Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Multiple People Injured in Fight at Milo High School
(Milo) Multiple people were taken to a hospital Thursday after a fight at Penquis Valley High School in Milo. According to the Milo Police Department, the fight happened just before noon and involved several students but no weapons. As a precaution, the school was placed on lockdown. Superintendent Darcie Fornier said a misunderstanding on the 9-1-1 call was interpreted as there being a stabbing, but that was not the case. The individuals involved were removed from school grounds, and classes resumed, following a quick response from law enforcement and first responders.
(Milo) A fight involving several people at Penquis Valley High School Thursday resulted in minor injuries and several people being taken to a hospital for treatment. According to the Milo Police Department, a 9-1-1 call was received shortly before noon. The RCC initially thought there had been a stabbing, but authorities say that was a misunderstanding, and no weapons were involved. As a precaution, the school was temporarily placed on lockdown. Superintendent Darcie Fornier said the individuals involved were removed from school grounds, and PVHS resumed normal operations the rest of the day. Fornier thanked law enforcement and first responders for their quick response and for tending to those involved.
Brakes Fail, Man Drives Off Pier
(SW Harbor) The driver of a pickup truck is lucky to be alive this morning after his brakes failed and his vehicle drove across the Dysart’s Marina dock and into the water 20 feet below. The SW Harbor Fire Department said the unnamed man was able to quickly exit the truck and climb onto the dock with only a cut on his hand. The Fire Department laid out an absorbent boom for leaking fluids, and a barge responded and lifted the truck onto the barge and took it to a nearby dock where it could be towed. A surveillance camera picked up the whole incident, and I’ve posted photos on my FB page. Great job to all those first responders who safely maneuvered the situation.
(SW Harbor) Slippery conditions and failed brakes could have been a deadly combination yesterday, but a pickup truck driver escaped plunging into the frigid waters of the ocean with only a cut on his hand. Surveillance cameras captured the moment a vehicle drove across the Dysart’s Marina dock, through a barrier, and into the water 20 feet below. The SW Harbor Fire Department said the unnamed man was able to quickly exit the truck and climb onto the dock. The Fire Department laid out an absorbent boom for leaking fluids, and a barge responded and lifted the truck onto the barge, which took it to a nearby dock where it could be towed.
Local Politics
Hutchinson Center Conflict Continues
(Bangor) A U.S. District Court in Bangor on Tuesday will hear the request for a preliminary injunction to stop the University of Maine from proceeding with the sale of the Hutchinson Center in Belfast to Waldo Community Action Partners. The University originally agreed to sell the Center to Calvary Chapel Belfast, but later rescinded that offer. Calvary Chapel wants the court to order UMaine to negotiate the sale of the Center to the church.
(Bangor) Controversy around the sale of the Hutchinson Center in Belfast continues. A hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor. The University of Maine originally agreed to sell the facility to Calvary Chapel Belfast, but later rescinded the offer and agreed to sell the building to Waldo Community Action Partners. Calvary Chapel has requested that the court order the University to negotiate the sale of the Center to the church.
Senator Angus King Warns of Constitutional Overstep by White House
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King yesterday stressed the urgency of what his office says is the unprecedented, unconstitutional overstep from the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency – an office that in itself is unconstitutional, as such entities can only be created with Congressional approval. In an interview on MSNBC, King made clear the dangers of Congress further ceding power to the President, saying that doing so is “a fundamental misunderstanding” of what is outlined in the Constitution.
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King continues to be a strong voice in sounding the alarm on what he calls the unprecedented, unconstitutional overreach by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, an agency that in and of itself is unconstitutional, as such entities cannot be created without Congressional approval. In an interview Thursday on MSNBC, King said the framers designed the Constitution as such because they feared a concentration of power. He said the responsibility of the President is to faithfully execute the laws and that right now, those laws were being ignored. King called it a constitutional crisis, and the most serious assault on the Constitution in the country’s history.
Republican Lawmakers Submit Bills on Transgender Issue
(Augusta) Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have submitted a pair of bills on the issue of transgender athletes. Representative Elizbeth Caruso of Caratunk has proposed legislation that will deal with ensuring “equity and safety” in school athletics, as well as in restrooms and changing rooms. A second bill, submitted by Representative Dick Campbell of Orrington, would prohibit Maine schools that receive any state funding from “allowing a person whose biological sex assigned at birth is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for females.” Polls show by and large, Mainers support DEI policies but are against allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports.
(Augusta) Meanwhile, Maine lawmakers will consider a pair of bills regarding transgender athletes. State Representative Elizabeth Caruso of Caratunk proposed legislation that would prohibit anyone born a male from participating in female sports, saying the bill would “level the playing field.” Representative Dick Campbell of Orrington also submitted a bill that would prohibit Maine schools that receive any state funding from “allowing a person whose biological sex assigned at birth is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for females.” Polls show that while most Mainers agree with DEI policies, about 70% say they are against allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports.
MDOL Issues Citation to NMMC, Following Complaint by Nurses’ Union
(Portland) The Maine Department of Labor has reportedly issued a citation to Northern Maine Medical Center. The Maine State Nurses’ Association says NMCC was cited for regulatory violations, including misclassifying nurses as subcontractors, failing to pay nurses overtime, failing to pay nurses their wages in a timely manner, and other concerns. The citation followed a complaint initiated by the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, which represents the nurses at NMMC. Brad Martinez, an RN in the emergency department, said such violations are the reason why Northern Maine’s nurses unionized.
(Portland) The Maine State Nurses Association is claiming a win after the Maine Department of Labor reportedly issued a citation to Northern Maine Medical Center. MSNA reports the Center was cited for more than 70 violations of Maine’s labor regulations and was the result of a complaint initiated by the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, which represents the nurses. They say violations include failing to pay nurses overtime in a timely manner and requiring nurses to sign contracts that exempted NMMC from Maine’s labor laws. Penalties could cost Northern Maine thousands of dollars in back wages and fines to the state and could result in other fines should NMMC fail to comply with settlement terms.
Education
MDI School Superintendent Stands Firm on Maine Human Rights Act
(MDI) MDI Regional School System Superintendent Michael Zboray is standing firmly behind Maine’s Human Rights Act, telling the Mount Desert Islander, “While there is a lot of uncertainty right now … MDIRSS will continue to meet our students where they are and provide them with the education they deserve, respecting their dignity and who they are, just as outlined in our policies and the Maine Human Rights Act.” Educational institutions nationwide this month were put on notice to end programming and policies associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, by today or face potential loss of government funding. Zboray did not comment on the specifics of the letter but said the school system received about $1.2M in federal funding for the current school year. A federal education official has called DEI initiatives “discriminatory practices”, saying they violate Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
(MDI) School officials in Maine are responding to a letter sent to educational institutions nationwide this month, demanding schools end programming and policies associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, no later than today or face potential loss of federal funding. One of those standing behind the state’s Human Rights Act is MDIRSS Superintendent Mike Zboray. Zboray told the Mount Desert Islander, “…programs or policies that support diversity, equity and inclusion are the bedrock of a free and just society that supports opportunity and hope for all its citizens.” Regarding an executive order to end what the Trump Administration called “radical indoctrination” in K-12 schooling, Zboray said the recent executive order did not alter an obligation under state law which includes pieces of the Maine Human Rights Act and requires no change locally to the District’s adopted policies.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Registration Opens for Sea of Blue 5K
(NE Harbor) Here’s all the inspiration you need to lace up those running shoes and get in shape! Registration is now open for one of the best road races around – the Annual Sea of Blue Autism Awareness Walk and 5K in Northeast Harbor. This year’s April 26th event celebrates the race’s tenth anniversary and will include a 10K race to mark the occasion. Started by runner Christopher Heel, money raised from the event is donated to schools, agencies and individuals in the autism community … and includes a whole gymnasium full of auction items donated by area businesses on which runners, walkers, and friends can bid. Register at seaofblueautism.org.
(NE Harbor) It’s the race runners most look forward to each spring – registration is now open for the Annual Sea of Blue Autism Awareness Walk and 5K in Northeast Harbor! This year’s April 26th event celebrates the tenth anniversary of the event that includes an amazing array of auction items donated by local businesses, music, great course support, and more. To celebrate, this year, they’ve added a 10K to the mix. Money raised goes to schools, agencies, and individuals in the autism community. The race was started by an amazing runner, Christopher Heel. Chris and his family put on an event you don’t want to miss. Register at seaofblueautism.org.
Sports
The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame has released the list of players that will be inducted as the 2025 class on August 10th at the Cross Insurance Center. Charlie Katsiaficas of Ellsworth will be inducted as a Legend of the Game and Pine Tree Clinic Basketball Camps will receive the Profound Impact Award. We’ve shared the full list on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Tonight (Friday) at the Augusta Civic Center, the Class A girls will compete for the High School Basketball State Championships, as Hampden takes on Mt. Ararat at 6. That game followed by the Class A boys, with Messalonskee hitting the court against Falmouth.
Saturday at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, the Class C and D high school basketball teams compete for the State Championship. First up, Class D girls Central Aroostook vs.Valley at 1, followed by Class D boys – Schenck vs. St. Doms. Saturday night, it’s the Class C girls’ turn, as PVHS meets Hall Dale. That’s followed by the Class C boys’ matchup, with Mattanawcook taking on Mt. Abram.
Saturday High School Basketball State Championship matchups at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, starting at 1 with Class B girls, Caribou vs. Biddeford. Next up, the Class B boys’ matchup with Caribou vs. York. Saturday night, it’s the Class AA girls, Cheverus vs. South Portland at 6, followed by the Class AA boys with Windham taking on South Portland.
The Celtics home tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Bruins in Pittsburgh tomorrow to skate against the Penguins.