Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Reward Increased for Illegal Deer Wounding in Swanville
(Swanville) Operation Game Thief has increased the reward to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the illegal shooting and wounding of a deer in Swanville. The shooting happened sometime between the evening of March 3rd and the morning of March 4th. Authorities say the deer was located off Oak Hill Road, bleeding from gunshot wounds to the back legs and chest and had been left to die. The Maine Warden Service had to euthanize the deer. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-ALERT-US or visit maine o g t dot org.
(Swanville) Sometime between the evening of March 3rd and the morning of March 4th, game wardens say someone shot a deer in Swanville and left the animal to die. The doe was found bleeding from gunshot wounds to its back legs and chest off Oak Hill Road and had to be euthanized to prevent further suffering. Operation Game Thief has now increased a reward offered to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-ALERT-Us or visit maine o g t dot org.
North Street Fire
(Ellsworth) A fire at an apartment at 66 North Street in Ellsworth was quickly extinguished Thursday morning. Ellsworth Fire Chief Scott Guillerrault said the fire, which started in the kitchen, was called in shortly after 6:30. The tenant was reportedly not at home at the time. Smoke detectors in an adjacent apartment went off, prompting the tenant there to call 9-1-1. No one was injured, but both apartments suffered some damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Fire Department was able to quickly extinguish a fire at a one story apartment building on Route 179 and North Street Thursday morning. The blaze, which was called in about 6:40 a.m. yesterday, apparently began in a kitchen. The tenant was not at home, and there were no injuries reported. An adjacent apartment suffered minor smoke damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Waterville Man Arrested for Arson
(Waterville) Authorities have arrested a Waterville man they say intentionally set a dumpster on fire Thursday morning. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, Waterville Fire and Rescue crews were responding to a medical call about 2:30 a.m. yesterday when they noticed the fire in the area of 44 College Avenue. Waterville Police responded and found 47 yo Jason Woods lying on the ground, surrounded by burning debris. Officers pulled away the debris to prevent the suspect from burning himself. Woods was taken to the Kennebec County Jail, where he’s charged with Arson.
(Waterville) A 47 yo man is being charged with arson after a Thursday morning dumpster fire in Waterville. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, crews were responding to a medical call about 2:30 a.m. yesterday when they noticed the fire in the area of 44 College Avenue. Waterville Police were called and found Jason Woods of Waterville lying on the ground, amid burning debris. Officers pulled the flaming trash away from Woods so he wouldn’t burn himself. There was little damage to the dumpster, but it was determined the fire had been intentionally set. Woods was arrested and charged and taken to the Kennebec County Jail.
Maine Department of Corrections Details Programs Affected by Loss of Funding
(Maine) The Maine Department of Corrections Thursday issued a Press Release regarding the effects caused by the rescinding of funding by the federal government. The Trump Administration has said it would cut $1.5M from MDOC because it is “housing a man in a women’s prison.” MDOC officials say the programs affected include one that fosters positive interaction between inmates and their children during virtual visits. They say approximately 185 incarcerated parents and their children will now lose out on such services. A second program provides counseling, peer support, case management and more through telehealth services for some 300 inmates facing substance abuse issues. The funding cuts will reportedly severely hamper the recovery program.
Economy
U.S. Cellular Layoffs
(Gray News) US Cellular is selling its wireless operations to T-Mobile and plans to lay off about 4,100 workers across the country. Maine is one of 19 states that will be affected by the layoffs, which are set to begin in June. Star 97.7 reached out to U.S.Cellular representatives, who tell us there’s been no official word on how local workers will be affected. But a spokesperson for the company said T-Mobile is making every effort to ensure a place for current employees when the transition takes effect.
Local Politics
Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens
(Blue Hill) The Blue Hill Planning Board this week voted to reject the plans of a Kennebunk developer to build nine high-end homes on the Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens. Opponents of the development who are fighting to preserve the land say it’s a temporary victory. They’re attempting to raise enough money to buy back the land and put it under the care of Blue Hill Heritage Trust so that it can’t be developed and will remain public land.
Maine State Library Layoffs
(Augusta) The Maine State Library is now closed for two weeks in order to allow time to reorganize and lay off 13 staff members. That’s one-third of the library’s staff. The Bangor Daily News reports the affected positions were supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that provided 30% of the Augusta library’s funding and that was targeted for elimination under one of President Trump’s executive orders. It’s unclear how the layoffs will affect local libraries, although the state’s inter-library loan system is likely to be impacted.
(Augusta) The Maine State Library in Augusta closed its doors yesterday for two weeks. Staff say the closure is necessary in order to allow time to reorganize and lay off 13 employees, one third of its staff. The affected positions were supported by funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. IMLS provided 30% of the State Library’s funding but was targeted for elimination under one of Trump’s executive orders. Sources say among other areas, the funding cuts will affect the interlibrary loan system, large-print and audio readers for the visually impaired, and management of online databases used by the public.
Ellsworth Public Library Encourages Patrons to Voice Concerns
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Library Directors issued a joint response to President Trump’s March 14th directive which proposed elimination of IMLS, the agency that ensures federal support for libraries nationwide. The statement is backed by the County’s 22 local libraries that serve nearly 38,000 registered users from every background, and states local libraries still rely on essential resources provided by IMLS through the Maine State Library. The signers extended heartfelt thanks to Senators Collins and King, Representative Golden, and Attorney General Aaron Frey and urged Mainers to contact their representatives, asking them to stand up for libraries.
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Library Directors yesterday issued a joint response to the President’s March 14th directive that proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The response was signed by the Directors of the Ellsworth, Jessup, Blue Hill, Southwest Harbor and 18 other Hancock County libraries. The statement notes the libraries serve nearly 38,000 registered users from every background and emphasizes local libraries still rely on essential resources provided by IMLS through the Maine State Library. The signers extended heartfelt thanks to Senators Collins and King, Representative Golden, and Attorney General Aaron Frey and urged Mainers to contact their representatives, asking them to stand up for libraries.
Education
UMaine President Honored by AERA
(Orono) University of Maine President Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy has been awarded the 2025 Distinguished Public Service Award by the American Educational Research Association. The honor is presented annually to an individual who has played a leading role in enacting or implementing research-based education policies and/or who has significantly advanced the visibility and support of education research. Before joining the University in 2018, Dr. Ferrini-Mundy served as COO of the National Science Foundation and held other distinguished positions. The award will be officially presented later this month in Denver.
Students Attend Model UN Conference
(Belfast) Students from Belfast, Mt. View, Oceanside and Searsport high schools, along with a charter high school in Unity are in Belfast today, attending the third annual Model United Nations Conference. They’ll be joined by students representing Bowdoin College’s Model U.N. Club, who will chair model high school committees presenting at the conference. In preparation, students practiced their oratorical skills and drafted resolutions. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the 2025 focus is on two topics – denuclearization and persistent organic pollutants. Last year’s conference covered the Russia-Ukraine War and climate change refugees.
Health
Maine Hospitals in Fragile Financial Position
(Maine) Maine’s major hospitals ranked 46th out of the 50 states in operating margin, 49th in debt burden, and had the 46th oldest facilities, according to a report released this week by the Maine Hospital Association. The report compared hospitals, including those affiliated with MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, and Central Maine Healthcare, with those in most of the nation. The Portland Press Herald reports the comparison showed Maine’s hospitals are in a relatively precarious financial position. All Maine’s major hospitals are in the prospective payment system, or PPS, which means they’re reimbursed a certain way by Medicare and are separate from rural hospitals or hospitals that primarily serve lower-income and underserved residents. Those are called “critical access hospitals.” Maine has 17 PPS hospitals, and 16 that are considered critical access.
(Maine) The state of Maine’s hospitals is dire, according to a report released this week by the Maine Hospital Association, which showed Maine at the bottom of the list in three key areas. The report compared hospitals, including those affiliated with MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, and Central Maine Healthcare, with those in most of the nation. Maine’s hospitals ranked 46th out of 50 states in operating margin, had the 46th oldest facilities, and were 49th in debt burden. The Portland Press Herald reports all Maine’s major hospitals are in the prospective payment system, or PPS, which means they’re reimbursed a certain way by Medicare and are separate from rural hospitals or hospitals that primarily serve lower-income and underserved residents. Those are called “critical access hospitals.” Maine has 17 PPS hospitals, and 16 that are considered critical access.
Infrastructure
Shore Road Closure
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Public Works and the Fire Department will temporarily close Shore Road near Pump Station Point at the causeway this morning. The City says the 8 a.m. closure is necessary in order to provide access for vehicles and equipment to clear a blocked culvert beneath the causeway. Detour signage will be in place.
(Ellsworth) The Shore Road in Ellsworth near Pump Station Point at the causeway will be temporarily closed this morning. City officials tell Star 97.7, the closure, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., is necessary in order to provide access for vehicles and equipment to clear a blocked culvert beneath the causeway. Detour signage will be in place to direct traffic.
National News
House Passes SAVE Act
(Washington) The U.S. House yesterday passed the so-called SAVE Act. Republicans say it will make voting more secure in a country where fewer than 60% of eligible voters head to the polls in an election year. Critics say the legislation disproportionately impacts rural and younger voters and married women, because 84% of women who marry change their surname, meaning their birth certificate does not have their legal name on it. Under the SAVE Act, voters must register with proof showing their name at birth and would need to prove U.S. citizenship in person each time a person registers to vote. The bill further establishes criminal penalties for offenses that include registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The legislation now goes to the Senate.
Six Die When Helicopter Crashes into Hudson
(New York) Six people died yesterday afternoon when a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, just off Manhattan. The Associated Press reports everyone aboard the craft was killed. The passengers have been identified as a family of five, including three children, who were on vacation from Spain. Video of the crash shows the Bell 206 copter upside down and mostly submerged. Multiple rescue boats rushed to the scene, but there were no survivors.
Weight Watchers Filing for Bankruptcy
(WaPo) The Washington Post reporting WeightWatchers is preparing to file for bankruptcy as part of a plan to hand control of the business to its creditors. The plan is still in the negotiating stages and has not been finalized. Weight Watchers has struggled as more dieters turn to weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss.