Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lubec Stabbing, Fire Update
(Lubec) An update on a story Star 97.7 News first brought you Monday about a fire and a subsequent arrest in Lubec. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reports on Saturday, March 15th, authorities received a 9-1-1 call reporting an assault at a residence on Pleasant Street. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a 51 yo man with multiple stab wounds. The victim, who was taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, told police the suspect, 30 yo Kenneth Kudrick, had fled the scene. Authorities learned Kudrick was on eight different sets of bail conditions from Androscoggin County. Despite a lengthy search, police were unable to immediately locate Kudrick, but issued a statewide alert. On Sunday, deputies responded to a fire at the home where the stabbing had taken place. They then resumed a search of the area. Kudrick was discovered walking on Water Street and arrested shortly before 3 p.m. that afternoon. He was taken to the Washington County Jail where he faces multiple charges and is being held on $5,000 bail.
(Lubec) An update on a story first reported on Monday by Star 97.7 News. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reports the RCC last Saturday received a 9-1-1 call about an assault that occurred at a home on Pleasant Street in Lubec. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a 51 yo man with multiple stab wounds. The victim was taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim told police the suspect, 30 yo Kenneth Kudrick, had fled the scene before authorities arrived. Deputies began a search for Kudrick, but were unable to locate him. They did, however, issue a statewide alert. On Sunday, authorities were called back to the home and discovered a fully engulfed structure fire. Deputies resumed a search of the area, and Kudrick was discovered walking on Water Street and arrested. Kudrick was taken to the Washington County Jail where he faces multiple charges and is being held on $5,000 bail. Deputies say Kudrick was on eight different sets of bail conditions from Androscoggin County at the time of his arrest.
School Funds Recovered
(Bar Harbor) School officials with the Mount Desert Island Regional School System have confirmed the more than a million dollars in funds stolen in a cybercrime have been recovered. The Mount Desert Islander reports officials learned last week money reserved for the Bar Harbor school construction project had been diverted to a fraudulent account. Superintendent Mike Zboray told reporters the crime involved a request to change bank account information that was processed by school staff. The bank was able to freeze the account and secure the funds, which were then transferred back to the system’s account. The FBI continues to investigate.
(Bar Harbor) The FBI will continue to investigate; but the more than one million dollars diverted from a school construction fund has been safely recovered. The Mount Desert Islander reports officials with the Mount Desert Island Regional School System learned last week money reserved for the Bar Harbor school construction project had been diverted to a fraudulent account. Superintendent Mike Zboray told reporters the crime involved a request to change bank account information that was processed by school staff. The bank was able to freeze the account and secure the funds, which were then transferred back to the system’s account.
Blue Hill Fire Update
(Blue Hill) An update on a Sunday morning fire that seriously injured a Blue Hill woman. WABI reports heavy smoke coming from a home on Pleasant Street was reported to the Blue Hill Fire Department just before 10. The two people who reported the smoke were helping the woman when crews arrived. The victim has been identified as Marla Atherton. Authorities say she had significant injuries, including smoke inhalation and burns and was rushed to a hospital in Portland. No word yet on her condition. The Fire Marshal’s Office continues to look for a cause of that blaze.
(Blue Hill) An update on a fire at a home on Pleasant Street in Blue Hill Sunday morning. The Blue Hill Fire Department reports the fire was called in shortly before 10 a.m. Four area departments, along with Peninsula Ambulance Service, responded to the home, where they found bystanders helping a woman identified as Marla Atherton. WABI reports Atherton sustained significant injuries, including smoke inhalation and burns, and was taken to a hospital in Portland. No word on her condition. The Fire Marshal’s Office continues to look for a cause of that blaze.
Local Politics
Postal Service Protests
(Bangor) You might want to stop in and get stamps today if you need them. Postal Service workers across the country plan to stage protests Thursday and Sunday against the Trump Administration’s plans to cut 10K jobs … and billions from the agency’s budget. In Maine, rallies are planned for 10 a.m. at the Bangor Post Office, and at 11 a.m. in Portland both tomorrow and on Sunday. Postal Workers Union President Brian Renfroe said the rallies are an opportunity to educate customers about just how much is at stake if the Postal Service is privatized or restructured. Renfroe said the Postal Service remains the most affordable way to ship mail, and that the plan to privatize the service has put postal jobs, mail service and the whole US Postal Service on the line.
(Bangor) We all grimace a bit at the growing price of stamps, but Postal Workers’ Union President Brian Renfroe said the Postal Service remains the most affordable way to ship mail, so a plan by the current Administration to privatize the service is a bad idea. Here in Maine, many elderly folks, especially, still rely on the postal service for delivery of medicines, checks, and important documents. And who doesn’t love getting a personal card now and then? Protests are planned tomorrow in Bangor and tomorrow and on Sunday in Portland against a plan to cut 10K jobs and billions from the agency’s budget. Maine Representative Jared Golden has introduced legislation that would prevent the USPS from downsizing facilities in underserved areas.
King, Colleagues Demand Reversal of USDA Cuts
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King has joined colleagues in demanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture reverse its cancellation of food purchase programs for food banks, schools and childcare centers. In a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the Senators said the reported $1 billion in cancelled purchases adds further pain at a time of high food prices and instability within U.S. agricultural markets. The Senators expressed grave concerns the cancellation poses extreme harm, especially, they said, at a time of uncertainty in farm country. In Maine, cancellation of purchases puts more than $1.3 million in local food purchases for food-insecure Maine people at risk. Representatives with Good Shepherd Food Bank and The Maine School Nutrition Association applauded the response by Senator King and his Senate colleagues.
(Washington, DC) Representatives from Good Shepherd Food Bank, The Maine School Nutrition Association, and others today are applauding efforts by Senator Angus King and colleagues in asking the USDA to reverse cancellation of food purchase programs for food banks, schools and childcare centers in Maine and across the country. In a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the Senators said the reported $1 billion in cancelled purchases adds further pain at a time of high food prices and instability within U.S. agricultural markets. The Senators expressed concerns the cancellation poses extreme harm; especially, they said, at a time of uncertainty when farmers need to be able to expand market access for their products. In Maine, cancellation of purchases puts more than $1.3 million in local food purchases for food-insecure Maine people at risk.
Education
Ellsworth Public Library Joins With The Grand for Book Talk
(Ellsworth) Movies, musicals, plays – very often they’re inspired by BOOKS. Such is the case with next month’s musical at The Grand, Big River, based on Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. That leads to the perfect pairing, as The Grand teams with the Ellsworth Public Library for a book discussion of themes from the classic – only, as Grand Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, this book discussion takes a different point of view. (((Jem 1 “… the same story from the point of view of Jem…” :21))). Jem, of course the black slave who accompanies Huck on his journey down the Mighty Mississippi. Jem and James promises to be a lively discussion! Join them tomorrow night from 6 to 7 at the library.
(Ellsworth) One of the hottest books out right now is James, by Percival Everett. The 2024 novel reimagines Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jem, the slave who befriends Huck. With Big River, the play based on Huck Finn, opening April 4th at the Grand, Grand Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, it was a perfect match to team up with the Ellsworth Public Library for tomorrow night’s book discussion. (((Jem 2 “…to talk about both the book and the musical.” :15))) Join in the discussion, meet some of the actors from the play, and even enjoy a song or two at Jem and James, that’s tomorrow night at 6 at the Ellsworth Public Library.
Environment
New Website Acts As Resource Guide to Backyard Woods
(Maine) There’s a new website, developed as a resource guide to help Maine property owners understand the woods in their backyards and to provide ideas on how to work with their land, whether a one-acre lot or 20 acres on the edge of town. Republican Representative Russell White highlights the maine dot gov website in his newsletter and says the guide, created by the Maine Forest Service, includes a directory of state agencies and natural resource organizations that provide additional information. “Backyard Family Activities” are included to help landowners learn more about their property as a family. Teachers and youth group leaders can also adapt them for use with older students. Follow the website to the Maine Forest Service link.
(Maine) Whether you have a one-acre lot or 20 acres on the edge of town, there’s a new website to provide Maine property owners with ideas on how to work with the woods in their backyards. The website, created by the Maine Forest Service, was developed as a companion to “The Woods in Your Backyard: A Guide to your Woodland.” Backyard family activities are included and can be adapted by teachers and youth group leaders for use with older students. Look for a link to the Maine Forest Service at maine dot gov..
Health
Red Cross Designates March 26th as Giving Day
(Portland) The American Red Cross has designated a week from today Red Cross Giving Day. On March 26th, the Red Cross hopes to rally 30K supporters to donate to their cause of delivering aid when help can’t wait following disasters. The Red Cross said during the first 50 days this year, they responded to more big disasters across the U.S. than calendar days…from wildfires in California, to floods in Kentucky, to recent weather events and everyday crises, like dozens of home fires affecting 200 residents here in Maine. Make a financial gift and/or register to donate blood at red cross blood dot org.
(Portland) The American Red Cross has designated March 26th as Red Cross Giving Day. They say due to weather, more Red Cross blood donations have gone uncollected so far this year than in all of 2024. The goal for next Wednesday is to rally 30K supporters to help the Red Cross deliver aid when help can’t wait following disasters. From wildfires in California, to floods in Kentucky, to everyday crises like home fires right here in Maine, the Red Cross needs financial donations as well as blood donors. Give anytime or sign up to donate blood or platelets at red cross blood dot org.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Machias Community Connections Fair
(Machias) Mark your calendars for March 25th, as Machias Community Connections presents Jobs, Resources, and Family Fun. The 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. event at the Machias High School Gym will feature more than a dozen employers, nearly three dozen resource providers – from Americorps to Groups Recovering Together, to Washington County Community College and others – games, crafts, face painting for the kids, and exciting door prizes. For more information, call Dodie at Sunrise County Economic Development.
(Machias) On the hunt for employment? Interested in going back to school? Facing issues with drugs or domestic violence? Or have questions about retirement? Don’t miss Machias Community Connections – it’s a job fair, a local resource networking opportunity, and a fun event for kids … featuring games, crafts, face painting, and exciting door prizes. Machias Community Connections is set for Tuesday, March 25th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Machias Memorial High School Gymnasium. Need more information? Email d emerson at sunrise county dot org.
Spring Arrives
(Maine) Spring officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere – it will tiptoe in tomorrow morning at 5:01 Eastern Time.
Sports
Bruins off tonight – they’ll be in Las Vegas tomorrow to skate against the Golden Knights.
Red Sox/Yankees game ended in a 4-4 tie yesterday. Red Sox at bat this afternoon against the Detroit Tigers as Spring Training continues through this Sunday down in Florida.
Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 104-96 yesterday. Celtics off now until Friday, when they take on the Jazz in Utah.