Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
MIAC Warns of Phone Scams
(Maine) Yet another phone scam warning – actually, a series of ongoing phone scams involving individuals impersonating law enforcement officers. The Maine Information and Analysis Center says the bureau has received multiple reports of such incidents in the past year, including a case just this month involving the Maine State Police. MIAC tells Star 97.7, the callers often claim to be current officers, even using real names and ranks, and informing the victim of an urgent legal issue, demanding payment in order to avoid arrest. Authorities say law enforcement will never contact someone by phone to demand payment or threaten arrest over unpaid fines. They say NEVER give out personal information; instead, hang up and contact the REAL officers of the law.
MBHS Launches Speed Reduction Awareness Effort
(Maine) Feel the need for speed? You might want to lift that foot off the accelerator. The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety is launching a speed reduction awareness and enforcement effort to help prevent speed-related crashes and save lives. Law enforcement agencies will be increasing high-visibility patrols through the rest of this month as part of the initiative. An MBHS Spokesperson says with summer traffic here in Vacationland, it’s especially important to pay attention and obey those speed limits while driving.
Maine State Police Graduate Largest Recruit Class Since 2000
(Vassalboro) After tomorrow, there will be 20 more Maine State Police Troopers with RTT Certification patrolling the roads and highways of Maine. State Police on Wednesday will graduate their 85th Recruit Training Troop – the largest class since the year 2000. RTT training is a six-week advanced training program that follows the 18-week BLEPT or Basic program and includes a strong emphasis on hands-on training and real-world application of skills that’s primarily nonresidential, and which helps recruits begin adjusting to daily responsibilities. The public is invited to attend the July 23rd ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.
Pet Safety During Hot Weather
(Maine) It’s a nice day today; but we have more hot weather coming at the end of this week, and that means the need to keep our pets safe. Star 97.7 asked Dr. Michael Bailey, President of the American Veterinary Association, how to keep your dog safe when you go for that daily walk. (((PetCare 1…if at all possible, walk on grass – not asphalt or concrete. :22))). Dr. Bailey says if your pet has light skin or thin fur, consider a pet-safe sunscreen, available through your vet.
(Maine) It’s summer, and many of us wouldn’t think of leaving our pets behind when we travel. Dr. Michael Bailey is President of the American Veterinary Association. He tells Star 97.7, even when driving, make sure your pet has adequate ventilation; and, of course, never leave your pet alone in that car. We asked Dr. Bailey about what to look for as far as signs of heat stress. (((PetCare 2 “…available … that’s per day.” :22))) Dr. Bailey also cautions against allowing your pet to swim in lakes and ponds – he says you never know what chemicals have leaked into them that your pet might or be exposed to. For a wealth of information on pet safety, visit a v m a dot org.
(Maine) Storms, wildfires, floods – disasters can occur almost without warning. Dr. Michael Bailey is President of the American Veterinary Association. He tells Star 97.7 (((PetCare 3 “…your pet is part of the family.” :19))). Dr. Bailey says in that “go bag”, pack a leash, water and a container from which to drink, medication … and for cats, a collapsible box you can fill with litter. For a wealth of other information on pet safety, visit a v m a dot org.
Local Politics
Washington County Budget Crisis
(Machias) Washington County is facing a budget crisis…and they may not be the only one. The problem is several counties are behind, sometimes years, on audits, because it’s so difficult to find someone to perform county audit services. It’s common practice for counties to use funds from their TAN – tax anticipation note – for cash flow, while waiting for towns to pay their taxes, because often towns operate on a fiscal year, while the county operates on a calendar year. While completing the 2020 audit in 2024, it was revealed Washington County Commissioners had been unknowingly depleting funds that ended up not being there, in order to reduce the County’s tax commitment to its 44 towns and cities. County Manager Renee Gray tells Star 977, it’s not a case of fraud or funds missing, but simply an oversight that wasn’t caught. The County hopes municipalities will, this year, pay taxes sooner than the September 1st deadline in order to help increase cash flow, so the county can avoid paying additional interest on the TAN. A public meeting on the issue is set for August 21st.
(Machias) Counties in Maine may be facing a budget crisis and not even know it. That’s because it’s common practice to borrow from Peter to pay Paul – using money from TANs (tax anticipation notes) while counties wait for towns to pay their taxes, as counties generally operate on a calendar year; towns on a fiscal year. Problems are generally caught through audits. But finding someone to perform county audit services has proven next to impossible; so many counties are years behind. Case in point, Washington County, where an auditor last year found while auditing 2020, Peter actually didn’t have that money they were borrowing for Paul in order to reduce the County’s tax commitment to its municipalities. County Manager Renee Gray, who had barely gotten her feet wet when the issue was discovered, said the County hopes municipalities will pay taxes sooner than the September 1st deadline this year, in order to help increase cash flow, so the county can avoid paying additional interest on the TAN.
Bill Would Support Maine’s Lobster Industry
(Washington, DC) $80M for the National Sea Grant program, $2M for American Lobster Research, monies for the monitoring of North Atlantic Right Whales – those are some of the funds included in legislation recently advanced by Maine Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill was officially approved last week and now awaits consideration by the full House and Senate. The legislation also includes key language to support Maine’s lobster industry and more than $73M for Congressionally Directed spending projects in Maine through a separate Appropriations bill for FY2026.
Funding Bills Include Money for Law Enforcement, Public Safety
(Washington, DC) Maine law enforcement and public safety agencies could get more than $14M for upgrades in Fiscal Year 2026. Included in the funding would be $2.3M for law enforcement agencies in Hancock County, $187K for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and close to $700K for the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, as well as money for other agencies statewide. Senator Susan Collins said the appropriations would improve public safety efforts and emergency response capacity throughout the state. The legislation has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee and now awaits consideration by the full House and Senate.
Economy
Food Pantries Value Community Support
(Maine) Saturday the community came out to support the Schoodic Food Pantry in Gouldsboro. Darling’s Stuff the Truck recently raised $8500 for Loaves and Fishes in Ellsworth. This weekend, it’s time to “Fill the Strand” in Rockland with snacks, diapers, & back to school supplies. The event runs from 10 until 2 this Friday, with funds benefitting children-focused programs. Similar to the winter edition, August’s Fill the Strand challenges the community to fill every seat in the historic Strand Theater with supplies and funds. It’s part of the AIO Food Pantry’s attempt to raise $50K by the end of August for a chance at unlocking a $50K matching grant. For more information, visit a i o food pantry dot org.
Maine Community Foundation Launches New Grant Programs
(Ellsworth) The Maine Community Foundation has launched two new grant programs. The Land for Communities grant program offers support for land acquisition and land-based projects and will accept grant proposals twice per year with application deadlines of March 16th and September 15th. Join an informational webinar on Wednesday from Noon to 1. The Maine Women’s Fund grant program makes investments that transform the lives of women and girls, with multi-year grants of $15K to be awarded this year and again in 2027. Deadline for that grant application is September 15. An informational webinar on this grant is set for today, July 22nd, from Noon to 1. We’ve posted the links for both webinars, which will also be available aftr they air, with this story on our Star 97.7 website.
Land for Communities – mainecf.org/14c
Maine Women’s Fund – mainecf.org/mwf
Human Interest/Entertainment
The Grand’s Christmas in July is About More Than Trees
(Ellsworth) Yesterday, the Grand in Ellsworth’s Kim Fitch joined Star 97.7 to talk about Christmas in July, happening this weekend at The Grand! Get your raffle tickets and bid on your favorite tree or trees – just a dollar admission, and 50 cents per raffle ticket. Plus, on Friday, from 6 to 8, it’s Family Karaoke. Saturday, bring the kids to meet Santa and enjoy crafts from 11 to 1, and then from 3-5 they can decorate cookies with Jolly Old St. Nick. Sunday at 2, it’s a Christmas Sing-A-Long, followed by the live drawing at 3! Concessions and a cash bar available, too – in case you need a little liquid courage for that karaoke! That’s the second annual Christmas in July Fundraiser for the Grand – this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Largest Piece of Mars Sells for $5M at Auction
(AP) The largest piece of Mars ever found on earth just sold for more than $5M at an auction of rare geological objects in New York. But the Associated Press reports a rare young dinosaur skeleton stole the show when it fetched more than $30M in a bidding frenzy. The Mars piece was discovered in the Sahara Desert in Niger in 2023. You don’t have to go that far or pay that price to find the largest collection of lunar meteorites on Earth. Those are housed at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum right here in Bethel, Maine, along with the five largest pieces of the moon ever discovered.
Kinsley Ray 5K
(Ellsworth) Lace up your running shoes and hit the road for Saturday’s Kinsley Ray 5K. The annual run/walk is held in honor of Kinsley Ray Archer, daughter of Lt. Brian Archer of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and his wife. Tragically, Kinsley died at the age of just 4 months due to acute myeloid leukemia. A portion of the proceeds from the event are contributed to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New England. 9 AM race start. Register online at d e f ymca dot org.