Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Crews Remove UHaul That Broke Through Ice on Echo Lake
(MDI) It took two days and some complicated logistics, but crews have successfully removed a UHaul truck from beneath some 1300 feet of water at Echo Lake. The truck fell through the ice on MDI in the early morning hours of January 18th when an elderly man became confused and drove onto the ice believing he was still on the roadway – that man, fortunately, survived. The Mount Desert Islander reports the removal by Canders Diving Services involved a diver cutting a hole in the ice, taking four inflatable air pillows down into the water, attaching them to the truck’s wheels and bringing the 5600 pound vehicle closer to the surface, where a hook was attached and a tow truck on shore pulled it from the water.
(MDI) A UHaul truck that broke through the ice on Echo Lake on MDI is back on dry land. The truck fell through the ice and sank in about 1300 feet of water in the early morning hours on January 18th when its elderly driver became confused and drove onto the ice thinking he was still on a roadway. The man was able to crawl to the top of the cab and get to safety. The Mount Desert Islander reports the removal by Canders Diving Services involved a diver cutting a hole in the ice, taking four inflatable air pillows down into the water, attaching them to the truck’s wheels and bringing the 5600 pound vehicle closer to the surface, where a hook was attached and a tow truck on shore pulled it from the water.
D.C. Crash Prompts Disruptions in Maine, Across the Country
(Portland) The deadly plane crash at Washington’s Reagan International prompted cancellation of all American DCA flights out of Portland, as well as Bangor on Thursday. Other American Airlines flights were operating, but Portland Jetport Director, Paul Bradbury, told MaineBiz the tragedy would have impacts throughout the air transportation system. Those passengers affected by the delay were urged to contact their airline for specifics regarding their travel plans.
(Portland) Recovery efforts continue in the wake of Wednesday’s tragic mid-air collision between an army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet. In Maine, all American DCA flights out of Portland International Jetport and Bangor International were canceled Thursday. Jetport Director Paul Bradbury told MaineBiz other American flights were operating, but that the crash would have impacts throughout the air transportation system on Thursday. The flight from Wichita, Kansas was carrying a number of figure skaters, their coaches and family members returning home from a training camp. Officials say there are no survivors.
Local Politics
Washington Residents Enact Six-Month Moratorium on Commercial Development
(Washington) More than 100 residents in the town of Washington packed the local elementary school this week to voice support for a six-month moratorium on the development of commercial projects. The moratorium was prompted by a recent proposal to build a Dollar General in the town. Residents say the store would take away from the character of the town, create more traffic on an already busy road, and drive away the customer base of a local general store. Washington is not the first town to object to the discount store. The Bangor Daily News reports in 2016, Thomaston blocked the building of a Dollar General in that town. And in 2023, Lincolnville unanimously passed a similar moratorium to block a proposed unspecified retail store proposed by the parent company that builds Dollar Generals.
(Washington) The Town of Washington is the latest to take steps to prevent a Dollar General Store from being built there. The Bangor Daily News reports more than a hundred residents packed into the gym of the local elementary school this week to voice support for a six-month moratorium on the development of large commercial projects. Residents say the discount chain would take away from the town’s character, create unwanted traffic on an already-busy roadway, and drive away a customer base from the local general store. Lincoln and Thomaston have taken similar steps in the past decade to prevent the chain from building in those towns.
Trump Blocks More Than 100 Refugees from Settling in Bangor
(Bangor) Just 15 of 150 refugees who were supposed to move to Bangor in the next several months made it to the area before flights were canceled last week by President Trump. The Bangor Daily News reports Catholic Charities of Maine had planned to welcome 150 refugees to the Bangor area and another 240 to the Portland area before September. Refugees already approved for travel to the U.S., some with years of vetting, had their flights canceled by Trump on January 22nd. Refugees are those who leave their country due to persecution or fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
(Bangor) Donald Trump’s January 22nd cancellation of flights for refugees cut a wide swath across Maine. The Bangor Daily News reports refugees already approved for travel to the U.S., some with years of vetting, saw their flights canceled. Catholic Charities Maine had planned to welcome 150 refugees between October 2024 and September of this year. Just 15 of the 150 made it to the area before the directive was issued. Refugees are those who leave their country due to persecution or fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Bar Harbor Restaurant Named James Beard Finalist
(Bar Harbor) Bar Harbor Restaurant Havana has been named a James Beard Finalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category – the equivalent in the restaurant business of an Oscar. Owner Michael Boland told the Mount Desert Islander the idea for the restaurant came from trips he and his wife made to Latin America, which sparked their love of the region’s culture and food. He said the award is about the restaurant as a whole, including staff and food and drink quality, as opposed to a “Best Chef” or “Best Dish” award. The top five finalists will be announced April 2nd, followed by a second “tasting period” involving visits from the judges, with winners announced at a special ceremony in Chicago on June 16th.
(Bar Harbor) The award is the Oscar of eateries. Bar Harbor Restaurant Havana has been named a James Beard Finalist. Owner Michael Boland told the Mount Desert Islander the restaurant was nominated in the “Outstanding Restaurant” category – an award he says that goes to an entire team for their tireless efforts. Havana now enters the next phase of the selection process, involving visits by judging committees. The top five in each category will then be announced April 2nd. That’s followed by more visits, a “tasting period”, discussion, and a final vote. The overall winners will be announced at a special ceremony in Chicago mid June.
Education
February Offerings at Versant Astronomy Center
(Orono) Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new month, and that means a month of exciting new programming at the Versant Power Astronomy Center. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, February’s new Friday programming, Chemistry in Life, takes viewers inside our bodies and inside a cell to explore how chemistry works to make life go forward. The 7 pm Friday shows also highlight UMaine chemistry research programs in terms of life, such as bioengineering and bio sciences. And speaking of chemistry, February offers a special program on the chemistry of the heart …(((Feb Planet 5 “…and we hope folks can join us for that, too.” :14))). Tickets for these events and more at the door and at astro dot u maine dot e d u. Get them early, especially for that Valentine’s Day show.
(Orono) We all know it’s SO important to never stop learning, and a great place for kids to have fun while doing so is the Versant Power Astronomy Center on the UMaine campus in Orono. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7 what’s in store for kids beginning this Sunday. (((Feb Planet 2 “…and much more.” :14))) That’s Sundays at 2 during the month of February. Tickets at astro dot u maine dot e d u and at the door. The Astronomy Center also, of course, has a week of programming for winter break – stay tuned, we’ll have details on that in our next newscast.
(Orono) Winter school break is just a few weeks away! Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7 with their February 17-21st matinees, there’s no excuse for the kids to get bored! (((Feb Planet 4 “…and on the 21st ‘the life of trees’.” :14))) That’s weekdays at 2 p.m.during winter break – see a complete schedule of February programming and get tickets at astro dot u maine at e d u.
(Orono) Today marks winter’s mid-point; and if you’re feeling as if you’ve hit the wall, the Versant Power Astronomy Center has just the thing to take you away from it all. Director Shawn Laatsch lets Star 97.7 in on the scoop on their February music program. (((Feb Planet 3 “…set to some really interesting visuals.” :14))) You can win tickets to that music program each week here on Star 97.7. … And for sky watchers, Laatsch says lots of planets currently visible in the night sky – look for Venus and Saturn in the SW right away in the evening, and find Jupiter and Mars in the sky high overhead.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Winter Parking Ban
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth Public Works Department has instituted a winter parking ban Saturday and Sunday between midnight and 6 a.m.. During the bans, vehicles cannot be parked on public streets, ways or on city-owned parking areas, with the exception of the center spots located in the Lower City Hall parking lot. Ellsworth residents are also reminded they can access the salt/sand pile at the Highway Garage, 526 Main Street, at the west end of the parking lot. Take up to two five-gallon buckets per winter storm, as needed. They caution folks not to enter the gravel pit behind the building.
(Ellsworth) Here we snow again – due to winter weather conditions developing on Friday and overnight, the City of Ellsworth Public Works Department has issued a winter parking ban Saturday and Sunday mornings between Midnight and 6 a.m. Winter parking bans mean no vehicle parking on public streets or ways or on city-owned parking areas, with the exception of the center spots located in the Lower City Hall parking lot. If you are an Ellsworth resident and are in need of salt and/or sand, you can obtain up to two five gallon buckets per winter storm from the pile at the Highway Garage, 526 Maine Street. City officials caution, just don’t enter the gravel pit behind the building.
Human Interest/Entertainment
MDI Swimmer Places Fourth in the World in Her Age Group in Cold Water Event
(MDI) We recently shared with you the story of MDI cold water swimming phenom Puranjot Kaur. Kaur and ten other cold water swimmers from the area competed as Team USA in the Ice Swimming World Championships in Molveno, Italy January 14th-18th. Kaur told the Mount Desert Islander event organizers basically cut a lane through the ice in the lake and that it was like swimming through a slushie. Kaur placed fourth in the world in her age group for each event, first in her age group for American women, becoming 25th in the world overall and between second and fourth for American women overall. Congrats to all who braved the cold to compete!
MDIFW Seeks Nominations for Legendary Maine Guide Award
(Maine) Registered Maine Guides are experienced and passionate outdoor people, and each year the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recognizes a member of the guide community with the Wilmot Robinson Legendary Guide Award. Nominees must pass a criminal background check, have been a certified guide for at least 20 years, at least 10 years as an active guide, volunteer community service, and be active on boards or committees that enhance and promote the importance of Maine’s outdoor resources. If you know a deserving guide, submit your nomination by February 17th through MDIFW.
Sports
Local high school basketball games on the schedule tonight – the Machias boys and girls take on Bangor Christian; other boys’ matchups – Ellsworth shooting hoops with Orono, the George Stevens Eagles take on Piscataquis, Sumner hits the court against Mattanawcook, and the Woodland Dragons up against the Jonesport-Beals Royals.
The Celtics in New Orleans hoping it doesn’t snow as they head for the arena to take on the Pelicans, and the Bruins have the night off.
The Bruins beat by the Jets last night 6-2.
Some local high school basketball results from last night: on the girls’ side, George Stevens beats Deer Isle/Stonington 34-11, Jonesport-Beals squeaks past Narraguagus 50-47, Mattanawcook in a blowout against Sumner 92-19, and Ellsworth beats WA 54-34. And these boys’ teams reporting in – MDI defeats WA 65-60, George Stevens crushes Deer Isle-Stonington 77-10, Shead beats Searsport 84-42, Machias gets the win over Woodland 57-31, and Calais beats Lee Academy 50-41.