Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
MMR Recovers Body of Man from Kennebec River
(Bath) Members of the Maine Marine Patrol Wednesday recovered the body of a man from the shore of Woods Island in the Kennebec River. They say the body of 22 Robert Stolt of Augusta was spotted by good Samaritans who called 9-1-1 about 6 p.m. Wednesday evening. Stolt was fishing from his boat on Sunday when his dog jumped out of the boat into the river. Stolt jumped in to rescue the dog then disappeared. The dog, a woman who was a passenger on Stolt’s boat, and a second dog were rescued by other boaters Sunday and taken to shore, where the woman was treated for minor injuries and released.
Local Politics
Click to Cancel Rule Updated
(AP) You may now want to think twice before clicking on that subscription offer – even if it says you can “cancel anytime”. A “click-to-cancel” rule that would have required businesses to make it easy for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions and memberships was blocked this week by a federal appeals court, just days before it was set to go into effect. The Associated Press reports the FTC’s proposed changes, adopted in October, would have required businesses to obtain a customer’s consent before charging for memberships, auto-renewals, and programs linked to free trial offers. The court said the Federal Trade Commission made a procedural error by failing to come up with a preliminary regulatory analysis, a requirement for rules whose annual impact on the U.S. economy is more than $100M dollars.
Bar Harbor Legal Fees Mount as Cruise Ship Lawsuits Grow
(Bar Harbor) Rather than dropping anchor, large cruise ships are dropping OUT of anchoring in Bar Harbor amid passenger restrictions and lawsuits over disembarkation limits. The Mount Desert Islander reports no fewer than eight court cases have been filed in the matter. The lawsuits include matters related to cruise ship policy, land use, and code enforcement. Seven of the cases have been brought by private parties that seek to change or overturn town decisions, while another was initiated by the town as an enforcement action. Since the first case was filed in 2022, the litigation has cost the town over a million dollars in legal fees.
Economy
Being Vacationland’s Impact
(Maine) It’s a given that Maine’s being “Vacationland” has a major impact on the state’s population, traffic, and income each summer. The Portland Press Herald reports Maine saw 7.7 million visitors last summer – that’s five times our population. Summer tourists contributed more than half the $9.2B spent by tourists in 2024. With that influx, comes traffic and parking headaches. But business owners and towns such as Bar Harbor and Old Orchard Beach roll with it, because they rely heavily on those tourism dollars. And those seasonal parking fees have added millions to the coffers of such towns. An analysis shows Canadian tourism is down this year; and while our neighbors to the north accounted for just about 7% of tourists in 2024, their avoidance this year is being felt in the economic impact. Initial data indicates the decline is possibly influenced by political rhetoric and border trends.
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Honored
(Bar Harbor) Who’s been named by Forbes as America’s “Best-in-State” Bank? That would be Bar Harbor Bankshares, and that would also be the fourth consecutive year the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has earned the honor. The bank was selected based on customer feedback and is one of just 191 banks to be recognized, representing less than 5% of all U.S. banks. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been serving Northern New England since it was founded in Bar Harbor in 1887.
Education
Higher Education Could Become Even Pricier
(Maine) The cost of that higher education degree could become even steeper under the Republican-backed tax and spending bill signed into law by President Trump a week ago. The Portland Press Herald reports the act rolls back federal student loan access, eliminates all but two loan repayment programs, adjusts college endowment taxes, and creates a new financial aid program for workforce education. Opponents of the bill say it will affect Maine’s higher education institutions, from medical school to liberal arts colleges.
Environment
ANP Plans Wheelchair Access for Two Busy Sites
(ANP) Increased visitation, federal funding cuts, staffing shortages, and storm damage – all obstacles faced by Acadia and our other national parks. But for those in wheelchairs, other obstacles exist – such as access to places such as Sand Beach and other areas. Acadia officials want to change that. The Bangor Daily News reports while plans and funding aren’t yet in pace, officials hope future renovations at Sand Beach and the construction of a new visitors’ center at Hulls Cove will each include the addition of public wheelchair access. Acadia’s John Kelly said the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and not 1990’s Americans with Disabilities Act is what governs measures the park must take. Acadia has already made some accommodations, like a wheelchair accessible path on Cadillac Mountain and allowing e-bikes on the Carriage Roads.
July is National Blueberry Month
(Maine) Mmmmm…any time now those wild blueberry bushes will be turning blue with that tasty fruit that’s as healthy as it is delicious. This is National Blueberry Month, and folks at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension tell Star 97.7, the wild blueberry is one of just three commercially grown crops native to North America. Maine boasts 480 wild blueberry farms, ranging in size from 20 to thousands of acres. The wild blueberry team at UMCE provides those farms with research-based information on everything from agronomy to food safety. You can access the information on their webpage – look for “Maine’s native berry”.
Health
Avoiding Summer Stress
(Undated) Oh, those lazy summer days! Lizzy Mathis, founder of “The Cool Mom Code” Podcast and mom of three, tells Star 97.7, for many moms … and dads who serve as moms, it’s anything BUT … (((Summer 1 “…health and wellness goals top of mind.” :21))) Mathis hosts a podcast and has a wealth of ideas to avoid summer stress. Find more at the cool mom dot co.
(Undated) Summer should be relaxed; but more often than not it’s rushed, with busy parents trying to fill those hours previously filled in the classroom. Lizzy Mathis is founder of Cool Moms dot com. She gives Star 97.7 some tips her family uses for keeping everyone healthy and avoiding summer stress. (((Summer 2 “…with really healthy, nutrient snacks.” :23))) Mathis says stock up on healthy goodies when they’re on sale. Find more helpful tips at the cool mom dot co.
(Undated) Being a mom – or a dad filling that role – means 24/7 care of your kids. That can be particularly stressful during these summer months when they’re out of school and quickly bored. You’re not alone. Lizzy Mathis, founder of “The Cool Mom Code” podcast, tells Star 97.7 she welcomes listeners to listen IN for tips on avoiding that summer stress. (((Summer 3 “…to make it a lot easier for you.” :23)))
Measles Outlook in Maine
(Augusta) Across the nation, the number of measles cases has hit its highest total since the U.S. eliminated the disease. We reached out to Lindsay Hammes at the Maine CDC about what’s happening with measles in Maine. She tells Star 97.7 there are currently no cases in the Pine Tree State – the last confirmed case was in 2019. That could be due to the state’s vaccination rates for school age children, which was at close to 98% for the 2024-25 school year, the highest rate of MMR vaccination and the second consecutive year Maine has exceeded the “herd immunity” threshold since reporting began in 2011. Maine law requires any pre K-12 student in a public or private school to show proof of certain vaccines, and Maine voters have overwhelmingly upheld the 2021 implementation of the law that removed religious and philosophical exemptions.
(Augusta) The United States has reported close to 1300 cases of measles so far this year. That’s the highest number in 33 years – and alarming, since in the year 2000, the country had eliminated the disease. But it’s a global world, and measles is one of the most infectious diseases. We reached out to Lindsay Hammes at the Maine CDC to ask about the situation here in the Pine Tree State. She tells Star 97.7, there are currently no measles cases in Maine. That correlates with the state’s 97.6% MMR vaccination rate. The vaccine is a requirement for school-age children in designated public and private schools. Hammes says such a high rate of vaccination is in line with the percent of the population needed to obtain herd immunity against the virus, which is 95%. The World Health Organization says the remaining 5% will then be protected by the fact measles will not spread among those who are vaccinated.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Overnight Parking Bans
(Ellsworth) There’s a temporary overnight parking ban in several municipal parking lots here in Ellsworth the entire weekend to allow for scheduled line striping. The ban will be enforced at the City Hall Lower, School Street, and Water Street parking lots from midnight to 6 a.m. tonight, Saturday, and overnight Sunday into Monday.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Orrington Celebrates History and Community
(Orrington) Do you know the first town established in Penobscot County? That would be Orrington! Their annual Old Home Week celebration begins this evening (Friday) with music and dancing at the Center Drive School. The concert, featuring Twisted Swing Band, begins at 6:30 and is free to the public. Between July 11th and 20th, the Orrington Public Library is “Grand Central Station” for the festivities, including an auction, a book sale, and multiple vendors and food trucks. Follow Orrington Old Home Week on FB and Instagram.
Beals Centennial Celebration
(Beals) The Village of Beals is turning 100, and they’ve got a weekend packed with events, today through Sunday. Beginning at 6 tonight, head to the elementary school gym to display heirlooms and share memories. Bring a dessert and enjoy a Chinese Auction. On Saturday, from 8 to 2 there will be grills available at the Beals backfield park to bring your own burgers and enjoy games, relays, and a tug of war. Then join in the Centennial Chapel Service Sunday evening at Alley’s Bay Chapel. Follow the Beals Centennial Celebration on FB to learn more.