Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Blaze Destroys Columbia Home
(Columbia) Fire destroyed a home located across from Delia’s on Route One in Columbia, just before 3 p.m. on Friday. The owner of TMV Construction said the blaze destroyed their home and three vehicles and heavily damaged a dump trailer. Tim Villnave thanked the firemen who went into the home and saved the family’s dogs, although two cats were lost. We reached out to Tim, who told Star 97.7, they were uninsured, but a friend has set up a Go Fund Me page. We’ve shared a link to that on our Facebook pages.
(Columbia) A Friday afternoon fire at a home and business in Columbia destroyed the house, three vehicles and other equipment at TMV Construction. Owner Tim Villnave told Star 97.7, no one was at home at the time of the blaze, and he was grateful to the firefighters who rescued the family’s dogs. The structure was located on Route One, across from Delia’s. No word yet on a cause of that fire. Tim says the property was uninsured, but a family friend has set up a Go Fund Me account, which you can access on our FB pages.
Beals Fire, Explosions Destroy Home
(Beals) Fire and explosions rocked a Church Street home on Beals Island Friday. Sources say the residents of the home used oxygen tanks and there was a store of ammunition, along with a propane tank on the premises, which contributed to the explosions and the intensity of the fire. The blaze also destroyed a Jonesport Fire Department tanker truck and damaged nearby homes. Thousands of dollars of lobster traps and gear being stored on the property were also lost, along with a family cat, although the two disabled women who lived in the home were not injured. The family says the homeowner was unable to secure insurance on the property, but a Go Fund Me page has been set up. You’ll find a link on our FB pages.
(Beals) Firefighters from Jonesport and surrounding towns battled an intense house fire on Church Street on Beals Island Friday. Sources say two disabled women lived at the home – neither was injured, but a family cat perished. The blaze was made more dangerous by explosions – the women used oxygen tanks, and the fire reached a propane tank – which contributed to the fire’s intensity. Nearby homes also sustained damage, and one of Jonesport’s tankers caught fire and was destroyed. No word on a cause, but it’s believed the fire started in the attic, as smoke was reportedly first seen coming from the eves. The family says the homeowner was unable to secure insurance on the property, but a Go Fund Me page has been set up. You’ll find a link to that on our FB pages.
Belfast Fire
(Belfast) A Sunday morning fire that apparently began in a chimney destroyed a home in Belfast. Belfast Fire and EMS posted on social media crews were toned out about 7:30 a.m. yesterday. First responders were reportedly met with thick smoke and heavy fire inside the dwelling. Three other departments responded, but the home and contents are deemed a total loss. The occupants escaped unharmed but lost everything. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the homeowners.
(Belfast) Fire destroyed a home in Belfast yesterday morning. Belfast Fire and EMS posted on social media, crews were called to respond to a chimney fire about 7:30 a.m. Belmont, Morrill, and Northport Volunteer Fire Departments also responded and say they were met with thick smoke and heavy fire inside the structure, which was deemed a total loss. They say the occupants escaped uninjured, but with only the clothes on their backs. The Red Cross is assisting the victims.
Washington County Construction Worker Killed
(Marshfield) First responders in Washington County were kept busy Friday with two major fires and a fatal accident at a construction site. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reports first responders were called to the Hanscom’s construction facility in Marshfield shortly before Noon on Friday after an employee was killed in an apparent equipment incident. Authorities did not release additional details. OSHA officials are investigating.
Steakhouse Ceiling Collapse
(South Portland) Diners were enjoying steak, potatoes, and other delights shortly after 6:30 Friday night when a part of the ceiling of the Longhorn Steakhouse in South Portland suddenly collapsed. A witness from Lubec who was at the restaurant tells Star 97.7, an older man was sitting beneath the area of the collapse, when other patrons yelled for him to move. One person was treated for minor injuries, but first responders said the situation could have been much worse. The cause of the collapse is unknown, but Code Enforcement Officers were investigating.
Local Politics
National Expert Blasts Federal Probe of Maine’s Student Policies
(Maine) A national expert is calling the latest federal investigation into Maine’s policy on transgender rights “unprecedented and unproductive.” The Bangor Daily News reports the federal government plans to take action against school districts they say are violating the 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA by investigating the State’s Department of Education. At least two people who are national experts on FERPA question if the federal government can apply the law to the Maine DOE. Others say choices of gender change don’t start with school personnel, but in doctor’s offices and health clinics.
Polls Show Most Are Against Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports
(Maine) Legal experts say the courts are on Maine’s side when it comes to allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports. Governor Janet Mills, Greeley High School officials, and others say they are bound by and following the Maine Human Rights Act. But when it comes to public opinion on whether biological males who identify as women should be allowed to participate in women’s sports, the large majority say no and that the law needs to reflect that. A recent New York Times Poll found 79% of those surveyed were against such participation. That included 67% of those who identify as Democrats or lean Democrat.
Collins, Murray Challenge Treatment of Emergency Spending in Continuing Resolution
(Washington, DC) Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Senator Patty Murray of West Virginia stopped short of calling it unlawful; but in a letter to Russ Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, the two are challenging the Administration’s decision and authority to concur with only a portion of the emergency-designated funding included in the recently passed Continuing Resolution. The Senators wrote, “…it is incumbent on all of us to follow the law as written – not as we would like it to be.” Collins, head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed concern that changes to the OMB’s interpretation of long-standing statutory provisions will make it more difficult for the committee to advance priorities on behalf of the American people.
(Washington, DC) Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic Senator Patty Murray of West Virginia are concerned language used in appropriations legislation for decades was left out of the recent Continuing Resolution. In a March 27th letter to Russ Vought, the head of the Office of Management and Budget, the Senators said the language has always been interpreted to give the President a choice of concurring with all or none of Congress’s emergency designations and that he does not have the ability to pick and choose which emergency spending to designate. The Senators wrote, “…it is incumbent on all of us to follow the law as written – not as we would like it to be.”
Poll Shows Republicans Largely Approve of Trump
(Undated) A poll from the University of New Hampshire finds Republicans largely approve of President Trump’s performance in office so far. The Portland Press Herald reports results of the poll found 94% of Maine Republicans approve, a slight drop from 98% in February. Among concerns, veterans being laid off by the Department of Government Efficiency, and the recent leak of top secret war plans. But nearly all those polled expressed support for the majority of Trump’s actions and were optimistic about the next three years.
(Undated) While Democrats are sounding the alarm about tariffs, President Trump’s seeming alliance with Putin over Ukraine, the deportation of legal immigrants, alienation of long-time allies like Canada and Mexico, and massive job cuts, Republicans by and large say they’re happy with the President’s performance. The Portland Press Herald reports a new poll by the University of New Hampshire shows 94% of Republicans in Maine approve of the President’s job so far; that’s down just slightly from the 98% who approved in a February poll.
Economy
Ellsworth High School Summer Job and Volunteer Fair
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth High School is hosting a Summer Job and Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, April 30th. The fair will run from 8 to 10:30 and is specifically designed for EHS students in grades 9-12. The school welcomes local businesses and nonprofits looking for help this summer to contact them to participate. You’ll find a sign-up link on the Ellsworth High School FB page, or you can email k woodward at ellsworth schools dot org.
Health
Rural Healthcare in Particular Facing Uncertainty with Medicaid Cuts
(KFF) Rural hospitals in Maine are cutting clinics, birthing centers, and other services, sometimes even closing their doors altogether, as in the case with Northern Light in Waterville, and MDI hospital’s birthing unit whose closings were announced this month. Now, experts say rural hospitals may have to cut investments in telehealth and remote patient monitoring programs as they deal with potential changes beyond their control. KFF News reports the policymaking uncertainty in Washington is affecting all of healthcare and is particularly challenging for providers in rural areas. Legislators say cuts to Medicaid are on the table and the fate of Medicare telemedicine reimbursement flexibilities is also in doubt.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Street Sweeping
(Ellsworth) Public Works in Ellsworth will be street sweeping this week. We’ve shared the schedule of streets affected on our FB pages.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Public Works crews begin street sweeping this week. We’ve posted a schedule of streets being cleaned on our Star 97.7 FB page. They ask for the public’s patience and help in giving them a wide berth to keep everyone safe.
MDI Bridge Work Planned
(MDI) Two bridge projects planned on Mount Desert Island. The Maine Department of Transportation will be replacing Babson Bridge, which carries Route 3 and Route 198 over Kitteridge Brook. Clearing operations began earlier this month in order to construct a temporary detour, resulting in ongoing one-way traffic at times. Construction of the new bridge will begin August 5th and last through summer 2027. MDOT is also replacing the Cromwell Brook Bridge that carries Ledgelawn and Great Meadow over the brook. Onsite clearing will begin as early as this week to create a temporary road and sidewalk detour. Construction of that new bridge is expected to begin June 2nd and run through the fall of 2026.
(MDI) Troubled bridges over MDI waters are set for replacement, with new construction set to begin this summer. The Maine Department of Transportation has been working on clearing operations at the Babson Bridge, which carries Routes 3 and 198 over Kitteridge Brook, just east of Route 102 in Mount Desert, leading to ongoing one-way traffic at times. Construction of that new bridge is set to run from early August through the summer of 2027. MDOT will also be replacing the Cromwell Brook Bridge that carries Ledgelawn and Great Meadow over the brook. Onsite clearing will begin as early as this week to create a temporary road and sidewalk detour. Construction of that new bridge is expected to begin June 2nd and run through the fall of 2026.
Sports
The UMaine Hockey Black Bears were knocked out of the NCAA Men’s Tournament Friday with a 5-1 loss to Penn State. Maine ends the season with a 24-8-6 record.
Cooper Flagg and Duke are on their way to the Final Four. The freshman helped lead the Blue Devils to a 20 point win over Alabama Saturday, finishing with an 85-65 victory. Flagg scored 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assists and was named MVP of the regional finals. Duke advances to the Final Four game this Saturday.
Red Sox lost to the Rangers 3-2 Sunday. The Red Sox in Baltimore this afternoon to run the bases with the Orioles.
The Celtics in Memphis tonight to shoot hoops with the Grizzlies. The Bruins have the night off.