{"id":970,"date":"2025-12-31T05:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/?p=970"},"modified":"2025-12-30T19:19:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T00:19:27","slug":"12-31-25-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/12-31-25-news\/","title":{"rendered":"12-31-25 News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Maine Republicans voice concerns over fraud\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WABI news reports Maine Republicans say the state could be headed into the wrong direction if changes aren\u2019t made regarding fraud involving MaineCare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This after the Maine Department of Health and Human Services temporarily suspended payments to Gateway Community Services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WABI news reports the third audit of the organization revealed the state overpaid Gateway for over $1 million.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The organization provides services to immigrants and refugees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WABI says on Tuesday in Augusta, Republicans called on Democrats as well as state agencies to cooperate with a U.S. House Oversight Committee investigation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2025\/12\/30\/state-republicans-voice-concerns-regarding-fraud-maine\/?utm_source=taboola&amp;utm_medium=organicclicks&amp;tbref=hp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2025\/12\/30\/state-republicans-voice-concerns-regarding-fraud-maine\/?utm_source=taboola&amp;utm_medium=organicclicks&amp;tbref=hp<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Corinth man charged with murder argued with mother over handling of dogs\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WABI reports more information has been revealed after a Corinth man has been accused of shooting and killing his mother Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Court records show 22-year-old Daniel Derosier was staying with his mother, 41-year-old Abigail Thomas and her husband along with the husband\u2019s teen son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WABI states Derosier had moved in before Thanksgiving and records say he had some mental health issues and could become manic however he was improving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WABI reports the documents reveal Derosier and his mother were fighting over the way he treats his dog, progressing into an argument of how Thomas was as a mother.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Court records say that escalated into him burning cash for rent in the kitchen, smashing a cell phone with a hammer and after the dogs began fighting he then shot his mother..<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Derosier is being held without bail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2025\/12\/30\/corinth-man-mother-argued-before-she-was-shot-court-records-say\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2025\/12\/30\/corinth-man-mother-argued-before-she-was-shot-court-records-say\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>New case management will be provided in Ellsworth schools<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to the Ellsworth American, Ellsworth schools will provide public education for 3 and 4-year-olds with disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For all qualified children, the city is implementing the new order to comply with state law.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The paper reports free appropriate public education will help children who have disabilities be granted a special education provided at the public&#8217;s expense will meet state standards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Ellsworth American says the Ellsworth schools superintendent explained the change during a recent finance committee meeting and the entry into the program involves a referral and evaluation process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/education\/ellsworth-schools-to-provide-case-management-for-3--and-4-year-olds-with-disabilities\/article_034cd5ae-7173-4379-88c7-99ea9a28c4ba.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/education\/ellsworth-schools-to-provide-case-management-for-3&#8211;and-4-year-olds-with-disabilities\/article_034cd5ae-7173-4379-88c7-99ea9a28c4ba.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Holden Elementary school water tests over PFAS limit<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The results of an annual water test at Holden Elementary school found the water contains more PFAS than state standards allow, according to the Bangor Daily News.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The RSU 63 Superintendent Sheila Caldwell tells the paper the school\u2019s PFAS levels were found at just over the state standard of 20 parts per trillion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now, the BDN reports the school will install filters to decrease the levels and make the water safe to consume.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2025\/12\/30\/bangor\/bangor-health\/holden-elementary-school-pfas-water\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2025\/12\/30\/bangor\/bangor-health\/holden-elementary-school-pfas-water\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Versant Power customers will see an increase in 2026<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Versant Power tells Star 97.7 customers will see an increase in their monthly bill starting in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Versant says the rate will be higher for some compared to others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A customer using 500 kilowatts could see a $14 increase in the Bangor Hydro District where those using 750 kilowatts will see an approximate $20 increase.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Customers in th eMaine Public District using 500 kilowatts will pay an additional $16 where those using 750 kilowatts will see an increase of about $24.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>AC\/DC Tribute Band at The Grand<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Things will be turning up at The Grand in the new year!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The AC\/DC Experience will bring the thunder to the Stanley Subaru Stage on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Noise Pollution has been recognized as one of the premier AC\/DC tribute bands in the entire country giving fans an electrifying experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s $25 in advance or $30 at the door and tickets are expected to sell quickly so to get yours just follow the link on our website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/yourgrand.org\/upcoming-events\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/yourgrand.org\/upcoming-events<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Happy New Year!<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There\u2019s many activities going on for New Years Eve including the Kids Noon Years Eve at the Ellsworth Public Library to the New Years Eve 2026 party at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/allevents.in\/ellsworth\/new-years-eve-2026\/200029415158316\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fogtown Brewing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/allevents.in\/ellsworth\/new-years-eve-party\/200029394803151\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Black Moon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You and your family could take in the last bit of 2025 for an annual <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maineoutdoorschool.org\/events\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Year\u2019s Eve Sunset hike<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> along the Old Pond railway in Hancock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No matter the event or if you\u2019re staying in with close family and friends, stay safe and I want to wish you a very Happy New Year!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maine Republicans voice concerns over fraud\u00a0 WABI news reports Maine Republicans say the state could be headed into the wrong direction if changes aren\u2019t made regarding fraud involving MaineCare. This after the Maine Department of Health and Human Services temporarily suspended payments to Gateway Community Services. WABI news reports the third audit of the organization [&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-970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/970","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=970"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/970\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/star977fm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}