Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Wesley Man Arrested and Charged with Gross Sexual Assault
(Machias) Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday arrested a Wesley man and charged him with six counts of Gross Sexual Assault allegedly involving a minor. 67 yo Wayne Geel was taken into custody at his home and remains in the Washington County Jail on $100,000 cash bail. He’s expected to make his first court appearance today at 1. Chief Deputy Michael Crabtree reports to Star 97.7, Geel was arrested after an extended investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
(Machias) An extensive investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a Wesley man on Wednesday. Chief Deputy Michael Crabtree tells Star 97.7, 67 yo Wayne Geel was taken into custody without incident at his home on Wednesday. Geel faces six counts of Gross Sexual Assault allegedly involving a minor. He’s being held in the Washington County Jail on $100,000 cash bail and has been ordered to have no contact with the minor victim or witnesses and no contact with children under the age of 18. Geel is scheduled to make his first court appearance this afternoon.
New License Plates
(Ellsworth) The state will begin issuing those new license plates next Thursday, May 1st. All vehicles, including those with vanity or low digit plates, will receive one of the new Pine Tree or No Tree plate designs at the time of renewal. The Ellsworth tax office will temporarily stock the new plates and issue them during registration renewals. New registrations must still be processed at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. If your registration expires before May 1st, you’ll receive the new plate at your next renewal. The City asks for your patience while renewing your registration, as there will be a few added steps that may take staff a bit longer to process.
Local Politics
Maine Lawmakers Pitch Costly Compromise on Property Taxes
(Augusta) Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are backing a property tax relief compromise skeptics say could face cost-related hurdles in a tight state budget environment. The Bangor Daily News reports the proposal by Senate President Democrat Mattie Daughtry and sponsored by Republican Minority leader Trey Stewart, would increase the maximum property tax fairness credit from $1500 to $2000 for taxpayers younger than 65 and from $2000 to $2500 for those 65 and older. The bill, which is supported by leaders in both major parties, has been referred to the Legislature’s tax committee.
(Augusta) Democrats and Republicans agreeing on an issue? It’s happening in Augusta and it involves a property tax compromise. The Bangor Daily News reports Senate President Mattie Daughtry, a Brunswick Democrat, and Republican Minority Leader Trey Stewart of Presque Isle are behind a bill that would increase the maximum property tax fairness credit from $1500 to $2000 for taxpayers younger than 65 and from $2000 to $2500 for those 65 and older. The proposal has the backing of other leaders in both parties as well. Pundits say the compromise could face cost-related hurdles in a tight state budget environment.
Judge Halts Parts of Trump’s Proposed Election Overhaul
(AP) A judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration from immediately enacting certain changes as to how elections are run, including the President’s proposal that proof-of-citizenship be required on the federal voter registration form. The proposed overhaul had prompted swift lawsuits from the League of Women Voters Education Fund and others, who called it unconstitutional. Also on Thursday, three federal judges issued separate rulings blocking the Administration’s directives that threatened to cut billions in federal funding for public schools with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
Maine DOE Pushes Back on Trump’s Demands to End DEI
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Education on Thursday said it would not agree to the Trump Administration’s efforts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion in K-12 schools. In an open letter to schools, MDOE said the state does and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and regularly certifies its compliance as part of the application process for federal funding. The letter was in response to a demand earlier this month ordering all 50 states to gather signatures from local school systems certifying compliance with civil rights laws and rejecting what the Trump Administration called “illegal DEI practices”. The deadline for returning those documents was yesterday.
Poll Shows Mainers Split on Trump and His Policies
(Augusta) Mainers are a pretty independent bunch – the state is one of only two that split their Electoral College votes. A new poll from the University of New Hampshire finds Maine is split when it comes to President Trump and his policies, as well. The Bangor Daily News reports the poll of just over 900 Mainers conducted earlier this month found Republicans nearly unanimous in their approval of Trump’s job performance, while Democrats overwhelmingly disapproved. Among independents, the President had a 39% approval rating. Almost 60% of respondents said the country is on the wrong track, with two-thirds saying they believe a recession is very likely.
(Augusta) A recent University of New Hampshire poll revealed some surprising – and not so surprising results about how Mainers rate President Trump and his policies. The poll surveyed more than 900 people, with Republicans nearly unanimous in their approval of Trump’s job performance, while Democrats overwhelmingly disapproved. A majority of those responding expect trade tariffs to raise prices and harm the national economy, but Republicans expect them to benefit the economy overall. Two thirds believe a recession is a given. On immigration, nearly all Republican’s support Trump’s actions, while nearly all Dems are opposed. Nearly 60% of respondents said the country is on the wrong track – though opinions on why varied.
Offshore Drilling Bill
(Washington, DC) Senators Angus King and Susan Collins are cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to prohibit offshore drilling along the Maine coast, extending the length of the New England coastline. The New England Coastal Protection Act would ban oil and gas leasing off the coasts and in these protected areas. According to NOAA, ocean and coastal industries, including tourism, fishing and recreation, generate more than $17.5B dollars annually. The Senators say drilling in the Atlantic would pose potential harm to New England’s key industries and could significantly increase the possibility of environmental disaster in the area.
Economy
Wabanaki Public Health Food Systems Team Hit With Federal Funding Cuts
(Maine) The Food Systems Team at Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness had to cancel their April food distribution to Maliseet, Micmac, Sipayik, Indian Township, and Penobscot locations because of federal funding cuts. The WPHW Food Sovereignty Team said the local farmers and distributors with whom they work were heavily impacted by the recent cuts handed down by Washington. They say they worked diligently over the winter to get the Mobile Food Truck back on the road, delivering fresh produce to the community; but spring and the federal cuts have forced them to pivot. They say they’re hoping to make a distribution in May. Learn more at wabanaki p h w dot org.
Infrastructure
Foster Street Paving
(Ellsworth) Foster Street in Ellsworth will be partially open to traffic as crews work to pave that road today. But the City asks that if possible, drivers take an alternate route to avoid delays and help expedite the work. If you absolutely must drive through the area, they ask that you use caution and be alert for workers and construction equipment.
(Ellsworth) City crews will be paving Foster Street in Ellsworth today, so if you must travel that route, the City asks that you be extra cautious and watch for workers and construction equipment. The road will be partially open to traffic, so expect delays; and if you can, they ask you to avoid the area to help expedite the work.
Human Interest/Entertainment
The Grand/Something to Wag About Present Pup-arazzi Talent Show & NY Dog Film Festival
(Ellsworth) The Grand is going to the dogs! The Pup-arazzi Talent Show & the 2025 NY Dog Film Festival are coming to the Grand in Ellsworth on Friday, May 2nd. First up at 6, a pup-tacular talent show, sponsored by The Grand and Something to Wag About! Get your best friend ready with his or her fur-vorite talent in agility, dance, tricks, or best wiggle butt – limited to five dogs in each category, so sign up today! A panel of judges will determine the winners in each category, while the audience will choose the winner for the Underdog award. Following the talent show, stay for a showing of the 2025 New York Dog Film Festival at 7! Some of the proceeds will benefit our wonderful SPCA of Hancock County! Sign up, enter your pup, and get tickets at grandonline dot org.
(Ellsworth) You know your pup is the cutest, most talented, bestest in the world! Here’s your chance to show him or her off! Coming to The Grand in Ellsworth, the Pup-arazzi Talent Show & the 2025 NY Dog Film Festival, sponsored by The Grand and Something to Wag About on Friday, May 2nd! The evening will begin at 6 with a local pup talent show – sign your man’s-best-friend up in one of four categories – agility, dance, tricks, or best wiggle butt. Each category is limited to just five pups, so sign up today! Then at 7, a showing of the 2025 New York Dog Film Festival. Some of the proceeds from the evening will benefit our wonderful SPCA of Hancock County! Don’t “PAWS” another minute, or you might find yourself in the doghouse! Sign up and get tickets at grandonline dot org.
The Nite Show with Danny Cashman Signs Off with Special Guest Appearance
(Bangor) The Nite Show with Danny Cashman signed off with a taping of one of its final shows Wednesday at Husson University. The final curtain went down in style with the appearance of a closely kept secret – special guest, David Letterman. Cashman said Letterman has always been his idol and he had always dreamed of getting the iconic late night television show host on during the Nite Show’s fifteen year run. Sources say Letterman arrived in Bangor in his private jet and jetted out soon after the final taping, but was incredibly supportive of Cashman’s work. The Nite Show is reportedly the last locally-produced such show in the U.S. The show featuring Letterman will air May 10th, with the final episode of The Nite Show set for the following week, May 17th.
Maine Seaweed Week
(Ellsworth) It’s opening day of Maine Seaweed Week, a statewide festival celebrating Maine’s thriving seaweed industry. This is the first year the festival is coming to Ellsworth, and Heart of Ellsworth has a full week of savoring seaweed inspired specials at area restaurants, seaweed shopping for everything from body balms to kelp crunch bars and more, and a full slate of seaweed-based experiences, including a seaweed-themed walking tour, seaweed art installations, an evening market and more. Don’t miss tonight’s art show at 16 State Street, featuring a host of diverse work inspired by the gardens of the sea! Check out the list of participants and events on our Star 97.7 FB page and at heart of ellsworth dot org. A huge thanks to Maine Coast Sea Vegetables for co-sponsoring the week with us here at Star 97.7.