Crime/Public Safety/Drugs Warren Man Receives Suspended Sentence for Animal Abuse (Rockland)  A Warren man received a suspended sentence, even after he allegedly abused a kitten so violently, the kitten died from that abuse.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports 20 year old Dylan Thornton was sentenced in Knox County Court to 18 months in jail, all […]

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Local News 08/01/24

Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Warren Man Receives Suspended Sentence for Animal Abuse

(Rockland)  A Warren man received a suspended sentence, even after he allegedly abused a kitten so violently, the kitten died from that abuse.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports 20 year old Dylan Thornton was sentenced in Knox County Court to 18 months in jail, all suspended, and two years probation.  The Knox County Sheriff’s Office obtained video of the abuse in November 2023 after it was shared on social media and then charged Thornton with cruelty to animals.  District Attorney Natasha Irving, in an email, reportedly defended the sentencing saying incarcerating a person Thornton’s age created a higher risk of future criminal and violent conduct.

(Rockland)  A Warren man convicted of animal abuse will not serve jail time, in spite of the fact he abused a kitten so badly the animal died from the trauma.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports the Knox County Sheriff’s Office obtained video of the abuse in November 2023 after it was shared on social media.  Twenty year old Dylan Thornton was charged with animal cruelty and sentenced in Knox County Court to 18 months in jail, all suspended, and two years probation.  District Attorney Natasha Irving, in an email, reportedly defended the sentencing saying incarcerating a person Thornton’s age created a higher risk of future criminal and violent conduct.

Former EHS Teacher Serving Time for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

(Ellsworth)  Former Ellsworth High School teacher Adam Hitchcock began serving a nine month jail sentence Monday.  The Ellsworth American reports, in an agreement with his attorney and the DA’s office, the 28 yo pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of unlawful sexual contact.  Hitchcock was initially arrested in December 2020.  Details are few to save embarrassment to the victim, according to former District Attorney Matt Foster, who had the affidavit in the case impounded.  Hitchcock was sentenced to four years with all but nine months suspended, two years of probation to follow, and he must comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act as a Tier One, ten-year registrant.

(Ellsworth)  A former Ellsworth High School teacher reported to jail this week to begin serving nine months on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and unlawful sexual contact.  The Ellsworth American reports 28 yo Adam Hitchcock was sentenced to four years, with all but nine months suspended, followed by two years probation.  Hitchcock is also required to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act as a Tier One, ten year registrant.  Details of what led to the conviction are scant, as former District Attorney Matt Foster ordered the affidavit in the case impounded.  Foster said the decision was to save further embarrassment to the victim.

High Court Considers Further Discipline for Ellsworth Probate Judge

(Ellsworth)  The Maine High Court is considering disciplining an Ellsworth probate judge who it says failed to pay taxes and tens of thousands in child support.  The Portland Press Herald reports 54 yo William Blaisdell was found in contempt of court in Waldo County in March because he was behind on more than $33,000 in child support payments to his ex-wife.  He was required to pay her $50K in order to avoid a jail sentence.  The judge reportedly also found that while Blaisdell grossed more than $326,000 in 2023, he “neglected or refused to file his taxes.” In light of those failures, the court’s Committee on Judicial Conduct recommended his removal from office.  Blaisdell is an elected official and thus can only be removed by legislative authority.  Blaisdell also runs his own law firm in Ellsworth.  The Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar is reportedly also considering discipline against Blaisdell but has not yet posted any public decisions.

(Ellsworth)  An Ellsworth attorney who serves as a probate judge and who was found in contempt of court last March faces possible further discipline from the Maine High Court.  The Portland Press Herald reports 54 yo William Blaisdell was found in contempt of court in Waldo County in March because he was behind on more than $33,000 in child support payments to his ex-wife.  He was required to pay her $50K in order to avoid a jail sentence.  The judge reportedly also found that while Blaisdell grossed more than $326,000 in 2023, he “neglected or refused to file his taxes.”  In light of those failures, the court’s Committee on Judicial Conduct recommended his removal from office.  Because Blaisdell is an elected official, he can only be removed by legislative authority.  Blaisdell also runs his own law firm in Ellsworth.  The Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar is also reportedly considering discipline against Blaisdell, but has not yet posted any public decisions.

Local Politics

Blue Hill Blueberry Barren Controversy

(Blue Hill) An important meeting coming up in Blue Hill this month.  Sources say a developer from Kennebunk has proposed turning the blueberry barrens along Route 172 into a nine-house subdivision.  Opponents of the development say the construction would destroy the unique landscape that overlooks the Salt Pond as motorists drive south out of Blue Hill and potentially limit access to Carlton Stream for commercial elver fishermen and women who have fished the stream for generations.  They say the Planning Board has rejected the proposal once, but is considering a slightly revised proposal from the developer, and they’re encouraging citizens to attend a public hearing at 5:30 on August 14th to share their thoughts.  A follow up meeting in September will then decide on the proposal.

(Blue Hill)  Much needed housing could mean a problem for elver fishermen and those who simply enjoy an iconic view of Salt Pond in Blue Hill.  That’s according to a group opposed to a Kennebunk developer’s plan to build a nine-house subdivision on blueberry barrens along Route 172.  The group says construction would destroy the unique landscape that overlooks the Salt Pond as motorists drive south out of Blue Hill and could potentially limit access to Carlton Stream for commercial elver fishermen and women who have fished there for generations.  The Planning Board has reportedly rejected the proposed development once, but will consider a slightly revised proposal at an August 14th meeting.  The 5:30 meeting is a public hearing for anyone to share their thoughts.  At a  follow up meeting in September, the Board will then make a final ruling on the proposal.

Court Finds in Favor of Jonesport and Kingfish Maine

(Jonesport)  A court has denied an appeal by an organization known as Project Downeast which sought to have Kingfish Maine’s license to construct a land-based aquaculture facility in Jonesport ruled invalid.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the Business and Consumer Court found in favor of the Town of Jonesport and Kingfish Maine and upheld the permits issued by the Jonesport Planning Board.  It was the latest one of multiple appeals filed by Project Downeast – all of which have been denied.  Kingfish Maine plans to produce 8,500 metric tons of high value yellowtail annually once the Jonesport facility is fully operational.

(Jonesport)  Another victory for Kingfish Maine, a company that plans to build a facility in Jonesport that could produce 8,500 metric tons of high value yellowtail annually, once operational.  The Mount Desert Islander reports a nonprofit known as Project Downeast has filed multiple appeals asking the courts to rule the company’s permits and license invalid, based largely on environmental concerns. In the most recent ruling, the Business and Consumer Court found in favor of The Town of Jonesport and Kingfish Maine, whose state-issued environmental permits have also been upheld by the Maine Board of Environmental Protection and Maine Superior Court.

Economy

NPF Making $2M Contribution to ANP Seasonal Workforce Housing

(ANP)  The National Park Foundation announced Wednesday it is making a $2M contribution to help build seasonal workforce housing in Acadia National Park.  Friends of Acadia, along with park officials, have identified two sites that could provide housing for 60 or more seasonal employees – the Harden Farm property in Bar Harbor and the Dane Farm property in Seal Harbor.  The $2M contribution will help support construction of additional housing units at both sites.

(ANP)  Acadia National Park on Wednesday got a two million dollar boost toward its goal of building seasonal workforce housing.  The National Park Foundation announced it is making the contribution to ANP to help with the project which is critical to attracting and keeping an adequate workforce.  Friends of Acadia, along with park officials, have identified two sites that could provide housing for 60 or more seasonal employees – the Harden Farm property in Bar Harbor and the Dane Farm property in Seal Harbor.  The $2M contribution will help support construction of additional housing units at both sites.

New Balance to Close Norridgewock Factory

(Norridgewock)  New Balance Athletics plans to close its Norridgewock shoe factory and move operations to a newly expanded facility in Skowhegan.  MaineBiz reports all 230 Norridgewock jobs will move to the larger site, just six miles away, where 260 workers are currently employed.  The transition will begin this Fall and continue into the Spring.

(Norridgewock)  New Balance Athletics is balancing the spreadsheet by consolidating its Norridgewock shoe factory and its facility in Skowhegan.  MaineBiz reports all 230 Norridgewock jobs will move to the newly expanded Skowhegan facility, just six miles away.  New Balance broke ground in June 2023 on a $65M, 120,000 square foot expansion of that facility.  The transition will begin this Fall, and the company hopes to be fully moved by next Spring.

Education

University of Maine to Guarantee Admission to Community College Grads

(Augusta)  Here’s a lesson on how to better attract students to obtain higher degrees. Maine’s public universities have announced they’ll guarantee admission to graduates of the state’s community colleges under the terms of an historic transfer agreement signed Wednesday and known as Transfer ME.  Beginning this Fall, interested students will receive coordinated advising from the two systems and be directly admitted to UMS universities that offer an aligned program.  After completing an associate degree, MCCS graduates will be able to seamlessly transfer to a Maine public university of their choice without filling out an application, paying application fees, or providing essays, recommendation letters and transcripts.

(Augusta)  Just 54% of Maine’s high school graduates are now choosing college.  An historic agreement signed Wednesday could change that.  Beginning this fall, graduates of Maine Community Colleges who complete their Associates degree will be able to seamlessly transfer to a Maine public university of their choice without filling out an application, paying application fees, or providing essays, recommendation letters and transcripts.  The program, Transfer ME, means Maine’s public universities will guarantee admission to graduates of the state’s community colleges. Interested students will receive coordinated advising from the two systems and be directly admitted to UMS universities that offer an aligned program.

Infrastructure

Versant Power Planned Outage

(SW Harbor)  Residents living on Apple Lane in SW Harbor could experience temporary outages early Friday morning.  Versant Power crews will be working on the electrical system beginning at 4 a.m. on August 2nd.  The work is expected to take about four hours.

(SW Harbor)  And a quick heads up if you live in SW Harbor, particularly those on Apple Lane.  Versant Power crews will be working on the electrical system beginning at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning.  The work is expected to take about four hours. Customers in that area may experience temporary outages while that work is being completed.

Human Interest/Entertainment  

Wild Blueberry Weekend

(Maine)  Why SING the blues when you can enjoy eating them?  Maine’s 4th Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend is scheduled for August 3rd and 4th. It’s organized by the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine. Visitors can tour blueberry farms, harvest berries and enjoy blueberry-inspired drinks and food. Find a list of participating locations at wild blueberries dot com.

(Maine)  The best reason to have the blues?  Maine’s Fourth Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend, organized by the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine!  During the statewide event on August 3rd and 4th, visitors can tour wild blueberry farms, hand-rake berries, enjoy scenic blueberry barrens, and delight in wild blueberry drinks and dishes.  Find a list of participating locations at wild blueberries dot com.

Sports

The Red Sox have the night off.  They’ll be in Texas beginning tomorrow evening for a weekend series against the Rangers.

In the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Team USA now with 30 medals – 5 gold, 13 silver, and 12 bronze.

The USA’s Katie Ledecky won her first gold at the Paris Olympics yesterday in the 1500 meter freestyle, for a record-tying 12th Olympic medal in swimming.  The 27 yo finished more than ten seconds ahead of her French competitor who captured silver; with Germany taking the bronze.