Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Bangor Teen Killed in ATV Crash
(Presque Isle) A Bangor teen died Saturday afternoon when the ATV he was driving rolled over and struck him. Authorities say the crash happened shortly before 5 p.m. as the 15 yo was riding with a group on the Cross Road ATV trail in Presque Isle. The teen was wearing a helmet. First responders attempted CPR but were unable to revive him. The crash remains under investigation.
Rangers Battle Wildfire on Pushaw Lake Island
(Pushaw Lake) An early morning wildfire on a remote island in Pushaw Lake had Maine Forest Rangers scrambling out of bed Saturday to contain that blaze. The fire was called in about 2 am and involved a single structure, with flames burning into the cores of nearby dead standing trees. Rangers and others worked through the morning and the day on Saturday to fell hazard trees and extinguish active flames and hot spots.
Bar Harbor Cybersecurity Attack
(Bar Harbor) Bar Harbor officials say town services will remain offline for the foreseeable future after a recent cybersecurity attack. The attack was discovered last Wednesday, and the town worked to quickly disconnect municipal electronic systems, particularly those used to monitor water and wastewater treatment facilities. Bank accounts were also frozen, out of an abundance of caution. Critical services such as police, fire, water and wastewater are able to continue without disruption and remain secure. Town offices were closed Thursday and Friday, and town systems are reported to be under review, with measures being taken to strengthen security.
Alleged Protection Order Violation Lands Hancock Man in Jail
(Hancock) An alleged protection order violation landed a Hancock man in jail last Thursday. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department tells Star 97.7, they received a complaint from a Hancock resident last Thursday afternoon. As a result of an ensuing investigation, 28 yo Joseph DeBeck of Ellsworth was arrested for violation of protection order and violating conditions of release. He was taken to the Hancock County Jail without incident.
Green Lake Plane Crash
(Ellsworth) Crews from the Ellsworth Fire Department and other first responders rushed to the scene of a small plane crash Friday afternoon on Green Lake near Deer Island. Ellsworth Fire Chief Scott Guillerault tells Star 97.7, crews were called to the scene just before 5 p.m. The pilot had radioed that he and the single passenger on board had safely evacuated and were on shore with no reported injuries. DEP was called in because of the amount of fuel on board the aircraft. The FAA was expected on the scene Sunday to investigate. The Ellsworth Police Department and the Maine Warden Service also assisted.
Versant Crews Rescue Tangled Raptor
(Lamoine) Versant crews rushed to Lamoine Friday after they received a report of an osprey that was hanging upside down from a power line. It appears the raptor’s talons somehow became stuck on the cable, while its concerned mate circled frantically. Line workers Andy and Tyler used a long pole to nudge and free the bird, who appeared to fly away unharmed. You can see a video of the rescue on my FB page.
Overdose Awareness Day
(Ellsworth) 490 Mainers lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2024, leaving behind grieving families, friends, and communities across the state. To mark Overdose Awareness Day, Healthy Acadia’s INSPIRE Recovery Center will host a remembrance event on August 31st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ellsworth’s Knowlton Park. The public is invited and welcome. On a related note, if you need to rid that medicine cabinet of expired or unused prescription drugs, you can drop them off at the pharmacies at Shaw’s or Hannaford in Ellsworth during regular business hours.
Local Politics
Midgley to Announce Run for Governor
(Kennebunkport) The field in the race for Governor of Maine continues to grow. Ben Midgley, a Republican and former president of fitness franchise Planet Fitness, is expected to throw his hat into the ring on Tuesday. The Portland Press Herald reports Midgley is a Kennebunkport native. Governor Mills is term-limited but is rumored to be considering a run for Congress against Senator Susan Collins. We’ve posted a list of the candidates who have so far announced plans to run for Governor of Maine with this story on our Star 97.7 FB page.*
Democrats: Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jacksoon, former Maine Speaker of the House and daughter of U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Hannah Pingree, son of Independent U.S. Congressman Angus King, Angus King III, Ken Pinet, Jason Cherry.
Republicans: State Senator James Libby, former US Assistant Secretary of State Roert Charles, Real Estate Executive David Jones UMaine Trustee Owen McCarthy, Ken Capron, Bobby Charles, Stephen Sheppard, Robert Wessels, Ben Midgley (expected to announce 8/5)..
Independent: Former Republican Rick Bennett
*Source: Portland Press Herald
Pingree Leads Effort to Support Working Waterfronts Affected by Natural Disasters
(Washington, DC) Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is working with Republican Greg Murphy of North Carolina in introducing legislation to aid working waterfronts hit hard by storms like those that destroyed roads, buildings, and other infrastructure in 2023 and 24. The Working Waterfronts Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act would allow such entities along coastal areas and navigable waterways – from lobstering to boatbuilding – to claim a 30% tax credit on mitigation costs, up to a million dollars, adjusted for inflation annually. Independent Senator Angus King and Republican Bill Cassidy of Louisiana have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
New Law Will Require Disclosure of AI Communication
(Augusta) A new law set to take effect next month will require businesses and individuals to clearly disclose when a consumer is communicating with an Artificial Intelligence, or AI system, rather than with a human being. Republican Representative Tiffany Strout reports the bill, signed into law by Governor Janet Mills in June, applies to chatbots, virtual assistants, and other software that simulates human conversation through text or voice and requires the disclosure to be “clear and conspicuous” in order to strengthen transparency and build trust in digital communications.
Economy
Where to Expect Rising Prices
(WaPo) Economists say Americans can look for price increases in several areas in the near future, with tariffs expected to affect almost 75% of US food imports. The Washington Post reports Procter & Gamble – maker of Dawn dish soap, Charmin toilet paper, Crest toothpaste, and Tide detergent – said the brand would raise prices on about a quarter of its products beginning this month because of billion dollar tariff hits it expects annually. WalMart has reportedly targeted baby gear, kitchenware, and toys – items mostly manufactured in China. One expert cautions tariffs don’t give companies permission to raise prices, as companies can choose to absorb those costs. Instead, he says, consumers give brands permission to raise prices through their shopping habits.
Corporation for Public Broadcast Announces Shut Down
(Undated) The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has told its employees the majority of staff positions will be eliminated and the CPB shut down as of September 30th, due to $1.1B in funding cuts in President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”. Even some Republicans had advocated for continued funding for the nearly 60-yo corporation, because of its critical outreach in rural areas, where citizens rely on the local outlets in emergency and other situations. Supporters say public media has been one of the most trusted institutions, providing educational opportunity, emergency alerts, and civil discourse, but the Administration says its censorship is because of the liberal bias of NPR and PBS.
Environment
Busy Bat Season
(Augusta) The Maine CDC is cautioning folks to not go “batty” when they see the nocturnal creatures, but to take steps to prevent rabies exposure by limiting contact with the much maligned winged wonders. They say bats are most active now through September. If you are bitten or scratched and are able to do so, safely trap the animal, submit it for rabies testing, and seek healthcare. Overall, bats are harmless – and helpful. They can consume up to 1200 mosquitoes and other small insects per hour.
Canadian Wildfire Smoke Again Impacts Maine
(Maine) Smoke from those Canadian wildfires once again drifted into Maine over the weekend, prompting warnings from the Maine EPA of unhealthy air, particularly for sensitive groups. A plume of smoke that drifted into northern counties Saturday was expected to also affect northern Penobscot and Washington Counties on Sunday, with some pockets of moderately dense smoke expected to move south during the day today. The wildfires are primarily affecting the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with significant blazes reported in British Columbia and Alberta, as well. Fires have also been reported in Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland, in what’s shaping up to be one of the worst fire seasons on record, with millions of acres burned.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Work
(Ellsworth) Road work in Ellsworth this week includes the following: Today, Main Street, from MacKenzie to Maddocks will be down to one lane, alternating. Also, today and Tuesday, water operators will be exercising valves along Bucksport Road – no lane closures there, but drivers are asked to use caution in that area. And Tuesday through Thursday, look for alternating one-way traffic starting on Grant Street near Liberty and working towards Main Street, then moving into the corner of Main & Grant, where crews will be doing basin and storm drain work.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Sports Notes
(Undated) A couple of sports notes from the weekend. At Saturday’s Beach to Beacon 10K, 28 yo Conner Mantz made history as only the second American man to win the race, setting a new course record of 27 minutes, 26 seconds. Orono phenom Ruth White finished first in the Maine women’s division, repeating here 2023 feat. And in the world of swimming, Katie Ledecky hung onto her 800-meter freestyle crown at the world championships in Singapore, winning the world title for a seventh consecutive time, capturing the most victories in a single event and passing her own record of six victories at the 1500 free and six titles in the 50 butterfly.
Giant Lizard Captured in Massachusetts
(Boston) Finally, imagine you’re out walking your dog early one morning, turn the corner and come face to face with a giant five-foot lizard that looks something like a Komodo Dragon. NBC Boston reports police in Webster, Massachusetts safely recaptured the elusive water monitor known as “Goose” after more than two weeks on the lam. Goose was being raised illegally and will now begin a new chapter at the RRS Oasis, a nonprofit sanctuary for abused and confiscated animals in Beverly, Massachusetts. I’ve posted the story and a picture of Goose on my FB page.
Palermo Man Pay Fine with Pennies
(Palermo) A Palermo business owner and contractor recently paid a $20,000 fine for violating the town’s shoreland zoning last December. The Bangor Daily News reports Kirk Sherman didn’t necessarily disagree that he had violated the town ordinance, but he balked at the steep fine and said in spite of meeting with the code enforcement officer three times, he was never told he needed a permit for the project that involved cutting a path on his property toward the water. Instead of fighting for possibly years in the court system, Sherman “nickled and dimed” town officials, literally, by paying in coins, mostly pennies, collected over eight weeks from family and friends..The town hauled the 60 buckets of coins to Machias Savings Bank and said they plan to work with their attorney to charge Sherman for the added expense; although they’re liable to be sorry if he has to pay up yet again.