Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
New Gloucester Fatal Fire, Explosion
(New Gloucester) An explosion and fire Saturday in New Gloucester left one man dead and authorities looking for answers. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, 44 yo Lado Ladoka was working on his home’s oil-fired furnace on Intervale Road when the explosion occurred. Authorities say a family member who was also inside the home was able to escape safely. The fire was ruled accidental.
(New Gloucester) A New Gloucester homeowner was killed Saturday when the oil-fired furnace on which he was working exploded. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, the explosion happened about 12:15 Saturday afternoon and claimed the life of 44 yo Lado Ladoka. Another family member was inside the Intervale Road home, but managed to escape the explosion and resulting fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office and others are looking for a cause of that explosion.
Father Arrested in 2022 Death of Infant
(Fort Fairfield) Another child’s death is being attributed to a parent here in Maine. Police arrested 24 yo Stanley Jackson of Fort Fairfield last month and charged him with manslaughter in the death of his 7 month old son who died in April 2022. Jackson is being held on $50K cash bond and is set to be prosecuted by the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
(Fort Fairfield) A Fort Fairfield father is under arrest, charged with manslaughter in the death of his infant son. Seven month old Jackson Hazell’s death was ruled a homicide by the Chief Medical Examiner. A follow up investigation led to the arrest last month of the baby’s father, 24 yo Stanley Jackson of Fort Fairfield. Jackson was arrested in Caribou in November and is being held on $50K cash bond.
BIA Bomb Threat
(Bangor) Tense moments Saturday at Bangor International Airport. Authorities say flights were diverted from the airport during the afternoon after a person called and made threats. Airport buildings, runways, and nearby buildings were searched, but nothing of danger was found. Bangor police and others continue to investigate.
(Bangor) Several flights were diverted away from Bangor International Airport on Saturday afternoon, after authorities report someone called in a threat against the airport. BIA buildings, runways, and surrounding buildings were searched, but police reportedly found no danger. Bangor Police say they continue to investigate.
Lewiston Survivors, Families, Hire Attorneys to Seek “Accountability”
(Lewiston) Families of victims and survivors of the mass shooting in Lewiston in October have hired four law firms to seek “accountability” following the deadly rampage. The Bangor Daily News reports two of the firms helped families reach large settlements after the deadly shootings in Sutherland Springs and Sandy Hook Elementary School. The shooting at a Lewiston bowling alley on October 25th left 18 dead and 13 wounded in what was Maine’s most deadly crime.
(Lewiston) Families of victims and survivors of the Lewiston mass shooting have hired four law firms to seek “accountability” following the deadly rampage by a 40 yo gunman that left 18 dead and 13 wounded. The Bangor Daily News reports two of the firms hired helped families reach large settlements after the deadly shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary and in Sutherland Springs. The gunman in the Lewiston shootings sparked a massive manhunt and was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Local Politics
Presidential Primary Candidates Listed
(Augusta) As of Friday’s 5 p.m. deadline, two Democrat and six Republican candidates had submitted the required 2,000 signatures from Maine voters to be on the March 5th Primary Election Ballot. Democratic candidates are Joe Biden and Dean Phillips. On the Republican side, Doug Burgum, Ryan Binkley, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Donald Trump.
Town of Lincolnville Considers Moratorium on Major Nonresidential Site Plans
(Lincolnville) The silence was deafening, but the message came through loud and clear at a town meeting in Lincolnville last Wednesday. The Pen Bay Pilot reports not one person in the packed town office spoke in opposition of a proposed moratorium on major nonresidential site plans. The proposal comes, at least in part, in response to a sketch plan submitted to the town earlier this fall for a proposed retail store to be built at Drake Corner. While no specifics were given, the company, Primax Properties, has a history of projects such as Dollar General, TJ Maxx, Tractor Supply and others. A full town vote on the proposed moratorium is set for 6 p.m. on December 11th at the Lincolnville Central School.
(Lincolnville) Lincolnville is a tiny coastal town of just over 2,000. Situated on Penobscot Bay, the village boasts lakes, ponds, mountains and hiking trails. And they’re making it clear, there’s no room for a proposed retail store that would be situated at Drake Corner. While no specifics were given, a sketch plan was submitted in October by Primax Properties – known for building stores such as Dollar General and Taco Bell. In response, the town is proposing a moratorium on major nonresidential site plans, a proposal to which not one resident in the packed town office last Wednesday spoke in opposition. The Pen Bay Pilot reports a full town vote on the proposed moratorium is set for December 11th at the Lincolnville Central School.
Environment
New England Shrimp Fishery to Remain Closed Indefinitely
(AP) New England’s shrimp fishery was shut down in 2013, in part because of warming waters in the Gulf of Maine. It now appears that moratorium will be in effect indefinitely. The closure is the result in part of environmental conditions off the coast which are unfavorable for the cold-water-loving shrimp. Fishery regulators on Friday extended the moratorium with no firm end date, though they stopped short of calling it permanent.
(AP) A moratorium imposed on the New England shrimp fishery a decade ago has been extended indefinitely. The closure, at least in part, is the result of environmental conditions off the coast which are unfavorable to the cold-water-loving shrimp. Fishery regulators on Friday extended the 2013 moratorium without giving a firm end date. They stopped short, however, of calling the closure permanent.
Infrastructure
Machias Dike Bridge Closure
(Machias) A reminder for those who travel the Machias dike bridge on Route One – the bridge will be closed this week, weather permitting, so workers can construct a temporary bridge for use while a permanent bridge is being built to replace the current one, which was found to be deteriorating at a concerning rate. A detour will be posted.
(Machias) The weather today may make this “iffy”, but the Maine Department of Transportation had planned on closing the Machias dike bridge on Route One today for about a week. There will be detours posted. Workers will be constructing a temporary bridge to be used while a permanent replacement for the current bridge is being built. Inspectors found concerning deterioration on the current bridge, leading to the need for an entire new structure.
Human Interest
Maine Seacoast Mission Hosts Christmas for the Community
(Cherryfield) Maine Seacoast Mission’s 63 acre Cherryfield campus will be transformed into a magical Christmas celebration on December 15th! Children and adults will be able to create crafts, enjoy cookies, and make a constellation viewer – perhaps good enough to search the skies for Santa on Christmas Eve. The Weald Bethel Community Center will boast a hot chocolate bar … and outside, there will be a campfire and s’mores bar. Nestle into the wool of the Christmas sheep for a photo opportunity and visit other fun photo stations, as well. The event is free and runs from 4 to 6 pm on Friday, December 15th.
Blue Hill Fair Takes Another Top Prize
(Blue Hill) The Blue Hill Fair’s Charlotte’s Web display took top honors at this year’s International Association of Fairs and Expositions in Salt Lake City. No small feat, as they were up against 524 other entrants from across the country. Congratulations to fair General Manager, Erik Fitch and his team for ensuring the fame of Zuckerman’s already famous, famous pig!
(Blue Hill) The Blue Hill Fair brought home the bacon this week. But don’t worry, Wilbur is alive and well and will be back this year at the Blue Hill Fair, along with friends, Charlotte and Templeton! This year, Zuckerman’s Famous Pig will be sporting a blue ribbon from the 2023 International Association of Fairs and Expositions convention in Salt Lake City. The Charlotte’s Web exhibit had some sizzling competition from 524 other exhibits across the country, but took home top honors. We’re pigging out with excitement for fair General Manager Erik Fitch and his team. Congratulations!
25 Days of Kindness
(Holden) Holden Police Chief Chris Greeley passed away unexpectedly last March, but a program he started and the legacy he left live on. The Department reports raising more than $20K already this year that will be shared through Greeley’s “25 Days of Kindness” Program. On Friday, Greeley’s widow, Donna, and others spent the day handing out food and gift cards to those in need.
(Holden) The Holden Police Department earlier this year suffered a devastating loss when Chief Chris Greeley passed away unexpectedly. This month, they’re carrying on a tradition Greeley began several years ago, “25 Days of Kindness”. So far this year, the police department has raised more than $20K to support that cause. Greeley’s widow, Donna, and others spent Friday delivering food and gift cards to those in need.
Sports
Congratulations to all the runners who completed the Millinocket Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday. Next year’s race is December 7th.
The LA Chargers shut out the Patriots 6 – nothing. Patriots at Three Rivers Stadium on Thursday to tackle the Steelers.
Celtics take on the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse tonight as the quarterfinals continue.
Bruins got their revenge on the Blue Jackets last night, skating to a 3-1 win over Columbus at TD Garden. Bruins off until Thursday, when they host the Buffalo Sabres.