Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Illegal Marijuana Crackdown
(Piscataquis County) A search of locations in Sangerville and Guilford on Friday led to the seizure of hundreds of marijuana plants from illegal Asian growing operations. WABI-TV reports the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s office served four search warrants and confiscated some 2200 plants from three of four properties searched. One man was arrested and taken to the Piscataquis County Jail. Last week, Maine’s Congressional delegation sent a letter to the Justice Department asking for a meeting on the illegal Asian growers, whose farms are allegedly connected to organized crime throughout Maine and the U.S.
(Piscataquis) Authorities continue to smoke out illegal Asian marijuana growing operations in Maine. On Friday, a search of various locations in Sangerville and Guilford led to the seizure of some 2200 plants. The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s office says one man was arrested and taken to the Piscataquis County Jail. WABI-TV reports the searches took place at a property on North Dexter Road in Sangerville, two properties on the Manhanock Pond Road, and at a home on Water Street in Guilford.
Corinna Drug Seizure
(Corinna) The Penobscot County Sheriff’s office says a search in Corinna on Friday led to the discovery of more than 3700 marijuana plants. WABI-TV reports authorities had searched a home on St. Albans Road for a suspected drug operation after receiving multiple reports of suspicious activity at the residence, located just 50 yards from the town office. Penobscot County Sheriff Troy Morton reports officers also found high voltage exposed wires and unsafely mixed chemicals, forcing authorities to move cautiously and to use appropriate safety protocols when removing the evidence.
(Corinna) High voltage exposed wires, unsafely mixed chemicals, and other disturbing discoveries forced Penobscot County Sheriff’s deputies to proceed with caution Friday after a search of a home on St. Albans Road in Corinna also turned up more than 3700 marijuana plants. Sheriff Troy Morton told WABI-TV authorities went to the home after receiving multiple reports of suspicious activity at the residence, which was located just 50 yards from the town office. The Maine DEP was called in to assist. That investigation is ongoing.
Saco Shooting Incident
(Saco) The shelter-in-place order has been lifted, but authorities in Saco continue to search for four people who fled from a crash in the downtown area on Friday afternoon after gunshots were reportedly fired. Police say the suspects were in a Honda HRV that collided with a Dodge Charger and pushed the vehicles into a stopped school bus. None of the students on the bus was injured. Evidence at the scene indicates at least one person, wearing all dark clothing and who fled from the crash scene, had been shot in the arm. Area schools and businesses were locked down during the incident. Authorities continue to use tactical and K9 units and drone operators in a search for the suspects.
(Saco) Schools and businesses went into lockdown Friday afternoon in Saco, following a crash in the downtown area in which gunshots were reportedly fired. The Saco Police Department reports the crash happened around Noon and involved a red Dodge Charger and a Honda HRV. The collision pushed the vehicles into a stopped school bus, though no children on board were injured. Evidence at the scene indicates at least one person who fled from the crash scene had been shot in the arm. They say that person was wearing a mask and was dressed in all dark clothing. Area schools and businesses were locked down during the incident. Authorities continue to use tactical and K9 units and drone operators in a search for the suspects.
Spring River Lake Drowning
(Hancock County) An afternoon of ice fishing with family turned tragic Friday when an ATV broke through the ice at Spring River Lake. Mark Latti with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife tells Star 97.7, 88 yo Floyd Hardison of Waltham had spent the day with his son and two grandsons. They were riding their ATVs back to their parked vehicles on the shore, when the ATV in which he was riding went through the ice. Hardison’s adult grandson, who was driving, was able to free himself and get out onto the ice, but Hardison went under with the ATV. His body was recovered later that day still strapped into the side by side.
(Hancock County) A Waltham man died Friday when the ATV in which he was riding broke through the ice on Spring River Lake. Mark Latti, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, tells Star 97.7, 88 yo Floyd Hardison of Waltham had spent the day ice fishing with family, and the four were headed back to shore about 6 pm when the side by side in which he was riding broke through the ice. Hardison’s adult grandson, who was driving, was able to free himself and get out onto the ice, but Hardison went under with the vehicle. His body was recovered later that evening.
Grand Jury Indicts Ellsworth Man in Officer Involved Shooting
(Ellsworth) A Grand Jury last week indicted a man who was injured in a December officer-involved shooting at a home on Water Street in Ellsworth. Police reportedly were responding to a complaint when 68 yo Jeff Paine greeted them at the door armed with a gun. Paine allegedly fired at the officers, who then fired back, hitting Paine in the arm. Paine was indicted on multiple charges, including criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
(Ellsworth) A Grand Jury has indicted an Ellsworth man injured in an officer-involved shooting in December. Officers say they were responding to a complaint at a home on Water Street, when 68 yo Jeff Paine met them at the door with a firearm. Police say he fired at the officers, who then returned fire, striking Paine in the arm. The jury indicted Paine on multiple charges, including attempted murder and reckless conduct with a firearm.
Hearing Process Established to Consider Complaint Against Oxford County Sheriff
(Augusta) A hearing process is moving forward following a request by Oxford County Commissioners for the removal of the County Sheriff. Because it’s an elected position, the Sheriff can only be removed by order of the Governor. Among other complaints, Christopher Wainwright is accused of transferring guns from an evidence locker to a gun dealer without proper notice or documentation. An Executive Order signed by Governor Mills last week establishes use of a Hearing Officer who will confer with both parties, provide both with appropriate protection of their rights, and provide a written report of findings and recommendations to the Governor.
(Augusta) A request by County Commissioners for Governor Janet Mills’s removal of Oxford County Sheriff Christopher Wainwright took another step forward last week. An Executive Order signed by the Governor establishes use of a Hearing Officer who will confer with both parties, provide both with appropriate protection of their rights, and provide a written report of findings and recommendations. Among other complaints, Wainwright is accused of transferring guns from an evidence locker to a gun dealer without proper notice or documentation. Because the position of Sheriff is an elected one, removal can only be done by the Governor.
Local Politics
Mills Moves to Expedite $50M to Rebuild Infrastructure Resiliency
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills is moving forward with her plan to expedite a $50M proposal to help communities rebuild infrastructure and address climate resiliency by introducing the proposal as stand alone legislation rather than as part of the forthcoming supplemental budget. The funding would come from the state’s record-high Rainy Day Fund and would help Maine rebuild, after back to back recent storms washed away roads and wharfs and left towns under water. The legislation is expected to be introduced in the coming days, with the supplemental budget proposal expected shortly thereafter.
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has introduced her plan to speed up a $50M proposal that would help communities rebuild infrastructure following back to back storms in December and January that washed away critical infrastructure. Funding would come from the state’s record-high Rainy Day Fund and would help Maine rebuild, while addressing climate resiliency. The legislation is expected to be introduced in the coming days, with the supplemental budget proposal expected shortly thereafter.
Environment
Rare February Thunderstorm
(Maine) Punxsutawney Phil must have had Saturday afternoon in mind when he predicted an early spring this year. While the National Weather Service says February thunderstorms aren’t unheard of, they’re definitely rare – there have only been four in Bangor in recorded history – 1960, and 2003, 16, and now in 24. Many people remarked on the unusually loud thunder. NWS says the super sound was because of something called “inversion”, where temps warm with height instead of cooling, bouncing sound waves back down to the surface. But don’t get too excited about spring just yet. Plowable snow is predicted for many places along the coast, especially south, on Tuesday.
(Maine) The thermometer hit 60 degrees, there were reports of vivid lightning, hail in places, and unusually loud thunder from Oxford County east to Washington County. Saturday afternoon felt more like late April in places, especially along the coast. The National Weather Service says while February thunderstorms aren’t unheard of, they are rare – with just four reported in Bangor in recorded history – 1960, and 2003, 16, and now in 24. NWS says those ear-busting booms of thunder were caused by something known as an inversion – instead of cooling, temps warm with height, which bounces the sound waves back down to the surface. But don’t put the winter coats away just yet, plowable snow is predicted in places tomorrow. Steve McKay will be in with all the details.
Downeast Salmon Federation Takes Proactive Steps at Local Hatchery
(Columbia Falls) Last fall, the Downeast Salmon Federation experienced a devastating blow at its hatchery. A virus outbreak forced them to cull all the fish. Since then, DSF has been working to thoroughly clean, install a brand-new ultraviolet light filtration system, and take other steps to safeguard the water before it is distributed to the rooms that house Narraguagus and East Machias river-specific fish. DSF says thanks to funds received for the Peter Gray Parr Project, they’ve been able to bring up the numbers of salmon in the East Machias River over the last decade, as well as help increase the population size in the Narraguagus.
(Columbia Falls) It was a devastating blow last fall when an organization whose mission is to increase the size of endangered salmon populations was forced to cull all the fish in their hatchery due to a virus. Since then, the Downeast Salmon Federation has been working to thoroughly clean, install a brand-new ultraviolet light filtration system, and take other steps to safeguard the water before it is distributed to the rooms that house Narraguagus and East Machias river-specific fish. DSF credits funds received for the Peter Gray Parr Project with their being able to restore the hatchery and bring up the numbers of salmon in the East Machias River over the last decade, as well as help increase the population size in the Narraguagus.
Infrastructure
$4.4M to Increase Electrical Grid Resilience to Extreme Storms
(Augusta) A $4.4M grant opportunity will shore up electrical grid resilience to extreme storms in Maine. The monies come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will help ensure reliable electricity for Maine people and businesses. The funds will be administered through the Governor’s Energy Office and will support such projects as weatherization of critical technology and equipment, moving electrical infrastructure underground, and improving vegetation and utility pole management.
(Augusta) Recent storms that left tens of thousands without power throughout the state highlighted the need for shoring up electrical grid resilience. A $4.4M grant opportunity will support such projects as weatherization of critical technology and equipment, moving electrical infrastructure underground, and improving vegetation and utility pole management. The monies, which will be administered through the Governor’s Energy Office, come as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will help ensure reliable electricity for Maine people and businesses.
Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs took it into overtime, but pulled off a 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers, thanks to Patrick Mahomes’s walk-off TD pass. It was the Chiefs’ second consecutive Super Bowl title.
We’re about to lose track of all the honors and awards here in Downeast Maine, and basketball tournaments aren’t even underway! Congratulations to the Ellsworth High School Cheerleaders, who retained their title as Class B State Champs for the second consecutive year, the Sumner cheerleaders who came in runners up in Class C, and Ellsworth’s Coach Andy Pooler who was voted by his peers as the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches’ Class B Girls’ Coach of the Year! His Eagles finished 18-0 this season and are the #1 seed in Class B North going into the 2024 Tournament.
Bruins and Celtics both have the night off.