Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Black Balloon Day
(Augusta) Recovery advocates will gather at the Maine Statehouse in Augusta this morning to celebrate Black Balloon Day. The event is billed as a powerful day of advocacy and remembrance that aims to bring together individuals in recovery and supporters to engage with lawmakers about lifesaving legislation, in order to address Maine’s overdose crisis. The Day of Action is sponsored by the Maine Recovery Action Project, with members hoping to hold conversations with legislators throughout the morning in order to drive policy change and honor those lost.
(Augusta) Crowds will once again gather at the Statehouse in Augusta this morning. Today’s rally is not about politics, but about the state’s drug crisis. Organized by the Maine Recovery Action Project, recovery advocates will gather to celebrate Black Balloon Day – a day to engage with lawmakers about what they say is lifesaving legislation in order to address the overdose issue. Members say they hope to hold conversations with state lawmakers between 10 a.m. and Noon in order to drive policy change and to honor those lost.
Norridgewock Homicide Arrest
(Norridgewock) Authorities have made an arrest in a weekend homicide in Norridgewock. Maine State Police on Saturday responded to a home on River Road after a 9-1-1 call was made reporting a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found the body of 38 yo Christopher Nickerson, who had been staying at the residence. His body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. An initial investigation then led authorities to arrest 59 yo Daniel Markey, who lived at the home. Markey was charged with murder and taken to the Somerset County Jail and was scheduled for an initial court appearance Monday.
(Norridgewock) Police have charged a Norridgewock man with murder in the death of 38 yo Christopher Nickerson on Saturday. The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office says it received a 9-1-1 call March 1st about a shooting at a home on River Road. Deputies and officers from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit responded and found Nickerson’s body. An initial investigation then led authorities to 59 yo Daniel Markey, who lived at the home. Markey was arrested and charged with murder. He was taken to the Somerset County Jail and was scheduled for an initial court appearance Monday.
Cherryfield Man Faces Charges Following High Speed Chase
(Bangor) A Cherryfield man led police on a high speed chase in Bangor Sunday morning, temporarily eluding them before flipping his vehicle at a Hogan Road gas station. WABI reports it was initially believed 42 yo Mark Flores went to a hospital, but he was later found behind a gas station near the interstate on Broadway and was then taken for treatment. Flores is currently in jail on a probationary hold where authorities say he faces more charges from the chase and crash.
(Bangor) A Cherryfield man reportedly ignored a stop sign and then sped off, leading police on a high speed chase in Bangor early Sunday morning. WABI-TV reports road conditions forced officers to abandon the chase; but the suspect, 42 yo Mark Flores, then flipped his vehicle at a gas station on Hogan Road. Deputies were told Flores went to a hospital following the crash; instead, he was later found behind another gas station near the interstate on Broadway and was then taken for treatment before he landed in jail on a probationary hold. Authorities say Flores faces more charges from the chase and crash.
Local Politics
Senator King Talks Ukraine on CBS 60 Minutes
(Maine) The Trump administration announced last night the U.S. is temporarily suspending all military aid to Ukraine, “until Trump determines Ukraine demonstrates a commitment to peace negotiations with Russia”. Marking the third anniversary of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Senator Angus King on Sunday appeared on CBS 60 Minutes to discuss the ongoing war. King, who serves on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, pointed out that Europe has given more support to Ukraine than the U.S. and that Ukraine has given the most, particularly in terms of lives sacrificed. When asked what message it sent when the U.S. allied itself with Russia and North Korea at the United Nations, King replied, (((King 1 “…for pulling our support from Ukraine.” :10))) The order to suspend aid to Ukraine affects more than a billion dollars in arms and ammunition in the pipeline an on order, according to the NY Times.
(Maine) The Trump Administration announced last night it is suspending all military aid to Ukraine, following a White House Press Conference in which Trump, Vance, and others attacked Ukrainian President Volodomir Zalenskyy about his clothing, commitment to peace talks with Russia, and alleged ingratitude to the U.S. This weekend, Senator Angus King appeared on CBS 60 Minutes to discuss the importance of continuing U.S. support for Ukraine. When asked what Congress should be doing, King, who serves on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, said, (((King 2 “…that this country’s made since WW II.”:11))) Former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, who served in the first Trump Administration, and Republican Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska also appeared on 60 Minutes and expressed alarm at the Administration’s growing allegiance to Russia and the need for continued U.S. support for Ukraine.
Congressional Delegation Calls on Trump Administration to Avoid Trade War with Canada
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Congressional delegation Monday called on the Trump Administration to avoid a catastrophic trade war with Canada they say would have huge and immediate impacts on Maine’s people and economy. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree requested the administration work collaboratively with Canada to avoid the potential for increased prices on groceries, gas, and energy. The three warned that given the deeply integrated nature of the two economies, any tariffs on imports from Canada and potential retaliatory measures in response would likely mean increased prices for Maine’s citizens. Trump has ordered 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico to go into effect today.
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Congressional delegation on Monday sent a letter to the Trump Administration, calling on the President to avoid a trade war with neighboring Canada. Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree reminded Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that Canada has been a trusted friend and close ally of the United States for more than 150 years. They warned the state’s economy is deeply integrated with that of Canada and that any tariffs on imports from Canada and potential retaliatory measures in response would likely result in inflated prices on gas, groceries, and energy for Maine’s consumers. Trump has ordered 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico to go into effect today.
Government Oversight Committee to Investigate Late Payments from DHHS
(Augusta) Republican members of the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee have initiated a request to investigate late payments to childcare providers by Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services. Senate Republicans say the request follows reports by WMTW that many daycare owners have been struggling with late payments from DHHS. They say when investigators from the station submitted a Freedom of Access request for two years of data showing invoice and payment history, they were told it would take four years and cost more than a quarter million dollars to fulfill that request. The legislators say that’s unacceptable and is not in line with costs and timeframes of other agencies that receive similar requests.
(Augusta) Senate Republicans who serve on the Government Oversight Committee say they’ve initiated a request to investigate late payments to childcare providers. They say the investigation is a follow up to reports by WMTW that many daycare owners have been struggling with late payments from Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services. Reporters submitted a Freedom of Access report requesting two years of data showing invoice and payment history, but were told it would take four years and cost $250K to fulfill the request. The legislators say that’s unacceptable and does not align with costs and timeframes of other agencies that receive similar requests.
Secretary of State Offers Guidance on Gender Designations for Maine Driver’s Licenses
(Augusta) Secretary of State Shenna Bellows issued guidance yesterday regarding gender designations on Maine driver’s licenses. Bellows informed customers there are no changes to Maine laws or rules around driver’s license and identity card issuance at the state level. Bellows said the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles will continue to offer the option of a gender marker “X” designation on such identification, upon completion of the proper form. Bellows added executive orders at the federal levels apply to federal agencies only and that the federal executive order regarding gender designations does not override Maine human rights law.
Economy
Topsham Woman “Grows” Success with Worm Farm
(Topsham) Back in 2023, Melodie Kennedy of Topsham found herself unemployed. With time on her hands, she began looking for a different way of composting, developing compost that was richer and more earth friendly than what was in her compost bin. One thing kept coming up in Melodie’s research … worms. (((Worm 1 “…just endless reasons to do this.” :25))). And just wait until you hear about and see the difference Melodie’s product makes in the things we grow. We’ll have more coming up in our next newscast – in the meantime, check out longview estate worm farm dot net.
(Topsham) Two years ago almost to the day, Melodie Kennedy of Topsham began doing research on a unique form of composting that proved to have multiple benefits. Not only did using worms known as “red wigglers” enrich the soils, resulting in amazing plant growth, it helped keep food out of landfills and dealt with pests such as ticks, ants, and earwigs. (((Worm 2 “…it fertilizes your soil; you’re putting life in your soil.” :26))) Melodie said within two months, she went from not knowing anything about worms to starting a successful business, that today is changing gardening everywhere. Check out her bio and results at longview estate worm farm dot net.
(Topsham) It’s finally March, so you may be thinking about starting those indoor seedlings. For best results, they’ll need the right amount of sunshine, water, and, of course the perfect natural fertilizer. That’s where Melodie Kennedy with her Longview Estate Worm Farm comes in. Kennedy tells Star 97.7, she’s ready to help in multiple ways. (((Worm 3 “…I also sell worms.” :11))). And, Kennedy says, now’s the time to get started. (((Worm 4 “…and give them a really good start.” :14))) See the results for yourself and learn more at longview estate worm farm dot net.
(Topsham) It’s March – and that means thoughts of gardening and greenery. A couple of years ago, Star 97.7 learned about an entrepreneur who was just starting her own worm farm, making rich, natural compost with castings from worms known as red wigglers. These days, you’ll find Melodie Kennedy and her fertilizer at plant shows all over New England, at farmers’ markets, at the Fryeburg and other fairs. She says her business is “grounded and growing” so to speak, because her fertilizer gets results. (((Worm 5 “…you can use it every time, but you don’t have to.” :14))) Check out the results for yourself at longview estate worm farm dot net. Kennedy will be at United Farmers Market in Belfast the next two Saturdays. You’ll find her complete schedule on FB and on her website.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Maine Marine Patrol Specialist Named 2025 MLA Officer of the Year
(Rockport) Congratulations are in order for Maine Marine Patrol Specialist Dan Vogel. Vogel received the 2025 Maine Lobstermen’s Association Officer of the Year award during last weekend’s Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. The award is presented annually to a Marine Patrol Officer who has demonstrated outstanding service in support of the Maine lobster industry. Vogel joined the patrol in 2016, was promoted to specialist in 2023, and serves in the patrol section covering Lincolnville to Trenton. He’s assigned to the patrol Vessel Vigilant, which is docked in Stonington.
Sports
The Celtics are off tonight – they’ll be on the home court tomorrow against the Portland Trail Blazers
The Bruins on the home ice tonight to skate against the Nashville Predators.
The Red Sox continued Spring Training down in Florida yesterday, with a 6-6 tie against the Orioles. Red Sox take on the Pirates this afternoon at 1. Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
Martin Massicotte wins the 250-mile Can-Am Crown Sled Dog Race in two days, zero hours and 33 minutes. Second place Remy Leduc was close behind in two days, one hour, 29 minutes. Jaye Foucher, Amy Dionne, and Gilles Harnois rounded out the top 5 respectively. Katherine Laglais of New Brunswick, who made history in 2023 as first woman to win the 250 mile race, scratched. Fort Kent native Piper Ashley was the youngest competitor ever in the 100 mile race at age 15.