Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Two Die in Otisfield Fire
(Otisfield) Two people died in a house fire in Otisfield Sunday. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, fourteen area fire departments, along with members of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department and Pace Ambulance Service responded to the blaze at a house at 1017 Main Road. The 100 year old, two story structure was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived shortly before 11:30 Sunday night. The remains of two adults were found inside the home. The deceased are believed to be 77 yo Jean Jalbert and 65 yo Donna Jalbert, who lived at the residence. DNA will be used to make positive id’s. Investigators are working to determine the cause of that fire.
(Otisfield) Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire at a house in Otisfield that claimed two lives. First responders were called to the home on Route 121 shortly before 11:30 Sunday night. They say firefighters from 14 departments responded to the fire at the 100-year-old, two story home. Fighting the blaze was made more difficult because of its rural location. The house was reportedly fully engulfed when crews arrived. The remains of two adults were found inside the home. The deceased are believed to be 77 yo Jean Jalbert and 65 yo Donna Jalbert, who lived at the residence. DNA will be used to determine positive identification.
Shots Fired Results Leads to Arrest of Two Men
(Dedham) Two men were arrested and taken into custody Sunday after shots were reported fired in Dedham. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department tells Star 97.7, around 11 p.m. that night a caller reported being shot at by two men who then fled in a vehicle. The vehicle was located and stopped a short time later and the two arrested. 41 yo Todd Lawrence of Levant was charged with criminal conspiracy. 28 yo Michael Jeane of Hermon was charged with aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm. Three weapons were removed from the vehicle. No injuries were reported. Maine State Police assisted in the arrests.
(Dedham) Two men were arrested and their firearms confiscated Sunday night after a caller reported they had fired at him and then fled the scene in Dedham. According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, the incident happened around 11 p.m. Deputies, with assistance from the Maine State Police quickly located the suspects’ vehicle and the two were taken into custody without incident. 41 yo Todd Lawrence of Levant was charged with criminal conspiracy. 28 yo Michael Jeane of Hermon was charged with aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm. Three firearms were removed from the vehicle. No injuries were reported.
Gouldsboro Crash Update
(Gouldsboro) An update on that Gouldsboro crash that happened Friday evening on Route One. Public Safety Information Spokesperson Shannon Moss reports three people were injured when the driver of a Jeep reportedly “rolled through a stop sign” on Pond Road, pulling into the path of a dump truck. The accident happened shortly before 4:30 last Friday afternoon. The driver of the Jeep, 25 yo Jarod Duckworth, and a 17 yo passenger, Frances Robinson, were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. They were later transported by Lifeflight to Eastern Maine Medical Center. Another passenger, 23 yo Abigail Robinson, received non-life-threatening injuries. All three occupants of the Jeep were from Tennessee, and all are expected to recover. The driver of the dump truck was uninjured.
(Gouldsboro) An update about a crash we told you about yesterday that happened on Route One in Gouldsboro. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, the crash happened when a Jeep driven by 25 yo Jarod Duckworth reportedly “rolled through a stop sign” on Pond Road, pulling into the path of a dump truck. The crash happened shortly before 4:30 last Friday. Duckworth and a passenger, 17 yo Frances Robinson, were Lifeflighted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with serious injuries but are expected to recover. A second passenger, 23 yo Abigail Robinson was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. All three were from Tennessee and are expected to recover. Duckworth was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign.
Mechanic Falls Victims Included Two Children
(Mechanic Falls) Authorities now say two of the three victims whose bodies were found at a home in Mechanic Falls on Saturday were children. RSU16 administrators posted on their FB page the community was facing an unimaginable loss with the believed passing of two students from Elm Street School, an elementary school in Mechanic Falls. The school is offering an Open House today from 10 until 2 for students and families to come together and receive counseling and support. Maine State Police have not released further details, but continue to investigate the deaths.
(Mechanic) Authorities have released few details, but say two of the three victims whose bodies were found Saturday in a house in Mechanic Falls were children. The children are believed to have been students at Elm Street School, an Elementary School in Mechanic Falls. According to a post on their FB page, the school is offering an Open House from 10 until 2 today for students and families to come together and receive counseling and support. Maine State Police have not released further details, but continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three.
Local Politics
Lobster War
(US/Canada) The United States and Canada are at war – at least some of their lobstermen and women are. The dispute centers around 277 square miles of sea, known as the Gray Zone, traditionally fished by US lobstermen. But as the Gulf of Maine has warmed faster than nearly every other body on the planet, the Gray Zone’s previously modest lobster population has surged. As a result, Canadians have begun to assert their sovereignty in the area, fighting with the US to claim the bounty. The dispute is the subject of the documentary “Lobster War”, a 1 hour 14 minute captivating and award winning documentary that will be shown this Saturday, August 3rd at 6:30 at the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center. The cinematography is stunning, the story even more so. Check out the theatre’s FB page for more.
(US/Canada) The U.S. and Canada have long shared the world’s longest peaceful border, but a centuries-old conflict over 277 square miles of disputed, increasingly lucrative waters has sown discord and threatens to shatter the tranquility between the neighbors. Witness the story of the battle over the world’s richest fishing grounds this Saturday as the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center presents the award-winning documentary, “Lobster War”. The one hour 14 minute video will keep viewers riveted with its captivating cinematography and stories of intrigue that go back to the Revolutionary War. That’s this Saturday, August 3rd at 6:30 – check out the theatre’s FB page for more details.
Ellsworth Names New Police Chief
(Ellsworth) Troy Bires has been named as the new Ellsworth Police Chief. Bires is no stranger to the job – he’s served as interim chief since March. City Manager Charlie Pearce said in his role as Deputy Chief of Police, Bires, a 35 year veteran of law enforcement, was instrumental in achieving accreditation for his department and has been a driving force behind modernizing police operations, ensuring low turnover rates, maintaining low crime rates, and investing in cutting-edge technology and training for officers. Bires’s official appointment will be up for a formal vote at the August City Council meeting.
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth has named Deputy Chief of Police Troy Bires to fill the position of Police Chief. It will be an easy transition, as Bires has served as interim chief since March. Ellsworth City Manager Charlie Pearce says, “Chief Bires not only outscored other candidates on the questions during the interview process, but also presented an outstanding plan for the future of our police force. His dedication to modernizing our department, improving community relations, and addressing critical social issues is truly commendable.” Bires brings an impressive 35-year career in law enforcement to the role. Bires’s official appointment will be up for a formal vote at the August City Council meeting.
Anti-Immunity Amendment Introduced
(Newsweek) Representative Joseph Morelle of New York has introduced a constitutional amendment seeking to undo the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Trump v. United States. Newsweek writes the proposed constitutional amendment would provide that, “there is no immunity from criminal prosecution for an act on the grounds that such act was within the constitutional authority or official duties of an individual.” It would also prohibit a president from pardoning themselves. The proposal was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Morelle was joined by 49 other House Democrats. A two-thirds vote is needed in the House and Senate, plus ratification by three-fourth of state legislatures for a constitutional amendment to be effected.
Critics Say High Court Rulings Share Similar Flaws
(NYT) Critics say the presidential immunity ruling by the nation’s highest court is flawed for reasons similar to those the court gave for overturning Roe v. Wade. The New York Times reports at least four features of the immunity decision also figure in the ruling that overturned a woman’s right to choose. Chief among the “flaws”, scholars point out there is nothing in the text of the Constitution about abortion; nor does it specifically contain any provision for immunity from criminal prosecution for former presidents. Critics say both are the court’s own brainchild.
Mount Desert Clerk’s Office Closed Today
(Mount Desert) A quick reminder the Mount Desert clerk’s office is closed today for clerks to attend Presidential election training. Officials tell us much of the administrative business needed can be done online at m t desert dot org.
(Mount Desert) Closed for training – that’s the word from the Mount Desert clerk’s office today. Staff will be attending Presidential election training. They say much of the administrative business needed can be done online at m t desert dot org.
Health
Blood Test Accurately Diagnoses Alzheimer’s in 90% of Cases
(NYT) Scientists have made another major stride toward the goal of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease with a simple blood test. This week, a team of researchers reported a blood test was significantly more accurate than doctors’ interpretations of cognitive tests and CT scans. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found about 90 percent of the time the blood test correctly identified whether patients with memory problems had Alzheimer’s. According to the New York Times, dementia specialists using standard methods that did not include expensive PET scans or invasive spinal taps were accurate 73 percent of the time, while primary care doctors using those methods got it right only 61 percent of the time.
(NYT) A simple blood test has been found to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s an overwhelming majority of the time. The New York Times writes, this week a team of researchers reported the blood test was significantly more accurate than physician’s interpretation of cognitive tests and CT scans. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the blood test correctly identified whether patients with memory problems had Alzheimer’s 90% of the time. Dementia specialists using standard methods that did not include expensive PET scans or invasive spinal taps were accurate 73 percent of the time, while primary care doctors using those methods got it right only 61 percent of the time.
Infrastructure
I-95 Ramp Closures
(Bangor) A pair of ramp closures for paving work to let you know about. The Exit 185 southbound off ramp and southbound on ramp on I-95 will be closed each night between now and August 2nd. The Maine Department of Transportation says the closures are part of the I-95 Broadway Bridge project. Detour signs will be posted.
(Bangor) Some overnight work at the junction of Broadway and I-95 will mean the closure of a pair of ramps overnight between now and August 2nd. The Maine Department of Transportation will close the Exit 185 southbound off ramp and the southbound on ramp on I-95 each night as part of the Broadway Bridge project. Detour signs will be posted.
Sports
Red Sox sailed past the Mariners last night at Fenway. Boston wins it 14-7. Teams on the field again this evening.
In the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Team USA now with 20 medals – 3 gold, 9 silver, and 8 bronze. A dozen of those medals in swimming and diving. The Team USA men’s gymnastics team yesterday claimed the bronze at the Paris Olympics – the sport’s first medal since 2008. And the men’s Olympic triathlon scheduled for today postponed due to pollution in the Seine. Organizers say they’ll try to hold the event Wednesday instead. The women’s triathlon set for tomorrow as well. Friday is planned as a backup date.