Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Maine State Police Investigate Fatal Crash in Washington County
(Twp 30) Two people are dead following a crash on Route 9 in Washington County Wednesday morning. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7 a small sedan was traveling west in Township 30 about 11 yesterday morning when it collided with a loaded log truck on a curve. A preliminary investigation indicates the deceased lost control of their vehicle on the curve and entered the oncoming lane. Two secondary crashes with tractor trailers also resulted but did not contribute to the fatalities. Police say road conditions were likely a factor in that crash. Names are being withheld pending notification of family members.
(Twp 30) A horrific crash on Route 9 in Washington County yesterday morning left two people dead and resulted in two secondary crashes. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7 a small sedan was traveling west in Township 30 about 11 a.m. when it collided with a loaded log truck on a curve. A preliminary investigation indicates the deceased lost control of their vehicle on the curve and entered the oncoming lane. Police say the two secondary crashes with other tractor trailers did not contribute to the fatalities. Authorities say road conditions were likely a factor in that crash. Names are being withheld pending notification of family members.
Crash Closes I-295
(Yarmouth) A tractor trailer crash on I-295 NB in Yarmouth yesterday morning led to the closing of that highway until near midnight last night. Authorities say the driver of a rig carrying hazardous materials hit a patch of snow, lost control, and bounced off a barrier, causing the trailer to detach and land on the rear of an oncoming car. The driver of that car was able to get out safely and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the truck, 55 yo Jerry Freeman of New Hampshire, was not injured. The crash happened about 9 a.m. near mile marker 17. The unit was hauling natural gas cylinders that had to be off-loaded, so traffic was diverted to Exit 17.
(Yarmouth) Road conditions led to a crash involving a tractor trailer carrying hazardous materials Wednesday morning on I-295 in Yarmouth. Authorities say the driver of the rig hit a patch of snow, lost control, and bounced off a barrier, causing the trailer to detach and land on the rear of an oncoming car. The driver of that car was able to get out safely and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the truck, 55 yo Jerry Freeman of New Hampshire, was not injured. The crash happened about 9 a.m. near mile marker 17. The unit was hauling natural gas cylinders that had to be off-loaded, so traffic was diverted to Exit 17. That section of I-295 was closed until late Wednesday evening while workers removed the wreckage.
MEMA Requests Initiation of Preliminary Disaster Assessment for Latest Storms
(Augusta) The Maine Emergency Management Agency yesterday requested a specialized Preliminary Disaster Assessment Coastal Team to conduct an analysis of damage from the January 10th and 13th storms. The storms caused significant flooding and infrastructure damage along the Maine coast. The request is the first formal step toward requesting another Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government and was sent at the direction of Governor Janet Mills.
(Augusta) At the request of Governor Janet Mills Wednesday, the Maine Emergency Management Agency requested a specialized Preliminary Disaster Assessment Coastal Team to conduct an analysis of damage from the January 10th and 13th storms. The storms caused significant flooding and infrastructure damage along the Maine coast. The request is the first formal step toward requesting another Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government.
Local Politics
Justice Murphy Holds Off on Trump Ballot Decision
(Augusta) When Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows issued her ruling that Trump was not qualified to appear on the state’s primary ballot, based on the US Constitution’s insurrection clause, she suspended the ruling until after a decision by Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy. Murphy had said she would rule by January 17th. Yesterday, Murphy sent the case back to the Secretary of State with instructions to await the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on a similar Colorado case. Justice Murphy instructed Bellows to then issue a new ruling modifying or upholding her original decision based on the high court’s decision.
(Augusta) A decision by Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy on Wednesday neither upheld nor denied Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruling that Donald Trump was unqualified to appear on Maine’s primary ballot, based on the insurrection clause of the US Constitution. Trump’s lawyers had appealed the decision in state court, but then asked the judge to pause proceedings to allow the US Supreme Court to rule on the Colorado case, which could render the lawsuit invalid. Murphy denied Trump’s request to stay the proceedings, but yesterday sent the case back to Secretary Bellows with instructions to await the outcome of the high court’s decision before issuing a new ruling modifying or upholding her original decision.
Registered Nurses at NMMC Vote to Unionize
(Fort Kent) Registered Nurses at Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent yesterday voted to unionize. The vote was 62% in favor of joining the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee. The RNs say union protections will lead to improved patient care.
(Fort Kent) Saying union protections will lead to improved patient care, Registered Nurses at Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent yesterday voted to unionize. The vote was 62% in favor of joining the Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee. NNOC is an affiliate of National Nurses United.
Archer Promoted to Lieutenant
(Ellsworth) There’s been a promotion at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Patrol Sergeant Brian Archer is now Lieutenant Brian Archer. Archer was pinned by his wife, Holly, with his Lieutenant’s badge in a Wednesday morning ceremony. Congratulations!
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department has a new Lieutenant. Patrol Sergeant Brian Archer was promoted Wednesday. His Lieutenant badge was pinned by his wife, Holly, in a ceremony at the Sheriff’s Department. Congratulations!
California Court Throws Out Lawsuit Filed by Fishermen
(AP) A California court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a group of fishermen against Seafood Watch, a non-profit that “red-listed” American and Canadian lobster in 2022. Seafood Watch is based at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California and claims lobster fishing poses a risk to the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, only 360 of which remain. Thousands of businesses rely on the organization to make decisions about the sustainability of seafood, and some national retailers removed lobster products following the red-listing. The Massachusetts-based fishermen who brought the litigation had hoped to win a class action lawsuit and damages over $75,000. A similar lawsuit from a coalition of Maine lobster industry groups is awaiting review by a judge.
(AP) In 2022, Seafood Watch, a group that judges the sustainability of seafood, red-listed lobster from American and Canadian fisheries. The organization based its decision on potential danger to the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, which they claim can become entangled in lobster fishing gear. This week, a California court dismissed a lawsuit brought against Seafood Watch by a group of Massachusetts fishermen, after some national retailers removed lobster products following the poor rating. The fishermen hoped to win the class action lawsuit and $75,000 in damages. A similar lawsuit from a coalition of Maine lobster industry groups is awaiting review by a judge. Only 360 of the endangered whales remain; however, no right whale has ever died from becoming entangled in fishing gear in Maine waters.
Health
MDI Hospital Welcomes 2024’s First Baby
(Bar Harbor) Congratulations are in order for parents Shannon and Alan Simons of Bar Harbor. They welcomed MDI Hospital’s first baby of 2024. Little Amelia was born Sunday and weight in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. The hospital was a familiar place for Shannon, who works as a CMA at MDI. The family was welcomed with gifts from the hospital and local businesses.
(Bar Harbor) The population of Bar Harbor increased a bit on Sunday with the birth of MDI Hospital’s first baby of the new year. Parents Shannon and Alan Simons of Bar Harbor welcomed little Amelia on January 14th. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. The hospital was a familiar place for Shannon, who works as a CMA at MDI. The family was celebrated with gifts from the hospital and local businesses.
Environment
State Parks See Slight Decline in Use Last Year
(Augusta) The Maine State Park Camping Reservation Center Opens February 1st. Bureau of Parks and Lands Director Andy Cutko announced a slight decline in visitation to Maine State Parks during 2023, with just under three million visitors spending time at the bureau’s 48 state parks and historic sites. The slight decrease was attributed to Maine’s unusually rainy summer. Reservations for Lily Bay and Sebago Lake State Parks become available February 1st, with BPL accepting reservations for all parks on February 6th, and you can book online at CampWithME dot com.
(Augusta) Dreaming of sitting around a campfire on starlit summer nights? The Maine State Park Camping Reservation Center opens two weeks from today. Reservations for Lily Bay and Sebago Lake State Parks become available February 1st, with BPL accepting reservations for all parks on February 6th. You can book online at CampWithME dot com or call their 800 number (1-800-332-1501). Bureau of Parks and Lands Director Andy Cutko announced a slight decline in visitation to Maine State Parks during 2023, with just under three million visitors spending time at the bureau’s 48 state parks and historic sites. The slight decrease was attributed to Maine’s unusually rainy summer.
Human Interest
Governor’s Restaurants Hosting Benefit Night for Lewiston Victims and Families
(Ellsworth) Here’s your perfect excuse to eat out Tuesday night. All six Governor’s restaurants are taking part in a fundraising event to benefit the victims of the Lewiston mass shooting. On January 23rd, from 4 to 8 p.m., 10% of all sales, including dine in and carry out, will be donated to the Maine Community Foundation’s Victim and Family’s Fund. Jason Clay, Owner and CEO, says Governor’s has been waiting for the right time to pitch in and help out, and he hopes it’s an opportunity for folks to make a difference while enjoying a meal with family and friends.
(Ellsworth) Who needs an excuse to ditch the cooking and clean up and eat out, instead? If you do need one, here you go! This coming Tuesday, all six Governor’s restaurants are taking part in a fundraising event to benefit the victims of the Lewiston mass shooting. On January 23rd, from 4 to 8 p.m., 10% of all sales, including dine in and carry out, will be donated to the Maine Community Foundation’s Victim and Family’s Fund. Jason Clay, Owner and CEO says the restaurant has been waiting for the right time to pitch in and help out, and he hopes it’s an opportunity for folks to make a difference while enjoying a meal with family and friends.
Sports
The Bruins are in Boston for a game against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Celtics beat the Spurs yesterday 117-98. Celtics have the night off; they’ll play host to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
High school basketball last night – these girls’ teams reporting in: Ellsworth over Old Town, Sumner crushes Deer Isle/Stonington, Machias over Shead, and the WA Raiders with an easy victory over Narraguagus.
High school basketball this evening, these boys’ games locally: MDI takes on Old Town, Jonesport-Beals shooting hoops with Machias, Narraguagus vs. Shead, the John Bapst Crusaders hit the court against the WA Raiders, and the George Stevens Eagles take on the Sumner Tigers.