Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Romer’s Corner Crash Knocks Out Power
(Trenton) Roads on and off MDI were closed for more than three hours Monday morning due to a crash near Romer’s Corner. The roads were shut down around 8 a.m. as crews worked to repair several power lines that were down across the Bar Harbor Road. Oak Point Road was eventually reopened as a detour. No word on a cause of that crash or if there were injuries, but power was knocked out and police were directing traffic at traffic signals.
(Trenton) Monday morning accidents prevented traffic from moving on or off MDI for a short time yesterday morning. A crash near Romer’s Corner left multiple power lines down across the road around 8 a.m. Oak Point Road was eventually reopened as a detour. No word on injuries or a cause of the incidents, but weather likely played a factor.
New Gloucester Explosion Update
(New Gloucester) The State Fire Marshal’s Office has completed its investigation of an explosion and fire that left a New Gloucester homeowner dead last Saturday. 44 yo Lado Ladoka was working on his home’s oil-fired furnace when it became overloaded with fuel. Officials say once it started to burn, it didn’t stop, which eventually built up pressure in the boiler, and the failure of the boiler created the explosion. They remind residents to seek out a licensed professional to work on home heating systems.
(New Gloucester) A steam explosion caused by thermal runaway. That’s the conclusion of the State Fire Marshal’s Office on the cause of the explosion and fire that killed a New Gloucester homeowner last Saturday. They say 44 yo Lado Ladoka was working on his home’s oil-fired furnace when it became overloaded with fuel, began to burn and didn’t stop. That eventually built up pressure in the boiler, causing the boiler to fail and explode. Safety officials say it’s important to seek out licensed professionals to work on home heating systems.
Person Dies After Being Hit by Fallen Tree
(Newburgh) A fallen tree claimed the life of an individual in Newburgh over the weekend. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office reports it happened on Western Avenue. First responders performed CPR at the scene, but the victim, who was not identified, was pronounced dead. Officials continue to investigate but say it appears to have been an accident.
(Newburgh) A person was found dead Sunday after a tree fell on the individual in Newburgh. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office reports the victim, who was not identified, was found on Western Avenue. First responders at the scene tried unsuccessfully to revive the person with CPR. It appears the death was accidental.
Controversial Warden No Longer with MDIFW
(Augusta) No word on the cause of his departure, but Jeremy Judd is no longer employed as a warden with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Judd had been on paid administrative leave since November 3rd after a complaint was reportedly filed against him by a member of the public. Sources say it was the second time Judd had faced such leave pending an investigation into his conduct. MDIFW spokesperson Mark Latti declined to comment on the nature of the most recent complaint or on whether or not Judd had been fired. Judd appeared on the TV show “North Woods Law” in 2016.
(Augusta) A Maine warden who formerly appeared on the TV show “North Woods Law” is no longer with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Jeremy Judd had reportedly been on paid administrative leave since November 3rd while a complaint against him was investigated. It was reportedly the second time Judd had been placed on leave – the first after he allegedly assaulted a concertgoer in 2019 while off duty and attending a Florida Georgia Line show. MDIFW spokesperson Mark Latti declined to comment on the nature of the most recent complaint or whether or not Judd had been fired.
Local Politics
Ellsworth City Hall Hours Update
(Ellsworth) The wonderful folks at Ellsworth City Hall are offering an extended hour day to accommodate those who need their services. Beginning January 2nd, Thursday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with Friday hours 8 to 12:30. Monday through Wednesday hours will remain the same – 8 to 5 daily. Effectiveness of the new hours will be evaluated after six months.
(Ellsworth) You need to do business at Ellsworth City Hall, but you just can’t make that 5 o’clock closing time. No worries! Beginning January 2nd, you can access services in person on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. City Hall will be open Fridays from 8 to 12:30. Monday through Wednesday hours will remain the same, 8 to 5 each day. Public safety services are not affected apart from the Fire Department administrative offices located in City Hall.
Economy
Ellsworth Mad Hatter Night
(Ellsworth) The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland was often in trouble with the law! The only thing you’ll be troubled by is missing Mad Hatter Night in Downtown Ellsworth! Stores will be open late on December 15th for you to wrap up your Christmas shopping and enjoy all that downtown has to offer. Plus, children ages 3-12 – as long as they’re potty trained – can be dropped off between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Moore Center so you can enjoy a night out, shop and know the kids – and YOU – are having a great time!
(Ellsworth) Mad Hatter Night is coming to Ellsworth! On December 15th, parents can drop the kids at the Moore Center between 5:30 and 8:30 (ages 3-12, potty trained, please), then head to Downtown Ellsworth to wrap up that Christmas shopping and grab a bite to eat. Stores will be open late that night so you can enjoy all Downtown Ellsworth has to offer, including the beautifully decorated storefronts and the bright and festive holiday lights on the lampposts and the Union River Bridge, thanks to Heart of Ellsworth!
Environment
College of the Atlantic Offers Adopt a Whale
(Bar Harbor) We all have that hard-to-buy-for relative or friend – College of the Atlantic has a whale of an idea to gift them. Their Adopt-A-Whale program supports critical research and conservation efforts for these majestic creatures, and you can choose from humpback and fin whales and mother and calf pairs. The gift comes with an adoption certificate, photos, a biography, a sighting history of your whale, and more. Adopt a single whale for just $30 or a pair for $40. Visit c o a dot e d u forward slash adopt a whale by December 15th to ensure holiday delivery.
(Bar Harbor) Your kids may think you’re up to something fishy, but no one will give them a bigger gift. College of the Atlantic has an opportunity for you to thrill a young marine conservationist through their Adopt-A-Whale Program! The program supports critical research and conservation efforts, and you can choose from humpback and fin whales and mother and calf pairs. Just $30 for a single whale or $40 for a pair gets the recipient an adoption certificate, photos, a biography, a sighting history, and more. Visit c o a dot e d u forward slash adopt a whale by December 15th to ensure holiday delivery.
Human Interest
Downeast Scenic Railroad Gifted a Piece of History
(Ellsworth) The Downeast Scenic Railroad is very much on board when it comes to preserving a treasured piece of history that might otherwise have ended up as scrap in a junkyard. The Russell Snow Plow was built in 1952 and would have been in service on the former Calais Branch of the Maine Central Railroad, plowing the tracks 126 miles to Calais and back. CSX is in the process of removing antiquated or derelict equipment from various yards and has offered to donate the piece to DSR to restore. Downeast Scenic Railroad President Tom Testa tells Star 97.7 it’s a once in a generation opportunity to preserve this rare piece of Maine railroad history.
(Ellsworth) When CSX offered to donate a treasured piece of history to the Downeast Scenic Railroad in Hancock, DSR President Tom Testa says they made tracks to acquire it. The Russell Snow Plow was built in 1952 and would have been used on the former Calais Branch of the Maine Central Railroad, clearing 126 miles of track from Northern Maine Junction to Calais and back. Testa jumped at the chance to restore this rare piece and save it from ending up in a scrap yard. He says transportation and restoration will cost about $62K, but the history it will preserve and display is simply priceless.
Milbridge Theatre Reaches Match Challenge
(Milbridge) Congratulations to the Milbridge Theater and Community Arts Center! They reached and exceeded their goal of raising $30,000 to be matched by an anonymous donor for purchase of a digital projection system. Kudos to everyone who donated! They say they plan on raising the rest of the $90K total cost in 2024.
(Milbridge) Take a bow, Milbridge! You helped the Milbridge Theater and Community Arts Center exceed their goal of raising $30K, which will be matched by an anonymous donor. The monies are earmarked for a digital projection system with a total cost of $90K, the remainder of which the theater is confident they can raise in 2024.
Obituary
(Hancock) The owner of Shirley’s Yarns and Crafts has passed away. Shirley Jones, an avid knitter, opened the store more than 50 years ago after she was unable to find quality yarn in the area. At the time, her husband, Dick, sold mobile homes and offered her a space in his office building. But the business soon became indispensable – like a favorite sweater knit from a ball of yarn. The store was closed several days last week, but plans to reopen today.
(Hancock) Shirley Jones is no doubt already teaching the other angels how to knit. The founder and proprietor of Shirley’s Yarns and Crafts in Hancock opened the popular store more than 50 years ago, because she said she couldn’t find quality yarn in the area. Her husband originally offered her a space in his office, but the avid knitter quickly outgrew that. Shirley passed away this week. The store was closed for about a week, but plans to reopen today.
Sports
Indiana outpaced the Celtics last night – Pacers with the 122-112 win. Celtics have a week off now.
Patriots at Pittsburgh Thursday to take on the Steelers
Bruins off until Thursday when they host the Buffalo Sabres