Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Bar Harbor Hoax Call
(Bar Harbor) The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking information regarding a search and rescue hoax call they say began at 11 p.m. Sunday night and continued through 12:30 a.m. Monday. The calls indicated a mariner in distress, repeatedly using the word “mayday”, but at the same time claiming to be on land in a house in Bar Harbor. The Coast Guard used direction-finding equipment to confirm the radio calls were indeed coming from land in Bar Harbor and quickly determined the calls to be a hoax, so did not launch rescue boats. However, they are seeking the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible. We’ve shared the audio on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Search for Missing Clam Digger Continues
(Milbridge) The family of missing clam digger Alton Wallace who went missing on May 18th continues to hope and pray for answers. Family members say after speaking with the Marine Patrol Sunday morning, the next few days of search could be crucial with the temperatures and the time that has passed. They ask anyone with a boat who is able to continue to check the waters and shoreline between Milbridge and Harrington. Drones are also welcome, but pilots are asked to bring them down while search planes are up. Those who caretake or know of anyone with a cottage in the area are also asked to see if they would check their properties.
Ellsworth Police Department Releases May Statistics
(Ellsworth) In case you’re wondering how officers with the Ellsworth Police Department spend their time, they just released stats for May. Of 834 calls (that’s about 27 calls a day), there were 50 vehicle accidents, 33 thefts, 4 assaults, 56 well being checks, and 338 traffic stops. They were equally busy over at the Hancock County RCC, fielding 1,655 calls – from fires, to crimes, to medical emergencies and more. It’s certainly a far cry from just coffee and donuts for our men and women in uniform.
Hancock County Sheriff’s Department Celebrates DARE Graduations
(Ellsworth) Speaking of busy, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office recently celebrated D.A.R.E. graduations at Surry, Lamoine Consolidated, and Dedham Elementary Schools. They say students who complete the program are equipped with the skills to make safe, responsible choices. One of the highlights was the landing of a Blackhawk Medivac Helicopter on the Surry school grounds, thanks to Staff Sgt. Dakota Fields, who led the classes at Surry and Lamoine, and Staff Sgt. Brodie Morse of the Army National Guard. Sgt. Rob Morang guided students through the program at Dedham. We’ve posted pictures on our Star 97.7 FB page.
FMO Investigates Apartment Building Fire
(Fairfield) The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a possible case of arson at an apartment building in Fairfield. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, the Fairfield Fire Department called in the FMO about 3:30 Sunday, after battling the blaze at a five-unit apartment building located at 16 Summit Street. Two of the units were occupied, but all four residents escaped uninjured, although they were displaced by the fire. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set and are working to identify a suspect.
Ellsworth Chamber to Host Scam Prevention Event
(Ellsworth) Scammers are becoming increasingly savvy – online, by phone, by mail, and even in person. Tomorrow, the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “Shield Against Scams” workshop, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Ellsworth Public Library. Experts will be on hand, educating participants on how to protect their business from common internet and email scams, safe online banking for businesses and individuals and ways to protect personal and business bank accounts, and members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office will discuss staying safe on your phone and online in the age of phone and text message scams. Attend one session or all three – light refreshments provided. We’ve shared a schedule on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Local Politics
King Urges Support as Hurricane Season Approaches
(Washington, DC) While there’s been no official designation, some scientists are calling for the addition of a Category 6 hurricane – this in light of the storms’ growing intensities. Cat 5 winds would change from 157 mph and above to 157 to 191 mph, with a Cat 6 bringing sustained winds of 192 mph or greater. In response to growing concerns, Senator Angus King and 14 Senate colleagues this week are urging the Trump administration to swiftly reinstate terminated employees at National Weather Service and NOAA offices. They say at least thirty weather forecast offices are without a meteorologist in charge, one has no managers, and nearly a dozen are preparing to shut down 24/7 services without immediate action to address such shortages. The Senators stressed that without sufficient staffing levels, NWS will be unable to provide accurate and timely forecasts, putting lives and infrastructure at risk.
Education
Ellsworth High School Graduation Week Planned
(Ellsworth) Jonesport-Beals, MDI High School – it’s graduation season, and this week, it’s the Ellsworth High School Class of 2025’s turn. The week of events begins tomorrow night, with a Graduate Parade kicking off from TJ Maxx at 5:30. Students will decorate their vehicles and be escorted to the high school by a police motorcade for Class Night, which will recognize the remaining senior awards and the much-anticipated evening of scholarship distributions. Then on to Friday, and Graduation at Del Luce Stadium beginning at 6 p.m. In case of inclement weather, in the EHS Gymnasium. Congratulations to all the seniors! We send you off with pride for all you’ve accomplished the last four years, and the highest expectations for your very bright futures.
Economy
Unorganized Territories See Property Values Soar
(Maine) Property values in Maine’s unorganized territories are soaring – in some cases more than doubling, according to the Bangor Daily News. Property owners have reportedly been shocked by word from state revenue services that their home and land values had increased so markedly, raising concerns about potentially large property tax hikes. In one case, a retired couple’s rocky lot behind their modest two bedroom home on Moosehead Lake – a parcel with no structures and no waterfront – went from an assessed value of just under $26K to more than $160K. The Maine Revenue Service is responsible for assessing and collecting property taxes in the unorganized territories, which cover slightly more than half the state. In-person meetings to address concerns are planned, including at the East Machias Municipal Building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 10th.
Ports See Cruise Ship Controversy as Opportunity
(Bar Harbor) With Bar Harbor voters deciding to cut back on the number of larger cruise ships that sail into port and Portland officials beginning to raise concerns about visits there, cruise ship companies are finding no lack of other Maine ports that welcome them as they travel between Boston and Canada. The Bangor Daily News reports Eastport officials are expecting 18 cruise ship visits, a dozen of which will bring upwards of 1400 passengers each – a growth in tourism dollars there. In addition, Bangor, Bath, Boothbay Harbor and Bucksport are expecting visits from American Cruise Line ships, which carry roughly 100 passengers each. Rockland rounds out the list of ports welcoming cruise ships, 32 this year, including 7 larger vessels. Business owners there say they welcome the visits, with an eye toward keeping them to a manageable number.
Environment
U Maine Seeking Diseased Browntail Caterpillars
(Orono) The University of Maine is on the hunt for diseased browntail caterpillars. They say so far this season, there have not been signs of naturally occurring pathogens such as fungus or virus affecting the browntail populations at their monitoring sites. U Maine is asking if you spot any suspicious-looking caterpillars, please report them along with photographs so MDACF can confirm the presence of pathogens. Look for white/yellow fuzzy sports, swollen or puffy caterpillars, an upside-down V-shaped posture with leaking fluids, or dead caterpillars with an unusual appearance. For more information, check the link I’ve posted on my FB page.
Health
Food Labels
(WaPo) Sell by dates. Expiration dates. Best-by dates. Confusion over such labels leads U.S. consumers to throw away about three BILLION pounds of food each year, which equates to $7B in losses. The Washington Post reports food dates often are more about quality than food safety; and that in most cases you can inspect, sniff, and sometimes even taste foods to see if they’re still good. Perhaps surprisingly, date labels are not nationally standardized. The federal government requires a “use by” date only on infant formula. But scientists say don’t discount date labels as meaningless. They’re often the result of companies’ rigorous research. Bottom line: interpret those dates on shelf-stable foods as the last point at which the manufacturer guarantees quality.
Human Interest
Artists Invite Residents to Makerspace Event
(Ellsworth) This Friday, art lovers and curious minds are invited to explore firsthand the creative makerspace in downtown Ellsworth, as the artists of 16 State Street host their first-ever Open Studio event. Step inside the working studios that feature Amy Reisman’s pottery and felted items, Curt Larson’s 2D paintings, Rosalie Kell’s fabric sculptures and 3D forms, and Ellen Lancaster’s storytelling and performance. Studios are located on the second floor, with the free event happening from 1 to 6 on June 6th. Come celebrate the talent, creativity, and vibrant spirit of Ellsworth’s artistic community.
Machias Margaretta Days
(Machias) Yesterday marked an historic milestone in Machias that you don’t often find in history books. Town Manager Sarah Craighead Dedmon writes it was 250 years ago on June 2, 1775, that four vessels sailed into Machias Bay – one, the armed British schooner HMS Margaretta. Within two weeks, her commander was dead, the ship hidden in Marshfield, and Machias would go down in history as the site of the first naval battle of the American Revolution. The town will honor that heritage this month at Margaretta Days, June 20th and 21st at West Branch Farms. You’re invited to join them as the Machias Historical Society and Revolutionary War Reenactors of Downeast Maine make that happen.
HC Sheriff’s Deputy Serves up Dose of Kindness
(Stonington) News departments receive police reports daily – one received Monday from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office documented officers dealing with a road rage incident in Hancock, a vehicle crash in Surry that resulted in an OUI, a citizen dispute in Blue Hill. Amid all the mayhem, a report from Deputy Mariza (Ma-REE-sza) Gionfriddo (Gee-on-FREE-do) stood out as most refreshing – literally. She writes, “On Sunday I was on my assigned patrol in Stonington when I passed by a lemonade stand run by a few juvenile girls. I stopped to purchase a strawberry lemonade. I spoke with the girls for a little while and thanked them for the delicious lemonade.” Good to know it’s not all drugs and domestics – sometimes, probably more often than we know, it’s simple outreach and kindness. Well done, Deputy Gionfriddo – we’ll drink to that – strawberry lemonade, of course.
Hancock County Young Professionals
(Bar Harbor) Maine is a great place at any age – but it can be a bit sleepy for the younger generation, especially for those who move to the Pine Tree State from a city such as Boston or New York, where the nightlife never stops. Enter Jonathan Robles, who along with his fiancee moved to Bar Harbor from NY City to serve as Events and Marketing Manager for the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Robles quickly saw a need and put out feelers to gauge interest for a group of 20 and 30-somethings who live or work in Hancock County and who might be interested in building community. Fifty-five people expressed interest, with more than two dozen showing up for a first get together. The group is planning monthly events on the second Friday of each month. The next mixer is planned for Friday, June 13th at The Nor’Easter Pound & Market. For more details, check out Young Professionals of Hancock County on FB.