Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
MSP Investigates Shooting and Fire in Minot
(Minot) A wild Valentine’s Day morning in Minot yesterday included a home being set ablaze, an officer being shot, and the homeowners being shot at as they ran to escape the fire. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, deputies with the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a disturbance at a home on Woodman Hill Road about 4 a.m. yesterday morning. They arrived to find the residence engulfed in flames. As they were escorting the homeowners to safety, a man at the end of the driveway reportedly opened fire, striking 43 yo Sergeant Randy Williams in the leg, and damaging several vehicles. Officers confronted the gunman, 42 yo Corey Hamel, who was staying at the home, and were able to take him into custody. Sergeant Williams was treated at a hospital in Lewiston. Hamel is charged with Aggravated Attempted Murder and Arson and is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.
(Minot) Shots fired, a home SET on fire, and a suspect charged with Attempted Murder and Arson. Valentine’s Day began with a violent scene yesterday morning in Minot. Deputies with the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department received a report of a disturbance at a home on Woodman Hill Road about 4 a.m. and arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. As they were escorting the homeowners from the residence, a man at the end of the driveway reportedly opened fire, striking several vehicles and shooting Sergeant Randy Williams in the leg. Officers later identified the shooter as 42 yo Corey Hamel, who was staying at the residence. Hamel is on probation for three separate counts of violation of conditional release. He was taken into custody and will be arraigned on Friday. Sergeant Williams is expected to survive. The homeowners were not injured.
Blue Hill Library Patron Charged
(Blue Hill) Was he there looking for a good crime novel? A Blue Hill resident apparently missed the lesson on library etiquette. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department reports deputies were called to the Blue Hill Library recently on report of a disorderly person. As a result of an investigation, 37 yo William “Willow” Mathewson was arrested and charged with criminal trespass. Two others were given written trespass notice and left the building. Mathewson was taken to the Hancock County Jail. No word on whether he was allowed to check out a book to read during his down time.
(Blue Hill) A Blue Hill man may want to read up on his library etiquette while in jail. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department reports deputies recently responded to the Blue Hill Library on report of a disorderly person. As a result of an investigation, 37 yo William “Willow” Mathewson was arrested and charged with criminal trespass. Two others were given written trespass notice and left the building. Mathewson was arrested and taken to the Hancock County Jail. No word on whether his library card was revoked as a result.
King Calls Foul on Plan to Nix Clever Roadside Signs
(Washington, DC) Remember the decision recently by the Department of Transportation, requiring states to do away with those clever highway signs? Maine Senator Angus King is frowning on the idea of removing the lighthearted messages. In a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, King called on the DOT to prioritize safety instead of curbing clever highway messaging. King said there’s a mile long backup of traffic safety issues upon which DOT should focus, rather than banning signs which through humor or wit attempt to give their messages a bit of ”fresh tread”. He added, “I hope we can avoid a head-on collision on this.”
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King is meeting an apparent lack of humor with some humor of his own. The Department of Transportation recently gave a thumbs down to those clever highway safety messages such as, “Did it come with a turn signal?”, requiring states to get serious within the next two years. King didn’t take the sour attitude lightly. Instead, he wrote a letter to the DOT, calling on officials to prioritize safety over curbing the clever highway messaging. In the letter, King wrote, there’s a mile long backup of traffic safety issues upon which DOT should focus rather than on banning signs which through humor or wit attempt to give their messages a bit of ”fresh tread”. He added, “I hope we can avoid a head-on collision on this.”
Disaster Relief Center Opens
(Farmington) Another disaster relief center is now open to help people dealing with damage from the December storm and flooding. This one is located at the University of Maine at Farmington. WABI-TV reports the center will be open from 8 to 6, seven days a week, until further notice. No appointments are necessary.
(Farmington) More help for those who suffered damage in the mid December storm last year. Another disaster relief center is now open at the University of Maine Farmington. WABI-TV reports the center will be open seven days a week between 8 and 6, until further notice, and no appointment is necessary.
Local Politics
Governor Mills Releases Supplemental Budget Proposal
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday introduced her supplemental budget proposal. As required by the Maine Constitution, the proposal is balanced and funds previously announced initiatives to address housing, education, health care, the opioid epidemic and more. It also proposes saving $107M to protect the state’s long-term fiscal health. Other initiatives include monies to support safe firearm storage, hiring more state troopers, and funding to help communities identify and strengthen infrastructure vulnerable to extreme weather – a reflection of the challenges faced by the state in the past year. A PDF of the budget is available at maine dot gov.
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills’s Supplemental Budget Proposal includes funds to address housing, education, health care, the opioid epidemic and more. The Governor on Wednesday released the full supplemental budget proposal, which is balanced, as required by the Maine Constitution and proposes saving $107M to protect the state’s long-term fiscal health. It also reflects challenges faced by the state in the last year, including funding for mental health, safe firearm storage, hiring more state troopers, and to help communities identify and strengthen infrastructure vulnerable to extreme weather. The State’s Rainy Day Fund has reached $968.3M, a record high and the maximum allowed under State law.
Education
Versant February Break Programming
(Orono) The Versant Power Planetarium has you covered when it comes to entertaining the kids next week during February school break. Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, there’s some super programming on tap, including a new show about the upcoming eclipse. (((BreakShows “…and we’re really excited for that one in particular.” :20))). Those shows are at 2:00 p.m. daily next week. Get tickets or learn more at astro dot u maine do e d u.
(Orono) Trying to decide how to keep the kids engaged during February break. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium, tells Star 97.7, they have a full week of programming planned, including a kid’s eye view of the upcoming eclipse. (((BreakShows “…and we’re really excited for that one in particular.” :20))) For information on school break programming and all the Planetarium has to offer, visit astro dot u maine dot e d u.
Environment
DMR Holds Public Hearing on Elver Quotas
(Augusta) The Department of Marine Resources will hold a public hearing today for proposed rule-making for Chapter 32 Elver Quotas for the 2024 Season and Temporary Medical Transfers of Elver Quota. The meeting will be held in person at 4 p.m. in the DMR Offices in Augusta, or you can contact DMR for a link to participate remotely.
(Augusta) A public hearing is scheduled for today for proposed rule-making for Chapter 32 Elver Quotas for the 2024 Season and Temporary Medical Transfers of Elver Quota. Interested parties may attend in person at the DMR Offices in the Marquardt Building in Augusta or remotely. Contact DMR for a link to join the meeting online.
Free Fishing Weekend
(Maine) This weekend is Free Fishing Weekend in Maine! The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy one of Maine’s signature winter traditions – ice fishing! February 17 and 18, any person, except those whose license has been suspended or revoked, may fish without a license. MDIFW reminds you to tread safely on the ice – they say check the weather, check the ice with an auger in several places, be prepared with safety supplies, and let someone know where you’ll be and what time you plan to return.
(Maine) Whether you’re an old pro or a newbie, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to enjoy one of Maine’s favorite outdoor pastimes – ice fishing! February 17 and 18, any person, except those whose license has been suspended or revoked, may fish without a license. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reminds those planning to traverse the ice to be aware of the weather and ice conditions, check the ice for depth in several places, let someone know where you’re going and what time you plan to return. And they say, take care of your catch. If practicing catch and release, do so quickly and responsibly; and if you harvest your catch, they ask that you take it home with you.
January Eighth Consecutive Month with Record Temperatures
(Undated) Scientists say January 2024 was the warmest January on record around the world – that’s according to the European Copernicus Climate Change Service. It was the eighth straight month of heat records at 1.3 degrees above average – which is significant in terms of climate’s effects. It’s not just on land – ocean temps set records for the tenth straight month in January, the warmest month on record for ocean waters, dating back to 1900.
(Undated) While winters in Maine are anything but warm, there’s no doubt they’re becoming warmER. The European Copernicus Climate Change Service reports January 2024 was the warmest on record around the world. Last month was the eighth straight month of heat records, with temps pushing the thermometer 1.3 degrees above average – a significant shift in terms of the effects of climate change. Land dwellers weren’t the only ones feeling the change – ocean temps set records for the tenth straight month in January, the warmest month on record for ocean waters, dating back to 1900.
Human Interest
Maine Classic Coming to Big Screen
(Bangor) Maine’s classic true tale of survival is coming to the big screen this summer. Donn Fendler’s memoir, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, details the true story of his being lost and surviving in the rugged Katahdin wilderness for nine days back in 1939. Fendler was just 12 years old at the time. WGME reports the book was required reading in Maine classrooms for generations, with Fendler giving talks to students until his death in 2016 at age 90. The movie was produced in 2022 by Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions and is expected to arrive in area cinemas in time for summer vacation.
(Bangor) The gripping true tale of a 12 yo boy’s nine-day survival in the rugged Katahdin wilderness is coming to local cinemas this summer. WGME reports the book Lost on a Mountain in Maine details the story of Donn Fendler who survived for more than a week in the wilderness back in 1939. The book was required reading in Maine classrooms for generations, with Fendler giving talks to students until his death in 2016 at the age of 90. The movie was produced in 2022 by Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions and is expected to arrive in area cinemas in time for summer vacation
Sports
The Celtics in Chicago tonight to take on the Bulls. The Bruins on the home ice again this evening as they take on the Seattle Kraken.
Last night’s high school tournament results: these boys’ teams reporting prelim game results, Jonesport-Beals with an easy win over Ashland, and George Stevens defeats Dexter.