Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Orono Fire Chief Headed to Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) The Orono Fire Chief has decided to blaze a path to Ellsworth. The Bangor Daily News reports Geoffrey Low has served as Chief in Orono since 2018, but resigned two weeks ago. He’ll continue the job in Orono until the end of June and plans to begin the job in Ellsworth on July 1. Low says he looks forward to being in a “supporting role” rather than a leading one. In Orono, Low oversees 24 firefighters and three administrative staffers.
(Ellsworth) The Orono Fire Chief says he’s “fired up” about stepping down from that role to join the Ellsworth Fire Department. The Bangor Daily News reports Geoffrey Low turned in his resignation two weeks ago, after six years as Chief, but plans to stay with Orono until the end of June. Low will serve as Deputy Chief in Ellsworth and says he looks forward to being in a “supporting role” rather than a leading one. In Orono, Low oversees 24 firefighters and three administrative staffers.
Conviction Upheld in Case of Mother Who Murdered Her Child
(Augusta) Jessica Trefethen will serve her 47 years in prison for the 2021 beating death of her 3 yo son, Maddox Williams. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld an October 2022 conviction that found the Stockton Springs mother guilty of depraved indifference murder. Trefethen had claimed her due process rights were violated and challenged admission of some evidence in her trial. The high court disagreed and upheld the conviction and her sentence.
(Augusta) The Maine Supreme Judicial Court yesterday upheld the conviction and sentencing of the Stockton Springs woman accused in the beating death of her three year old son. Jessica Trefethen was sentenced to 47 years in prison for the beating death of Maddox Williams. Trefethen claimed her due process rights were violated and challenged admission of some evidence in her trial. The high court upheld the October 2022 conviction that found her guilty of depraved indifference murder and her later sentencing.
Family of Lewiston Shooter Testifies Before Commission
(Augusta) The family of Lewiston shooter Robert Card testified before the Commission investigating the tragedy yesterday. Members spoke at length of how they attempted for months to get help for Card and criticized Army officials and others for what they say was their lack of response to Card’s increasingly concerning behaviors. They say they and fellow reservists warned law enforcement and military leaders repeatedly about his paranoia, his access to weapons, and their fears he might snap, with little to no response.
(Augusta) It was an emotional day in Augusta yesterday as members of Lewiston shooter Robert Card’s family testified before the Commission investigating the horrific events of October 25th. Card’s brother-in-law said problems began in early 2023 when Card received hearing aids to help deal with the increasing hearing loss he suffered as an Army Reserve grenade instructor. They say they spent months trying to get help for Card who began displaying symptoms of paranoia. Family members also said he had been harassed by coworkers who falsely believed he was on the sex offender registry, and that he was having delusions that businesses, including the ones he targeted, were broadcasting messages saying he was a pedophile.
Woman Discharges Handgun in Thomaston WalMart
(Thomaston) Authorities might want to look for a red-faced woman, after she accidentally discharged a handgun earlier this month inside the Thomaston Wal-Mart. The Pen Bay Pilot reports security video showed the woman with a “very shocked reaction” after the handgun was fired as she reached into her purse while walking down one of the aisles on May 10th. No one was injured, and the bullet went into the floor. Security footage was unable to capture the license plate of the couple as they left the store. Police say at this time if they find the suspect, they’re unsure what charges, if any, would be filed. On its corporate website, WalMart’s policy requests customers no longer openly carry firearms into locations where open carry is permitted, unless they are authorized by law enforcement.
(Thomaston) You might say a woman who recently shopped at the Thomaston WalMart got a real bang out of her purchases. The Pen Bay Pilot reports security cameras captured a woman reaching into her purse while walking in one of the aisles, when her handgun went off. Footage showed the woman with a “very shocked reaction.” No one was injured, and the bullet went into the floor. The couple left the store before they could be identified, but authorities would like to speak with them; although they’re not sure what charges, if any, would be filed. The store policy posted on WalMart’s website requests customers no longer openly carry firearms into locations where open carry is permitted, unless they are authorized by law enforcement.
State Registers Fatal Overdose Decline
(Maine) There was a decline in fatal drug overdoses last year. The Portland Press Herald said the 16% decline was the first in five years and one of the nation’s largest decreases, according to recently released national data. Public health officials credited access to treatment and the availability of the opioid antidote naloxone for the drop in overdose deaths.
(Maine) For the first time in five years, the state of Maine registered a drop in fatal drug overdoses in 2023. The Portland Press Herald reports the 16% decline was one of the nation’s largest, according to just released national data. Public health officials say among other factors, access to treatment and the availability of the opioid antidote naloxone contributed to the drop in overdose deaths.
Workplace Culture at Fire Marshal’s Office “Under Fire” by Oversight Panel
(Augusta) The State Fire Marshal’s Office is reportedly on the hot seat itself when it comes to workplace culture. The Portland Press Herald reports employee complaints and a finding by the state’s labor relations board found the office committed a “flagrant violation” of a union contract. Fire Marshall Richard McCarthy this week testified before lawmakers he felt morale was improving, though he admitted there is still work to be done. The complaints surfaced when McCarthy was nominated to take over leadership in February 2023. Kevin Anderson, Executive Director of the Maine State Law Enforcement Association, which represents investigations of employee complaints, said while quite a bit of change has occurred, they’re not seeing what they expected and that there hasn’t been the change they would like to see.
(Augusta) Employees at the State Fire Marshal’s Office are apparently “fired up” about what they say is low morale and a less than ideal workplace culture. The Portland Press Herald reports employee complaints about the treatment of fire victims and other concerns first surfaced when Fire Marshall Richard McCarthy was nominated to take over leadership in February 2023. McCarthy this week testified before a panel of lawmakers he felt morale was improving, but he admitted there is still work to be done. A representative of the Maine State Law Enforcement Association said there hasn’t been the change they would like to see.
Monday Deadline to Apply for FEMA Assistance
(Maine) One more reminder that Monday is the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance for reimbursement for or repair of damage resulting from the January storms. FEMA officials say even if you have applied and been turned down, it’s important to reapply, as the denial may have been the result of some minor missing detail. Apply at your local Disaster Recovery Center, online or by phone. We have lots of information about how to apply posted on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Maine) FEMA officials say there is still money out there and they WANT to give it to you to reimburse monies spent or to help with repairs from the January storms. But we’re down to the wire – this Monday, May 20th is the deadline to apply for such FEMA assistance. Officials urge folks to reapply if initially turned down – they say sometimes minor details or missing information is all you may need in order to be approved. Apply at your local Disaster Recovery Center, online or by phone. We have lots of information about how to apply posted on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Local Politics
State Flag Showdown Set for November
(Augusta) It could be a tense showdown come November. Not only between Biden and Trump, but between designs proposed for the State of Maine flag. The original flag with a pine tree and the blue North Star on a light tan background was first adopted on March 21st, 1901, but was replaced with the current state flag in February 1909. Since then, the state flag has included the Maine coat of arms, with a moose, pine tree, and a farmer and sailor and the Latin phrase “Dirigo”, meaning “I direct” on a blue background. A “yes” vote wouldn’t necessarily return the state to the original pine tree flag. There are multiple interpretations of that design, including a version featuring a more defined and realistic looking pine tree. Here’s hoping whatever the results, the losing party waves the WHITE flag and accepts the results.
(Augusta) The November election could be a contentious one here in Maine, with members on both sides turning out to vigorously support their choice. Oh, sure, Biden and Trump are on the ballot, but neither has garnered the enthusiasm of the decision over the Maine State flag. A “yes” vote supports replacing the existing state flag with its coat of arms, moose, pine tree, a farmer and sailor on a blue background, with one closer to the original state flag, featuring a pine tree and blue North Star on a light tan background. And it could get even more complicated. There are multiple interpretations of that original design, including a version featuring a more defined and realistic looking pine tree. Here’s hoping Maine voters turn out en masse in November, and remain friends and neighbors who still share greetings and “waves” while waving whichever flag is chosen.
Infrastructure
Second Working Waterfront Resiliency Grant Program Scheduled
(Augusta) The Department of Marine Resources will host a second Working Waterfront Resiliency Grant Program informational webinar on Tuesday, May 28th, at 4 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview and an opportunity to ask questions about the program, which directs funding to the owners of certain critical working waterfront infrastructure. The funding is designed to help rebuild wharves and piers damaged in the coastal storms of Winter 2024 and improve their resiliency against future storm events. Information and links to join the meeting is posted on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Augusta) In addition to FEMA funding and SBA loans, the state has approved funding to help rebuild wharves and piers damaged in the coastal storms of Winter 2024. Funds may also be used to improve the resiliency of newly-built replacement structures against future storm events. The Department of Marine Resources will host a second Working Waterfront Resiliency Grant Program informational webinar on Tuesday, May 28th, at 4 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview and an opportunity to ask questions about the program, which directs funding to the owners of certain critical working waterfront infrastructure. We’ve posted information and links to join the meeting on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Lamoine State Park Work
(Lamoine) Lamoine State Park will begin a major road resurfacing project inside the park on both Coaling Station Lane and State Park Road. Coaling Station Lane will be excavated and the paved surface removed, beginning today; with paving on the two roads expected to begin on Tuesday. The project could last three days or more.
(Lamoine) You’ll want to avoid areas of Lamoine State Park for a few days. The park reports it plans to begin a major road resurfacing project on both Coaling Station Lane and State Park Road. Coaling Station Lane will be excavated and the paved surface removed, beginning today; with paving on the two roads expected to begin on Tuesday. The project could last three days or more.
Sports
The Red Sox at Busch Stadium tonight to run the bases against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Celtics head into the Eastern Conference Finals. They’ll face either the Indiana Pacers of the New York Knicks for the Eastern Conference title and a place in the NBA Finals.
The Bruins and Panthers hit the ice in Boston tonight in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Florida leads 3 games to 2.