Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Orland Explosion Destroys Home
(Orland) Four people were injured Friday morning when a propane leak lead to an explosion at a home on Soper Road in Orland. Authorities say the home is a total loss. The injured include the two homeowners and two other adult friends of the family. Officials say none of the injuries were life threatening. The family dog, Zeus, was initially missing but was located and found to be safe. Investigators are working to determine what was leaking and the ignition source.
(Orland) Firefighters from multiple towns were dispatched to a home on Alamoosook Lake Friday morning on report of an explosion. The Soper Road house was deemed a total loss. Four adults inside the home, including the two homeowners, were injured. A propane leak was reportedly detected, and investigators are working to determine what sparked the explosion. Fire officials say it could be as simple as a flipped light switch and encourage homeowners to contact their heating specialist anytime they smell propane.
Sullivan Fatal Crash
(Sullivan) A Steuben man was killed and a Sullivan man seriously injured in a Saturday afternoon crash on Route One in Sullivan. According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, 26 yo Dakota Zablotny was traveling west near the RSU 24 Administration building at a high rate of speed and passing vehicles when he lost control and crossed into the oncoming lane. Zablotny’s sedan struck an SUV driven by 41 yo Ryan Gordon of Sullivan. Zablotny died at the scene. Gordon was LifeFlighted to a hospital with leg injuries and faces multiple surgeries but is expected to recover. The crash remains under investigation.
(Sullivan) A Saturday afternoon head-on collision on Route One in Sullivan left one man dead and another seriously injured. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports about 4:40 p.m, 26 yo Dakota Zablotny of Steuben was traveling west near the RSU 24 Administration building. Zablotny was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed and passing other vehicles when he lost control and slammed into an eastbound car driven by 41 yo Ryan Gordon of Sullivan. Zablotny was pronounced dead at the scene. Gordon was taken by LifeFlight to an area hospital with compound leg fractures. Gordon is a local business owner. The Sullivan community has planned a fundraising dinner for December 16th.
Carmel Fatal Fire
(Carmel) A 70 yo homeowner in Carmel died Friday afternoon when fire destroyed his home on Haskell Street. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, Joseph Jack lived in the home with his wife, but was home alone when the fire broke out about 3 p.m. Friday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. They say foul play is not suspected.
(Carmel) A fatal fire in Carmel Friday afternoon. Authorities were called to 26 Haskell Street about 3 p.m. 70 yo Joseph Jack, who lived in the home with his wife, but who was home alone at the time, died in the blaze. Authorities are still looking for a cause but do not suspect foul play.
Smyrna Man Charged in Bangor WalMart Fire
(Bangor) A 44 yo man from Smyrna was taken into custody Saturday and charged with setting a fire at a Bangor Wal-Mart. Surveillance video showed the blaze at the Stillwater Avenue store was started in the men’s clothing section by an adult male shortly before 6 p.m. Friday. An investigation led authorities to the home of Lucas Landry, who was on probation for burglary. Landry is charged with Arson and is being held in the Penobscot County Jail.
(Bangor) A Smyrna man faces Arson charges in connection with a Friday evening fire at the Wal-Mart on Stillwater Avenue in Bangor. Authorities tell Star 97.7, internal surveillance video showed an adult male starting the fire in the men’s clothing section shortly before 6 p.m. Friday. An investigation led police to the home of Lucas Landry Saturday, where he was taken into custody without incident. Landry is currently on probation for burglary and is charged with Arson. He’s being held without bail in the Penobscot County Jail.
Lewiston Stand-Off
(Lewiston) Authorities in Lewiston Saturday were forced to deal with a five hour standoff. They say the incident began about 7:30 Friday evening when an injured man was dropped off at the Emergency Department of St. Mary’s Hospital. That man, 40 yo Anthony Ayotte of Lewiston, later died of his injuries. Evidence led police to obtain an arrest warrant for murder for 36 yo Jerry Thibodeau of Lewiston, who it’s believed dropped Ayotte at the hospital. Thibodeau was located at a home on Sabattus Street about 5 p.m. Saturday, but he refused to leave the home. A crisis negotiation team was called in, and Thibodeau was taken into custody about 10 p.m. He was taken to the Androscoggin County Jail. An initial court appearance is scheduled for later today.
(Lewiston) A Lewiston man faces murder charges after a five hour standoff Saturday night in Lewiston. Police say about 7:30 Friday evening, an injured man was dropped off at the St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department. The man, identified as 40 yo Anthony Ayotte of Lewiston, later died of his injuries. Authorities say evidence led to their obtaining an arrest warrant for murder for 36 yo Jerry Thibodeau, who it’s believed knew Ayotte and dropped him at the hospital. Thibodeau was located at a home on Sabattus Street about 5 p.m. Saturday, but refused to come out. A crisis negotiation team was called in, and Thibodeau was finally taken into custody about 10 p.m. Saturday. He’s being held in the Androscoggin County Jail. An initial court appearance is set for later today.
Local Politics
President and First Lady Visit Lewiston
(Lewiston) The town of Lewiston is still reeling from the October 25th massacre, but found comfort and support in a visit by President Joe and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on Friday. The two stood for a moment of silence and laid a bouquet of flowers at a makeshift memorial outside the scene of the shooting. Biden hugged members of the victims’ families and told the crowd he was there on behalf of the American people to assure the town, “You’re not alone”. The President also remarked, “Jill and I have done too many of these,” referring to the overwhelming number of gun violence incidents in the U.S.
(Lewiston) President Joe Biden echoed the sentiments of many Friday in Lewiston when he said, “Jill and I have done too many of these,” referring to the overwhelming numbers of gun violence incidents in the U.S. The President and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stood for a moment of silence, before hugging family members of those killed and wounded last month in one of the nation’s worst mass shootings. The U.S. is closing in on 600 mass shootings so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Economy
Black Sheep Food Truck Buys Former Chester Pike’s
(Sullivan) The owners of the wildly popular Black Sheep Food Truck have purchased the former Honeybee Cafe & Chester Pike’s in Sullivan. Brothers Jordan and Lyle Crosby say they’re in the process of making it into The Black Sheep Restaurant and are hoping to open this winter on Route 1. They say not to worry – they still plan to open the food truck again next season and are hoping to stay open through the rest of this month with hours from 11-3:30 Wednesday through Saturday at NAPA in Ellsworth, beginning this week.
(Sullivan) The secret is out – the owners of the ever popular Black Sheep Food Truck are bringing restaurant dining back to Sullivan. Brothers Jordan and Lyle Crosby announced on their FB page they’ve purchased the former Honeybee Cafe and Chester Pike’s on Route One in Sullivan and plan to turn it into The Black Sheep Restaurant. They say they’re hoping to open yet this winter. Not to worry, food truck fans – the Crosbys say they still plan to open the food truck again next season, and you can catch them through the rest of this month, Wednesday through Saturday at NAPA in Ellsworth from 11 to 3:30 each day.
Environment
Eight Added to State’s Endangered and Threatened Species List
(Augusta) Five birds, a bat, a bee, and a beetle – eight new species have been added to Maine’s Endangered and Threatened Species List. The Salt Marsh Sparrow and Ashton’s Cuckoo Bumble Bee are listed as Endangered, the other six as threatened. The list includes four species that joined the list due to the effects of climate change, such as rising seas and storm surge. Loss of habitat and declining food sources were also concerns. Fifty seven species are now listed as Threatened or Endangered in Maine, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
(Augusta) Fifty-seven species in the state of Maine are now listed as Threatened or Endangered. The state recently added eight new species to the list, including five birds, a bat, a bee, and a beetle. Mark Latti, spokesperson with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, says factors contributing to the decline in species include climate change, disease – such as white-nose syndrome in bats, and loss of habitat and declining food sources. You can find a complete list on the MDIFW website.
Human Interest
SPCA of Hancock County Maintained No-Kill in 2022
(Trenton) A big shout out to The SPCA of Hancock County. According to Best Friends Animal Society’s annual data report, the shelter saved more than 90% of dogs and cats that entered the shelter last year, designating them as No Kill in 2022. Animal Care Manager Nicole Rediker commented the honor is a direct reflection of the compassionate and above-and-beyond lifesaving efforts by the dedicated staff, volunteers, board members and community members who work tirelessly on behalf of the animals.
(Trenton) A big honor for The SPCA of Hancock County this month. Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025, honored the Trenton SPCA for maintaining no-kill status in 2022. That means the shelter saved more than 90% of the dogs and cats that entered the shelter last year. The SPCA-Hancock County is solely funded by community donations, making fundraising events crucial in helping them treat and heal animals.
City of Ellsworth Tree Lighting
(Ellsworth) Mark your calendars – the City of Ellsworth Tree Lighting is set for Saturday, November 25th, from 3 to 5 at the Ellsworth City Hall Parking Lot. Want to participate with food, games, music, or kids’ activities? Please reach out to Kim Fitch at soxgirl247@gmail.com no later than November 18th.
(Ellsworth) Save the date and deck the halls – it’s the City of Ellsworth Tree Lighting, coming up Saturday, November 25th, from 3 to 5 at the Ellsworth City Hall Parking Lot. Always a fun evening, you can participate with food, games, music or kids’ activities. If you have an idea, reach out to Kim Fitch at soxgirl247@gmail.com no later than November 18th.
Sports
The Charles M. Sumner Cross Country boys are the 2023 Class C State Champions, with Kaleb Colson also winning the individual State Championship.
The Detroit Red Wings ended the Bruins’ winning streak with a 5-4 victory Saturday. Bruins in Dallas tonight to take on the Stars.
The Celtics remain undefeated in the regular season with Saturday’s 124-114 win over the Nets. Celtics in Minnesota tonight to shoot hoops with the Timberwolves.
The Patriots lose to the Commanders 20-17.