Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Machias Police Locate Escapee
(Machias) A man who escaped protective custody Saturday morning was quickly apprehended by Machias police. Authorities issued an alert about 9 a.m. asking citizens to be on the lookout for 33 yo Jesse Perez-Robichaud, who fled Downeast Community Hospital wearing a hospital gown and no shoes. Details as to why the suspect was in protective custody weren’t released, but officials urged the public to remain vigilant. Perez-Robichaud was located and secured a short time later.
(Machias) A suspect who escaped protective custody in Machias Saturday morning was apprehended after police issued an alert, asking citizens to be on watch. 33 yo Jesse Perez-Robichaud reportedly fled Downeast Community Hospital about 9 a.m., wearing a hospital gown and no shoes. Details as to why the suspect was in protective custody weren’t released, but officials urged the public to remain vigilant. Perez-Robichaud was located and secured a short time later.
Parents, Grandmother Charged in Death of Ten-Year-Old Bangor Boy
(Bangor) The parents and grandmother of a 10 year old Bangor boy who allegedly died after months of abuse at the hands of those adults were in court on Friday. Braxtyn Smith passed away at a Bangor hospital on February 18th, after he was taken there with life-threatening injuries. The Bangor Daily News reports a 15-page affidavit compiled by the Bangor Police Department and released after their court appearance details a sickening story of Braxtyn being zip tied to chairs, being forced to dig through garbage for food, and being called insulting names. Braxtyn’s death is the latest high profile child death in a state that reportedly registers a higher maltreatment of children than any other state. A spokesperson for DHHS has reportedly declined to say whether the department had previously investigated the victim’s family.
(Bangor) A 15-page affidavit compiled by the Bangor Police Department and released Friday includes graphic descriptions of devastating abuse heaped on a 10 year old Bangor boy who died last month at a Bangor hospital. Braxtyn Smith arrived at the hospital on February 18th with life-threatening injuries and died, despite the best efforts of medical personnel to revive him. Smith’s parents and paternal grandmother were in court Friday, charged with depraved indifference murder. The Bangor Daily News reports the affidavit reveals Braxtyn was consistently abused for at least five months before his death, including being zip tied to chairs and his parents, being forced to dig through trash for food, and suffering physical abuse. A spokesperson for DHHS reportedly declined to say whether the department had previously investigated the victim’s family.
Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Bangor
(Bangor) A United Airlines plane en route from London to Newark made an emergency landing in Bangor on Friday. WMTW reports a passenger, Alexander MacDonald, became unruly during an argument with his girlfriend and then became verbally and physically aggressive with a crew member, shoving a flight purser. MacDonald then allegedly threatened to “mess up the plane”. Two passengers helped restrain MacDonald and secure him with flex cuffs. Upon landing in Bangor, MacDonald was escorted off the plane and arrested.
(Bangor) A United Airlines plane made an unscheduled stop in Bangor on Friday after a passenger allegedly became unruly and threatened to “mess up the plane”. WMTW reports the issue began when the passenger, Alexander MacDonald, got into a loud argument with his girlfriend. He then reportedly shoved a flight purser who was attempting to control the situation. Two passengers were able to restrain MacDonald with flight cuffs. Upon landing in Bangor, he was escorted off the plane and arrested.
Lewiston Commission to Hear from Victims, Families Today
(Lewiston) It will be an emotional day as the commission conducting an independent investigation into the October 25th Lewiston shootings hears from victims and their families today. A public meeting is set for 9 am this morning in Lewiston City Council Chambers. The meeting will be broadcast on the City of Lewiston YouTube Channel.
(Lewiston) Victims of the Lewiston mass shooting and their families are expected to testify before the commission conducting an independent investigation into the October 25th tragedy today. The public meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 am this morning in Lewiston City Council Chambers. The meeting will be available on the City of Lewiston YouTube Channel.
Local Politics
Senator Susan Collins to Back Haley in Primary
(Maine) At least one important voice in Maine will not be backing Donald Trump in the primary tomorrow. Senator Susan Collins told the Bangor Daily News she is endorsing former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley because, “she has the energy, intellect, and temperament that we need to lead our country in these very tumultuous times.”
(Maine) Donald Trump has lost out on at least one critical endorsement here in Maine. Senator Susan Collins said she is throwing her support behind former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in tomorrow’s Presidential Primary. Collins called Haley energetic and said she has the intellect and temperament needed to lead the country in these tumultuous times.
Gouldsboro Hires New Town Manager
(Gouldsboro) A former City of Ellsworth Finance Director has been hired as the new Town Manager of Gouldsboro. Joshua McIntyre officially stepped into the role on March 1st. The town has gone through a period of instability, with three town managers between 2015 and 2021, following the retirement of Yvonne Wilkinson who has been filling in as interim manager the past three years.
(Gouldsboro) Gouldsboro now has a new Town Manager. Former Ellsworth City Finance Director Joshua McIntyre officially stepped into that role on March 1st. McIntyre was with the City of Ellsworth for just over a year before stepping away in 2022 to work in the private sector. Gouldsboro has gone through a period of instability, with three town managers between 2015 and 2021, following the retirement of Yvonne Wilkinson who has been filling in as interim manager the past three years.
Super Tuesday
(Undated) Tomorrow is Super Tuesday. In Maine, enrolled Democrats and Republicans will vote for Presidential candidates in their own parties. New this year, unenrolled voters can vote for either, but may vote on only one ticket. Unenrolled voters make up about a third of all active voters in Maine, although it’s unclear how many will turn out tomorrow. Also new this year – the option of ranked choice voting on both parties’ ballots. Voters in Maine can register in person up to and on Election Day. Fifteen states and American Samoa will hold primaries or caucuses tomorrow, the largest single-day contest in the run up to the November ballot.
(Undated) Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, when Americans in 15 states and American Samoa hold their primaries or caucuses. The delegate haul holds the promise of elevating a particular candidate, although the race for President appears to be coming down to a contest between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. In Maine, enrolled Democrats and Republicans will vote on their own tickets, while – new this year – unenrolled voters may choose to vote on either ticket. Eligible citizens can register to vote in person up to or even on Election Day.
Economy
Value of Commercial Fisheries Increases in 2023
(Maine) Maine’s commercial fishery remains as tough as the men and women who run the industry. In spite of challenges with global warming and new regulations, commercial fishermen earned more than $611M at the dock in 2023 – an increase of more than $25M over the previous year. Experts credit a strong boat price for lobster, the state’s most valuable seafood. The price paid to fishermen increased from $3.97 to $4.95 per pound in 2023, accounting for about ⅔ of the total industry increase over 2022. Maine’s elver fishery was the second most valuable in 2023, netting harvesters more than $2,000 per pound.
(Maine) The fishing industry is listed as one of the most dangerous, but the men and women of Maine who make their living on the ocean are up to the challenge. That hard work paid off in 2023, as commercial fishermen earned more than $611M at the dock – an increase of more than $25M over the previous year. Experts in large part credit a strong boat price for lobster, the state’s most valuable seafood. The price paid to fishermen increased from $3.97 per pound in 2022 to $4.95 in 2023. The increase accounted for more than $464M of the $611M dollar total industry increase. Maine’s elver fishery was the second most valuable, netting harvesters more than $2,000 a pound, for total earnings of just under $20M.
COA Purchases Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop
(Bar Harbor) College of the Atlantic has purchased the buildings at 141 Cottage Street, home to the Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop. COA President Darron Collins told the Mount Desert Islander the school will use the building, which includes seven apartments, to provide permanent housing for faculty and staff. Joe Minutolo, who has co-owned the business with his brother, Al, for the past 46 years, says the sale was emotional, but that the school plans to carry on the Bicycle Shop with a couple of the current managers who will run the popular shop. Minutolo said the business opened the year COA had its first graduating class of two people back in 1969.
(Bar Harbor) You might say College of the Atlantic and the Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop grew up together. Brothers Joe and Al Minutolo opened the shop in 1969, the same year COA graduated its first class of two people. That was 46 years ago, and it’s now come full circle, as the Mount Desert Islander reports the college has purchased the buildings at 141 Cottage Street. President Darron Collins said the buildings, which contain seven apartments altogether, will provide housing for faculty and staff. The school plans to continue the first-floor business and is working with two current managers who will reportedly run the popular bicycle shop.
Environment
Peregrine Falcon Nesting
(ANP) If the nice weather has you in the mood for hiking at Acadia National Park, you’ll want to avoid several park trails that are now closed to protect peregrine falcons during nesting season. Areas that are currently off limits include Jordan Cliffs, Precipice, and Valley Cove Trails. The closures are to protect the raptors from human disturbance and harassment. National Park Service officials also remind visitors that a short section of Seawall Road, Route 102, remains closed at Seawall Pond due to storm damage. Wonderland and Ship Harbor hiking trails can be accessed from the west, through Bass Harbor and Route 102A.
(ANP) If you plan to take a hike during this nice weather, Acadia National Park officials say there are some trails you’ll need to avoid and a couple you can still access, but you’ll need to use an alternate route to get there. Jordan Cliffs, Precipice, and Valley Cove Trails are off limits currently, during peregrine falcon nesting season. The closures are to protect the raptors from human disturbance and harassment. Visitors are also reminded a short section of Seawall Road, Route 102, remains closed at Seawall Pond, due to storm damage. Wonderland and Ship Harbor hiking trails can be accessed from the west through Bass Harbor and Route 102A.
Infrastructure
Work on Route One in Searsport Resumes This Week
(Searsport) Well, it must be spring. We’re not talking about the weather, but road work resuming in Searsport. Crews will be back at work on Route One this week to continue rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road through the downtown area. Motorists should look for detour signs beginning tomorrow. The Maine Department of Transportation says the detours will likely remain in place until October 15th. Completion date for all work is anticipated to be June 2025.
(Searsport) Road crews and detours will be back in Searsport beginning tomorrow. It’s the last phase of the Maine Department of Transportation’s rehabilitation and reconstruction of Route One. Work on the road, which travels through downtown Searsport, began last June. The Maine Department of Transportation says detours will likely remain in place until October 15th this year. Completion date for all work is anticipated to be June 2025.
Sports
The Orono boys held onto their Class B State Championship title Friday, beating Oceanside.
The Bruins take on the Maple Leafs tonight in Toronto.
The Celtics handed the Golden State Warriors a decisive win Sunday, beating them 140-88. Celtics in Cleveland Tuesday to shoot hoops with the Cavs.
The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 3-1 yesterday in Spring Training. Boston up against the Detroit Tigers this afternoon at 1:05.