Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
One Dead, Three Injured in Livermore Crash
(Livermore) One teen died at the scene and three others were injured in a crash in Livermore Saturday morning. The Androscoggin Sheriff’s Office reports the group was on Norlands Road just after 10 a.m. when the 16 yo driver lost control, hit a utility pole and rolled over. Authorities say speed and wet roads appear to be factors in the crash. The three other passengers in the car were between 16 and 17 years old; all were students at Livermore Falls/Spruce Mountain RSU 73. A 16 yo male passenger passed away at the scene. The others were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are investigating the crash.
(Livermore) Students and staff at RSU 73, the Livermore Falls/Spruce Mountain District, are mourning the loss of one of their own, following a crash Saturday morning that claimed the life of a 16 yo passenger and sent three other teens to a local hospital. The Androscoggin Sheriff’s Office reports the vehicle was on Norlands Road just after 10 a.m., when the 16 yo driver lost control, hit a utility pole, and rolled. Authorities say speed and wet roads were likely factors in the crash. Names aren’t yet being released. Officers continue to investigate the crash.
Dover-Foxcroft Fire
(Dover-Foxcroft) A Dover-Foxcroft home is a total loss after a fire Sunday afternoon along Bear Hill Road. WABI-TV reports the family escaped safely, but two dogs perished in the blaze. Eleven fire departments responded to the scene around Noon, and a portion of the road was closed as crews worked to extinguish the fire.
(Dover-Foxcroft) A Dover-Foxcroft family escaped safely yesterday afternoon when fire tore through their home on Bear Hill Road. WABI-TV reports the family’s two dogs were killed in the fire that drew eleven departments to the scene around Noon Sunday. A portion of the road was closed as crews battled that blaze.
Presque Isle WalMart Evacuated Amid Bomb Threat
(Presque Isle) Shoppers at a WalMart in Presque Isle were forced to evacuate the store last night due to what authorities are calling a “credible bomb threat”. Sources say the store went into lockdown and nearby businesses were also evacuated after a 9-1-1 call came in around 4 p.m. The Presque Isle Police Department issued a press release saying it would not be able to share additional information while an investigation is underway.
(Presque Isle) Sunday afternoon holiday shoppers had to take a break yesterday afternoon as the WalMart in Presque Isle was evacuated after what sources are calling a “credible bomb threat”. The Presque Isle Police Department issued a press release saying a 9-1-1 call came in about 4 p.m., making the threat. Other nearby stores were also evacuated and the bomb squad called in. Police say they’re unable to share additional information while an investigation continues.
New Hampshire Shooter Identified
(AP) The man killed by a state police trooper after he shot a security guard to death Friday at a New Hampshire psychiatric hospital has been identified as 33 yo John Madore. Madore entered the hospital about 3:30 p.m. Friday and shot and killed Security Officer Bradley Haas. Several other people were in the lobby at the time of the shooting. Madore was reportedly living in a hotel in the Seacoast region and had previously lived in Concord where the shooting took place. Police are working to determine a motive.
(AP) Authorities have identified the man who shot a security guard to death Friday at a Concord, NH psychiatric facility as 33 yo John Madore. Madore shot and killed Security Officer Bradley Haas, who worked as a police officer for nearly three decades, rose to become police chief, and was working security at the hospital after retiring in 2008. A state trooper shot and killed Madore who was wielding a 9 mm pistol and reportedly had other ammunition. Haas was unarmed, but his actions and that of a state trooper are being credited with saving the lives of others who were in the lobby Friday afternoon. Police are working to determine a motive.
MaineCF Raises $1.8M for Lewiston Recovery
(Lewiston) The Maine Community Foundation has raised $1.8M in response to the worst mass shooting in Maine’s history. The Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund was created within 36 hours of the October 25th mass shootings that killed 18 and injured 13 others, traumatizing the community and the state. MaineCF reports final distribution of the funds will take place over the coming months, but the organization is planning to make advance payments available to the injured and families of the deceased in the coming weeks.
(Lewiston) While nothing can bring back the 18 people tragically killed in the state’s worst mass shooting, the Maine Community Foundation said it will begin distributing donations it has received to the injured and families of the deceased in the coming weeks. The Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund was created within 36 hours of the tragedy, with MaineCF raising $1.8M to date. While advance payments will begin shortly, MaineCF says final distribution of the funds will be carefully given over the coming months to those most affected by the horrific event.
Local Politics
Maine Senator Honored by National Group
(Calais) Maine State Senator Marianne Moore has been selected as a 2023 Elected Women of Excellence Award winner by the National Foundation for Women Legislators. The award was created to identify women who have worked tirelessly to break down barriers and serve their communities. Moore, a Republican, was first elected to the Senate in 2018, and is currently serving her third term. She lives in Calais and represents all of Washington County and 16 communities in Hancock County.
(Calais) A big honor for Maine State Senator Marianne Moore recently from a National Women’s Organization. Moore was selected as a 2023 Elected Women of Excellence Award winner. Colleagues and constituents from their home states nominated the winners, who were then chosen by a panel of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. The award honors women who have worked tirelessly to break down barriers and serve their communities. Moore, a Republican, lives in Calais and is serving a third term representing all of Washington County and 16 communities in Hancock County.
Economy
Public Meeting Set on Future of Island Nursing Home
(Deer Isle) Last month, the Board of the Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle determined that despite their best efforts, it would not be feasible for the facility to reopen as a residential care unit. Now, the Board is seeking input on the future of the building and grounds that once operated as a skilled nursing facility. A public meeting is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 5th, at the facility to seek out ideas and options. Anyone wishing to attend via Zoom will find a link at island nursing home dot org.
(Deer Isle) A lack of funding and a big unknown with staffing ultimately put an end to plans to reopen the Island Nursing Home on Deer Isle as a residential care unit. Now, the Board is seeking public input on what to do with that facility. A meeting is set for 6 pm. Tuesday, December 5th, at the facility to gather input and explore options. Anyone wishing to attend via Zoom will find a link at island nursing home dot org.
Rotary Food Drive for Loaves and Fishes Sets Record
(Ellsworth) In typical Downeast fashion, the Hancock County community turned out en masse Saturday for the Ellsworth Rotary Club’s Food Drive for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Hannaford Shoppers donated a total of 90 turkeys that will be distributed through the pantry this Monday and Wednesday morning. That’s on top of more than 300 birds that were given out last week to those in need. It’s the 15th year the Rotary, the pantry, and the public have teamed up to ensure no one in need goes without a feast this holiday.
(Ellsworth) The rain may have dampened shoppers’ carts Saturday at Hannaford in Ellsworth, but there was no dampening their spirits and generosity. For the 15th year, the Ellsworth Rotary teamed with the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry to collect groceries for those in need. With about 400 people coming through the pantry each week, the need is great – but so was the giving. Shoppers donated 90 frozen turkeys – that’s in addition to some 300 given out last week. Kudos to the young people and community leaders who also turned out in support. The pantry is open Monday and Wednesday morning this week to serve those in need before the holiday.
Health
Hallowell Joins Other Communities in Push for End to Flavored Tobacco Products Sales
(Hallowell) Another Maine community has jumped on the bandwagon of getting flavored tobacco products off their store shelves. Hallowell Mayor George Lapointe says such products are designed to hook kids, and that’s why his community is proposing they stop selling them. If the City Council votes to adopt the ordinance, Hallowell will join Bangor, Bar Harbor, Brunswick, Portland and South Portland, towns which have already passed ordinances banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. The town of Falmouth has also proposed an ordinance, with a public hearing scheduled in that town on November 27th.
(Hallowell) More towns are opting to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products. The group Flavors Hook Kids quotes Hallowell Mayor George Lapointe as saying such products are designed to hook kids, and that’s why Hallowell is proposing an end to the sale of them in that town. If enacted, Hallowell would join five other communities in Maine, including Bangor and Bar Harbor, that have already banned such sales. Supporters of the ban report vaping products are being manufactured to look like USB drives, smartphone cases, and other school supplies, and there are now vaping backpacks and hoodies that hide tubing and a mouthpiece. The town of Falmouth has also proposed an ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco, with a public hearing in that town set for November 27th.
Environment
Maine Lobstermen Facing Deadline for Installing Tracking Devices
(Augusta) Maine lobstermen who fish in federal waters are nearing a deadline to install and activate tracking devices on their boats. The devices were sent to lobstermen by the Department of Marine Resources, along with an explanation of the requirement enacted by the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the devices must be activated and will collect data each minute a boat is moving. The new requirement affects more than a thousand Maine lobstermen. Reaction to the regulation has been mixed, with some saying it is an invasion of privacy, while others hope the information gathered will help Maine lobstermen defend their conservation efforts in the Atlantic.
(August) An invasion of privacy, or a tool to defend the conservation efforts of Maine’s more than 1,000 lobstermen who fish in federal waters? Whatever way they see it, lobstermen have just until December 15th to install and activate tracking devices on boats that fish in federal waters. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the devices are designed to collect data each minute a boat is moving, and are required as part of a regulation approved last year by the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission. Proponents see it as a way to better understand the impact on right whales and prevent future wind farms from interfering with the fishery, but at least three lobstermen have reportedly refused to comply and have returned their trackers to the Department of Marine Resources.
Sports
Celtics eeked out their sixth straight win in a narrow victory over the Grizzlies102-100 yesterday, thanks to a last minute swat by Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis that prevented Memphis from tying it up.
The Bruins are in Tampa Bay tonight to take on the Lightning.