Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Waldo County Authorities Investigate 700 Acre Island Incident
(Belfast) The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident on 700 Acre Island. Lieutenant Cody Laite (LATE) tells Star 97.7 on March 4th, the Waldo County RCC received a call just after 7:30 a.m. about a man who had been given a boat ride from the Lincolnville Ferry Terminal to 700 Acre Island. The caller said the man was last seen walking into the woods wearing a ballistic vest and may have been concealing a firearm. The man was later located in an outboard powered skiff near the north end of the island, but was not armed, nor was he wearing a vest. They say the man was cooperative and was taken to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment. Authorities were back on the island Tuesday and Wednesday investigating. There is reportedly no threat to the public, and no criminal charges are currently pending.
(Belfast) The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate an unusual incident on 700 Acre Island. Lieutenant Cody Laite (LATE) tells Star 97.7, the RCC received a call about 7:40 a.m. Monday about a man who was given a boat ride to the island from the Lincolnville Ferry Terminal. The caller said the man was then seen walking into the woods wearing a ballistic vest and may have been concealing a firearm. The US Coast Guard later located the man in a skiff near the north end of the island, but they say he was not armed, nor was he wearing a vest. He was reportedly cooperative and was taken to a medical facility for evaluation. Officers, along with the Maine Marine Patrol were back on the island Tuesday and yesterday investigating. They say there is currently no threat to the public, nor are there any criminal charges pending as of now.
Former Eastport Police Chief Joins UMaine Machias
(Machias) There’s a new face on the campus of the University of Maine Machias. Former Eastport Police Department Chief Mark J. Emery has been hired to serve in both a law enforcement and administrative capacity. Eastport residents familiar with Emery say he was a staple within the Eastport community who truly knew the people with whom he interacted. Emery says he hopes to bring those same qualities to the Machias campus.
(Machias) The University of Maine Machias has hired former Eastport Police Chief Mark J. Emery. Emery will serve in both law enforcement and administrative roles. Eastport residents familiar with Emery say he was a staple within the Eastport community who truly knew the people with whom he interacted. Emery says he hopes to bring those same qualities to the Machias campus.
Carmel House Fire
(Carmel) The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Wednesday morning house fire in Carmel. WABI-TV reports Carmel Fire and Rescue responded to the two-story home on Woodland Drive about 4:30 a.m.. The homeowner and their pets made it out safely before crews arrived. The fire was brought under control within the hour. Authorities will look for a cause of that blaze.
(Carmel) A Carmel family and their pets safely escaped an early morning blaze Wednesday. WABI-TV reports Carmel Fire and Rescue responded to a two-story home on Woodland Drive about 4:30 a.m. The fire was brought under control a little before 5:30 a.m. The State Fire Marshal’s Office will look for a cause.
Lewiston Shooter’s Brain Shows Evidence of Traumatic Brain Injury
(CNN) An analysis of brain tissue from Lewiston shooter Robert Card shows evidence of traumatic brain injury. CNN reports the 40 yo Army reservist and firearms instructor had no combat deployments, but had been hospitalized and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation about three months before he killed 18 people then turned the gun on himself. The Concussion Legacy Foundation said in a statement Wednesday that Card is thought to have been exposed to “thousands of low-level blasts” in his time at an Army hand grenade training range.
(CNN) The Concussion Legacy Foundation said in a statement Wednesday Lewiston shooter Robert Card is thought to have been exposed to “thousands of low-level blasts” in his time at an Army hand grenade training range. CNN reports an analysis of Card’s brain tissue requested by Maine’s Chief Medical Examiner shows evidence of traumatic brain injury. Low-level blast exposure has been associated with symptoms that can include concentration and memory problems, irritability, and slowed reaction times. The 40 yo Army reservist and firearms instructor had no combat deployments, but had been hospitalized and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation about three months before he killed 18 people then turned the gun on himself.
Local Politics
City of Ellsworth Seeks Input on Goals and Priorities
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth Planning Department has launched a survey to collect feedback on the Comprehensive Plan. The Steering Committee says the vision statement and guiding principles are designed to direct goals and priorities for Ellsworth’s future land use, capital planning, and policy decisions. The statements document was developed based on earlier survey results and feedback collected through public forums, events, subcommittee meetings and the project’s Social Pinpoint website. You can access the survey through this link: https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/ellsworth
(Ellsworth) The vision statement and guiding principles for Ellsworth’s Comprehensive Plan have been developed; and now the City is once again seeking your input. The Steering Committee says a vision statement focuses on shared community values, illustrates a sense of identity, and depicts an ideal future and the physical, environmental, and social attributes of a community. The guiding principles help direct goals and priorities for the City’s future land use, capital planning, and policy decisions. The document was developed based on earlier survey results and feedback. You can access the survey through this link: https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/ellsworth
Popular Vote Proposal Passes Maine House
(Augusta) A move to ditch the Electoral College in favor of the popular vote passed a major hurdle in Augusta this week. The House of Representatives passed the Democratic-led proposal 74-67, with five Democrats opposing the change. If it passes in the Democratically controlled Senate, Maine would join 16 other states and Washington, DC in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement to award Presidential electors based on the candidate who receives the most votes nationally.
(Augusta) Out with the Electoral College and in with the popular vote. That was the message this week as the Maine House of Representatives passed the Democratic-led proposal 74-67. Five Democrats opposed the measure. If it passes in the Democratically controlled Senate, Maine would join 16 other states and Washington, DC in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement to award Presidential electors based on the candidate who receives the most votes nationally.
Economy
Dragon Cement Updates Business Model
(Thomaston) It was devastating news last year when one of Thomaston’s major employers, Dragon Cement, announced it was shutting down operations in the town. This week Town Manager Kara George circulated an update on the manufacturer’s plans. As reported in the Pen Bay Pilot, Dragon is transitioning its business model from manufacturing to distribution and storage, effective the second quarter of this year. The company will import cement from Spain to Searsport. The product will then be transported to Thomaston. Despite recent layoffs, George said the Thomaston plant remains operational and that Dragon has no intention of abandoning the plant and plans to remain a presence in the community.
(Thomaston) It wasn’t the best news for Thomaston, but Town Manager Kara George this week updated the community on the status of Dragon Cement, a major employer that announced last year it would cease operations at the Thomaston plant. George said Dragon is transitioning its business model from manufacturing to distribution and storage, effective the second quarter of this year. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the company plans to import cement from Spain to Searsport. The product will then be transported to Thomaston. Despite recent layoffs, the move will reportedly have a more positive impact on the environment. George said the plant would remain operational and that Dragon will continue to be a presence in the community, with no plans of abandoning the facility.
Environment
Golden Eagles Return to Maine
(Maine) Golden eagles may be attempting a comeback in Maine. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says sightings of the endangered birds have been reported at seven new locations – six in towns where golden eagles haven’t been documented in the last ten years. WMTW reports in January, MDIFW launched a study of the vulnerable species. The project uses trail cameras to detect the birds, and officials are looking for enthusiasts to participate, particularly in new sites north of Greenville and south of Lewiston. The last pair of breeding golden eagles disappeared from the state in 1997, but Maine serves as a migratory corridor and hosts Goldens that reside in the state seasonally.
(Maine) A small population and human-related threats have contributed to golden eagles’ designation as endangered. Scientists want to know if the vulnerable birds are making a comeback in Maine. WMTW reports the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has documented sightings of the eagles in seven new locations, six in towns where the birds haven’t been reported in the last decade. In January, MDIFW launched a study of the birds, using trail cameras to detect their presence. MDIFW officials are looking for enthusiasts to participate, particularly in new sites north of Greenville and south of Lewiston. The last pair of breeding golden eagles disappeared from the state in 1997, but Maine serves as a migratory corridor and hosts Goldens that reside in the state seasonally.
Infrastructure
Courthouse Proposed for Surry Road
(Ellsworth) Senator Nicole Grohoski testified before the Judiciary Committee last week in support of a bond for construction of a new Hancock County courthouse off Surry Road. If the Legislature authorizes the $205M bond project, it would also fund courthouse projects in Androscoggin and Somerset Counties. The new Ellsworth facility would be built just past Josie’s Country Store heading into Ellsworth. The Ellsworth American reports Grohoski spoke specifically about the deficiencies existing in the current courthouse, which was built more than a century ago. The goal would be to begin construction during the summer of 2025, although the project has not yet gone before the city’s Planning Board.
(Ellsworth) Judicial branch officials and politicians last week unveiled plans for a new $55M courthouse in Ellsworth. Maine State Senator Nicole Grohoski testified before the Judicial Committee, citing inadequacies, safety and other problems with the existing Hancock County Courthouse, which was built over a 100 years ago. If the Legislature authorizes the total $205M bond project, it would also fund courthouse projects in Androscoggin and Somerset Counties. The Ellsworth American reports the proposed new courthouse would be built on property just past Josie’s Country Store, at 120 Surry Road, currently home to a single family residence that would be razed. The goal would be to begin construction during the summer of 2025, although the project has not yet gone before the City’s Planning Board.
Human Interest
Mother of Susan Collins Passes Away
(Caribou) The mother of Maine Senator Susan Collins passed away this week. Patricia Collins was a leader in her community, state, and church for more than half a century. Born in Colombia, South America, Pat came to the US as a young child and lived most of her life in Caribou after marrying her husband of 70 years. Donald Collins passed away in 2018. Among her many accomplishments, Collins was the first woman to be elected Mayor of Caribou and the first female chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Maine system. She volunteered in many public service positions, all while raising six children. Pat Collins was 96.
(Caribou) Patricia Collins was the first woman to be elected Mayor of Caribou, wrote two cookbooks and became an accomplished artist and photographer. She was also the first female chair of the UMaine system Board of Trustees and chalked up a lifetime of public service with numerous volunteer organizations, all while raising six children, including Maine’s US Senator Susan Collins. Collins moved to Maine to attend the University of Maine, and married Donald Collins in 1948. They celebrated 70 years together before his death in 2018. Patricia Collins passed away this week at the age of 96.
Sports
Red Sox at bat against the Braves today as Spring Training continues. (Red Sox vs. Rays Saturday)
Bruins on the home ice tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Celtics shoot hoops with the Nuggets in Denver.