Happy First Day of Spring!
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Portland Deceased Female Identified
(Portland) Authorities have identified the woman whose body washed ashore at Fort Williams Park near the Portland Head Light a week ago as 52 yo Sari Carlson of Portland. The cause and manner of death remain pending, but investigators say there is no risk to the public as they continue to try to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.
(Portland) Maine State Police say the woman whose body washed ashore near the Portland Head Light on March 13th was 52 yo Sari Carlson of Portland. A cause and manner of death remain pending; but investigators say there is no risk to the public. Detectives continue trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding her death.
AG Frey Announces Civil Rights Act Complaint Against York County Man
(Augusta) A Kittery man faces an enforcement action by the Maine Attorney General’s Office. 35 yo Alexander Treshinsky reportedly hired the victim, a 35 yo immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, to replace flooring in his business. When the worker demanded payment for his services, the defendant reportedly sent him a series of threatening, vulgar, racist, and xenophobic messages, including slurs for black people, and comments like, “Not your country … my country,” and “Why did your tribe sell you, anyway?” The attempt at intimidation even included threats of committing a sex act against the victim’s daughter. AG Aaron Frey’s office requested the court to order Treshinsky to have no contact with the victim or any member of his family and to comply with the Maine Civil Rights Act in the future. The York Police Department assisted on the case.
(Augusta) “Not your country … my country,” and “I’m coming after you …, your business, everything.” Those were among threats allegedly made to an immigrant by a Kittery man now facing an enforcement action by the Maine Attorney General’s Office. AG Aaron Frey reports 35 yo Alexander Treshinsky hired the victim, a 35 yo immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, to replace flooring in his business. When the worker demanded payment for his services, the defendant reportedly sent him a series of threatening, vulgar, racist, and xenophobic messages, including slurs for black people … even one message reportedly threatening to commit a sex act against the victim’s daughter. Frey said, “Bias-based harassment will not be tolerated in this state … and I will use the Maine Civil Rights Act to ensure violators are held to account.” The York Police Department assisted with the case.
Local Politics
Citizens Protest Proposed Cuts to Social Security Jobs
(Hallowell) Social Security beneficiaries, administration employees, and others gathered in Hallowell this week, calling on Maine’s Congressional delegation to stop cuts to social security jobs and the program itself. WABI reports the group noted that more than 350K Mainers are on Social Security. Among other things, they say they’re concerned about the potential closure of the Social Security office in Presque Isle. It’s the only one in the County, and its closure would force those who need services to drive to Bangor.
(Hallowell) Maine residents once again taking a stand against potential cuts to federal programs. WABI reports Social Security beneficiaries, administration employees, and others gathered in Hallowell this week, calling on Maine’s Congressional delegation to stop cuts to social security jobs and the program itself. According to those in attendance, more than 350K Mainers are on Social Security. They say among other things, there’s concern about the possible closure of the Social Security office in Presque Isle. It’s the only one in the County, so closure would force those needing services to make a drive to Bangor.
Education
MPA Says It Doesn’t Have to Comply With Federal Agency Re: Title IX
(Augusta) The Maine Principals’ Association says it’s not obligated to comply with the US Department of Health and Human Services when it comes to Title IX. WMTW reports the pushback comes partly because the MPA does not receive federal funding. DHHS argued the MPA is required to comply with Title IX because it was given authority to promote, organize, and regulate interscholastic activities by the Maine Department of Education. The MPA said its only desire is to follow the law, which legal counsel advises is currently the Maine Human Rights Act, and that the issue of transgender athletes is a policy question to be determined by the Maine Legislature and Congress.
(Augusta) The Trump Administration has given the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Principals’ Association, and Greely High School until March 27th to comply with its interpretation of Title IX. But WMTW reports the Maine Principals’ Association says it does not receive federal funding and is therefore not bound by the federal government’s demand. DHHS argued the MPA is required to comply with Title IX because it was given authority to promote, organize, and regulate interscholastic activities by the Maine Department of Education. The MPA countered that its only desire is to follow the law, which legal counsel advises currently is the Maine Human Rights Act, and that the issue of transgender athletes is a policy question to be determined by the Maine Legislature and Congress.
Bangor Schools Double Down on DEI Policies
(Bangor) In response to President Trump’s threats to cut funding, the head of the Bangor School Department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts says they’re doubling down on the program’s importance. The Bangor Daily News reports on January 31st, the Bangor School Committee issued a statement outlining how the DEIB Advisory Committee will continue to uphold its efforts, despite the President’s orders. School administrators say they are complying with the Maine Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of protected class in employment, housing, places of public accommodation, education, and extension of credit.
(Bangor) “While federal policies may change, Maine State Law continues to uphold strong protections against discrimination in schools, and we remain fully committed to these legal standards.” That statement issued by the Bangor School Department, which is vowing to double down on the importance of the school system’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, in spite of President Trump’s threats to cut funding. The Bangor Daily News reports school administrators insist they are complying with the Maine Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in any form.
Libraries Seek Support
(Ellsworth) There are so many worthy causes out there; not the least of which is our libraries. Libraries today are about books and so much more. They serve as gathering spots, technology support, even murder mystery evenings for some lively entertainment. While the Ellsworth Public Library is predominantly funded locally through the City, they say cuts being proposed to the state library could directly impact services, including state van delivery of inter-library loans, online resources and collections, and staff training and support. To learn more, visit the EPL Facebook page, and support the nonprofit that does so much to support the citizens of Ellsworth, our local schools, researchers, readers and lifelong learners.
(Ellsworth) This past Friday, President Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the federal agency charged with distributing Congressionally approved funds to state libraries, and to library, museum, and archives program grant recipients. Maine State Library receives federal funding to support many of its statewide services – and that will likely impact our local libraries and museums, as well. Cuts are expected to include inter-library loan, online resources, and staff training, to name a few. The State Library and others are urging constituents to contact their local representatives. They’ve done the work for us (of course – libraries are always standing by with resources!) You’ll find the email templates of your representatives on the website and/or FB page of your local library.
Teachers Grow Increasingly Worried About Childhood Hunger
(Axios) Teachers across the country say they are increasingly concerned about childhood hunger, especially in light of recent cuts by the USDA to school food programs. Axios reports three-quarters of students come to school hungry – that’s according to a nationally representative survey of US teachers. Proposed cuts to the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which serves more than 41M Americans, could exacerbate an already dire situation. The USDA itself reports around 40% of SNAP benefits go to children. Educators say when children come to school hungry, they’re less attentive to and far less focused on those critical lessons needed to become productive citizens.
(Axios) Nearly three-quarters of teachers say they see students come to school hungry at least monthly. Factors such as the rising cost of food (79%) and low household incomes (74%) were cited as the top barriers teachers believe are preventing their students from getting enough to eat – and thus, preventing them from learning. Axios reports proposed cuts to the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which serves more than 41M Americans, could exacerbate an already dire situation. The USDA itself reports around 40% of SNAP benefits go to children. The recently passed continuing resolution sets the stage for $230B or more in cuts to agricultural programs … with a large chunk expected to come from SNAP.
Human Interest/Entertainment
First International Ice Carousel Spins
(Van Buren) Over the weekend, the Northern Maine Ice Busters came full circle as the world’s first international ice carousel spun around, literally, circling across the US/Canadian border. Snowmobile Northern Maine reports the 2025 World Record Ice Circle rotated a few times on a two-foot thick plate of iron ice. They thank Mother Nature, as well, and say they might call this one the International Friendship Carousel. Ice circles form in slow-moving water in cold climates when an eddy current or swirling water flow causes a chunk of ice to rotate and grind against surrounding ice, smoothing it into a circular shape. In case you missed it, you’ll find pictures and the story on my FB page from this past weekend.
(Van Buren) The Northern Maine Ice Busters helped “thaw” somewhat icy conditions between the US and Canada of late by establishing a new category of World Record Ice Circles. Snowmobile Northern Maine reports the 2025 WRIC rotated a few times on a two-foot thick plate of iron ice last Saturday. It’s the first ice carousel to spin on the water on an international dividing line – this, between Canada and the U.S. Ice circles form in slow-moving water in cold climates when an eddy current or swirling water flow causes a chunk of ice to rotate and grind against surrounding ice, smoothing it into a circular shape. Members of NMIC, who helped cut the circle, were sure to thank Mother Nature for the feat, as well. In case you missed it, you’ll find some pretty cool pictures from the participants and a story I posted last weekend on my FB page.
BMV to Start Delivering New Pine Tree License Plate
(Augusta) Say goodbye to those iconic chickadee license plates. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles plans to begin sending out the new Pine Tree Plate beginning May 1st. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says Mainers do have design options – a classic design or a new Pine Tree plate (we’ve posted pictures on our Star 97.7 FB page), and they can make their choice online, in person, or by mail. From May of this year to April 2026, when motorists renew their chickadee plate registration, they’ll receive a new plate with a new identification at no charge. Anyone wishing to keep their current plate number may do so for a $25 fee. And if you have a vanity, low digit, or out-of-rotation plate number you’d like to hang onto, the $25 fee will apply as well should you wish to keep it.
(Augusta) The chickadees will be leaving May 1st – no, not the little birds that grace our feeders, but those that have graced our state license plates the past 25 years. The state will begin rolling out the new Pine Tree plates in May. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says Mainers do have design options – a classic design or a new Pine Tree plate, and they can make their choice online, in person, or by mail. From May of this year to April 2026, when motorists renew their chickadee plate registration, they’ll receive a new plate with a new identification at no charge. If you wish to keep your current plate number, there’s a $25 fee. And if you have a vanity, low digit, or out-of-rotation plate number you wish to keep, the $25 fee will apply as well. To see what the new options look like, check out our Star 97.7 FB page.
Sports
Celtics head to Utah for a game against the Jazz on Friday.
Bruins in Las Vegas tonight to skate against the Golden Knights.
Red Sox beat the Tigers 6-4 yesterday. The Red Sox on the field again this evening against the Twins. Spring Training continues through Sunday down in Florida.