Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Clifton Crash
(Clifton) Multiple people were injured Saturday night in a head-on collision on the Airline Road in Clifton. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office reports the crash happened around 8 p.m. when the driver of a Ford pickup reportedly crossed the center line and collided with an SUV. The female driver of the SUV had to be extricated and was LifeFlighted to EMMC. Three other passengers also were injured and taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the pickup truck, 19 yo Kyle Gray of Harborside, was arrested and faces multiple charges, including OUI and Operating without a License Beyond Restrictions. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and the Holden Fire Department assisted at the scene of the crash, which remains under investigation.
(Clifton) A 19 yo was taken to the Penobscot County Jail and multiple people hospitalized, following a Saturday night crash on Route 9 in Clifton. According to the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened about 8 p.m. when Kyle Gray of Harborside appears to have crossed the center line in his Ford pickup, striking an SUV head on. The driver of the SUV was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated. She was then LifeFlighted to EMMC in Bangor. Three other passengers were also taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Gray is charged with OUI Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Aggravated Driving to Endanger, and Operating Without a License Beyond Restrictions. The crash remains under investigation.
Reward Offered for Illegal Deer Shooting
(Swanville) Operation Game Thief is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who illegally shot and wounded a deer in Swanville. The deer was shot twice and left to die. It was found and reported to the Maine Warden Service last Tuesday morning at a location off Oak Hill Road. The shooting is believed to have taken place between 6 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday. Information can be directed to 1-800-ALERT-US or on the web at maine o g t dot org.
Local Politics
Steuben Residents to Vote on Rocket Launch Ordinance
(Steuben) Steuben residents Tuesday will vote on an ordinance to allow or prevent rocket companies from establishing launch points off the village coast. Brunswick-based bluShift began looking at Steuben after being turned down by Jonesport over concerns launches would affect fishing operations. BluShift said the impact would be minimal, if any, and that the company would positively add to Steuben’s economy. A second referendum item involves a local food and self-governance ordinance that would codify citizens’ rights to produce, process, sell, purchase, and consume local foods. Proponents say the proposal protects self-reliance and local family farms. Several candidate positions are also on the ballot.
(Steuben) Rocketry and rights of citizens to grow their own food are two ordinances on the ballot for Steuben voters Tuesday. Along with several candidate positions, voters will weigh in on an ordinance to allow or prevent bluShift, a Brunswick based rocket company, from establishing launch points off the coast of the village. BluShift began looking at Steuben after it was turned down by Jonesport over concerns rocket launches would affect the fishery, a concern bluShift denies. Proponents say the company would bring a much-needed boost to Steuben’s local economy. A second referendum item involves a local food and self-governance ordinance that would codify citizens’ rights to produce, process, sell, purchase, and consume local foods. Proponents say the proposal protects self-reliance and local family farms.
City of Ellsworth Clerk and Tax Office Front Counters to Reopen Next Week
(Ellsworth) St. Patrick’s Day will be cause for more than just celebrating the luck of the Irish at Ellsworth City Hall. The City says that’s the day planned for the reopening of the City Clerk and Tax Office front counters. The community is invited to join them at 9 a.m. next Monday to see the remodeled counters and enjoy light refreshments as they resume the regular customer service experience on the first floor.
(Ellsworth) Things will soon be getting back to normal at Ellsworth City Hall, following a recent remodeling project that displaced the City Clerk and Tax Offices. Staff will be back at the first floor location a week from today, and they welcome the public to come see the great new and efficient workspace. Join them at 9 a.m. on March 17th for light refreshments as they resume the regular customer service experience.
Gun Safety Initiative Headed to Ballot
(Augusta) The Maine Secretary of State’s Office has validated signatures for the Safe Schools, Safe Communities initiative, turned in by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition in January. That means Maine voters in November will weigh in on passing Extreme Risk Protection Orders. ERPO’s empower family members to directly petition a court when a loved one is in crisis and may pose a threat to themselves or others. Through due process, a judge can temporarily limit such persons’ access to deadly weapons. Lawmakers failed to pass such a proposal following the Lewiston tragedy. If passed, Maine would join 21 other states that have enacted such laws.
(Augusta) The Maine Gun Safety Coalition in January turned in more than 80K signatures, in support of the Safe Schools, Safe Communities initiative. The Maine Secretary of State’s Office has validated the signatures, meaning the issue will go to the voters in November. If passed, Maine will join 21 other states in enacting Extreme Risk Protection Orders. ERPO’s empower family members to directly petition a court when a loved one is in crisis and may pose a threat to themselves or others. Through due process, a judge can temporarily limit such persons’ access to deadly weapons. The issue was first proposed following the October 2023 Lewiston tragedy, but lawmakers failed to pass the measure at that time.
Trump Administration Reverses Course on Maine Social Security Issue
(Washington, DC) The Trump Administration on Wednesday briefly delayed Mainers’ access to a program that allowed parents to register their newborns for Social Security numbers from birthing centers, saying such registrations would have to be done in person at a Social Security office. The issue was quickly reversed on Friday after pushback from the state. Although no explanation was given for the original decision nor for the reversal, the acting head of Social Security issued a statement apologizing for the confusion for Maine, the only state to which the change would have applied.
Economy
Maine Trust for Local News to Reorganize, Cut Jobs
(Portland) The Maine Trust for Local News plans to restructure operations, which will mean eliminating jobs and ceasing publication of some print editions. The nonprofit publisher of the Portland Press Herald and other newspapers said a total of 49 positions – 36 full time and 13 part time – will be cut from print production, circulation, and advertising. MaineBiz reports the company does not plan to cut any reporting positions. A spokesperson said the restructuring was necessary in order to be financially sustainable and accessible.
Bangor International Adds Nonstop Flights to Detroit
(Bangor) Bangor International Airport will begin adding once a week nonstop flights to Detroit, Michigan this summer. A BIA spokesperson said the direct, non-stop flights will be offered by Delta Airlines on Saturdays, beginning June 14th and running through Labor Day, with added daily service from June 28th to July 6th to accommodate travelers over the Fourth of July holiday.
Education
Foxcroft Academy Music Director Collaborates with Others in Songwriting
(Dover-Foxcroft) Foxcroft Academy Music Director Josh Guthrie not only teaches music, he writes and performs it as well. Since January, the school reports Guthrie has been collaborating with a group of seven songwriters from Canada and the U.S. on a project called “yourSong”. The invitation-only group was the brainchild of a music industry professional who currently teaches at Berklee College of Music. The team has spent weeks writing songs independently while providing feedback to one another. The goal is to host a livestream concert to showcase the group’s work on March 16th at 4 p.m. on YouTube. Monies raised will go to Doctors Without Borders, since, they say, music also has no borders. The performance, dubbed “OurSong”, can be found this Sunday at the link posted on our Star 97.7 news page.
(Dover-Foxcroft) A local music educator has been tapped by an exclusive group of U.S. and Canadian songwriters to participate in an upcoming concert to benefit Doctors Without Borders. Since January, Foxcroft Academy instructor Josh Guthrie has been collaborating with the invitation-only group of seven other songwriters on a project they call “yourSong”. The group was the brainchild of Neil Diercks, an industry professional formerly with Warner Chappell Music. The seven have been writing songs independently and giving feedback to one another in preparation for a March 16th concert that aims to raise money for Doctors Without Borders. They say an incredible amount of talent will be showcased during the 4 p.m. concert, dubbed “OurSong”. You can find it on YouTube Sunday at the link we’ve shared on our Star 97.7 news page.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Stonington Couple Awarded “DMR Andy Mays Award of Excellence”
(Stonington) A couple from Stonington has been awarded the annual “DMR Andy Mays Award of Excellence”. John and Judy Williams received the recognition at the recent Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. Commissioner Patrick Keliher credited the pair with being engaged in important issues over the years, attending meetings, setting an example for young fishermen, and making sure the perspective of fishermen was heard. The award is named for SW Harbor fisherman Andy Mays, who passed away in 2017, but who left a legacy of participation in the management and the regulatory process.
(Stonington) To say John and Judy Williams have been involved in issues that matter to Maine’s fishing industry is perhaps an understatement. The Stonington couple, known for engaging in important issues, attending meetings, setting an example for young fishermen, and making sure the perspective of fishermen is heard, was honored at the recent Fishermen’s Forum with the “DMR Andy Mays Award of Excellence”. John was also recognized for his leadership while a member of the Board of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, which has faced daunting challenges in recent years. The Award is given in honor of fisherman Andy Mays, who passed away in 2017, but who also was known for his active engagement on behalf of the state’s fisheries.
Sports
Congratulations to Barry Dana, former Chief of the Penobscot Nation, for completing this year’s Can-Am 100; finishing in 8th place. Dana, who has a long history in the sport, was the sole Wabanaki musher. He says he has a kennel of Alaskan huskies with whom he maintains close bonds and loves it when he gets to help them do what their ancestors have always done.
Caribou Viking Madelynn Deprey has been named Miss Maine Basketball, an award given the state’s top senior girls’ player. Deprey is the first Caribou player to win the honor in the history of the Miss and Mr. Maine Basketball. The award dates back to 1988.
Cooper Flagg had 15 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Duke Blue Devils Saturday night, helping the team beat rival North Carolina 82-69. The Blue Devils now in position to rise to the No. 1 spot in today’s AP Top 25 poll.
The Celtics home tonight against the Utah Jazz. The Bruins off tonight. They’ll take the home ice Tuesday against the Carolina Panthers. The Red Sox off this afternoon as well. They continue Spring Training Tuesday as they go to bat against the Phillies.