Route 3 Crash Thursday
(Trenton) – Traffic came to a standstill at times on Hancock County’s busiest road yesterday as a three car accident left two people with injuries. State Police report to Star 97.7 that 42-year old Christopher Webber of Bangor drove a box truck into the opposite lane and struck a Honda SUV operated by 27-year old Alexander Berger of Lamoine head on. Berger and the driver of the car behind him suffered relatively minor injuries. The box truck went off the road and hit a house. Firefighters from Trenton and Lamoine diverted traffic around the crash scene for about an hour and a half.
Wind Farm Approved
(Osborn) – Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection has approved a 22-turbine wind farm for Osborn and Eastbrook. Weaver Wind plans to break ground on the nearly 600-foot tall towers later this year. The Ellsworth American reports the approval will require the developer to set aside thousands of acres for bird habitat and to keep a log of bird strikes while the 400-foot blades are in operations. The turbines would stop spinning during bird migration season. The turbines are expected to generate $12-million dollars of electricity a year.
Keene Trial
(Ellsworth) – Prosecutors have wrapped up their case against a 22-year old Bar Harbor man accused of murdering a long time friend nearly a year ago. Yesterday’s testimony include surveillance video that showed Jalique Keene dragging 19-year old Mikaela Conley’s body across the property at the Connors Emerson School last June 1st, shortly before school was to start for the day. Police discovered her body the next day in a wooded area near the school. The defense will present its case today with Keene likely to take the stand. Jurors may start deliberating later today.
Railroad Bridge
(Ellsworth) The Downeast Scenic Railroad’s first train ride of this season is tomorrow. New this year the train will travel over the Union River trestle, extending the excursion by about 15 minutes. Railroad president Tom Testa tells Star 97-7 the railroad began working on the bridge 5-years ago. Testa says the Maine Department of Transportation was responsible for the concrete work.
Horseshoe Crab Walk
(Brooksville) Horseshoe crabs have returned to Maine’s Bagaduce River to spawn. Blue Hill Heritage Trust outreach director Chrissy Allen says you can learn about these living fossils during a special hike tomorrow at 1:30 at Snow Natural Area off of the Young Point Road in Brooksville.
Airport Capital Campaign
(Machias) – The airport in Machias is looking for a $5-point-2 million dollar upgrade. Machias Savings Bank has made the first donation – $50-thousand dollars. State and federal funds are expected to pay for 95% of the cost. The Town of Machias is trying to raise $200-thousand dollars for the local share.
Timber Tina Event
(Trenton) A local celebrity and athlete will help raise money for underprivileged children at a school in South Africa. Great Maine Lumberjack Show’s Timber Tina is a former contestant on the CBS show Survivor. In September Tina will join other former American Survivor contestants in challenging contestants from South Africa. But Tina tells Star 97-7 in order to get to South Africa for the fundraiser, she must first raise money for herself to go on the trip. The lumberjack show, featuring other Survivor contestants, is tomorrow in Trenton. The games and meet-n-greet are from 4 to 6:30, and the show begins at 7.
Observatory to Open
(Prospect) Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory in Prospect opens today for the season. The Maine Department of Transportation had delayed the opening late last month after a valve failed during an inspection of the observatory’s fire suppression system. DOT officials say the part is fixed and stress that the safety of visitors and employees is their top priority.
Vaccine Bill
(Augusta) A bill to end Maine’s religious and philosophical exemptions to vaccines is heading to the governor’s desk. The Senate voted 19-16 Thursday to enact the bill. Governor Janet Mills’ administration has backed the bill ending non-medical vaccine opt-outs by 2021 for schoolchildren, as well as nursery school and health care facility employees. Maine would become the 4th state without religious exemptions. Health officials say Maine’s exemption rates are rising and endanger children who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. Opponents say the bill infringes on parental rights and stigmatizes children.
Emera Installation
(Little Deer Isle) After Memorial Day weekend, Emera Maine crews and contractors will begin installing a new cable through the bridge from Sedgwick to Little Deer Isle. The project aims to secure reliable service to Deer Isle and should be completed within two weeks. Motorists will see lane closures and one-way alternating traffic on the bridge from sunrise to sunset Monday through Thursday. No service interruptions are expected in connection with the work.
Pot Hearing
(Portland) Maine’s marijuana enthusiasts used a public hearing to implore the state to protect the small businesses and growers they think should make up the backbone of the state’s budding cannabis industry. The Maine Office of Marijuana Policy held a public hearing about the state’s draft marijuana rules Thursday. State officials have said marijuana could be available in stores in early 2020, but the state needs to pass a legal framework first.
Sports
- Boston Red Sox 8 Toronto Blue Jays 2 (Steve Pearce had a home run, Ryan Weber won his first game as a Sox starter going 6-innings)
- Chris Sale is on the mound for Boston tonight against the Houston Astros.
- NBA Eastern Conference Finals – Toronto 105 Milwaukee 99 – Raptors lead series 3-2
- The Bruins are preparing for the Stanley Cup finals starting Monday against St. Louis
| High School Baseball
Ellsworth 7 Hermon 1 Belfast 4 MDI 2 Orono 6 Old Town 5 Hampden 9 Mt. Blue 0 Dexter 11 Bucksport 3 George Stevens 19 Mattanawcook 1 Jonesport Beals 6 Woodland 4 |
Softball
Hermon 6 Ellsworth 2 Belfast 4 MDI 3 Old Town 14 Orono 0 Mt. Blue 7 Hampden 6 Mattanawcook 21 George Stevens 8 Dexter 8 Bucksport 7 DI Stonington 11 Schenck 8 Jonesport Beals 12 Woodland 10 |
