Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Aroostook Man Found Safe Following All Night Search
(Merrill) Authorities were able to locate a missing Aroostook County man following an all-night search Friday. The Maine Warden Service reports to Star 97.7, 71 yo Bryce Clark had gone for an evening drive when his truck became stuck on an old woods road. Clark called his daughter and told her he was stuck but not lost. When he failed to return home, the Maine Warden Service and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office launched a search. Early Saturday, they were able to make contact with Clark who gave them his location, telling them he was wet and not near his truck. He was found near the wind towers in Oakfield about 7:30 a.m. and was wet and hypothermic, but declined to be taken to a hospital. Clark was then reunited with his family.
Eleven Arrested in Washington County Drug Bust
(Roque Bluffs) Washington County authorities on Friday announced the arrest of eleven people in a major drug bust. Seven suspects, ranging in age from 22 to 38 were taken into custody at 75 Duck Cove Road in Roque Bluffs. Another three were arrested at 43 Mitten Mountain Road in Centerville. MDEA Agents and members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by a Maine State Police Tac Team, executed search warrants at the two locations on the morning of Thursday, May 29th, seizing drugs they say had a street value of more than $15K. An 11th suspect, 25 yo Nakia Albee of Jonesport, was arrested during a motor vehicle stop near the Centerville location and was also found to be in possession of suspected cocaine. Based on the investigation, authorities say more arrests and charges are expected.
Florida Man Drowns in Damariscotta Lake
(Nobleboro) A Florida man drowned Friday afternoon while attempting to retrieve his boat, which had drifted away from the shore on Damariscotta Lake. The Maine Warden Service reports to Star 97.7, 74 yo Richard Eason had pulled his boat ashore, but while parking his truck noticed it had drifted away from the dock. Eason jumped into the water to swim out to the vessel, but witnesses say he went under and never resurfaced. Wardens, who say Eason was not wearing a lifejacket, owned a summer home in Nobleboro. His body was recovered and taken to a nearby funeral home.
Death of Comfort Dog Raises Questions
(Bangor) Workers at Hero Pups in New Hampshire are among those mourning the loss of Baxter, a three year old chocolate lab, who was found dead Wednesday afternoon inside a vehicle at the Bangor Regional Communications Center. The organization pairs support dogs with veterans and first responders and was the first comfort dog sent to Maine. Baxter was reportedly inside a state vehicle in which he was regularly transported with the engine running and the air conditioning on. Sources say the vehicle inexplicably stopped running, leaving Baxter to succumb inside the hot car. An investigation is underway. The incident has raised questions as to why and for how long the pup was left inside the vehicle, apparently without being checked on in time to save him.
Sheriff’s Association Launches Program to Keep Victims Informed
(Maine) The Maine Sheriff’s Association has launched a new program to help keep victims informed when an individual is released from jail. According to the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, the pilot program will electronically notify victims, their families, and any witnesses when a person has been released from jails in Penobscot, Aroostook, and Somerset Counties, and Two Bridges Regional Jail, which is shared by Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties. Participants can register for the free service anonymously at VINElink dot com.
Homeland Security Accuses Maine Law Enforcement of Violating Immigration Law
(Washington, DC) The Department of Homeland Security has accused three Maine law enforcement agencies of violating federal immigration law and “endangering lives”. The Portland Press Herald reports the City of Portland, along with Hancock and Cumberland Counties, were specifically called out on the agency’s website, a requirement of the Trump Administration for those deemed as not cooperating. Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said it’s possible his organization appears on the list because he didn’t sign up for one of ICE’s programs, but that they are housing ICE inmates. He adds they are not doing the work of ICE because they have neither the expertise nor the authority to do so. Jails in Hancock and Cumberland counties both say they accept requests from ICE to detain suspects, although leaders from both have said they will not hold the suspects beyond their scheduled release dates.
Politics
Big Issues Remain for Maine Legislature
(Augusta) With the current legislative session set to end in just over two weeks, lawmakers have a plethora of important issues yet to consider. The Portland Press Herald reports the legislature must close out a two-year state budget that could include tax increases and spending cuts to settle issues that include everything from transgender athletes to immigration enforcement. Democrats passed a portion of the budget earlier, with enough funding to continue basic services into the new fiscal year, which starts July 1, but left other important issues unresolved – issues needed to meet the state Constitution’s mandate for a balanced budget. Governor Mills is expected to meet with lawmakers this week to urge agreement on a tough bipartisan budget.
Republicans say Dems Violating Maine Law
(Augusta) Lawmakers in Augusta Friday faced off over whether or not they’re required to hold a public hearing on a proposal to enact a “red flag” gun law. Republicans say a move by the Democratic chairs of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee undermines both the Maine Constitution and state statute. They say Senator Anne Carney and Representative Amy Kuhn have refused to hold a public hearing on a citizen-initiated “red flag” gun control proposal, adding Maine law requires citizen initiatives receive a public hearing unless waived by a two-thirds vote of both chambers. “Red flag” laws allow family members to ask a court to order someone perceived as a danger to themselves or others to temporarily relinquish their guns. That’s a step beyond the current “yellow flag” law which only allows law enforcement to initiate the relinquishment of weapons through the courts.
Bill to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs
(Augusta) Legislators agree prices for prescription medications have been too high for too long, especially for older Mainers, those with disabilities, people with chronic illnesses and lower incomes. Last week, the Maine Senate voted unanimously in favor of a bill that could help change that. If enacted, the bill, LD 697, sponsored by Democrat Cameron Reny of Bristol, would add one non-voting member with health data expertise to the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board. That member would advise the Board as it considers cost reduction strategies by health care providers. The bill faces additional votes in the House and Senate.
Bill Regulating Cell Phone Use in Schools Before Maine Legislature
(Augusta) Cell phones – a lifeline, but also a major distraction in the classroom. Schools across the state have already implemented policies restricting their use during the school day. The Maine Legislature last week considered a bill that would require the Department of Education to adopt major substantive rules restricting the use of cell phones by students. As originally written, the bill would have prohibited the use of cell phones by a student in a public school during classroom time, lunch breaks, and transitions between classrooms, but would have allowed their use in the school’s main office, in case the student had an emergency. Concerns a statewide ban would infringe on local control, lawmakers amended LD 1234 to require only that school boards adopt cell phone policies by August of next year. The bill is pending in the Legislature.
Economy
Maine Atlas Project to Showcase State During Nation’s Semiquincentennial
(Augusta) Happy Birthday to the United States – celebrating 250 years in 2026! The Secretary of State’s Maine Atlas Project seeks to shine the celebration spotlight on the great state of Maine by identifying and promoting 250 places, people, events, and objects that represent Maine’s unique cultural, natural and historical assets. These include historic sites, scenic landscapes, parks, agricultural areas, festivals and fairs, iconic buildings and businesses, notable people and significant cultural centers. Anyone can submit nominations through Wednesday, July 9th. To learn more or submit a nomination, visit the link we’ve posted with this story on our Star 97.7 news page. https://www.maine.gov/sos/america250me/atlas.
Margarita’s Closed Due to Tax Issues
(Ellsworth) It’s adios to Margarita’s in Ellsworth – at least for now. A sign on the door says the restaurant has been temporarily closed by the Maine Department of Revenue Services. The business was shuttered earlier this month, but officials have been unwilling to provide additional details. The Margarita’s in Orono, owned by the same person as the Ellsworth eatery, was closed permanently earlier this year, also reportedly due to concerns over taxes.
Ellsworth Vendor Fair
(Ellsworth) You may not be thinking about Christmas just yet, but the City of Ellsworth is planning ahead for their Craft & Vendor Fair, proceeds of which directly support the Backpacks for Kids and Christmas for Kids Funds. This year’s fundraiser is set for Saturday, September 27th, from 9 to 3 at Ellsworth Elementary Middle School, and vendors can now reserve tables – but only through the City’s website. We’ve posted a link on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Branch Lake Property
(Ellsworth) The most expensive property for sale in Ellsworth right now (by a cool million dollars) is a renovated home on 3.4 acres on Branch Lake. The Bangor Daily News reports the house was purchased and renovated by Peter Mainguy and his wife, Sabine Thiry, international hoteliers with a connection to the Pine Tree State. Mainguy, who manages the Ritz Carlton-Millenia in Singapore, attended Husson University in the 1980s. He says the couple is selling the nearly 4300 square foot home – which has lake views from all but one room – in order to take on similar projects. Despite the $3.75M asking price, the sale has reportedly generated a good deal of interest, both from out-of-state buyers interested in offering it as a rental and wealthy locals who want to live there.
Education
Anonymous Grant Feeds Philanthropic Fund for U Maine Grad Students
(Orono) The University of Maine has announced the availability of $250,000 in new philanthropic funding to support graduate students whose journey toward completing their degree has been jeopardized by the loss of federal research funding. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the support is made possible through an anonymous gift. The funds will provide both merit- and need-based assistance to graduate students currently enrolled in the school’s masters or doctoral programs, covering the 2025-26 academic year. Funding will reportedly also be made available this summer if student circumstances warrant.
Environment
MDIFW Seeks Input on Threats to Wildlife and Wildlands
(Maine) If you live in Maine, chances are you’re out and about hiking, biking, kayaking, or otherwise enjoying our beautiful conserved areas. But we all know, threats abound … and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife wants to hear about them … from YOU. They’re updating the State Wildlife Action Plan, or SWAP, that serves as a blueprint for proactively conserving fish, wildlife, and plants to prevent species from becoming Endangered. MDIFW invites you to head to their website, review the list of Threats and Conservation Actions, and share your input. They ask that you provide feedback using their online form by this Saturday, June 7th.