Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Police Searching for Suspect in Death Investigation
(Waterville) Maine State Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a person of interest in a death investigation in Waterville. Authorities report about 4:30 yesterday morning, police responded to Damon’s Beverage where an employee had discovered the body of a co-worker. Officials are looking for another employee, 20 yo Spirdal Hubiak, in connection with the death. He’s described as a white male in his early twenties with dark hair. Authorities say he may be armed. The suspect is said to be driving a 2010 black Ford Taurus with Maine plate 4666 ZR. Investigators believe he has left the state. If you see this individual and/or vehicle, they say do not approach, but call the Maine State Police or the Waterville Police Department.
(Waterville) Maine State Police are asking the public to keep an eye out for a man they’re calling a “person of interest” in a death investigation in Waterville. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, officers responded to Damon’s Beverage on Jefferson Street about 4:30 Thursday morning after an employee there found the body of a co-worker. Police believe the suspect is 20 yo Spirdal Hubiak of Waterville, who was also employed at Damon’s. He’s described as white, in his early 20’s with dark hair. They say he may be armed and has possibly left the state. Hubiak is likely driving a 2010 black Ford Taurus, license number 4666 ZR. If you see the person or vehicle, authorities say do not approach but call Maine State Police or the Waterville Police Department.
Authorities Investigating After Bodies Found in Home in Farmington
(Farmington) Authorities are investigating after two bodies were found Wednesday at the Pawsitive Dog Kennel on Red Schoolhouse Road in Farmington. Police say the bodies of 76 yo Jean Robinson, and her daughter, 53 yo Allison Cumming, were discovered shortly before noon. They say the pair lived on the property in a separate building. Maine State Police were called in to assist Farmington Police with the investigation. Autopsies were scheduled for Thursday. Officers say there is no known threat to the public, but anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call Farmington Police.
(Farmington) Authorities in Farmington aren’t yet saying whether the deaths are suspicious, but they do report finding two bodies at the Pawsitive Kennel on Red Schoolhouse Road on Wednesday. Maine State Police were called in to assist Farmington Police with the investigation. The deceased are identified as 76 yo Jean Robinson, and her 53 yo daughter, Allison Cumming, who reportedly lived on the property in a separate building. No cause of death yet, but the bodies were scheduled for autopsies on Thursday. Police don’t believe there is any danger to the public but are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call Farmington Police.
False 9-1-1 Call Leads to Arrest of NY Man in Addison
(Addison) A bogus 9-1-1 call from a home in Addison Wednesday night led to the arrest of a New York man on drug related charges. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, a man later identified as 40 yo Andres Rivera called the emergency number from an Eastside Road home, claiming shots were being fired and he was in danger. Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to coax Rivera out of the house and became concerned about the well-being of a woman still inside. The woman was found unresponsive and given several doses of Narcan before being transported to a hospital. A subsequent search warrant uncovered weapons, fentanyl, and crack cocaine inside the home, and deputies determined Rivera made up the story about shots being fired. He was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Jail.
(Addison) The call came in from a home on the Eastside Road in Addison about 8 p.m. Wednesday night. The caller claimed shots were being fired and that he was in danger of being harmed. Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and were able to meet with the man, identified as 40 yo Andres Rivera of New York. In talking with Rivera, the deputies became concerned about the well-being of a woman still inside the residence. The woman was found unresponsive and given several doses of Narcan before being transported to a hospital. A subsequent search warrant turned up weapons, fentanyl, and crack cocaine inside the home, and deputies determined Rivera made up the story about shots being fired. He was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Jail.
Local Politics
Maine Secretary of State Rules Trump Ineligible for Primary Ballot
(Augusta) And then there were two. Maine is now the second state to rule Donald Trump ineligible to appear on the state’s primary ballot in March. In her 34 page ruling, released last night, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows found in favor of two petitioners who cited evidence the former President participated in Insurrection activities on January 6th, 2021, making him ineligible to run, based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Bellows suspended her decision pending rulings by Maine State Courts. The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Trump was ineligible in that state earlier this month, while Michigan this week said Trump WILL be on the ballot there. More than 30 states are currently dealing with cases regarding whether Trump’s name can be included on their primary ballots.
(Augusta) The ruling was a “yes” on behalf of two of the three petitioners who filed to keep former President Donald Trump’s name off Maine’s primary ballot in March, and a “no” for the controversial Trump. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows last night issued her ruling, saying, “Mr. Trump’s primary petition is invalid. Specifically, I find that the declaration on his candidate consent form is false because he is not qualified to hold the office of the President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment.” That amendment denies eligibility to anyone who incites insurrection and was added after the Civil War to prevent Confederates from running for office. Maine is now the second state to rule Trump disqualified from the primary ballot.
City of Ellsworth Survey
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth hopes you’ll take a few minutes and complete the Communications Survey posted on their FB page. The survey will help inform officials about how you currently receive information from the City and how you’d prefer to stay in the know. More information about the survey is available at ellsworth maine dot gov.
(Ellsworth) Communication is key, and the City of Ellsworth hopes you’ll take a few minutes to complete the Communications Survey posted on their FB page. Officials say the survey will help inform them of how you currently receive information from the City and your preference on how you’d like to continue to be kept in the know. You’ll find more information on the city’s website, ellsworth maine dot gov.
Economy
Columbia’s Gain Could Mean Slight Loss for Town of Jonesport.
(Jonesport) Downeast Wind has begun development of a commercial wind farm in Western Washington County that could power 37,000 homes, create hundreds of temporary jobs, and generate up to $20M in tax revenue for the town of Columbia. In order to mitigate impact on wildlife, Downeast Wind plans to contribute monies to purchase a nearly 700-acre parcel in Jonesport.to serve as a protected habitat for migrating songbirds. Land used for such purposes is taken off the tax rolls, which could be a slight loss for the town of Jonesport. But Washington County officials say overall it will benefit the third least populous county in Maine.
(Jonesport) A wind turbine project now underway in Western Washington County could generate $20M in tax revenue for the town of Columbia, but end up slightly costing Jonesport, the state’s second largest lobster port. The turbines, to be located in Columbia and nearby townships, could power up to 37,000 homes. In order to offset their impact on wildlife habitat, Downeast Wind Development reportedly plans to contribute thousands toward the purchase of a 700 acre parcel in Jonesport to preserve as habitat for migrating songbirds. Such real estate then comes off the tax rolls of the fishing village, already hamstrung by federal regulations. Still, Washington County officials say the turbines overall will benefit the mostly rural county population, whose fishing families go back generations.
Cruise Ship Limitations Don’t Limit Town’s Revenue
(Bar Harbor) Limits to the number of cruise ship passengers allowed to come ashore in Bar Harbor this tourist season did anything BUT limit the revenue the industry generated in 2023. The Mount Desert Islander reports cruise ship visits to the tourist destination generated well over a million dollars this season. While the monies can only be used for facilities that benefit cruise ship passengers, that can include improving public facilities, parks and streetscapes, as well as for administrative costs related to cruise ship visitation.
(Bar Harbor) One hundred twenty five cruise ships arrived as scheduled in Bar Harbor between May and November this year. And while 11 other ships didn’t make it, the revenue generated by the industry left the town’s coffers more than a million dollars richer. The Mount Desert Islander reports those monies may only be used for facilities that benefit cruise ship passengers. That can include improving public facilities, parks and streetscapes, and other infrastructure needs used by tourists and locals.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Reminds Drivers of Winter Parking Bans
(Ellsworth) With a chance of snow overnight tonight, Ellsworth officials remind drivers to familiarize themselves with the City of Ellsworth’s Informational page on winter parking bans. The center row of parking in the lower City Hall parking lot is available on a first-come, first-served basis during such bans. You’ll find information at ellsworth maine dot gov, forward slash winter dash parking.
Human Interest
Dog Licenses Due
(Ellsworth) (SFX bark) Does your dog have his or her 2024 license? Better get into your town office today. All dogs six months and older must have a license, and those licenses expire on December 31st each year. The State of Maine imposes an additional late fee of $25 per dog beginning February 1st. You’ll need a State of Maine rabies certificate, a spay/neuter certificate, and your veterinarian’s name and phone number if not already on file. Town office closed or are you unable to get to town? You can also register on the state’s website at … a p p s, the number 1, dot web dot maine dot gov.
(Ellsworth) Six bucks. That’s all it costs to get your spayed or neutered pup licensed each year – those licenses expire on December 31st and must be renewed annually. All dogs six months and older must have a license. The State of Maine imposes an additional late fee of $25 per dog beginning February 1st. You’ll need a State of Maine rabies certificate, a spay/neuter certificate, and your veterinarian’s name and phone number if not already on file. Town office closed or are you unable to get to town? You can also register on the state’s website at a p p s, the number 1, dot web dot maine dot gov. Owners of dogs that are not spayed or neutered pay an $11 fee.
Eastport Celebrates NYE with Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop
(Eastport) The town of Eastport is once again planning their annual New Year’s Eve Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop. The tradition began almost two decades ago as a celebration of the town, which was home of the first sardine cannery in the country. Forget New York City’s crystal ball, at midnight in 2005, revelers dropped a papier mache sardine out a third floor window. Artist Bill Schaefer improved on that idea the next year, covering an eight foot wooden frame with canvas, painted to resemble the iconic fish, which is gently lowered on a cable, while partygoers wait to kiss it for good luck. The Maple Leaf is a nod to our nearby neighbors to the north. The leaf, of course, is dropped an hour earlier at 11 p.m.
(Eastport) The Tides Institute & Museum of Art is the place to be on New Year’s Eve! That’s the scene of Eastport’s traditional Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop. It all began in 2005, when revelers decided the town that served as the home of the country’s first sardine cannery needed a way to ring in the New Year and honor its heritage. Every year since, an artist’s creation is lowered from a third floor window at the Institute via cables, where crowds below wait to kiss the fish for good luck. Get there early … in a nod to our neighbors to the north, the Maple Leaf is dropped at 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Longtime Lamoine Mail Carrier Retires
(Lamoine) Twenty eight years – that’s a lot of letters, parcels and packages delivered. Twenty two of those years were spent delivering wedding announcements, birthday cards; and, oh, yes, bills, to the residents of Lamoine. Today, the town is celebrating the retirement of long-time postal carrier, Carol Allen. The town will provide a fire truck escort for her mail truck from the eastern end of Shore Road, past the Lamoine Consolidated School and fire station around Noon today. You’re invited to come to the school and give Allen a well deserved round of appreciation and applause and wish her well on her retirement journey.
(Lamoine) For 28 years, neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night stopped mail carrier extraordinaire Carol Allen on her appointed rounds – 22 of those years delivering cards, bills, parcels, and packages to the residents of Lamoine. Today, townsfolk will be celebrating Carol as she delivers on a promise to retire and enjoy life a little more. A fire truck escort will accompany her mail truck past the Lamoine Consolidated School and fire station around Noon today, and residents are invited to turn up at the school to show Carol some well-deserved appreciation. Carol, consider this a thank you card delivered!
Cottontail Cottage Seeks Year End Contributions
(Cherryfield) A 17 yo horse who spent his entire life pulling Amish families in carts. A pair of tiny lionhead rabbits kept in a tackle box on a hot summer day by owners who had been evicted due to drug use. Rescues from ducks and chickens to goats and pigs. These and more are the work of Cottontail Cottage in Cherryfield. With the cost of hay and upkeep skyrocketing this year, they’re most grateful for your year-end contributions. You can graciously give at cottontail cottage dot org.
(Cherryfield) Gratitude – that’s the first thing you notice about appeals from Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary in Cherryfield. From oinks to honks, from brays to neighs, the animals rescued by the nonprofit are just as grateful, as your generous contributions go to supply them with hay, feed, vet needs, and upkeep. As the year draws to a close, the horses, bunnies, goats, and ducks whose suffering has been turned into a life of peace by the sanctuary welcome your tax-deductible contributions that help Jenny and Matthew carry on their tireless work of saving animals. You can donate at cottontail cottage dot org – and they say no gift is too small to make a difference.
Sports
The Celtics host the Toronto Raptors tonight at TD Garden. The Celtics beat the Pistons last night in overtime, 128-122
The Bruins home against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
The Patriots in Buffalo Sunday to take on the Bills.
HS Basketball action today: Girls’ games, Sumner takes on Mattanawcook, and the GSA girls take on Bucksport. The Deer Isle/Stonington girls and boys hit the hardwood against Bangor Christian.
High School basketball scores from yesterday, the Caribou girls crushing WA, and the Ellsworth Lady Eagles had no problem in their 76-26 win over MDI. On the boys’ side, George Stevens handily defeats Woodland, Machias with a easy win over Shead, the Calais boys beat Sumner, Foxcroft over John Bapst, and a nail-biter as the Caribou boys squeak out a 48-47 win over Washington Academy.