Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Arrest Made in 36 Year Old Cold Case
(Augusta) On a freezing cold December day in 1985, a family dog found the body of a tiny baby and carried it back to the house. On Monday, Maine State Police made an arrest in the 36 yo Baby Jane Doe cold-case homicide. Public Safety Department Spokesperson Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, detectives arrested the mother of Baby Jane Doe in Lowell Massachusetts. The infant was found dead in Frenchville. The baby was reportedly born and then abandoned at a gravel pit in below zero temperatures. Advancements including DNA technology led to the identification of 58 yo Lee Ann Daigle, formerly Lee Ann Guerrette as Baby Jane Doe’s mother.
(Augusta) A 58 yo woman from Lowell, Massachusetts has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a 36 yo homicide. Public Safety Department Spokesperson Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, the case was the result of decades of investigative work and advances in technology, such as DNA. That combination led to the arrest Monday of 58 yo Lee Ann Daigle, formerly Lee Ann Guerrette, in Lowell. Daigle was identified as the mother of Baby Jane Doe, whose body was found abandoned at a Frenchville gravel pit in below freezing temperatures on December 7th, 1985. Daigle is currently being held in the Aroostook County Jail.
McElwee Takes Steps to Slow Gun Trafficking
(Augusta) U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee is trying to curb the state’s record as a significant source of guns used to commit crimes in other states. WMTW reports Maine’s top federal law enforcement official, says gun trafficking often beins when someone prohibited from buying guns gets someone else to buy them for them. The practice is known as a straw purchase. McElwee said such purchases generally lead to or are connected to drugs. She said criminals from other states often come to Maine and prey on addicts, swapping gun purchases for heroin.
(Augusta) Illegal gun trafficking runs in and out of Maine, and is often associated with drugs. Maine’s top federal law enforcement official, U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee is trying to change that. McElwee, who has been a prosecutor for 20 years, says her office regularly prosecutes people who buy guns for others who can’t purchase them due to a criminal background or other reason. The process is known as a straw purchase. WMTW reports Maine is a top 15 source of crime guns for several northeastern states, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Local Politics
Election Results
(Local) With most candidates running unopposed in yesterday’s Primary, there were few if any surprises. Democratic Governor Janet Mills will face Republican Paul LePage in the November race for Governor. Republican Bruce Poliquin defeated Liz Caruso on the Republican ticket and will run against incumbent Democrat Jared Golden and Independent Tiffany Bond to represent Maine’s Second Congressional District. And in the Special Referendum election for a Senate seat vacated by Ellsworth Democrat Louis Luchini in January, the Associated Press projects Democrat Nicole Grohoski over Republican Brian Langley and Green Party candidate Ben Meikeljohn. Grohoski and Langley will face off for the State Senate seat again in November. Local election results are posted on most town websites.
(Local) Few surprises in yesterday’s primaries and special election, locally, including a low voter turnout. Democratic Governor Janet Mills will face Republican Paul LePage in the November race for Governor. Republican Bruce Poliquin defeated Liz Caruso on the Republican ticket and will run against incumbent Democrat Jared Golden and Independent Tiffany Bond to represent Maine’s Second Congressional District. And in the Special Referendum election for a Senate seat vacated by Ellsworth Democrat Louis Luchini in January, the Associated Press projects Democrat Nicole Grohoski over Republican Brian Langley and Green Party candidate Ben Meikeljohn. Grohoski and Langley will face off for the State Senate seat again in November. Local election results are posted on most town websites.
(Augusta) Democratic Governor Janet Mills will face former Republican Governor Paul LePage in the November election. Republican Bruce Poliquin gets the chance for a rematch against Democrat Jared Golden in Maine’s Second Congressional District. And in a Special Election to fill the seat of Ellsworth Democrat Louis Luchini, Democrat Nicole Grohoski appears the winner over Republican Brian Langley. The two will face off again in November.
Senators Collins, King Working on Gun Safety Proposal
(Augusta) Maine Senators Angus King and Susan Collins are part of a group of 12 senators working on a gun safety proposal. WABI-TV reports the proposal includes funding for school safety resources, investing in mental health services for children, and an enhanced review process for buyers under the age of 21. It also supports state crisis intervention orders that would allow courts to determine whether a person poses a significant threat to themselves or others, indicating they should not be in possession of a gun.
Health
New Health Concern Surrounds Forever Chemicals
(Maine) Yet another PFAS concern, especially for middle-aged women. An American Heart Association study found those with higher blood concentrations of seven of the most commonly detected PFAS are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure. The 18-year study of 1000 women who all had normal blood pressure at the start of the study, found 470 participants developed hypertension. PFAS have been found in Maine in everything from deer to soil to fish.
Maine Child Diagnosed with Hepatitis
(Augusta) The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a Maine child who was treated for hepatitis with no known cause, similar to cases seen in other states. The child was hospitalized with serious liver illness and is recovering. Health care providers in other states have identified such cases in recent weeks and reported them to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is investigating to determine the cause and how to prevent more such cases.
Environment
Advice for Moose Lottery Winners
(Jackman) If you were one of the lucky lottery winners in Saturday’s moose permit drawing in Jackman, the Bangor Daily News says there are three things you need to be doing now. Even though the season doesn’t begin until late September, experts say hunters should contact a Registered Maine Guide if you plan to use one, find a place to stay during the week, and line up a butcher to process the moose. And they say if you plan to swap your permit, do it soon, before options are non-existent.
Infrastructure
Maine to Retain 207 Area Code Through 2025
(Hallowell) It’s been Maine’s single Area Code forever, but Area Code 207 was set to exhaust in the fourth quarter of 2024, but the Maine Public Utilities Commission says it took steps to extend that. Among actions taken was an investigation into the forecasting process of Verizon and other companies for numbering resources. The actions resulted in a return of more than 600,000 numbers to the pool of numbers available. Efforts have extended the life of the single 207 area code through the end of 2025.
Searsport Landmark to be Torn Down
(Searsport) The building has weathered floods for more than a hundred years, but the demolition of the Hamilton Learning Center building on Route 1 in Searsport is set to begin this week. The 100-year-old building is owned by the Penobscot Marine Museum and is something of a local landmark, according to the Bangor Daily News. But it was constructed on pillars over a drainage stream, and water floods the building every time there is an extreme rain. The building has been vacant for the past five years.
Business/Economy
Prices of Modulars Spike Across Maine
(Maine) The price of mobile and modular homes has spiked in six of Maine’s most populous counties. The Bangor Daily News reports the homes, which are prefabricated then transported to a site, are becoming increasingly popular as demand for housing increases. Typical homes in those counties, including Penobscot and Aroostic, now run $100,000 or more. Maine has the highest rate of mobile homes in New England and the entire Northeastern U.S.
Hancock County Food Drive Exceeds Goal
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Food Drive exceeded their goal this year by raising $47,500! Funds will be evenly distributed among 17 participating food security organizations, and will supplement the 4,000 pounds of food distributed in early May. Healthy Acadia Food Programs Manager Rachel Emus credits the Maine Community Foundation, local businesses, and hundreds of community members for making this year’s food drive the most successful to date.
Maine Public Utilities Commission Approves Stipulations to Lower Electricity Rates
(Hallowell) The Maine Public Utilities Commission Tuesday announced it has approved three stipulations that, combined, will result in lower electric delivery rates for both CMP and Versant Power customers. The savings come from the sale of energy from Commission-approved renewable energy acquisitions. Residential customers should see a decrease in delivery prices between 3.5 and 5.5 percent.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Bicyclists Hope to Make Impact
(Ellsworth) Surry resident Alice Slater says she was used to riding a bike for her everyday transportation in her native England and was shocked at how car-dependent Americans are. So she started the Ellsworth Bike Party, a monthly gathering of cyclists in Ellsworth who may or may not know each other, but who gather for an hour or so ride. The group hopes with some planning effort Ellsworth could be made even more bicycle friendly. Slater told the Bangor Daily News, even before gas reached $5 a gallon was far cheaper than driving, not to mention it’s fun and good exercise.
Scarborough Sees State’s Largest Population Bump
(Scarborough) What town in Maine saw the highest population increase in the last census? That would be Scarborough. The town is just ten minutes south of Portland and home to the headquarters of the Hannaford Grocery chain. Scarborough added 3200 people between 2010 and 2020, making it the state’s most heavily populated city.
Father’s Day Bumps
(Undated) What do Dads want for Father’s Day? According to data analysis company Pattern, Grilling and Golf items are huge. Demand for grill baskets was up 84% over the yearly average in the days before Father’s Day 2021, with demand for propane and charcoal grills and outdoor cooking tools up an average of 50%. The most in demand golf products were golf shorts, up 143% over the yearly average in 2021, along with golf caps, clothing, and clothing accessories. Not surprisingly, neckties and socks have fallen out of favor as gifts for Dad – with demand actually DOWN in the weeks leading up to Father’s Day.
Sports
Red Sox beat the Oakland A’s 6-1 at Fenway. Game Two of that series in Boston again this evening.
The Celtics and the Warriors head back to Boston for Game 6 of the NBA Finals tomorrow night. Golden State leads the series 3 games to 2.
The Ellsworth boys are the Class B Baseball North Champions. They’ll play Freeport Saturday at USM
The Machias boys rule in Class D. They’ll play St. Dominic Academy Saturday at USM. The Machias Girls’ softball team were Class D Runners Up