Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Authorities Investigate Death in Union
(Union) Authorities are investigating after a person was found dead in a home on Route 17 in Union on Saturday. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss told the Courier Gazette, Knox County troopers responded to a home near the Hope town line just before 9:30 a.m.. By later that morning, multiple police cruisers and a Maine State Police evidence recovery team were on the scene. Other information is being withheld pending an autopsy. Officials did say there was no threat to the public.
(Union) A Maine State Police evidence recovery team was on the scene at a home in Union Saturday, after a body was discovered there. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss told the Courier Gazette, Knox County troopers responded to a residence on Heald Highway around 9:20 Saturday morning. By Noon, a large police presence could be seen at the home. Further information is being withheld pending the outcome of an autopsy. Authorities did say there was no threat to the public.
Maine Doctor Found Guilty of Illegally Distributing Controlled Substances
(Kennebunk) A Maine doctor was found guilty on 15 counts of illegally distributing controlled substances. WGME reports the Justice Department says Dr. Meredith Norris of Kennebunk prescribed the drugs without legitimate medical purposes. Federal officials say some patients diverted the drugs into the community. Norris was reportedly warned several times about prescribing the drugs, including by pharmacists who refused to fill prescriptions she wrote. A sentencing date has not yet been set, but Norris faces a maximum of 20 years on each guilty count.
(Kennebunk) A Kennebunk doctor could face up to 20 years in prison on each of 15 counts of illegally distributing controlled substances. According to WGME, the Justice Department said Dr. Meredith Norris prescribed the drugs without legitimate medical purposes. Federal officials say some patients then diverted the drugs into the community. Norris was reportedly warned several times about prescribing the drugs, including by pharmacists who refused to fill prescriptions she wrote. The doctor was indicted in 2022.
Unity College Student’s Decades Old Murder Solved
(Virginia) It was a pleasant spring evening in 1996 when 26 yo Unity College student Laura “Lollie” Winans and her girlfriend, 24 yo Julianne Williams, set up their tent at a remote campsite in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Days later, the girls’ bodies were found – bound and gagged, their throats slit. Although a suspect was later questioned, the case went unsolved for nearly three decades – until last week. The FBI said it pulled DNA from several items of evidence and found a positive match to Walter Leo Jackson, Sr., a 49 yo serial rapist, originally from the Cleveland, Ohio area. Jackson died in prison in Ohio in 2018. Further tests confirmed his involvement. Officials say they hope the families at least now have closure.
(Virginia) It was nearly three decades ago, on May 24th, 1996, that Unity College student “Lollie” Winans and her girlfriend, 24 yo Julianne Williams, set up camp at a remote site in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. The girls were avid outdoor enthusiasts, and their camp was near a gurgling stream not far from a popular resort and just off the Appalachian Trail. Authorities surmise the sound of the water may have masked the footsteps of a deadly intruder. Days later on June 1st, their bodies were found, bound and gagged with their throats slit. The murders went unsolved for 28 years – until last week, when the FBI confirmed it had pulled DNA from several items of evidence and found a positive match to Walter Leo Jackson, Sr., a 49 yo serial rapist, originally from the Cleveland, Ohio area. Jackson died in prison in Ohio in 2018. Further tests confirmed his involvement and finally gave the families of the girls some closure.
Snakes Rescued in Portland Fire
(Portland) For goodness sNakes – fifty six pet snakes were among the rescued at a three-alarm fire at a three-unit building on Pembroke Street in Portland Friday morning. WABI-TV reports the snakes were carried out in tubs from the home of a woman who said she was working to save the lives of the slithering reptiles. Officials said it was possible Friday’s fire was caused by a lightning strike. There were no reports of any injuries, either to snakes or humans.
Local Politics
U.S. District Judge Denies Cruise Ship Injunction Request
(Bar Harbor) A group seeking to appeal a decision on limiting the number of passengers disembarking from cruise ships in Bar Harbor was hoping for a life preserver. Instead, their hopes were sunk Friday when U.S. District Judge Lance Walker denied a request for an injunction enforcing the ordinance while the matter continues through the courts. The request was brought by APPLL – the Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods – and others. The Mount Desert Islander reports in his ruling, Judge Walker said the plaintiff missed the mark in its arguments and failed to offer any substantive evidence the case would be won on appeal.
(Bar Harbor) It’s been anything but smooth sailing as a battle over limiting the number of cruise ship passengers who can disembark in Bar Harbor continues to hit rough seas in the courts. The Mount Desert Islander reports on Friday, U.S. District Judge Lance Walker denied a request for injunction brought by APPLL – the Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods – and others. In his ruling, the judge said the plaintiff missed the mark in its arguments and failed to offer any substantive evidence the case would be won on appeal.
Economy
Asticou Inn Renovations Approved
(NE Harbor) It’s hard to imagine anything more relaxing than lunch and popovers on the deck of the Asticou Inn, overlooking Northeast Harbor. But things stand to change with a $10M renovation of the Inn, a plan that received unanimous approval at a recent Planning Board meeting. The Mount Desert Islander reports the renovation includes plans to add 15 two-bedroom guest cottages and 18 guest suites tiered beneath a new outdoor pool. Eighteen rooms previously used for employee housing would be outfitted as guest rooms. Not everyone is happy with the proposed changes, citing concerns about the change in employee housing in an era of affordable housing shortages, as well as storm water levels and erosion.
(NE Harbor) Northeast Harbor’s Asticou Inn first opened its doors in 1884 and was rebuilt in 1891 after it was destroyed by fire. Now a Kennebunk based real estate developer plans a $10M renovation. The Mount Desert Islander reports those plans received unanimous approval at a recent meeting of the Planning Board. Changes include, among other things, addition of 15 two-bedroom guest cottages and transforming 18 rooms previously set aside for employee housing to be outfitted as guest rooms. Some present at the meeting expressed concerns, including the employee housing change in an age of shortages of affordable housing, as well as concerns about storm water levels and erosion. One citizen said he hoped the application showed plans for the owner to be a responsible steward of the property.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Helen’s Hosts Tip-A-Cop
(Ellsworth) Eat a delicious down home dinner and have pie with a clear conscience tonight at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth. Paul Dupuis and I recently sat down with Corporal Shawn Merchant of the Ellsworth Police Department to talk about tonight’s “Tip-A-Cop” event to raise money for a very special cause. (((TipACop 1 “…from 5 to 7 at Helen’s Restaurant.” :16))) Corporal Merchant says last year’s event on the same evening, a Monday, raised almost $4,000 to support a cause that’s near and dear to his heart. In fact, he’s organized the Special Olympics Torch Run that kicks off the games in Bangor each year for the past dozen years. Come on out tonight, eat well, and support a great cause!
(Ellsworth) Get out of the kitchen and support a great cause tonight by dining at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth. Now don’t be fooled when you walk in and see the folks in uniform serving up meals – it’s all to raise money to support a very special cause here in Maine – Special Olympics. Corporal Shawn Merchant with the Ellsworth Police Department organizes the Special Olympics Torch Run each year. He sat down with us in the studio recently to tell us about tonight’s Tip-A-Cop event. (((TipACop 2 “…we have a great time, it’s kind of fun.” :13))) Tip-A-Cop runs from 5 to 7 tonight at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth. Be sure to order pie and coffee after dinner and leave a generous tip.
(Ellsworth) Corporal Shawn Merchant with the Ellsworth Police Department has a real heart for kids. He organizes the Special Olympics Torch Run each year, heads up the DARE program at Ellsworth Elementary Middle School and is the school resource officer at Ellsworth High School. (((TipACop 3 “…just want to share something that they’ve done … and, uh, I’m there for them.” :12))) Tonight, Corporal Merchant will be wearing an apron over that uniform to help raise money for a cause near and dear to his heart – Special Olympics Maine. You can support Shawn and his fellow officers and some very special athletes at tonight’s Tip-A-Cop event at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth. Officers will be serving up delicious meals and pie from 5 to 7 and hope you’ll come out and serve up your support.
(Ellsworth) You’ll want to bring your best manners with you to Helen’s in Ellsworth tonight – just kidding, but don’t be alarmed when you walk in and find the floor being “policed” by officers in uniform! From 5 to 7, members of law enforcement will be taking your orders (backed by experienced servers!) to raise money for a very special cause – Special Olympics Maine. Corporal Shawn Merchant, organizer of the annual Special Olympics Torch Run, sat down with Paul and me recently to talk about this evening’s Tip-A-Cop. (((TipACop 4 “…I’m just here to take your order. What can I get for ya? :18))) And when they “ticket” you – for your meal, of course – be sure to tip generously. That’s from 5 to 7 tonight at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth. Hope to see you there!
Infrastructure
Steuben Bridge Closure
(Steuben) You won’t be crossing THIS bridge when you get there. The Town of Steuben says the Pinkham Bay Bridge is closed until further notice. Sections of road leading to the bridge are eroding rapidly, making it unsafe. The matter will be discussed at Wednesday’s Selectmen’s meeting.
(Steuben) The Pinkham Bay Bridge in Steuben is closed until further notice. Town officials say sections of road leading to the bridge are rapidly eroding, making travel unsafe. The Selectmen plan to discuss the problem at this Wednesdays’ meeting.
Bangor Pride
(Bangor) A rain-threatening Saturday brought out a rainbow of color, fun, festivities and hope for the Bangor LGBTQ-plus community. The Bangor Pride celebration boasted well over a hundred vendors, with thousands attending to show support. Saturday’s was the 32nd Bangor Pride Parade and Festival, started in 1992 in response to the murder of Bangor teen Charlie Howard, who was assaulted and murdered in 1984 for being gay. This year’s theme was “Together We Grow”, signaling acceptance OF all and BY all, and pride in simply being who you truly are.
Sports
Red Sox beat the Cincinnati Reds Sunday 7-4. Red Sox back home at Fenway tonight for another round against the Blue Jays.
Kudos to the runners, volunteers and fans who braved the rain yesterday in the inaugural Great Bangor Marathon and Half. About 300 runners from 32 states and four countries competed. The winner of the men’s marathon was John Ignacz of New Jersey in only his second marathon, and 25 yo Hannah Kershner of Orono won the women’s marathon in what was her first 26.2 mile race.
And Maine Game Wardens have been brushing up for the June 29th North Woods Throwdown Charity Softball Event pitting Maine against the New Hampshire Game Wardens. The series currently tied at 2-2. The event raising money for Operation Game Thief and International Wildlife Stoppers for those offering tips that lead to convictions of fish and game law violators.