ATV through Ice
(Baileyville) An ATV rider and his machine are safe after breaking through the ice at Squirrel Point boat landing in Washington County. Baileyville police, firefighters, game wardens, state police and Downeast EMS responded Tuesday afternoon. Police found 56-year-old Mike Murphy standing upright on the edge of an island and he was only wet up to his waist in 52-degree water. Two wardens and Baileyville’s fire chief retrieved Murphy using an airboat and also dragged the ATV out of the water. Murphy was returned to his camp in good condition.
Ice Safety
(Local) The Downeast Family YMCA’s 2nd annual Ice Fishing Derby is this weekend. Participants can fish across Hancock County in most of the derby categories. Before venturing out on to the ice, game warden Eric Rudolph reminds folks to check the ice at the point of entry as well as where you plan to set up and fish. Rudolph says the recommended guideline for ice recreation is 4-inch thickness for walking on it, 5-7 inches for ATVs and snowmobiles, and anywhere from 8 to 15 inches for vehicles to drive on ice.
Teacher Award
(Farmington) A teacher from Farmington will visit Washington DC on Friday to receive a national award for teaching excellence and will also learn if he’s won the top honor. Mount Blue High School language arts educator Dan Ryder is one of only 5 winners of the 2019 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence from the NEA Foundation. Ryder’s won $10-thousand-dollar, but the top prize comes with an additional $25-thousand-dollars. The Maine Education Association nominated him for the award because of his diligence and dedication to students, colleagues, community, and profession.
Jesup Library Cleanup
(Bar Harbor) The Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor continues mopping up after the basement flooded last week for the second time in the past year. The library staff says donations to the library’s annual fund will help them continue operating during the cleanup effort. The public portion of the basement is already reopened with full access to the books, computers and meeting space. More information is forthcoming about a long-term solution to their flooding problem that will be completed during their capital campaign to preserve and expand the Jesup.
Winter Carnival
(Ellsworth) – The folks organizing this weekend’s winter carnival in Ellsworth will decide later today whether to go with what they call Plan “B”. A lack of snow and likely rain later today will likely scuttle snow dependant activities for the weekend. The Winter Carnival will still have plenty to do for the weekend, including many indoor activities at the YMCA and at the Grand.
MSM President
(Bar Harbor) Maine Seacoast Mission will be under new leadership as of February 19th. The Pen Bay Pilot reports John Zavondy will become the president following the retirement of the Reverend Scott Planting. Zavodny comes to the Mission from his current position as chief of staff at Unity College. The Mission serves isolated communities of the un-bridged islands and coastal villages of Hancock and Washington counties with health, education, food assistance, and community-building programs among other programs.
Opioid Executive Order
(Augusta) – More NARCAN will become available across Maine to help prevent drug overdose deaths, and addicts will have increased access to treatment. That’s part of the plan from Governor Janet Mills’s office to deal with the opioid epidemic. In a press release supplied to Star 97.7, the Governor says she’s not going to sit around and watch a person a day die from drug overdoses and three babies a day born with a drug dependency.
CBD Sales
(Augusta) Dozens of people involved in Maine’s hemp industry have protested at the Statehouse against a recent order to remove from stores edible products containing a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Maine Public reports the group protested in Augusta on Tuesday against the order that they say affects a major part of their business. Officials began informing businesses last week they must remove foods, tinctures, and capsules from their shelves that contain CBD. The order was issued because CBD is not a federally approved food additive.
Sports
- NY Rangers 4 Boston Bruins 3
- The Celtics host the L-A Lakers tonight
High School Basketball
Girls
MDI 45 Ellsworth 23
Old Town 49 Orono 34
George Stevens 46 Mattanawcook 36
Narraguagus 44 Calais 36
Searsport 38 Central 35
Dexter 33 Stearns 26
Jonesport Beals 66 Machias 21
Boys
Jonesport Beals 69 Machias 41
