Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lewiston Observes Six Months Since Mass Shooting
(Lewiston) Today marks six months since a gunman walked into the Just-in-Time Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston during a youth league event, opened fire, and then shot up a Lewiston Bar and Grill, killing 18 people, injuring 13, and leaving scars on the hearts of countless others. The gunman later killed himself. The shooting was the tenth deadliest in US history, the most deadly in the history of Maine – resulting in changes to gun laws and funding for mental health and violence prevention initiatives. Lewiston is asking folks to wear blue today and place lights in their windows. The City of Lewiston and the Lewiston/Auburn Chamber of Commerce have established a special fund to one day install a memorial honoring victims and survivors.
(Lewiston) It was six months ago today a gunman walked into a bowling alley and then into a bar and grill in Lewiston, snuffing out 18 lives, wounding 13 others, and forever changing the lives of countless others before killing himself. It was an even greater tragedy, because it happened in a state where people often feel safe enough to leave their doors unlocked and the hunting community prides itself on gun safety. The shooting was the tenth deadliest in US history and has resulted in changes to gun laws and funding for mental health and violence prevention initiatives. Community members will gather this evening in Lewiston to remember survivors and those who died. They’re asking folks across the state to wear blue today and place lights in their windows to remember victims and to show solidarity against the violence.
Domestic Violence Leads to Arrest in Levant
(Levant) A domestic violence incident led to an arrest Wednesday near Levant Elementary School. WABI-TV reports Penobscot Sheriffs responded to a report of an assault at 10 a.m. yesterday. A female victim was taken to safety, but 34 yo Nicholas Bennett reportedly refused to cooperate with police, later firing shots behind the house. A State Police Tactical team was called in to negotiate. Bennett was finally taken into custody just past 6 p.m. He’s charged with domestic assault and additional charges are expected. Sheriff Troy Morton said the school was never in danger and no one was injured, although the road was closed for most of the day.
(Levant) A Levant man is under arrest today, facing charges of domestic assault. WABI-TV reports Penobscot Sheriffs responded to a report of an assault at a home near Levant Elementary School yesterday morning. A female victim was taken to safety. Police say 34 yo Nicholas Bennett refused to cooperate with officers, although he came out of the house several times, once firing shots behind the house. A State Police Tactical team was called in to negotiate. Bennett was finally taken into custody just past 6 p.m. He’s charged with domestic assault and additional charges are expected. Sheriff Troy Morton said the school was never in danger and no one was injured, although the road was closed for most of the day.
Former Gouldsboro Fire Chief Faces Additional Charges
(Gouldsboro) Gouldsboro’s former fire chief, already accused of forgery and theft, is now charged with breaking the law in Winter Harbor. The Bangor Daily News reports Tatum McLean, who lives in Gouldsboro, had later gone to work as fire chief and held other positions in Winter Harbor, but was fired last fall. He was reportedly indicted this month on a felony charge of aggravated criminal invasion of computer privacy. Although details were unavailable, McLean reportedly committed the crime in Winter Harbor on October 29th, after his termination. The charges stem from what the BDN reports as a pattern of fraud and theft McLean allegedly committed while overseeing Schoodic EMS, the ambulance service that covers both towns.
(Gouldsboro) The embattled former fire chief of Gouldsboro and then Winter Harbor is facing new charges, according to the Bangor Daily News. Tatum McLean was already accused of forgery and theft. After he was fired as Winter Harbor Fire Chief on September 1st, court documents indicate McLean committed another crime on October 29th. Those documents did not reveal details, but McLean was indicted this month on a felony charge of aggravated criminal invasion of computer privacy. The charges stem from what the BDN reports as a pattern of fraud and theft McLean allegedly committed while overseeing Schoodic EMS, the ambulance service that covers both towns.
Former Lobster 207 CEO Adds Bankruptcy Twist
(Trenton) Former Lobster 207 CEO Warren Pettegrow filed for bankruptcy in Florida, just a day before he was court-ordered to forfeit money, properties, business interests and guns to Lobster 207 as part of a million dollar judgment awarded after arbitration in June 2020. The Mount Desert Islander reports the judgment, filed by Lobster 207 in 2019, alleged Pettegrow embezzled nearly $2M over two years in a price-fixing arrangement when he served as CEO. A trial involving federal racketeering charges had been tentatively set for May in Bangor, but the bankruptcy filing forced the case to be administratively closed on March 18th. The closure is not a dismissal of the case, and experts say any party could file future proceedings.
(Trenton) A case involving a Trenton lobster co-op alleges embezzlement, price fixing, and federal racketeering charges and has dragged on for nearly five years. The Mount Desert Islander reports former Lobster 207 CEO Warren Pettegrow has now filed for bankruptcy in Florida, just a day before he was court-ordered to forfeit money, properties, business interests and guns to Lobster 207 as part of a million dollar judgment awarded after arbitration in June 2020. The co-op was opened in 2017 by the Maine Lobstering Union Local 207 and others, and involved the sale of the wholesale side of Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound. Pettegrow was fired in April 2019 when a forensic audit raised red flags. The bankruptcy filing forced the case to be administratively closed on March 18th, but the closure is not a dismissal of the case, and experts say any party could file future proceedings.
Local Politics
Mills Vetoes Farmworker Wage Bill
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills earlier this year proposed a bill that would have allowed farm workers to earn the state minimum wage and to receive cost-of-living increases. This week, she vetoed that bill because of a provision in an amended version that would have allowed farm workers to sue their employers. The Governor said the change would have left wage enforcement up to the state labor department. The AFL-CIO called the rationale for rejecting the amended bill an “embarrassment”.
(Augusta) A bill that would have allowed farm workers in Maine to earn the state minimum wage and receive cost-of-living increases has died on Governor Janet Mills’s desk – even though it was the Governor who initially proposed the legislation. Governor Mills said she vetoed the bill because of a provision in an amended version that would have allowed farm workers to sue their employers. The Governor said the change would have left wage enforcement up to the state labor department. The AFL-CIO called the rationale for rejecting the amended bill an “embarrassment”.
Hancock County DA’s Office Hires Two Attorneys
(Ellsworth) District Attorney Robert Granger announced this week his office has hired two more attorneys to serve as prosecutors. Granger serves as DA for both Hancock and Washington Counties, and says he’s thrilled to have the help of experienced attorneys who are well prepared to handle criminal cases. Kirk Bloomer began work on January 3rd and brings 23 years of experience. Eric Columber most recently focused on civil litigation and criminal law with Columber Law in Ellsworth. The two have been sworn in as Assistant District Attorneys and will primarily work out of the Ellsworth office.
(Ellsworth) District Attorney Robert Granger is a busy man, serving as DA for both Hancock and Washington Counties. This week, Granger announced the hiring of two additional attorneys that will serve as prosecutors. Both Kirk Bloomer and Eric Columber bring a wealth of experience to the job, and Granger said it was a plus to have two seasoned attorneys already prepared and with practice in handling criminal cases. The additional staff will have much needed room to grow as a new Hancock County Courthouse is constructed on the Surry Road. Granger and his Washington County staff recently moved into a newly renovated building in Machias that also provided much needed space.
Economy
MPUC to Host Virtual Community Discussion on April 30
(Hallowell) Concerned about the cost, reliability, and environmental impact of your local utility? The Maine Public Utilities Commission says in recent years, they’ve heard from consumers more often than ever on those issues. In response, MPUC is offering a virtual community discussion next Tuesday, April 30th. Participants will join the three Commissioners to share thoughts and concerns, and they say they’ll even be welcoming suggestions. That’s at 5 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. We’ve posted the Meeting ID and Passcode with this story on our Star 97.7 website. Meeting ID: 224 028 533 919 Passcode: pHEN8k
(Hallowell) Cost, reliability, environmental impact – more and more, utilities are hearing concerns about those issues. In order to address consumer concerns, the Maine Public Utilities Commission will offer a virtual community discussion at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30th. Join MPUC’s three Commissioners to share YOUR thoughts and concerns or even offer suggestions. We’ve posted the Microsoft Teams Meeting ID and Passcode with this story on our Star 97.7 website. Additional in-person discussions are planned for May and June. Learn more at maine dot gov forward slash m p u c. Meeting ID: 224 028 533 919 Passcode: pHEN8k
Education
Charles M. Sumner Principal Resigns
(Sullivan) The Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus is on the hunt for a new Principal to begin the next school year. The Ellsworth American reports Jackson Green submitted his resignation and plans to move with his wife, also a teacher with RSU 24, and their four daughters to Pennsylvania to be near family and educational opportunities for his girls as they approach postsecondary schooling. Green started with RSU 24 as Assistant Principal of Sumner in 2018. While he currently oversees the middle and high school students, the District plans to create a separate Middle School principal role that will help with the job of managing the two different groups of students who often have widely different needs. Jackson will remain on the job through the end of June.
(Sullivan) Jackson “JT” Green stepped into some pretty big shoes when hired as Principal of the Charles M. Sumner Learning Center in 2020. Not only did he serve through COVID and the transition to the new facility, but he was also tasked with overseeing two very different groups of kids – middle school and high school students. The Ellsworth American reports Jackson will be leaving the end of June to move with his wife and daughters to Pennsylvania, where, he says, they’ll be closer to family. The District plans to create a separate Middle School principal role for next year’s administration. Jackson, who started with RSU 24 in 2018, said he’s very proud of the work done during his time at Sumner. He says the school has an extremely bright future, and he’ll be watching from afar.
Environment
Maine to Benefit from National Fish Passage Program
(Maine) Maine is one of 29 states that will receive a portion of more than $70M from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The monies will help fund 43 projects that will improve fish passage around outdated or obsolete dams, culverts, levees and other barriers fragmenting the nation’s rivers and streams. A collaborative project between the State of Maine and the Passamaquoddy Tribe on the Lower Skutick/St. Croix River will include constructing state-of-the-art fishways that could potentially support tens of millions of adult river herring returning annually, making their population the largest in the US and Canada.
(Maine) Improved fish passage and outdated dam removal – two projects for which Maine will receive a portion of the more than $70M from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The funding, announced this week, will support 43 projects in 29 states, designed to improve fish passage around outdated or obsolete dams, culverts, levees, and other barriers fragmenting the nation’s rivers and streams. One funded project in Maine includes removal of two dams on tributaries to the Sandy River that will reconnect the two with the largest amount of inaccessible Atlantic salmon habitat within the Sandy River watershed.
Alewife Run is Two Weeks Early
(Penobscot) The spring alewife run is on, and they’re running about two weeks early. The Mount Desert Islander reports Penobscot Alewife Committee Chair Bailey Bowden sees the early run as another sign of a changing climate and its effect on fish migration and breeding. It’s the water volume flowing through streams and brooks at temps of at least 51 degrees that starts the alewives running from ocean to freshwater ponds to breed. Harvesters across Hancock County are starting to catch the tiny fish. Adult alewives are preferred bait for the spring lobster fishery.
(Penobscot) Fishermen say it’s another sign of our changing climate. The spring alewife run is on, and the Mount Desert Islander reports they’re running about two weeks early. Water volume flowing through streams and brooks at temps of at least 51 degrees starts the alewives running from ocean to freshwater ponds to breed. Adult alewives are preferred bait for the spring lobster fishery. Thirty-five Maine municipalities have commercial harvesting rights to the tiny fish. Alewives, also known as River Herring, spend the majority of their life at sea, but return to freshwater to spawn.
Sports
The Miami Heat took Round One Game Two of the NBA playoffs yesterday, beating the Celtics 111-101. Teams now tied at a game apiece. Game Three Saturday in Boston.
The Bruins beat the Maple Leafs 4-2 last night in Round 1, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bruins now lead 2 games to 1. Game 4 Saturday at Toronto.
And the Red Sox came back from Tuesday’s loss to shut out the Guardians in Cleveland 8-nothing. Game Three this afternoon at 1:10. Red Sox spend the weekend at Fenway going bat to base against the Chicago Cubs.