{"id":1258,"date":"2026-03-12T05:30:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T09:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/?p=1258"},"modified":"2026-03-11T18:20:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T22:20:39","slug":"03-12-26-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/12\/03-12-26-news\/","title":{"rendered":"03-12-26 News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Stonington man shot during confrontation with police will serve jail time<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In October 2024, a Stonington man threatened to burn down the house he shared with his mother.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She called 911 and the Hancock County Sheriff\u2019s office responded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Ellsworth American reports the deputy on scene found 37-year-old Erik Himpler walking down a road and he refused the commands from police.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He then raised a firearm that he pulled from his waistband in the direction of the deputy which led to police shooting Himpler four times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Himpler was treated for his wounds<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The publication reports Himpler will serve three years, suspending all but 553 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/no-additional-jail-time-for-stonington-man-shot-during-armed-confrontation-with-police\/article_c4cd4f26-81d0-4efe-acd7-650763aeeddd.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/no-additional-jail-time-for-stonington-man-shot-during-armed-confrontation-with-police\/article_c4cd4f26-81d0-4efe-acd7-650763aeeddd.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>State police investigating I-95 crash in Waterville<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">State police are investigating a two-vehicle crash on interstate 95 in Waterville.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Early Wednesday morning, police say 41-year-old Raymond Fenderson of Brunswick merged onto traffic going northbound and his vehicle collided with another car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">State police say Fenderson\u2019s car crashed head-on into a guardrail which led him to be trapped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Crews took about 30 minutes to free him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Police say Fenderson was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Police are continuing the investigation but they say based off of the preliminary investigation, impairment could be a factor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ellsworth schools enact cell phone ban<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New rules for Ellsworth students in the fall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The phone will have to be put away during school hours for students in pre-k through grade 12.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The school board approved the measure Tuesday, according to the Ellsworth American and school officials confirmed the phones will be in locked pouches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, the publication reports parents and guardians grew concerned about contacting their children throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In response, the superintendent confirmed parents and guardians can call the office and students can access their phone if needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is all in compliance with a state requirement regulating the use of personal devices at the start of the upcoming school year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/education\/bell-to-bell-cell-phone-ban-enacted-in-ellsworth-schools\/article_a77b6abe-ff98-49dd-9cfa-dca647d25636.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/education\/bell-to-bell-cell-phone-ban-enacted-in-ellsworth-schools\/article_a77b6abe-ff98-49dd-9cfa-dca647d25636.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Rockland funds new taxpayer assistance program<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Rockland City Council approved $200,000 to fund the new Rockland Taxpayer Assistance Program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">City leaders say this program will ensure long-time residents like seniors or those facing income challenges can get relief and guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To get the tax relief there are some requirements such as being 65 or older, maintaining a primary residence in Rockland for 10 years and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To find out all of the qualifications just follow the link.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The deadline to apply to the program is April 1.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/rocklandmaine.gov\/404\/Tax-Relief-Programs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/rocklandmaine.gov\/404\/Tax-Relief-Programs<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Wildlife movie filmed and produced in Maine presented at Blue Hill Public Library<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you love a quiet film that\u2019s unique and adventurous you\u2019ll want to head to the Blue Hill Public Library Wednesday, March 18.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2018A Peace of Forest\u2019 allows viewers to experience the wild yet peaceful outdoor world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to a release this feature length wildlife film is the first-ever wildlife movie filmed and produced in Maine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The filmmakers and producers will be at the screening to engage with viewers after the movie during a Q&amp;A.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The film starts at 7 p.m. and if you need more information or have any questions just follow the link below.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bhpl.libcal.com\/event\/15636450\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/bhpl.libcal.com\/event\/15636450<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Spring cleaning for a cause<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s that time of year where people are spring cleaning to refresh the mindset going into the warmer months when they finally get here to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Besides that, ask yourself how many times you\u2019ve had bags and bags of clothes but were unsure of where to bring them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Well, New Hope Midcoast has a place for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shop for Hope is an opportunity for you to donate your new and gently used clothing!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The event will be held at the Flanagan Center in Rockland July 16-18 but in the meantime they\u2019re seeking clothing for the entire family for all seasons and ages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Proceeds from the sale support services for local survivors of domestic abuse that restore confidence, dignity and critical funding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019ll also support safety and healing along with educational presentations and training to raise awareness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For more information on the locations participating and how you can help just follow the link below.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/newhopemidcoast.org\/shop-for-hope\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/newhopemidcoast.org\/shop-for-hope\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stonington man shot during confrontation with police will serve jail time In October 2024, a Stonington man threatened to burn down the house he shared with his mother. She called 911 and the Hancock County Sheriff\u2019s office responded.\u00a0 The Ellsworth American reports the deputy on scene found 37-year-old Erik Himpler walking down a road and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1258"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1258\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}