Drug Plea
(Bangor) – A 39-year old man faces up to life in prison and a million dollar fine after pleading guilty to selling drugs. The US Attorney’s Office tells Star 97.7 that Jason Mannix admitted to selling heroin, Fentanyl and crack cocaine. Mannix, whose street name is Boston, conspired with others to bring the drugs from Waterbury Connecticut to Maine for about a year and a half starting in January 2016. Prosecutors say he sold drugs and acted as a runner for others involved in the drug conspiracy.
Ice Fishing
(Augusta) – Most ice fishermen in mid to southern Maine are pulling their shacks off Maine’s lakes and ponds, but Governor Janet Mills has extended the ice fishing season in Northern Maine. The unusually cold March has left lost of ponds solidly frozen, so the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has extended the ice fishing season until April 21st. The open water fishing season usually starts April 1st statewide.
Vets Count Day
(Portland) Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed tomorrow as “Veterans Count Day” in the state of Maine. Development director Joe Regan says the Easter seals’ program helps Maine veterans by providing emergency financial assistance, counseling and referral to post 9/11 veterans and their families as they make the sometimes challenging transition from military service to civilian life. Donations can be made by mailing a check to Easter seals Maine in Portland.
Emera Sold
(Bangor) – Maine’s 2nd largest electric utility may have a new owner soon. Emera Maine says it will sell its debt and assets to Canadian based ENMAX Corporation. The Public Utilities Commission and several other regulatory agencies still need to finalize the $959-million dollar deal. Emera purchased Bangor Hydro Electric and Maine Public Service more than a decade ago, serving Eastern and Northern Maine’s roughly 150-thousand customers.
Grasshopper Shop Building Sold
(Ellsworth) A family from Ogunquit has purchased the former Grasshopper Shop building in Ellsworth. The Ellsworth American reports the storefront at 112 Main Street will be the Van Der Does family’s fourth store in the state. Mrs. Van Der Does tells the newspaper that Toko Ellsworth will be an “eclectic mix” of gifts, clothing and accessories mostly from Southeast Asia where she takes yearly trips to buy and bring back inventory. The Van Der Does’ plan to open Toko Ellsworth by Memorial Day as long as staffing works out.
Recovery Resource Fair
(Machias) Seeking treatment for addiction can be a challenge figuring out where to start. The Washington County Community Action Team and Healthy Acadia will host the 2nd annual Recovery Resource Fair this Friday. Recovery coach Carmen Feeney-Alley tells Star 97-7 that the fair helps connect folks with addiction resources, but it will also offer health and wellness tools. The Recovery Resource Fair is at the University of Maine Machias from Noon ‘til 5 this Friday.
Recovery Collaborative
(Rockland) Law enforcement agencies in Knox County are partnering to tackle the issues of mental health and substance use disorders in their communities. The newly-formed Knox County Recovery Collaborative will be introduced during a free informational session next month. Folks will learn how they can support the effort and also find out what the Collaborative’s next steps are. The group consists of members from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and police officers from Rockland, Rockport, Thomaston and Camden. The session is from 5 to 6 PM at the Steel House in Rockland on April 11th.
Surprise $2K Tip
(Waterville) An anonymous customer at a restaurant in Waterville left a $2,000 tip on a $48 bill. Silver Street Tavern waitress Samantha Clark says the couple, who asked to remain anonymous, were friendly and easy to wait on, although noting there were a few mix-ups. The Waterville Morning-Sentinel reports the man later asked to speak with a manager and Clark says she feared he had a complaint. Clark says she later learned the customer had left the large tip and instructed the manager to split it among the staff. Clark says the man is not a regular at the establishment and was surprised he left such a generous tip.
Scallops
(Damariscotta) Maine’s scallop season is entering its final days of the year with another closure of a scalloping ground. The Maine Department of Marine Resources says it has closed the Damariscotta River to scallop harvesting for the rest of the season. The state uses scalloping ground closures to allow the shellfish to grow, and has used several so far this year. The last day of the season for scalloping boats is Thursday. ; the season for divers ends on April 20th.
Sports
- Tampa Bay Lightning 5 Boston Bruins 4
- Chicago Cubs 3 Boston Red Sox 2 (Spring Training). Sox & Cubs wrap up spring training this afternoon in Arizona.
- The Red Sox placed World Series MVP Steve Pearce on the disabled list to start the season. He’s got a strained calf muscle.
- Boston Celtics at Cleveland tonight.
