Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Former Ellsworth Attorney Back in Court
(Ellsworth) Former Ellsworth attorney Christopher Whalley was in court Friday, charged with theft by misapplication. Authorities say he diverted more than half the estate of a deceased client and used the monies on personal expenses. Assistant Attorney General Charlie Boyle said the estate in question totaled $390,000 and that the former defense attorney diverted more than $189K of that to pay for a home renovation and other perks. Whalley pleaded guilty to the charge. His attorney said he has paid back the missing funds, so they are looking for a lighter sentence to be meted out by a judge at a later date. Whalley was disbarred in December 2022.
(Ellsworth) A former Ellsworth attorney who was disbarred in December 2022 was in court Friday to face a charge of theft by misapplication, a Class C Felony. The charges against Christopher Whalley are in relation to the estate of a deceased client. Assistant Attorney Charlie Boyle said the estate in question totaled $390,000 and that Whalley diverted more than $189K of that to pay for a home renovation and other perks. Whalley was initially charged with Class B felony theft, but pleaded guilty in exchange for the reduced charge. His attorney said they are hoping for a lighter sentence, since Whalley has paid back the missing funds.
Manslaughter Charge Dismissed in 2021 Surry Road Crash
(Ellsworth) Manslaughter charges against a Blue Hill man involved in a fatal crash three years ago were dismissed Friday. Thomas Bugbee was reportedly westbound on the Surry Road on July 28, 2021, when he attempted to pass several vehicles. While reentering the westbound lane, his car struck a Honda Civic, causing it to veer off the road and roll over. Bugbee’s vehicle then spun sideways and struck a Trailblazer driven by 66 yo Kathleen Anderson of Ellsworth. Anderson was killed. Bugbee’s attorney last year said the crash was the result of a medical event. Bugbee’s driver’s license was suspended for four years and he was ordered to make a donation to Doctors Without Borders.
(Ellsworth) A man involved in the vehicular death of an Ellsworth woman three years ago had manslaughter charges against him dropped Friday. Authorities say Thomas Bugbee of Blue Hill was westbound on the Surry Road on July 28, 2021, when he attempted to pass several vehicles. While reentering the westbound lane, his car struck a Honda Civic, causing it to veer off the road and roll over. Bugbee’s vehicle then spun sideways and struck a Trailblazer driven by 66 yo Kathleen Anderson of Ellsworth. Anderson was killed. Bugbee’s attorney last year said the crash was the result of a medical event. Bugbee’s driver’s license was suspended for four years and he was ordered to make a donation to a charitable organization.
Teen Shot in Ding-Dong Ditch Prank
(Harrison) A 30-yo Harrison man was arrested early Saturday after authorities say he shot and injured a teenage prankster. The teen reportedly knocked on the man’s door about 1 a.m. and then ran, in a game known as ding-dong-ditch. Police say Vincent Martin fired multiple shots at the teen and his friends. He faces charges including aggravated assault and reckless conduct. One teen was struck in the calf. He’s expected to recover. Martin was taken to the Cumberland County Jail.
Maine State Trooper Struck in Gouldsboro
(Gouldsboro) A Maine State Trooper escaped injury early Friday morning when his cruiser was sideswiped by a 71 yo driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss reports the trooper had just finished a traffic stop on Route One in Gouldsboro and was in his cruiser with the lights still activated when his car was struck by Andrew Pratt Cutler. Authorities say Cutler has been the subject of several law enforcement interactions and complaints, including a July 4th incident in which he was summoned for improper passing of a stationary emergency vehicle. Damage to the cruiser was relatively minor, and neither party was injured.
Local Politics
Maine Congressional Leaders React to News of Biden’s Withdrawal
(Augusta) Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree reacted swiftly to the news of Biden’s withdrawal, writing the nation was still in the throes of a global pandemic and just days from a violent insurrection when Joe Biden took office. She noted Biden led the nation through a recovery, made transformational investments in climate and infrastructure, lowered drug prices for seniors, and rallied the world to stand up for Ukraine and Democracy. She championed Biden for the decision to withdraw, saying it put what is best for the people and the country first and that the goal was to ensure Donald Trump does not end up back in the White House, adding, “The stakes could not be greater.”
(Augusta) Maine’s Congressional Delegation acted swiftly in responding to the news of President Biden’s withdrawal from the Presidential race. Senator Angus King wrote, “President Biden’s decision to step aside from his reelection run will cement his legacy among some of the greatest statesmen in our country’s history.” He added Biden’s decision continues his sound commitment to service and is the ultimate act of patriotism. Meanwhile Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform wrote, “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President and is not fit to serve.” He continued saying, “Biden only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News and not leaving his basement.”
Economy
New Business in Surry
(Surry) There’s new business activity in Surry, and you might say it’s hitting close to home. The Ellsworth American reports native son Pat Kane has launched Surry Village Homes, a modular home business that builds single and double wides and is in the early stages of providing land home packages. Kane says today’s products are equal to homes that are stick built and the business is another opportunity to provide quality, affordable housing. The plan is to have a website, surry village homes dot com, online this week.
(Surry) Modular homes are not only affordable, Surry native Pat Kane says today’s models are equal in quality to those that are stick built. The Ellsworth American reports Kane is launching Surry Village Homes at 5 Atlantic Lane and plans to build single and double wide homes. They’re also in the early stages of providing land home packages. Look for them to be online this week at surry village homes dot com.
Days Growing Longer
(Undated) You may think the days are growing shorter after the summer solstice; but scientists say overall, they’re actually growing longer. The Weather Channel reports observations of changes in the Antarctic land mass indicate melting polar ice is flowing toward the Equator, somewhat slowing the planet’s rotation, making the day a few milliseconds longer. If Earth continues to warm, researchers say the melting-caused slowdown may even outweigh the moon’s slowing effect, which is caused by its gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans, slowing the planet’s rotation and lengthening days.
(Undated) We’re always being told to slow down. Now scientists say, that may happen outside our control. According to the Weather Channel, observations of changes in the Antarctic land mass indicate melting polar ice is flowing toward the Equator, somewhat slowing the planet’s rotation, making the day a few milliseconds longer. If Earth continues to warm, researchers say the melting-caused slowdown may even outweigh the moon’s slowing effect, which is caused by its gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans, slowing the planet’s rotation and lengthening days.
NOAA Recommends Funding to Improve Drinking Water in Addison, Columbia
(Addison) A project planned by the Department of Marine Resources will support water-related infrastructure in Addison and Columbia. The Addison Road project will support flood mitigation, restore water quality, and improve drinking and septic infrastructure on the West Branch of the Pleasant River and has been recommended for $9M in funding by NOAA. Repairs will focus on improvements to the road where it crosses Bells Brook in Columbia. The area currently experiences significant roadway flooding. Inspections have determined the roadway to be in critical condition.
(Addison) Work on the Addison Road in Columbia is expected to support flood mitigation, restore water quality, and improve drinking and septic infrastructure on the West Branch of the Pleasant River. The Maine Department of Marine Resources project will replace a failing portion of the road where it crosses Bells Brook and frequently floods. It has been recommended for $9M in funding by NOAA. The work will also support relocation of wells and septic systems that may be impacted now or in the future by saltwater intrusion. Work is expected to begin this fall and be completed in the fall of 2027.
Health
Healthy Peninsula Receives $100,000 Grant
(Blue Hill/DI-Stonington) You can do a lot of good with a hundred thousand dollars, and that’s just what Healthy Peninsula has planned after receiving a three-year general operating grant from Point 32 Health Foundation. The funds will be used to support the Bridging Neighbors Community Health Outreach Project, which assigns trained volunteers to help older adults understand and access healthcare and wellness resources. In addition, the monies will support the organization’s food security work, particularly as it addresses older adults’ access to healthy food. Healthy Peninsula serves those in Deer-Isle Stonington and on the Blue Hill Peninsula.
(Blue Hill/DI-Stonington) Healthy Peninsula works to help older adults in Deer Isle-Stonington and on the Blue Hill Peninsula understand and access healthcare and wellness resources. In addition, the organization’s food security work addresses older adults’ access to healthy food. They’ll be able to do much more of that now, thanks to a hundred thousand dollar three-year general operating grant from Point 32 Health Foundation. The funds will be used to support the Bridging Neighbors Community Health Outreach program.
Infrastructure
Bar Harbor Planned Outage
(Bar Harbor) Versant Power crews will be working in Bar Harbor on Tuesday. Customers on Cottage Street and Greeley Avenue may experience service interruptions between 9 and 11 a.m. as workers complete maintenance to improve safety and prevent future outages.
(Bar Harbor) If you live or work on Cottage Street or Greeley Avenue in Bar Harbor, you may experience a temporary power outage tomorrow morning. Versant Power says crews will be working on maintenance to improve safety and prevent future outages. The work is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and last about two hours.
Human Interest/Entertainment
$50M Superyacht Parks in SW Harbor
(SW Harbor) Big things were happening in SW Harbor this weekend – we’re talking really big! The Mount Desert Islander reports a 254-foot, superyacht, the Mirabella 5, was parked in the harbor. The yacht is estimated to be worth $50M and is considered the largest single-masted sailing yacht ever built. It even included a float plane on the stern. Rumor has it the ship, which some say you can’t even see around, is owned by Rod Lewis, CEO of an oil and natural gas company.
(SW Harbor) You couldn’t quite run a 5K around the deck, but visitors to SW Harbor this weekend got to see a really big yacht. The Mount Desert Islander reports the Mirabella 5, a 254-foot superyacht, was parked in the harbor, complete with a float plane on the stern. The yacht is reportedly the largest single-masted sailing yacht ever built and is worth an estimated $50M dollars. Rumor has it the craft is owned by the CEO of an oil and natural gas company.
Sports
The Red Sox a bit rusty after All Star break week, losing all three games to the Dodgers this weekend. Boston travels to Colorado to take on the Red Sox this evening.