Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Attorneys to Ask for New Trial in Perry Murder Trial
(Machias) Attorneys are expected to ask for a new trial in the case of 39 yo Kailie Brackett , who was found guilty last year in the brutal murder of 43 yo Kimberly Neptune. Neptune was reportedly stabbed close to 500 times after Brackett and 39 yo Donnell Dana went to her Perry apartment to buy drugs and rob her. The jury failed to reach a verdict on Dana, who was also charged in Neptune’s murder. Brackett’s attorneys filed a Motion for New Trail regarding discovery they argue may support an alternative suspect theory. The hearing is set for 1 p.m. Thursday in Washington County.
(Machias) Attorneys for 39 yo Kailie Brackett have filed a Motion for New Trial regarding discovery they argue may support an alternative suspect theory. Brackett was convicted last December in the brutal murder of 43 yo Kimberly Neptune. Prosecutors say Brackett and an accomplice, 39 yo Donnell Dana, went to Neptune’s Perry apartment on April 21, 2022 to rob her of jewelry and drugs. The pair was accused of stabbing the victim close to 500 times. A jury failed to reach a verdict on Dana. The hearing for Brackett’s retrial request is set for 1 p.m. this Thursday in Washington County.
Waldo County Search Warrant Involving Federal Agents
(Belmont) The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant Monday at 425 Augusta Road in Belmont. The warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation that indicates the address as an illegal marijuana growing operation. The Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with federal agencies, including Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the municipality of Belmont. A large marijuana cultivation operation involving more than a thousand live plants was found and dismantled. Units remained on the scene last night. Deputies say updates, if any, are expected later this morning.
(Belmont) Authorities in Waldo County say they have found a large marijuana cultivation involving more than a thousand live plants, after executing a search warrant at 425 Augusta Road in Belmont on Monday. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office collaborated with federal agencies, including Homeland Security and the State Office of Cannabis Policy, to carry out an ongoing investigation and search warrant on the property. No arrests were made, but the operation was dismantled. Authorities remained on the scene Monday night. Police say updates, if any, will be forthcoming later this morning.
Troy Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud
(Bangor) A Troy woman has pled guilty in US District Court in Bangor to Social Security fraud, health care fraud, and theft of public money. The Pen Bay Pilot reports court records show 49 year old Christie Mitchell lied to the Social Security Administration about her husband’s presence in her household and his income in order to appear eligible for benefits. The fraud is alleged to have occurred from about October 2013 to February 2020. Mitchell faces up to five years in prison and a maximum of $250,000 in fines on each of the Social Security health card fraud charges, and up to 10 years and $250,000 on the theft of public money charge, in addition to possibly being ordered to pay restitution to the affected agencies.
(Bangor) A 49 yo Troy woman faces multiple years in prison and up to half a million dollars in fines after she allegedly spent years defrauding the Social Security Administration. The Pen Bay Pilot reports court records allege Christie Mitchell lied to the Social Security Administration about her husband’s presence in her household and his income in order to appear eligible for benefits. Court records show the alleged fraud occurred from about October 2013 to February 2020. Mitchell has pleaded guilty in US District Court in Bangor. The court may also order Mitchell to pay restitution to SSI and to DHHS for receipt of MaineCare and SNAP benefits for which she was also ineligible.
Frozen Pizza Recall
(Maine) A range of frozen pizza products has been recalled because they may contain soy, one of nine major food allergens. The manufacturer says soy is not listed as an ingredient. Newsweek reports the pizzas in question are from Vermont-based 802 VT Frozen. The company says some 8,221 pounds of frozen meat pizza, mislabeled “Meat!!! Crispy Wood-Fired Crust Hand Made Pizza” products were distributed to grocery stores in seven states, including Maine and New Hampshire. The affected products come in square pizza boxes with red and white branding and have a “best if used by” date ranging between April 25, 2024 and April 25, 2025. So far, no confirmed illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported.
(Maine) A recall on frozen pizza. Newsweek reports pizzas distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, and five other states may contain but are not labeled as including soy, one of nine major food allergens. The pizzas in question come in square boxes with red and white labels and are made by Vermont-based 802 VT Frozen. The company says some 8,221 pounds of frozen meat pizzas were mislabeled “Meat!!! Crispy Wood-Fired Crust Hand Made Pizza”. The affected products have a “best if used by” date ranging between April 25, 2024 and April 25, 2025. So far, no confirmed illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported.
Local Politics
Hancock County Courthouse Meeting
(Ellsworth) The Maine Judicial Branch is holding a public meeting this evening to answer questions and provide more detail on plans for building a new Hancock County Courthouse on the Surry Road, near Josie’s Country Store and Cafe. The meeting will be held at the current courthouse, beginning at 6 p.m. Construction on the new facility is expected to begin next summer. Neighbors of the proposed site at 120 Surry Road have lined their properties with signs of protest over the planned location.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth residents tonight will have a chance to air concerns and ask questions about the sight proposed for a new Hancock County Courthouse. The Maine Judicial Branch is holding a public meeting at the current courthouse, beginning at 6 p.m. this evening. The state recently closed on a parcel at 120 Surry Road, next to Josies’s Country Store. A house that currently stands on the property will be razed to make room for the new facility. Area homeowners have lined the road with signs expressing their opposition to the site being used for the new courthouse.
Gun Bills
(AP) Governor Mills yesterday said she will allow one of a final pair of gun safety bills to become law without her signature. The governor said she would let a 10-day period pass without signing or vetoing the 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases bill to go into effect without action. The law will go into effect this summer. Mills vetoed a ban on bump stocks that would have applied to a device that can be added to semiautomatic weapons, allowing them to fire like machine guns.
(AP) Governor Janet Mills on Monday vetoed a ban on bump stocks, a device that can be added to semiautomatic rifles, allowing them to fire like machine guns. But Mills said she will allow the other of a final pair of gun safety bills to become law without her signature. The governor said she would let a 10-day period pass without signing or vetoing the 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases bill to go into effect without action. That law will go into effect this summer.
Mount Desert Clerk’s Office Closed Tuesday Morning
(Mount Desert) The Mount Desert Clerk’s Office is closed this morning, due to unforeseen circumstances. They’ll reopen at Noon today. The administrative office will be open for other business, such as code enforcement, tax questions, etc., and much of the clerk’s business can be done online.
Economy
Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Recognized by Forbes
(Bar Harbor) For the second year in a row, Bar Harbor Bankshares, the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, has been recognized by Forbes as one of the “World’s Best Banks”. The annual list is developed based on responses from more than 49,000 persons who were surveyed about their satisfaction with their current or former financial institution.
(Bar Harbor) The employees at Bar Harbor Bank and Trust should be grinning from ear to ear today. For the second consecutive year, Bar Harbor Bankshares, the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, has been recognized by Forbes as one of the “World’s Best Banks”. The annual list is developed based on responses from more than 49,000 persons surveyed about satisfaction with their current or former financial institution.
Education
May Planetarium Offerings
(Orono) To native Americans and other ancient peoples, the sky was a storybook of heroes, legends, and predictions. During the month of May, the Versant Power Planetarium gives folks an opportunity to take a special look at the folklore of the night sky. Planetarium Director Shawn Laatsch gives Star 97.7 a preview. (((MayPlanet 1 “…things of that nature.” :20))) That’s every Friday night in May at 7 p.m. – tickets at the door or at astro dot umaine dot e d u.
(Orono) The earth, moon, and sun – Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium, tells Star 97.7, there’s much more to their relationship than our amazing recent eclipse. (((May Planet 2 “…here on earth. A really fun program for families. :22))). That’s the Planetarium’s Sunday programming for kids, beginning May 5th and every Sunday during May at 2 p.m. Tickets at the door or at astro dot umaine dot e d u.
(Orono) Take that stairway to heaven as you sit back and relax with the Versant Power Planetarium’s Sunday music programming in May. Planetarium Director Shawn Laatsch says it’s music by a classic that defined rock in the 70’s and is still relevant today. (((May Planet 3 “…with some of their classic hits, as well.” :10))) Sunday afternoons at 4 all through the month of May. Tickets at astro dot umaine dot e d u or at the door. The planetarium is located on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.
(Orono) Several folks recently reported seeing a fireball in the sky over Downeast Maine. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium, tells Star 97.7, you just might see a similar sight if you’re up early this Sunday morning. (((MayPlanet 4 “…so it shouldn’t interfere too much with those meteors.” :22))) Laatsch says we’ll be losing Jupiter into the glare of twilight by the end of May, but Mars and Saturn will reappear this month, low in the morning sky, and climbing higher as the month goes on.
UMA Students Present Visioning Project for Downtown/Water Street
(Ellsworth) UMaine Augusta architectural students were at Ellsworth City Hall Monday. The students were showcasing prints and 3-D models of a visioning project for the Downtown/Water Street area. Their creative project envisions a riverside park and mixed use housing in the space. The work is quite impressive – the students even envisioned a green space that would be resilient to flooding. The model will be on display at City Hall for a time – you’re encouraged to stop in and share feedback.
(Ellsworth) A group of students from the School of Architecture at UMaine Augusta was at Ellsworth City Hall yesterday. They brought quite an impressive proposal for potential along the Union River waterfront. The group showcased prints and 3-D models of a visioning project for the Downtown/Water Street area that combines the practical aspects of a green space and mixed-use housing with a wonderfully aesthetic addition for the area. The model will be on display at City Hall for a time – residents are encouraged to stop in and share feedback.
Sports
Red Sox at Fenway this evening to run the bases with the Giants.
Celtics take Round One, Game 4 of NBA Playoffs last night, beating the Heat in Miami 102-88. Celtics now lead 3 games to 1. The teams move to Boston Wednesday for Game Five.
The Bruins in Boston tonight for Round One, Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bruins lead the Maple Leafs 3 games to 1.