Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
MSP Investigating Child Death in Corinna
(Corinna) Maine State Police are investigating the death of a child in the Penobscot County town of Corinna. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, shortly before 8:30 Sunday morning, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s office responded to a report from a woman who said her three-year-old nephew was missing from the family residence on Exeter Road. The child was later found by his father, some distance from the family home, outside in the snow. Law enforcement and EMS responded to the scene, but the child succumbed to injuries consistent with exposure. The child was taken to Augusta, where an autopsy will determine an exact cause of death. Authorities believe this to be an isolated incident with no public safety concerns. Multiple agencies spent much of Sunday investigating.
(Corinna) A three year old boy died of apparent exposure Sunday after he was reported missing from his home in the Penobscot County town of Corinna. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, shortly before 8:30 a.m. on January 12th, a woman called 9-1-1 to report her nephew was missing. The child was later found by his father some distance from the family residence, outside in the snow. Although Law Enforcement and EMS responded to the scene, the toddler succumbed to injuries consistent with exposure to the elements. Maine State Police, DHHS, and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office spent the day investigating. The child’s body was taken to Augusta, where an autopsy will be performed to determine an exact cause of death. Police believe it is an isolated incident with no public safety concerns.
Maine to Deploy Firefighters to Southern California
(Augusta) The Pine Tree State will deploy a team of Maine Forest Rangers and volunteer firefighters to help battle the devastating wildfires in southern California. Governor Janet Mills said the two teams, consisting of eight rangers and twelve firefighters, are expected to arrive in California by this evening, in order to help provide vital relief in an area where resources have been stretched thin due to the magnitude of the blazes. In the last week, wildfires have destroyed some 40K acres in greater Los Angeles, and high winds are forecast to complicate containment efforts in the coming days.
(Augusta) Two teams of firefighting crews from Maine are on their way to California today to help battle the devastating wildfires that have burned some 40K acres in the greater Los Angeles area. Governor Janet Mills said the teams, consisting of eight Maine Forest Rangers and twelve volunteer firefighters, are expected to arrive in California by this evening. The first responders will help provide vital relief in an area where resources have been stretched thin due to the magnitude of the blazes, and where high winds are forecast to again complicate containment efforts. The Governor said the deployment will not drain sufficient personnel to handle local emergencies. .
Economy
URCI Takes Steps to Implement Ellsworth’s Business Attraction Plan
(Ellsworth) The New Year has proven to be the perfect catalyst for the Union River Center for Innovation to begin implementing some of the City of Ellsworth’s Business Attraction Plan. URCI and the City say they’ve contracted with TS2 Consulting in Ellsworth to develop a series of Entrepreneurial Exploration workshops. The workshops will incorporate feedback from a business brainstorming forum last November. Anyone wanting more information about the URCI initiatives or wishing to provide input is encouraged to contact tracy at t s 2 consulting dot m e.
(Ellsworth) Entrepreneurs and business leaders in Ellsworth may be interested in an upcoming series of Entrepreneurial Exploration workshops tailored to the needs of such business interests. The series is a joint venture of the Union River Center for Innovation, the City of Ellsworth and TS2 Consulting and is being developed based on feedback from last November’s brainstorming forum. The City’s Business Attraction Plan states that Ellsworth is the engine that drives economic growth and prosperity in Downeast Maine. To learn more, contact Tracy directly at tracy at t s 2 consulting dot m e
Oceanside Animal Hospital Closing
(Trenton) Sad news – Oceanside Animal Hospital in Trenton is closing its doors. Dr. Burmeister posted on Facebook his wife has been diagnosed with a serious illness and he naturally wants to spend time with her. The clinic has reportedly been seeking another vet to take over the practice but has not been able to find one at this point. Oceanside has been serving people and their pets for the past 13 years and will close at the end of the day on February 14th unless there is a successful sale of the practice. Records requests can be emailed to oceanside animal hospital at gmail dot com with “Records Request” in the subject line.
(Trenton) A sad loss for the Trenton and Ellsworth area – Oceanside Animal Hospital reports they’ll be closing the clinic at the end of the day on February 14th unless they can find another veterinarian to purchase the practice. Dr. Burmeister posted on FB his wife has been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, and he naturally wants to spend time with her. The clinic has reportedly been seeking a replacement vet, but has been unable to find one at this point. The clinic has been serving the area for the past 13 years. Records requests can be emailed to oceanside animal hospital at gmail dot com with “Records Request” in the subject line. They ask that you allow at least five business days for them to respond.
Sweet Cheeks Bakery Opening
(Ellsworth) And it’s official – Sweet Cheeks Bakery announcing its Grand Opening in Ellsworth this Saturday at 7 AM. The new location is inside the Mill Mall on State Street and will have inside seating, along with a drive through and an ice cream machine. It’s the third location for Beal and Michael, who opened their first shop on Verona Island in 2021 and also operate a satellite location in Holden with 24/7 vending machines.
(Ellsworth) Saturday will be a sweet day in Ellsworth – Sweet Cheeks Bakery announcing its official Grand Opening a 7 am that morning. The new location is inside the Mill Mall on State Street and will feature inside seating for you to enjoy that hot cup of Joe and your favorite baked goods. It’s the third location for the bakery that opened their first on Verona Island in 2021 and also has a Holden satellite location with 24/7 vending machines.
Heart of Ellsworth Team Grows with Addition of Marketing Coordinator
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth is welcoming Clarisa Diaz to serve as Marketing Coordinator for the growing nonprofit. Diaz, with over a decade of experience in communications and design, will manage the Tourism Marketing & Development Recovery Program grant from the Maine Office of Tourism, which aims to promote Ellsworth as a regional tourist hub near Acadia National Park. The addition of Ellsworth as the state’s 11th Main Street Community last year also contributed to the need for additional staff. Diaz joins Program Coordinator Zabet NeuColins and Executive Director Cara Romano in promoting artistic, economic, environmental, cultural, and historic activities in the downtown area.
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth has had quite the growth the past few months. In 2024, Downeast Maine was federally recognized as America’s next National Heritage area, Ellsworth became Maine’s 11th Main Street Community, and the nonprofit received a Tourism Marketing & Development Recovery Program grant from the Maine Office of Tourism to promote Ellsworth as a regional tourist hub near Acadia National Park. With added growth comes the need for additional staff. To help meet those needs, Heart of Ellsworth has hired Clarisa Diaz as Marketing Coordinator. Diaz joins Program Coordinator Zabet NeuColins and Executive Director Cara Romano in promoting artistic, economic, environmental, cultural, and historic activities in the downtown area. Welcome!
Cottontail Cottage Moves to New Home
(Whitefield) The humans and furry and feathered ones of Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary have moved from Cherryfield to a brand new location in Whitefield. Jenny and Matthew say they had outgrown the Cherryfield property, and the new location offered 22 acres, with over ten acres of already established hayfields and an amazing barn for the bunnies. They say the property is very quiet and borders thousands of acres of a Maine State Wildlife Sanctuary. Check out their FB page for photos, and be sure to continue to support the great work they do at the address listed there or through their website.
(Whitefield) Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary this week let us know about an exciting move! While Jenny and Matthew say they and the animals loved their Cherryfield location, they had outgrown that property. So when an opportunity came up in Whitefield, three hours away, they couldn’t turn it down. They tell Star 97.7, the new location provides more room for the animals, a more quiet location, more than ten acres of already established hayfields for the horses, and an amazing barn for the rescue bunnies. They say the animals took the move like champs! You can check out pictures of their new location on their FB page, where you’ll also find ways to support them.
Human Interest/Entertainment
COA Alum Participates in World Ice Swimming Champions
(Bar Harbor) Brrrr … you think THIS is cold! College of the Atlantic Alum and staff member Puranjot Kaur is in Molveno, Trentino, Italy this week to compete with Team USA in the World Ice Swimming Championships! She’s joined by MDI resident Mariah Reading, a park ranger and artist from Acadia National Park. The competition takes place in the heart of the Dolomites in a 50 meter swimming pool with water temps below 41 degrees. Over the course of five days, hundreds of athletes from 35-plus countries are competing in all swimming disciplines, from 50- to a thousand meters. We’re rooting for you from the comfort of our warm studios!
(Bar Harbor) Some people rail against the cold, while others embrace it! Take, for example, College of the Atlantic Alum and staff member Puranjot Kaur and fellow MDI resident Mariah Reading. The pair is in Molveno, Trentino, Italy this week to compete with Team USA in the World Ice Swimming Championships! Athletes from more than 35 countries compete in events in a 50 meter swimming pool located in the heart of the Dolomites. And by the way, the water temps in that pool are below 41 degrees. Kaur and Reading are well-trained for the chill events, swimming regularly with a group in the icy Atlantic Ocean just about year round. Over the course of five days, the pair, along with hundreds of other athletes, will be competing in all swimming disciplines, from 50 to a thousand meters. We’re rooting for and admiring you from our nice, warm studios this morning!
MDI Hospital Welcomes Island’s First Baby of 2025
(MDI) MDI Hospital welcomed the Island’s first baby born in 2025. Jane Louise Clark entered the world January 10th at 12:06 p.m., weighing 6 pounds, 7.8 ounces. Congratulations to the proud parents, Stuart and Sarah of NE Harbor. Multiple MDI merchants welcomed Little Jane Louise with a basket filled with goodies.
(MDI) Sarah and Stuart Clark of NE Harbor are the proud parents of the first baby born on Mount Desert Island in 2025. MDI Hospital welcomed Jane Louise Clark on January 10th at 12:06 p.m., weighing 6 pounds, 7.8 ounces. The Clarks received a gift basket full of delights from MDI merchants.
Sports
Local high school basketball results from Monday night:
Boys Girls
Sumner 77 DI/Ston 17 Sumner 37 DI/Ston 23
Dexter 49 George Stevens 42
Calais 53 Lee 50
Machias 73 Narraguagus 34
Tuesday Night Games:
Girls Boys
Deer Isle/St Searsport Deer Isle/St Searsport
Jonesport-Beals Shead Ellsworth Hermon
Machias Woodland
GSA Orono
Mattanawcook Sumner
Narraguagus WA
MDI Old Town
Bruins put the sticks to the ice against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden. The Celtics have another night off. They’ll be on the court in Toronto Wednesday against the Raptors.