Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Suspects Who Fled School Bus Crash Arrested
(Limington) Authorities have located two men who fled on foot after crashing their sedan into the back of a slowing school bus last Friday. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, Maine State Police developed information that brothers 33 yo Robert Hargis and 30 yo Patrick Hargis of Hiram were staying at a residence on Sokokis Avenue in Limington. A search warrant was obtained, and with the help of a K9, the two were located about 9 p.m. Wednesday, hiding inside a wall in an upstairs bedroom. The men were taken into custody without incident and transported to the York County Jail. Robert reportedly had nine active arrest warrants, and Patrick had one and is also on probation. The brothers face numerous new charges, including leaving the scene of an accident and felony reckless conduct.
(Limington) Authorities have made arrests in the case of a school bus crash in Limington last Friday. The bus was slowing for a turn, when a sedan crashed into the rear of the bus, causing significant damage to both vehicles. None of the 13 children on board the bus was hurt, but the two men in the sedan fled on foot. About 9 p.m. Wednesday night, Maine State Police executed a search warrant and used a K9 to locate 33 yo Robert Hargis and 30 yo Patrick Hargis of Hiram hiding in a wall in an upstairs bedroom of a residence on Sokokis Avenue in Limington. The two were taken to the York County Jail. Robert reportedly had nine active arrest warrants, and Patrick had one and is also on probation. The brothers face numerous new charges including leaving the scene of an accident and violating conditions of release.
Belgrade Man Arrested After Standoff in Readfield
(Belgrade) Authorities have arrested a suspect after a standoff in Readfield on Tuesday. State Police say about 6 p.m. on June 18th, the RCC received a domestic violence complaint from a 70 yo woman in Readfield, who told dispatchers her husband had a firearm and assaulted her at her Morrill Road home. Police arrived to find the woman in her driveway. They safely moved her and she was treated by Winthrop Rescue. Maine State Troopers then set up a perimeter around the residence with the help of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s office and other agencies. A 41 yo son who was also in the home was able to get out safely. Authorities were then able to take 71 yo Carl Hiebert of Belgrade into custody. Hiebert faces multiple charges, including domestic violence criminal threatening and assault. Hiebert was taken to the Kennebec County Correctional Facility.
(Belgrade) A Belgrade man faces numerous charges after a domestic violence incident Tuesday in Readfield. Authorities say about 6 p.m. on June 18th, a 9-1-1 call came in about a domestic violence incident. A 70 yo woman told dispatchers her husband, 71 yo Carl Hiebert of Belgrade, had a firearm and assaulted her at her Morrill Road home. Police arrived to find the woman in her driveway. They safely moved her and she was treated by Winthrop Rescue. Maine State Troopers then set up a perimeter around the residence with the help of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s office and other agencies. A 41 yo son who was also in the home was able to get out safely. Authorities eventually took the suspect into custody and transported him to the Kennebec County Correctional Facility, where he faces multiple charges, including domestic violence criminal threatening and assault.
Teen Dies in Burnham Crash
(Burnham) An 18 yo from Detroit, Maine was killed Wednesday when he failed to negotiate a curve and ended up running off the roadway and striking a large tree on the Winnecook Road in Burnham. Authorities say Maine State Police notified the Waldo County RCC of the single vehicle crash shortly after 5 a.m. 18 yo Paul Raye, Jr. died at the scene. The investigation remains active, but police say speed appears to have been a factor in the crash.
Officials Determine Cause of Mistaken WEA Alert
(AP) A firewall designed to prevent cyberattacks and hacking was to blame for the 9-1-1 outage that hit Massachusetts this week, according to state officials. The Associated Press reports the state’s 9-1-1 system was down for about two hours Tuesday afternoon due to a safety feature designed to prevent cyberattacks; although the reason for that is still under review. While some calls didn’t go through, the state said the system allows dispatchers to identify callers’ phone numbers and return those calls. No word on whether that same glitch was to blame for some in surrounding states, including Maine, to have mistakenly received the WEA alert.
Surry Volunteer Fire Department Training
(Surry) Semper fi may be the motto of the Marines, but local volunteer fire departments put in the time to make sure they’re prepared when you need them. Case in point, Surry firefighters this week showcased their commitment to community safety with some intense preparedness training. Members focused on drafting water from the Patten Pond dry hydrant, honing skills in supplying another truck, and managing multiple hand lines effectively. Like many local departments, Surry is staffed by an ultra dedicated group of volunteers who are ready at all hours to keep their communities safe.
(Surry) Many local communities rely on volunteer fire departments staffed by dedicated men and women who are ready to jump out of bed at all hours when called on to keep their towns safe. So it’s always impressive when you see them giving even more hours to intense training, in order to ensure they’re prepared for whatever comes. Case in point, this week Surry firefighters showcased their commitment to the village by spending several hours focused on drafting water from the Patten Pond dry hydrant, honing skills in supplying another truck, and managing multiple hand lines effectively. Kudos to all the dedicated first responders and volunteers out there.
Local Politics
Bar Harbor Town Council Solidifies Position on Cruise Ships
(Bar Harbor) Bar Harbor town councilors this week voted unanimously on a set of rules that both support and seek to repeal a citizen-led land use ordinance amendment aimed at capping cruise ship disembarkation. The Mount Desert Islander reports Council enacted for track one a set of rules to support cruise ship disembarkation limits approved by voters in November 2022. That will go into effect in 30 days. By a second unanimous vote, the Council also asked the Planning Board to consider a separate land use ordinance amendment that would repeal in its entirety the citizen-enacted ordinance and create a Chapter 50 of the town code that would specify allowed use for cruise ship activity.
(Bar Harbor) Despite cruise ship disembarkation limits approved by voters in November 2022, the matter has proven to remain controversial. The Mount Desert Islander reports the Town Council this week solidified its dual track approach to cruise ship management in a series of votes that simultaneously support and seek to repeal a citizen led land use ordinance amendment aimed at capping cruise ship disembarkation numbers. A graphic showing Council’s dual track approach shows a possible amendment to the Disembarkation Land Use Ordinance that could appear on the November ballot, with implementation beginning if approved.
DECH Nurses Deliver Petition of No Confidence
(Machias) Registered nurses and technicians at Downeast Community Hospital in Machias this week delivered a petition of “no confidence” to management and the Board of Trustees. The Maine State Nurses’ Association said the petition demands changes to protect and improve patient care. They say the hospital has lost three full time nurses in the last month, due to the current environment – on top of an RN vacancy rate over 25%. The petition says management has failed to put patient safety first, include staff input in patient care decision making, communicate with staff, and compensate staff fairly and reach a fair contract.
(Machias) Registered nurses and technicians at Downeast Community Hospital in Machias say a survey last year found nearly 80% had seriously considered leaving the hospital in the prior six months and considered the climate and relationship with upper management “poor”. They say little has changed, and this week delivered a petition of “no confidence” to the hospital’s management and Board of Trustees. In addition to an RN vacancy rate over 25%, DECH has reportedly lost three full time nurses in the last month alone. The Maine State Nurses Association reports the petition cites a failure on the part of management to put patient safety first, communicate with staff, have a presence in the hospital, and retain experienced, high quality staff by fostering a culture of community and caring.
Service Provider Grant Awardees
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Planning Commission is one of 13 service provider organizations to receive funds as part of Governor Janet Mills’s Community Resilience Partnership. The $37,500 awarded the Commission will allow them to help Sorrento, Sullivan, and Waltham set priorities and enroll in the Partnership. Island Institute will use its $25,000 to assist the communities of Harrington and Milbridge.
(Ellsworth) Thirteen service provider organizations have been awarded funds as part of Governor Janet Mills’s Community Resilience Partnership. The funds will be used to assist 41 communities set priorities and enroll in the Partnership. Locally, the Hancock County Planning Commission received $37,500 to work with Sorrento, Sullivan, and Waltham. Island Institute was awarded $25,000 to help the towns of Harrington and Milbridge.
Economy
Eclipse Boosts Local Economies
(Maine) After a dismal winter where snowpack was minimal and major events like the Fort Kent Sled Dog Race had to be canceled, there was welcome news this week about the April 8th solar eclipse’s effect on Maine’s economy. MaineBiz reports data released this week by the Maine Office of Tourism shows the eclipse brought dark skies but a welcome brightness to hotels, camps, restaurants and other hospitality businesses, especially those in the path of totality. Spending by out of state visitors and in state travelers soared 23.4% in the five days around the eclipse, compared to the previous month. Aroostook County saw a 99% lift in spending; 48% in Franklin County. Data shows visitors to Aroostook County during that period also visited other locations, including Acadia National Park, Quoddy Head, LL Bean in Freeport, and Old Orchard Beach, among others.
(Maine) As the moon passed across the face of the sun on April 8th, it darkened the skies but brought a bright outlook to the state’s economy. MaineBiz reports the Maine Office of Tourism this week released data showing just how far reaching the effects were, after a dismal winter that brought little snowpack and cancellation of major events such as the Fort Kent Sled Dog Race. On the day of the eclipse, 80% of visitors were from outside the state; and they were generous with their spending. Aroostook County saw a 99% lift in spending compared to the month before. The largest increases were in bars and nightlife, up 79%; gas and service station use was up 45%; and accommodations up 19%. The effects were even more far-reaching, with data showing travelers who came to Maine for the eclipse visited other areas as well, including Bar Harbor, Quoddy Head, Sugarloaf, and the Kittery Outlets, among others.
Education
Maine Seacoast Mission Awards Scholarships
(NE Harbor) Thirty Coastal Maine High School graduates have received Mission Scholarship awards from Maine Seacoast Mission. The seniors hail from Jonesport-Beals, Sumner, Ellsworth, MDI, Narraguagus, George Stevens, Washington Academy and Bucksport High Schools. MSM distributed almost $225,000 in scholarships this year. Recipients plan to study biology, nursing, social work, psychology, engineering, and in other fields. The students were chosen for their academic achievements, as well as for their commitment to their communities, perseverance, and future aspirations.
(NE Harbor) The financial burden of college will be eased a bit for thirty Coastal Maine High School graduates who are recipients of Maine Seacoast Mission’s 2024 Scholarship program. Graduating seniors, who received a total of more than $224,000 in scholarships, hail from Jonesport-Beals, Sumner, Ellsworth, MDI, Narraguagus, George Stevens, Washington Academy and Bucksport High Schools. The students were chosen for their academic achievements, as well as for their commitment to their communities, perseverance, and future aspirations. Among their fields of study – biology, nursing, social work, psychology, engineering and more.
Environment
Temps Rise While Records Fall
(Maine) Temperatures leading up to the summer solstice rose, while records fell this week. Sources say Bangor Wednesday saw a high of 95 degrees, tying the record there. Portland recorded its first 90 degree temperature in about two years. And Caribou Wednesday afternoon hit a suffocating 96 degrees, the hottest ever recorded in that city. Powerful thunderstorms swept through yesterday afternoon, bringing some relief but leaving nearly 12,000 without power throughout the state, including in Hancock and Washington Counties. Look for warm temperatures again today before a significant cool down for the weekend.
(Maine) Rising temperatures this week meant falling records. On Thursday, even the normally cooler coast saw 90 degree temps leading up to the summer solstice. Bangor on Wednesday hit 95 degrees, tying that city’s record, with Caribou Wednesday afternoon hitting the hottest temp ever recorded in that city with a searing 96 degrees. Powerful thunderstorms swept through yesterday afternoon, bringing some relief but leaving nearly 12,000 without power throughout the state, including in Hancock and Washington Counties. Look for warm temperatures again today but a significant cool down for the weekend.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Rotary Honors Paul Harris Fellows
(Ellsworth) The Rotary Club of Ellsworth has honored four individuals and a business in the community as Paul Harris Fellows. The Ellsworth American reports the award recognizes contributions to the community and commitment to the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self”. The June 11th honors went to Carol Jordan of Jordan’s Snack Bar fame, Barbara Courchesne, owner of The Bud Connection, Aaron Johnson, a volunteer well known for his work as a coach, troop leader, and volunteer EMT and firefighter in Hancock, Brian Langley, owner and chef of Union River Lobster Pot and longtime HCTC educator, and Wallace Events for its support of local non-profits.
Sports
The Red Sox in the Buckeye State this weekend for a series against the Cincinnati Reds.