Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Flags to Fly at Half Staff after Charlie Cook Shooting
(Maine) Governor Janet Mills has ordered flags to be lowered to half staff until sunset on September 14, following Wednesday’s fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Officials have released video of a person of interest in the shooting, but the hunt for that suspect continues today. Kirk died after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University.
Local Politics
Maine Voters to Weigh in on Red Flag Law
(Augusta) Voters this November will be asked to weigh in on whether to replace Maine’s current “yellow flag” law with a broader “red flag” law, allowing for easier temporary removal of firearms. The Portland Press Herald explains Maine’s yellow flag law requires police custody and a mental health evaluation before gun removal; while red flag laws allow police, family, or others to petition the courts directly for such removal. Advocates say the measure would reduce suicides, prevent violence, and allow families a way to intervene – without relying solely on law enforcement. Critics argue it lacks due process and infringes on Second Amendment rights by making it easier to seize firearms. In 2024, the US Supreme Court affirmed firearm rights can be limited when someone poses a known risk.
Changes Coming to Public Lands
(AP) President Trump in March signed an executive order directing the Interior Department – which manages parks, monuments and other designated land – to ensure public property doesn’t contain elements that “inappropriately disparage Americans, past or living.” The National Park Service has until next July to flag such exhibits, signs, and other material, according to a document shared with the Associated Press. Many fear an attempt to rewrite history, as the Administration has ordered those who oversee the nation’s history to “focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people” and the “grandeur of the American landscape.” Critics say dark times are part of United States history and should remain in place in order to educate, inform, and prevent.
Local Lawmaker Denies Charge of Illegally Campaigning at Polling Place
(Augusta) Blue Hill Democratic lawmaker Nina Milliken is “strongly denying” a misdemeanor charge she faces over allegedly campaigning illegally at her town’s polling place during municipal elections earlier this year. The Bangor Daily News reports the response from the second-term lawmaker comes after an electioneering charge was filed against her a week ago in an Ellsworth court. Milliken was at the polling place on April 4th to greet voters on behalf of a select board candidate, according to her attorney … a practice allowed under Maine law, as long as the candidate or representative doesn’t state the office they’re seeking, wear apparel displaying the candidate’s name or desired office, or otherwise express support or opposition to a candidate, party, or ballot question, according to the BDN.
Economy
Farm to Neighbor Maine
(Maine) The USDA this spring ended the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program, which had allocated one and a quarter million dollars for Maine for the next three years. The funding helped food aggregators buy from 75 Maine producers and distribute goods directly to more than 200 hunger relief organizations. Healthy Acadia reports while advocates are attempting to reverse the drastic cuts, a decision is unlikely before the current growing season ends. In response, seven LFPA recipients in Maine who are affected by the funding freeze, including Healthy Acadia, created Farm to Neighbor Maine. The collaboration is designed to continue efforts to advance increased access to locally grown foods. Contact Healthy Acadia to learn more or find out how you can help.
State Minimum Wage to Increase in January
(Augusta) The state minimum wage is going up on January 1st. The Maine Department of Labor announced Thursday the state’s minimum wage will increase from $14.65 to $15.10 per hour. The increase is based on data recently made available by the U.S. Department of Labor. Under Maine law, the state is required to make annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on the cost-of-living index of the Northeast Region. Between August of 2024 and this past August, there was a 3.1 percent increase. The state minimum wage now also pertains to agricultural workers in Maine, after the legislature enacted and Governor Mills signed an Act designating their inclusion this past June.
Bidders Contribute to Auction to Benefit Surry Backpack Program
(Surry) It takes a village – or in this case, many villages – to make a difference. We’re so happy to report the Savor Maine Online Auction Fundraiser brought in over $14K for the Surry Children’s Backpack Food Program. Organizer Melissa Marcello tells Star 97.7, AJ at the Surry Store and another donor contributed an additional $500 on top of that to help kids in the community. She sends thanks to all the bidders, auction influencers, the media, and individual and business donors. Folks from Surry, Blue Hill, Brooklin, Ellsworth, Hancock, Bar Harbor, Bangor and others all contributed! The total is likely to rise, so stay posted on FB at savor maine online auction fundraiser!
Ellsworth Community Build Seeks to Warm Hearts and Homes
(Ellsworth) Window Dressers, a home improvement and charitable organization, will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ellsworth beginning tomorrow – they’re on a mission to make a lasting impact by putting together custom insulating window inserts that will warm houses, hearts, and the entire community. From September 13th (that’s tomorrow) through next Friday, the 19th, Window Dressers will host an Ellsworth Community Build. Volunteers are needed for this fun, hands-on project that brings together neighbors and friends to make a difference in our community. Window Dressers holds these events throughout New England – don’t miss this opportunity here in Ellsworth! Lend a hand at the link you’ll find on our Star 97.7 or on the Heart of Ellsworth FB pages.
Maine Restaurants Honored
(Deer Isle) Two local Maine restaurants have made the New York Times Restaurant List 2025. The list showcases the 50 best places in America to eat. Those include Pilgrim’s Inn on Deer Isle and Sammy’s Deluxe in Rockland. The Times writes Pilgrim’s Inn first welcomed guests in 1890; the current version opened in May and curates a rotating roster of award-winning chefs-in-residence from across the country, who preside over the kitchen for a month at a time. Meanwhile in Rockland, Chef Sam Richman ditched the haute cuisine kitchens of Park Avenue for Midcoast Maine, opening Sammy’s Deluxe with a clear mission – to celebrate the state’s pristine ingredients without the high-end fuss. Now we know where to go for dinner – we’re guessing reservations at both places would be a good idea!
Loring Development Authority Bolsters Jobs through Aerospace Industry
(Limestone) Earlier this week, a crowd gathered to watch a hulking Boeing 777 approach and land on the tarmac at the former Loring Air Force Base. The Bangor Daily News reports the arrival marked a new era for a runway once teeming with B-52s and KC-135 tankers. Aero Intelligence, a Kansas City aircraft repair and retrofitting company, has moved to Limestone. The company’s arrival bolsters the plan headed by Loring Development Authority to create an aerospace hub and bring economic activity to Aroostook County – great news for an area that has suffered losses and economic uncertainties since the military abandoned the base.
Environment
Bees Declining at Alarming Numbers
(Maine) Bees are literally the saviors of the planet – but experts report they’re declining in alarming numbers. A study by Best Mad Honey dot com finds more than half of US bee colonies have vanished, including 52% of Maine’s hives. The Pine Tree state fares better than neighboring Vermont, where 62% of hives have disappeared, but slightly worse than New Hampshire at 51% With apples, blueberries and maple trees all relying on pollinators, Maine’s figures highlight how even heavily forested states aren’t immune to the wider bee crisis. Bees pollinate about a third of the food we consume in the US, making them essential for both agriculture and food security. With colony loss rates exceeding 80% in four states, researchers say we’re witnessing a genuine crisis that threatens not only honey production, but the stability of the entire food system.
Education
Colby Receives Record Gift
(Waterville) Colby College in Waterville has received a record $150M lead commitment, the largest gift in the school’s history. Colby says the monies are earmarked for a new science complex that will include programs for students and faculty to help identify solutions for some of the most vexing health and environmental issues facing Maine and the country. The 200K square foot facility will also allow the college to build on its collaborations with science research organizations, support the state’s K-12 STEM education, and create the right environment for rural areas to compete in science and technology, in order to generate 21st-century jobs in a fast-paced innovation economy.
Infrastructure
Mt. Desert Road Paving
(Mt. Desert) If your plans have you traveling through Mt. Desert between now and next Friday, be prepared for lane closures as the town begins road resurfacing work and paving. Roads won’t be closed entirely, but will be down to one lane as the work progresses. For a list of dates and roads involved, visit m t desert dot org.
Technology
Apple Launches New i-Phone
(Undated) For the tekkies among us, Apple held its biggest product launch of the year this week, rolling out four new iphone models, an end-to-end refresh to the Apple Watch line and new AirPods. Mark Gurman is a tech guru who writes for Bloomberg. The ultra-thin i-Phone Air is touted as a “game changer”; but Gurman says while the device is definitely cool, it compromises on things that are most important to users – battery life, audio, and camera capabilities. Gurman recommends, instead, going for the new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Air Pods, as far more practical upgrades. He adds the iPhone 17 is the closest we’ve come to the type of seismic upgrade seen with the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Estate Sale to Benefit SPCA
(Trenton) If you like estate sales, you’re REALLY gonna love this one – because the proceeds benefit the SPCA of Hancock County! Hunt for furniture and treasures at the Acadia Events Center, 171 Bar Harbor Road, from 7 to 3 next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. That’s September 19th through the 21st. Items for sale include a corner cabinet from Hitchcock Chair Company, Ralph Lauren leather chairs and ottomans, antique French hand-painted beds and armoires, antique chests, artwork, lamps, occasional tables, rugs, kitchen and other household items. The items were donated by an SPCA trustee and her husband, longtime supporters of the organization, which depends 100% on our local giving. Cash, credit cards, and checks will be accepted at the sale.