Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Tip-A-Cop at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) The men and women of the Ellsworth Police Department are sworn to “protect and serve” – and never will that be more true than a week from Monday, as they serve up meals and desserts at this year’s Tip-A-Cop event at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth. They won’t necessarily be in uniform, but they’ll be uniformly taking your orders and bringing your meals, with all proceeds benefiting Maine Special Olympics. Corporal Shawn Merchant tells Star 97.7, last year’s event raised almost $2,800. Bring your appetites – that’s Monday, September 22nd from 5 to 7 p.m. at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth
Hancock County RCC Really Delivers
(Bucksport) To say the members of the Hancock County RCC really deliver is an understatement. Yesterday morning, dispatcher Madysen Robichaud got a call about a mom-to-be who was going into labor. It appeared Mom wasn’t going to make it to the hospital in time for the newest family member who was chomping at the bit to make his first appearance! Madysen stayed on the line and kept things calm until members of the Bucksport EMS arrived to welcome little Loki to the world at 3:33 a.m. Good job, everyone!
Ford Recall
(Undated) Ford is recalling nearly two million vehicles worldwide because of faulty rear-view cameras. The recall covers model years 2015 through 2019 and includes Lincoln, Mustang, F-150, Expedition, Edge, Ranger and other models because the rear cameras can display inverted, distorted, or blank images, according to Ford. The recall includes about 1.45M vehicles in the US, 122K in Canada, and some 300K in other markets. An auto safety regulator said dealers will inspect and replace the vehicle cameras.
Economy
DCP Continues Restructuring
(Ellsworth) Downeast Community Partners continues to restructure in light of recent budget woes. The latest cut – the Maternal and Child Health program will end on September 30th. The change is independent of DCP’s recently announced partnership with Aroostook County Action Program, which had hoped to continue the program. But DCP says decisions made at the State level have rendered that untenable. DCP last week announced it would end its Transportation Services Program at the end of the month, due to a decline in riders and volunteer drivers. The agency says it is working closely with another transportation provider in the region, RideSource that has been absorbing rides previously offered by DCP over the past few months.
Now is Time to Apply for Heating Assistance
(Ellsworth) Winter is a ways off yet (we hope), but authorities say they can’t stress enough how important it is to apply NOW for winter heating assistance if you anticipate a need. In Washington and Hancock Counties, apply for the Heating Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, by logging onto MaineHousing and looking for the ECOS page. If you’ve never logged in before, select “Create a Customer Account”. For assistance, contact Downeast Community Partners or another local assisting agency.
Local Politics
Mills Still Mum on Senate Run
(Augusta) Still no official word on whether Governor Janet Mills plans to take on Senator Susan Collins in a run for that U.S. Senate seat next year. At a Rotary event in Waterville on Monday, the Governor expressed growing concern about the Trump administration’s anti-vaccine and pro-tariff policies. But the Portland Press Herald reports she refused to criticize Collins outright, saying instead, “She’s in a tough position. I appreciate everything she is doing.” Eight Democrats have so far filed to run for Collins’ Senate seat. Mills says she will make a decision by November.
Hancock County DA Passed Election Interference Case Due to Conflict of Interest
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County District Attorney’s office has passed on oversight of an election interference case against a Blue Hill lawmaker because of a “conflict of interest”, although DA Robert Granger has not commented on what that conflict might be, according to the Portland Press Herald. Democratic Representative Nina Milliken was issued a summons last week on a charge of attempting to influence another person’s decision regarding a candidate or ballot issue while within 250 feet of the entrance to a voting place and within the voting place itself. The incident allegedly occurred on or around April 4th. Authorities have reportedly released few details about what led to the charge.
Collins Receives ANCOR Award
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins this week received the Congressional Medicaid Champion Award from the American Network of Community Options and Resources, or ANCOR. The non-partisan network of providers for people with disabilities gives the award in recognition of outstanding leadership by members of Congress who fight to strengthen Medicaid-funded intellectual and developmental disabilities services. Collins was honored for her advocacy during this year’s budget reconciliation process.
Education
National Library Card Sign Up Month
(Ellsworth) September is National Library Card Sign up Month, and those cards can open doors to books, movies, museums, special speakers … and on September 20th, to gates at Maine State Parks. A week from Saturday, library card holders can simply show their Maine library card at the entrance to any Maine State Park and enjoy the day outdoors at no cost. Visitors are encouraged to bring a favorite book, find a shady spot, and enjoy some quiet reading time surrounded by Maine’s natural beauty. Get your card at the Ellsworth, Blue Hill, or any other of our wonderful public libraries.
Environment
MDIFW Issues Warning About Hammerhead Worms
(Augusta) If you see one of those creepy-crawly worms with a hammer-like head, you’re advised not to squish or cut the thing. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says hammerhead worms are an invasive pest that originated in Asia and have increasingly been present here in Maine. The hammerheads have few natural predators, but feed on earthworms and are able to entirely wipe out earthworm populations. Their exterior of the hammerhead is toxic and can be irritating to humans and pets. Like something out of a horror film, squishing or cutting them only helps them to multiply. Experts advise capturing them in a bag and freezing them for 48 hours before disposing of them, or they say drown them in soapy water, and report sightings to iNaturalist.
Trash Talking Fair
(Ellsworth) A reminder, Green Ellsworth is talking trash this Saturday! The group is hosting a Trash Talking Fair at the Moore Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will feature business and organizational displays, guest speakers, demonstrations, and activities for the whole family. Learn how to pre-cycle, recycle, repurpose and reuse to reduce the unsustainable and expensive disposal of our trash. There will also be information about the pilot community composting project launching in October. Learn more on the Green Ellsworth FB page!
U.S. Border Patrol Find
(Fort Fairfield) The U.S. Border Patrol in Fort Fairfield found something pretty cool high up in a tree on the US-Canadian border on Tuesday. No, not a fugitive – a National Weather Service weather balloon sonde, an instrument pack launched twice daily by NWS. NWS says it’s likely from a July 13th or 14th launch from their Caribou office. They say they get very few of these back because most of them land in Canada. The sondes contain vital data; and they’re the only way to measure the atmosphere exactly and predict the weather. They say other methods are just estimates. Border Patrol agents returned the pack with a sense of humor, telling the National Weather Service, “Carry on, my wayward sonde …”
SPCA Hancock County Gets New Garden
(Trenton) The front garden at the SPCA of Hancock County has a fresh new look, thanks to some amazing volunteers and the generous folks at Plants Unlimited in Trenton and Hammond Lumber Company. They recently rolled up their sleeves, dug out old bushes and replaced them with beautiful native plants that will support pollinators and will thrive in the coastal Maine climate. And speaking of climate, it’s that time of year when the weather is perfect for the SPCA Critter Cruise along the coast. That’s happening this Sunday, September 14th, leaving at 5 p.m. sharp from 119 Eden Street in Bar Harbor. Get your tickets through the SPCA before they sell out!
Human Interest/Entertainment
Turner Steps Down from The Grand
(Ellsworth) Very sad news from the world of local entertainment this morning. After nearly a decade at The Grand in Ellsworth, Nick Turner is stepping down as Executive Director. From the moment Nick stepped onto the leadership stage in 2017, the iconic theatre was transformed into a hub of first-class productions, bringing live theatre, opera, musical entertainment, and more to the area, and drawing patrons downtown to dine and shop before and after shows. Turner was an outspoken advocate for ARPA funding for the arts following the pandemic, and recently helped secure a $50K T-Mobile grant to upgrade the theatre’s sound system. He’s also helped countless young people find their voices by going into the schools and making sure students were exposed to the world of theatre. No word yet on his next venture, but we’re sure … it will be Grand.
Erin Barry Receives Heart of Maine United Way Prestigious Award
(Bangor) It’s an award not given annually, but only in circumstances of extraordinary commitment to the mission of Heart of Maine United Way. Erin Barry, CEO of Means Wealth Management, is set to receive the Irene Gray Volunteer of the Year Award at the Annual Campaign Kickoff on September 17th at Smoke and Steel in Bangor. Gray devoted 50 years of her career to United Way and set the standard for volunteerism in the region. The organization says Barry, “embodies the very spirit of Irene Gray’s legacy.” Barry has served on the Board of Directors for more than 11 years and is said to be known for her passion for giving back, her unwavering dedication, and her willingness to lead with both vision and heart, according to United Way.
Milbridge Theatre in Running for Major Grant
(Milbridge) Help keep the summer marina concerts in Milbridge alive and thriving! The Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center is a finalist for the National Levitt Foundation Grant, but they need your help to win up to $120K in funding over three years to host the Levitt Music Series. Voting opened last Friday, and all you have to do is cast a one-time vote between now and 5 p.m. Pacific Time Monday! Vote online or via text using the word “Milbridge” at the link and/or number posted with this story on our Star 97.7 website!
https://liveitt.org/vote (choose Milbridge)
Text Milbridge to: 877-409-5525
Girl Scouts USA to Unveil New Cookie in January
(Undated) Girl Scouts USA Tuesday announced they’ll be debuting a new cookie when sales begin in January. Exploremores are inspired by Rocky Road ice cream and will feature a chocolate sandwich cookie filled with toasted almond-flavored creme and hints of marshmallow. Last year, Girl Scouts announced they would be retiring S’mores and Toast-Yays.