the use of services following the pandemic, and overall cost increases blamed on inflation and workforce challenges, according to Finance Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa. While the MaineCare issue is most pressing, Figueroa also reports the state is facing a projected $450M shortfall through FY 2027.
Governor Mills Proposes Elevating GEO
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday proposed elevating the Governor’s Energy Office to a cabinet-level department as part of her upcoming biennial budget proposal. The Governor said moving the Department outside the Governor’s Office would allow for a more integrated, comprehensive, and consistent approach to the planning and management of Maine’s energy system. The GEO has worked to secure more than $200M in federal funding to support grid resilience and innovation, energy efficiency, and workforce development, among other key investments for Maine. It’s a budget-neutral initiative proposed during a tight budget cycle.
(Augusta) The Governor’s Energy Office is currently located in the Governor’s Office, but Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday proposed elevating the GEO to a cabinet level department as part of her upcoming biennial budget proposal. The Governor said the move would allow for a more integrated, comprehensive and consistent approach to the planning and management of the state’s energy system. Maine is one of just a handful of states that have an energy office located within the Governor’s Office; the only one in the Northeast …while more than 40 states have energy offices with cabinet-level leadership.
Collins to Head Senate Appropriations Committee
(Augusta) Senator Susan Collins is the new chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Collins is the first Republican woman to hold the post; the first Mainer to lead the spending committee in 92 years.
(Augusta) Senator Susan Collins joined the Appropriations Committee in 2009. This week, she became the first Republican woman to Chair the powerful committee that holds jurisdiction over all discretionary spending for the entire federal government. She’s the first Mainer to lead the Committee in 92 years. Senator Collins was first elected in 1996, ranks seventh in Senate seniority, and is the most senior Republican woman.
New Maine Legislature Faces Variety of Bills
(Augusta) The new Maine legislature convened Wednesday. They face a variety of bills to consider. Among them an amended Act to Adopt Eastern Standard Time Year Round. That, of course, would be contingent upon federal approval. Also on the agenda, An Act to Increase the Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Residents Age 65 and Older. The bill increases such exemption for permanent residents of Maine age 65 and older who have owned a homestead in the State for at least 10 years from $25K to $75K for property tax years beginning on or after April 1, 2025. And a proposal to provide indigenous peoples free access to State Parks. Lawmakers have their work cut out for them, with 169 bills to consider.
(Augusta) The new Maine legislature convened yesterday to consider more than 160 proposed bills. The Maine Politics Insider reports among them, a proposal from Democratic Representative Laurie Osher of Orono to designate the wood turtle as a state reptile and the spring peeper as the state amphibian. Perhaps a bit more pressing, the legislature will address a MaineCare funding gap and a tightening budget, along with LD 1, a storm preparedness measure that will likely pass with ease. Other proposals include an increase to the Homestead Property Tax Exemption for homeowners age 65 and older and an amended bill to adopt Eastern Standard Time year-round, though that would be contingent on federal approval.
Economy
Local Wood Banks Help Those in Need
(Castine) Wood banks are increasingly filling a burning need for warmth. The DownEast Wood Bank in Surry helps those in need in Blue Hill, Brooklin, Ellsworth, Lamoine, Sedgwick, Surry and Trenton. The Waldo County Woodshed has been helping folks in that county stay warm since 2015. That same year, a small, but dedicated group of volunteers with an average age of 75 and over began providing firewood to those in the Castine area. The Castine Patriot reports the Castine Wood Bank was started by a pair of men who attended church together, 83 yo Gil Tenney and 76 yo Pedrick Sweet. They say they’ve seen an influx in young folks wanting to pitch in and stack wood. All three say volunteers and donations are critical in their goal of providing for those in need. If you’d like to help, the DownEast Wood Bank and Waldo County Woodshed are on social media. You can contact the Castine Wood Bank through Pedrick Sweet at 326-4924.
(Surry) Area Wood Banks are increasingly blazing a trail of warmth for those in need. And that often means they are increasingly IN need. Three area wood banks welcome both volunteers and donations. The Castine Wood Bank has been keeping neighbors in that area warm since 2015, when now-83-yo Gil Tenney and 76 yo Pedrick Sweet saw a need and jumped into action. Contact Sweet at 326-4924. The DownEast Wood Bank in Surry serves towns on the Blue Hill Peninsula, along with Ellsworth, Lamoine, Sedgwick, Surry and Trenton. They’re in the midst of a winter fundraiser that a generous donor will match up to $10,000. And the Waldo County Wood Shed currently has a GoFundMe fundraiser going. You can find the Surry and Waldo County wood banks on social media if you’d like to help.
Health
Collins Champions Health Care Bills Signed into Law
(Washington, DC) Close to 2,000 standalone health care bills were introduced in Congress last year, with 600 of those bills receiving Committee consideration, 53 passing at least one chamber, and just 15 passing both chambers and being signed into law. Of those 15, Senator Susan Collins co-led five with strong bipartisan support. Those bills included three that advanced research for Alzheimer’s and dementia, one extended support for rural EMS needs. In addition, the Autism Cares Act authorized more than $2B over the next five years for autism research and training.
(Washington, DC) The 118th Congress saw more than 1800 standalone health care bills introduced, with 600 receiving Committee consideration, 53 passing at least one chamber, and just 15 passing both chambers and being signed into law. Senator Susan Collins co-sponsored five of the 15. Collins’s office says those five bills will combat some of the biggest public health challenges by enhancing care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, autism, and substance abuse issues through improved research funding. In addition, at least one provides critical support for rural EMS agencies in Maine, equipping them to better serve their communities and address the opioid crisis.
Sports
Some results from last night’s local high school basketball:
Girls Boys
John Bapst 45 Hermon 40 Narraguagus 46 Jonesport-Beals 62
MDI Foxcroft Academy Calais 41 Shead 46
(scores not reported) Central 58 Sumner 44
Machias 90 Woodland 46
Ellsworth 48 Washington Academy 38
These local high school matchups this evening: on the girls’ side, the Jonesport-Beals Royals on the court against the Sumner Tigers, Narraguagus vs. Machias, the Calais Blue Devils shooting hoops with Mattanawcook, and George Stevens takes on Bucksport. And the Searsport Vikings up against Bangor Christian – that matchup both the boys’ and girls’ teams.
The Bruins take on the Lightning in Tampa Bay. The Celtics have another night off.