Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Bridgton Man Charged in 2023 Murder
(Bridgton) Maine State Police have arrested a man in connection with the 2023 homicide death of a Bridgton woman. Last November 23rd, officers were called to Pond Road where they found the body of 51 yo Benita Preo. On March 8th, a Grand Jury indicted 48 yo Eric Knight on charges of depraved indifference murder. Authorities tell Star 97.7, Preo and Knight were in a relationship and lived together. Knight was arrested Saturday morning at his residence in Bridgton. He is being held in the Cumberland County Jail and is scheduled for arraignment later today. Police have not released Preo’s cause of death.
(Bridgton) Police on Saturday arrested a man in connection with the death of a Bridgton woman. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, 48 yo Eric Knight was in a relationship and lived with 51 yo Benita Preo when police were called to their home at 237 Pond Road on November 23rd last year. Officers found Preo’s body, and the coroner ruled her death a homicide. On March 8th, a Grand Jury indicted Knight on charges of depraved indifference murder. Authorities tell Star 97.7, Knight was arrested Saturday morning at his residence in Bridgton. He is being held in the Cumberland County Jail and is scheduled for arraignment later today. Police have not released a cause of Preo’s death.
Two First Responders Hospitalized During Millinocket Fire
(Millinocket) Crews from multiple towns were called in, and two firefighters taken to a hospital Sunday while battling a blaze in Millinocket. The fire was reported about 7:30 a.m. WABI-TV reports smoke and flames could be seen billowing out of a building on Penobscot Avenue yesterday morning. The fire was brought under control by around 11:30 a.m. Nearby businesses suffered some smoke damage. The Millinocket Town Office will be closed today. The State Fire Marshal’s office will look for a cause.
(Millinocket) A Sunday morning fire in Millinocket drew crews from several area departments, and two first responders were hospitalized while battling the blaze. WABI-TV reports the fire started about 7:30 a.m. and crews battled the blaze for about four hours. The fire was reported to be at the abandoned Northeast Bank building on Penobscot Avenue. Nearby businesses suffered some smoke damage. The Millinocket Town Office will be closed today. The State Fire Marshal’s office will look for a cause.
Weather Headaches Again Plague Maine
(Maine) Flooded roadways, high winds, power outages – it was deja vu all over again Sunday as a fast moving storm and astronomical high tides caused headaches once again across Downeast Maine. Numerous places, including the Deer Isle Causeway, Hulls Cove, areas of Milbridge and Machias, and across MDI were reported flooded and/or impassable at high tide between 11 and Noon. As of 4 a.m., Versant Power reported just under 2K outages, mostly across Hancock and Washington Counties. Crews continue working on restoring service this morning.
(Maine) It’s usually three strikes and you’re out, but Sunday was storm number four to hit Maine with high winds, downed trees, power outages and flooded roadways in the past three months. Numerous areas along the coast reported splash over and/or roads that were downright impassable at high tide around the 11 a.m. to Noon hour yesterday, including the Deer Isle Causeway, parts of Seawall, Hulls Cove, and areas of Milbridge and Machias. Power outages were mostly reported in Hancock, Washington, and Penobscot Counties, with crews at work this morning, attempting to restore service.
Local Politics
Lamoine Town Meeting to Include Vote on Banning Glampgrounds
(Lamoine) Lamoine residents will be voting this week on updating the town’s zoning ordinance to ban glampgrounds and similar resorts. In 2023, Arizona-based Clear Sky Resorts proposed building 103 domed star-gazing and seasonal rental cabins on a property on Partridge Cove Road. The proposal for the resort drew strong opposition from Lamoine residents, who overwhelmingly approved a moratorium on such projects at a town meeting last summer. Motels and hotels are already banned in the village. The Town Meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Lamoine Consolidated Schools.
(Lamoine) Lamoine residents Wednesday will vote on updating the town’s zoning ordinance to ban glampgrounds and similar lodging. Last year, Arizona-based Clear Sky Resorts submitted a proposal to build more than a hundred domed star-gazing and seasonal rentals on Partridge Cove Road. The plan drew swift opposition from Lamoine residents, who last summer overwhelmingly approved a moratorium on such projects. A vote on updating the ordinance will be held at the town meeting this Wednesday, March 13th, at 6 p.m. at the Lamoine Consolidated School.
King Co-Sponsors Legislation to Crack Down on Robocall Scammers
(Washington, DC) In 2022, Americans received 78 billion robocalls and 225 billion robotexts, losing 65 and 20 billion dollars respectively. Maine Senator Angus King has joined colleagues in sponsoring the DO NOT Call Act to crack down on the enforcement of illegal robocalls. The act would create stiffer penalties for scammers who willfully and knowingly violate current rules and includes steeper fines and even prison sentences. The proposed legislation is co-sponsored by King, an Independent, and four Democratic Senators from across the U.S.
(Washington, DC) Those annoying robocalls! In 2022, Americans received 78 billion robocalls and 225 billion robotexts, costing them millions of dollars. Maine Independent Senator Angus King and four Democratic Senators are sponsoring the DO NOT Call Act, designed to crack down on the enforcement of illegal robocalls. The act would create stiffer penalties for scammers who willfully and knowingly violate current rules and includes steeper fines and even prison sentences for those who persist with the illegal calls.
Environment
Camden Snow Bowl Closes Early
(Camden) Another victim of Maine’s mild winter – the Camden Snow Bowl made the decision late last week to close for the season, effective immediately. The Select Board said while they typically stay open through March, the rains and melted snow made it impossible to maintain the trails for skiers. Normal end-of-the-season celebrations, including the annual cardboard box race, were also cancelled as a result.
(Camden) The Camden Snow Bowl won’t be celebrating their usual end-of-the-season fun this year, including the uphill-downhill and cardboard box races. The warm, rainy weather meant the Select Board last week made the decision to close the trails, effective immediately. The ski area is yet another victim of an unusually warm winter that lacked Maine’s normal snowfall.
Health
Dental Health Programs Receive Funds to Provide Care to Veterans
(Augusta) Qualifying veterans can receive free dental hygiene services from the University of Maine Augusta. The School’s Dental Programs in Bangor and Lewiston have been awarded $5K from Northeast Delta Dental to provide cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatment and simple fillings. Veterans must qualify by calling 287-6836 before making an appointment.
(Augusta) The UMA Dental Clinic has openings this spring and fall for qualifying veterans to receive free dental services. The School’s Dental Programs in Bangor and Lewiston have been awarded $5K from Northeast Delta Dental to provide cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatment and simple fillings. Veterans must qualify by calling 287-6836 before making an appointment.
Education
MaineCF Offers Scholarships to Journalism Students
(Ellsworth) Maine students interested in careers in journalism are invited to apply for scholarships from the Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship Fund at the Maine Community Foundation. The scholarships provide support for students majoring in journalism, including print, broadcast, or electronic media, at an undergraduate, graduate, trade or technical school. Application deadline is April 1st. Apply at Maine C F dot org.
(Ellsworth) Interested in a career in journalism? The Maine Community Foundation has a scholarship opportunity for you. The Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship Fund provides support for students majoring in journalism, including print, broadcast, or electronic media, at an undergraduate, graduate, trade or technical school. Application deadline is April 1st. Apply at Maine C F dot org.
Economy
Jay Paper Mill to Reopen
(Jay) A former paper mill in Jay will reopen as a particle board manufacturer. WMTW reports the Androscoggin Mill employed hundreds before closing down last year, a few years after an explosion put the future of the mill in jeopardy. Godfrey Forest Products plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to reopen the site as a producer of oriented strand board, used as the structural element in walls, roofs, and floors of residential homes. Production is expected to start in about 2 ½ years. A spokesperson said the mill will provide 125 well-paying jobs in the town of Jay.
(Jay) It won’t be up and running for at least a couple of years, but there is hope in the town of Jay this week, as news spread that a manufacturer plans to reopen the Androscoggin Mill. WMTW reports the mill employed hundreds before closing down last year, a few years after an explosion put its future in jeopardy. Godfrey Forest Products plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to reopen the site as a producer of oriented strand board, used as the structural element in walls, roofs, and floors of residential homes. Once operational, the mill is expected to provide 125 well-paying jobs in the town of Jay.
Infrastructure
Proposed Dredging Project in Milbridge
(Milbridge) A proposed dredging project that involves the town landings at Milbridge means the Maine Department of Marine Resources must provide Maine EPA with information on its impact on the fishing industry. The dredging provides a 150-foot wide channel from deep water in Narraguagus Bay to Wyman, then 100-feet wide to the Milbridge landing and the larger upper town landing downstream from the Route 1A Bridge. Written comments about potential impacts of fishing in the area can be sent to DMR via email or mail by 5 p.m. on April 5th. If requested by five or more persons by that date, the Department will hold a hearing on the matter.
(Milbridge) The US Army Corps of Engineers is proposing dredging a section of the Narraguagus River in Milbridge. Maine DMR must provide Maine EPA with information on its impact on the fishing industry. The dredging provides a 150-foot wide channel from deep water in Narraguagus Bay to Wyman, then 100-feet wide to the Milbridge landing and the larger upper town landing downstream from the Route 1A Bridge. Written comments about potential impacts of fishing in the area can be sent to DMR via email or mail by 5 p.m. on April 5th. The Department will hold a hearing if requested by 5 or more persons by that date.
Sports
Ellsworth High School’s Chance Mercier was honored with the Mr. Maine Basketball Award Friday night. The Senior is one of only two players in program history to win the honor. Standout Tim Scott won the coveted prize back in 1988.
The New England Patriots are reportedly trading Quarterback Jack Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones, who was drafted by New England in 2021, must pass a physical. The trade can’t be finalized until the new league year begins on Wednesday.
The Bruins play host to the St. Louis Blues tonight at TD Garden.
Spring Training continues this afternoon, with the Red Sox at bat against the Pirates at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. (Red Sox vs. Cardinals Tuesday)
The Celtics in Portland tonight for a late, west coast game against the Trail Blazers.