Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Sunday Morning Fatal Fire
(Newport) Fire at a home in Newport claimed the life of one, while another person who lived in the home was able to escape. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, 54 yo Allen Easley lived in the Mullen Road home with his mother, who survived. Easley died in the fire. Authorities continue to look for a cause.
(Newport) Fire officials continue to look for a cause in a blaze that claimed the life of 54 yo Allen Easley of Newport. The fire broke out Sunday morning at a home at 578 Mullen Road. The homeowner, Easley’s mother, was able to safely escape. The State Fire Marshal’s Office spent yesterday processing the scene.
Ten Year Old Arrested for Bringing Gun to School
(Monroe) The Waldo County Sheriff’s office arrested a 10 year old student Friday after it was reported the child had possession of a firearm on school grounds. Officers tell Star 97.7 no injuries were sustained and there is no ongoing threat. The Sheriff’s Office and others continue to investigate.
(Monroe) Scary moments at the Monroe Elementary School last Friday after it was reported a ten year old had possession of a firearm on school grounds. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, law enforcement officers worked with school personnel to detain the student and seize the firearm. Authorities say no one was injured and the student was placed under arrest and transported to the sheriff’s office. Police continue to investigate the incident.
Colby College Shooting
(Waterville) Authorities have arrested a 24 yo Waterville man in connection with an early Saturday morning incident at Colby College in which shots were reportedly fired. The Associated Press reports no students were hurt during the altercation at the Alfond Senior Apartments, where the shooting took place. Students were asked to shelter in place during the night as a precaution. Police say Andrew Gifford is charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. Gifford is not a student at the college but was attending a party when he reportedly got into a fight and discharged a handgun he was concealing.
(Waterville) No students were injured, but those who attend Colby College were asked to shelter in place Saturday night after authorities say shots were fired at the Alfond Senior Apartments. Police tell Star 97.7, 24 yo Andrew Gifford was attending a party when he got into an altercation with two other men, pulled out a handgun and fired two shots which hit the walls. None of the three are students at the college. Gifford was treated for injuries he sustained during the fight and was then taken to Kennebec County Jail. He’s charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.
Economy
State Grants Ellsworth Mall $6M Abatement
(Ellsworth) A state agency has granted the Maine Coast Mall in Ellsworth a $6M tax abatement, dropping the assessed value from $18M to $12M. According to the Bangor Daily News, with the revision, the mall is expected to receive a refund of more than $113,000 on its 2019 taxes.
(Ellsworth) Talk about a nice tax refund. The Maine Coast Mall in Ellsworth is expecting a refund of more than $113,000 on its 2019 taxes. The Bangor Daily News reports the adjustment comes after a state board that reviews appeals in commercial property tax assessments ruled in favor of the mall, reducing its taxable value from $18.2M to $12M.
Winter Energy Relief Checks All Mailed
(Augusta) The Mills Administration says all $450 Winter Energy Relief checks have been mailed. The checks went to more than 876,000 eligible Mainers. The goal was to have all checks mailed by the end of March.
(Augusta) The goal was to have all those $450 Winter Energy Relief Checks mailed by the end of this month, but the Mills Administration reports they’ve all been sent as of Friday. The payments went to more than 876,000 eligible Mainers to help with the rising cost of keeping homes warm this winter.
Brooklin General Store Seeks New Owner
(Brooklin) The Brooklin General Store is looking for a new owner. The Ellsworth American reports the store was totally rebuilt in 2017 and is currently owned by Bob Manheimer, his wife, and a few other investors. The store at 4 Reach Road offers everything from pizza to beer and wine, to gasoline, and other essentials. Manheimer said he has enjoyed the past few years but that it’s time to move on to other interests.
(Brooklin) It’s a bit of a slow time of year, and that’s why the owners of The Brooklin General Store say they chose now to list the store for sale. The store, currently owned by Bob Manheimer, his wife, and a few other investors, has been around since the 1800’s, but the current facility was totally rebuilt in 2017. The Ellsworth American reports there has been a lot of local interest in purchasing the store. Manheimer says he’s enjoyed the work but that it‘s time for him and his wife to pursue other interests.
Education
Hancock Grammar School Appoints New Principal
(Hancock) Adam Gray will serve as the next Principal of the Hancock Grammar School. According to a letter sent to parents Friday, Gray will begin his assignment on July 1st. Gray is a graduate of MDI High School and earned Masters degrees from the University of Maine Orono. He has extensive teaching and coaching experience and currently serves as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Ridgeview Community School in Dexter.
(Hancock) The Hancock Grammar School will have a new Principal beginning July 1. The School Committee has appointed University of Maine grad Adam Gray to lead the school next year. Gray spent his high school years at MDI High School and currently serves as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Ridgeview Community School in Dexter.
New Principal at Ella Lewis School
(Steuben) The Ella Lewis School in Steuben will have a new Principal next year as well. RSU 24 has hired Hayley Fenton, who will take on the role beginning July 1st. Fenton is a familiar face in Downeast Maine. She was originally from Lamoine and served as Principal for Cranberry Isles from 2018 to 2022. She’s currently teaching in Ashville and finishing her Certificate of Advanced Study.
(Steuben) Ella Lewis School in Steuben will add a familiar face come July 1st. The RSU 24 School District has hired Hayley Fenton to serve as the school’s next Principal. Fenton is originally from Lamoine, served as Cranberry Isles Principal, and currently teaches in Ashville while finishing her Certificate of Advanced Study.
MDI Early Release Plan Scrapped
(Bar Harbor) AOS 91 school officials have scrapped a proposal that would have had MDI elementary school students released 90 minutes early on 24 of the 36 Wednesdays next year. The release time reportedly would have given teachers more time to better plan targeted interventions, but the Mount Desert Islander reports the plan drew vehement objections from parents, who reportedly expressed concerns about loss of instructional time as well as child care for parents who work.
(Bar Harbor) Reportedly vehement objections from parents has led the AOS 91 School Board to scrap plans for proposed early release days for elementary students on MDI next year. The Mount Desert Islander reports the release time would have afforded teachers more time to plan targeted interventions and implement a multi-tiered system of supports. Parents expressed concerns about child care and a perceived loss of instructional time.
Health
Machias Ambulance Service Gets Increase
(Machias) Residents of towns serviced by the Machias Ambulance Service will see a rate increase in the coming year. The Machias Valley News Observer reports the increase will mean a jump from $12 to $50 per resident beginning January 1. The increase is in response to inflation and the ongoing EMS crisis and will affect residents of Machias, Roque Bluffs, Jonesboro, Cutler, and other towns who rely on the vital service of the first responders.
(Machias) Inflation and the ongoing EMS crisis have hit Washington County hard, but residents of Machias, East Machias, Northfield, Whitneyville and other towns who rely on the vital services of the Machias Ambulance Service will be providing some financial relief. The Machias Valley News Observer reports those residents will see a jump from $12 to $50 per year beginning January 1. EMS providers across the state and especially in Washington County have found providing life-saving measures is no longer sustainable at current rates.
Moosabec Ambulance Service to Ask for Increase
(Jonesport) Jonesport residents will be asked at tonight’s town meeting to chip in an approximate $5.00 per month in additional funds to sustain a vital service that many have found lifesaving. Moosabec Ambulance crews have worked on a shoestring for years, but rising costs and a dramatic drop in volunteers has made it impossible to continue services at the current rate. Service Chief Renee Gray said if the service goes out of business, residents can expect to pay an even higher rate and suffer longer wait times for services outside the area.
(Jonesport) Moosabec Ambulance Service in Jonesport is one of many that has served rural Washington County on a shoestring of finances and volunteers for the past several years. Service Chief Renee Gray tells Star 97.7, the vital lifesaving service can no longer sustain itself with current funding. At tonight’s town meeting, Jonesport residents will be asked to approve an increase to just over $81 per resident annually. The increase amounts to an additional just over $5 a month – about the cost of a cup of coffee.
Infrastructure
Planned Power Outage
(Dedham) Versant Power has scheduled maintenance to the electrical system in Lucerne, Dedham, and Holden tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m.. Customers on Beaver Circle, Beaver Island, Echo Cove Lane and Road, Granite Road, Mulberry Lane and Road, Wampum Island and Whitlow Way may experience service interruptions while Versant works to replace aged equipment.
(Dedham) Some Dedham area customers may experience service interruptions Tuesday while Versant Power works to replace aged equipment. Weather permitting, the upgrades will affect customers in Lucerne, Dedham, and Holden between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Specific areas that may be affected include Beaver Circle, Beaver Island, Echo Cove Lane and Road, Granite Road, Mulberry Lane and Road, Wampum Island and Whitlow Way
Human Interest
Holden Police Chief Dies
(Holden) The Holden Police Department is mourning the loss of Chief Chris Greeley, who passed away Thursday following a brief illness. Greeley was honored last June for his 19 years of service to the Department. The popular Greeley, a Republican, formerly served in the House of Representatives, stepping down only when term limits forced him to do so. A former Toughman Contest semi-finalist, Greeley was 60 years old.
(Holden) A devastating loss for the Holden Police Department. Chief Chris Greeley passed away last Thursday, following a brief illness.. Among his many accomplishments, Greeley was an amateur boxer, had roles in radio and TV, and served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2002-2010. He also started the 25 Days of Kindness program, which raised more than $25,000 last year. The Police Department honored Greeley last June for his 19 years of service. Greeley was 60.
SW Harbor Jail Administrator Passes Away
(SW Harbor) It was a tough week for the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office last week. WABI-TV reports Jail Administrator Captain Nick Hardwick passed away while traveling with his family on vacation. Hardwick had served the department for 22 years, beginning as a corrections officer. Fellow workers said Hardwick had a tremendous impact on the inmate population, as well as citizens with whom he worked.
(SW Harbor) The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office continues to grieve the loss last week of Jail Administrator Captain Nick Hardwick. WABI-TV reports Hardwick passed away while on vacation with his family. Hardwick, who had been with the department for 22 years, began his career as a corrections officer and is said to have had a tremendous impact on the inmate population and the citizens he encountered.
Sports
Celtics in Houston tonight to shoot hoops with the Rockets
Bruins off tonight – they take on the Blackhawks in Chicago on Tuesday
Red Sox game against the Yankees yesterday ended in a 3-3 tie. Red Sox take on the Blue Jays this afternoon. Detroit Tigers Tuesday