Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Piscataqua Bridge Incident
(Kittery) Authorities yesterday released details on that incident that shut down the Piscataqua Bridge and I-95 in both directions Thursday morning. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports the York Police Department received a 9-1-1 call shortly after 2 a.m. from a man who claimed he’d been in a fight with his wife in Troy, New Hampshire and that she was dead. Police found the woman’s body at the couple’s residence, and minutes later found the caller’s vehicle parked on the bridge. The bridge was shut down for several hours while officers from both Maine and New Hampshire attempted to negotiate with the man, who ultimately exited the vehicle and reportedly raised a firearm. At that point, police responded with deadly force. The suspect was located deceased in the waters below the bridge. An eight year old child was found fatally shot in the back seat of the vehicle, not associated with the officers’ shooting. The troopers involved are on administrative leave, as is standard protocol, and the entire tragedy remains under investigation.
(Kittery) Three people are dead, including an eight year old child – the result of a tragic incident Thursday morning that shut down the Piscataqua Bridge and I-95 in both directions. Authorities say shortly after 2 a.m. yesterday, the York Police Department received a call from a man who said he had fought with and killed his wife in their home in Troy, New Hampshire. Minutes later, officers located the man parked inside his vehicle on the bridge. Officers from both Maine and New Hampshire reportedly spent several hours attempting to negotiate with the man, who they say ultimately exited the vehicle and raised a firearm. Police responded with deadly force. The suspect’s body was found in the waters below and the body of the child was found in the vehicle’s back seat. Maine State police Chief Col. William Ross says police did not shoot the 8 year old found deceased in the car. (((Shooting “…did not fire on that child.” :08))) . Per protocol, the officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave while the Maine Attorney General’s Office investigates.
(Kittery) An apparent argument between a man and his wife turned deadly Thursday morning. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports the York Police Department received a 9-1-1 call shortly after 2 yesterday morning from a man who said he had argued with his wife and that she was dead. Authorities responded to the home in Troy, New Hampshire and found the woman’s body. They then located the suspect parked on the Piscataqua Bridge, which was shut down for several hours while both Maine and New Hampshire police tried to negotiate with him. They say at one point, the man exited the vehicle and raised a firearm, at which time, officers fired back, killing the suspect. His body was found in the waters below the bridge. The body of an eight-year-old child who had been shot dead, possibly by the suspect, was found in the back of the vehicle. Investigators continue to piece together details of the tragedy. Per protocol, the officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave while the Maine Attorney General’s Office investigates.
Lewiston Man Arrested for Firearms Violations
(Portland) A Lewiston man was arrested Wednesday on outstanding warrants related to multiple firearms violations. The US Marshals Service reports 34 yo Matthew Gallagher was facing warrants issued by Androscoggin County and the Maine Department of Corrections. Authorities located Gallagher at an apartment in Auburn. During a search, they say the suspect fled to the roof of the building, then jumped to the roof of a building next door in an attempt to avoid capture. Realizing he was surrounded, Gallagher surrendered without incident. He was arrested on the outstanding warrants and booked into the local county jail.
Operation Game Thief Ups Reward for Information on Illegal Gill Net
(Lincoln Plantation) Operation Game Thief is now offering a $2,000 reward regarding an illegal gill net that was set in the Magalloway River, doubling the initial reward offered. The reward and investigation are the result of an angler who contacted the Maine Warden Service after noticing the gill net while fishing in the river near the Route 16 bridge. The nets are not only illegal, but are lethal to fish. The net had two dead brook trout entangled in it, along with other fish. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-ALERT-US.
(Lincoln) Operation Game Thief and the Maine Warden Service now offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who set an illegal gill net in the Magalloway River. That’s double the reward initially offered, thanks to a concerned citizen. The nets are not only illegal, but lethal to fish. The gill net, discovered Monday near the Route 16 bridge in Lincoln Plantation, had two dead brook trout entangled in it, along with other fish. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-ALERT-US.
Nexamp Worker Possibly Electrocuted
(Surry) An employee working at a solar site in Surry died after apparently being electrocuted, although an exact cause of death has not been determined. The incident happened Thursday around 11 a.m. The site was operated by Nexamp. First responders attempted to resuscitate the man, but he died at the scene. Maine State Police are investigating.
(Surry) A contractor working at a solar farm in Surry died Thursday, the victim of an apparent electrocution. Authorities tell Star 97.7, two workers were at the site of a Nexamp operation on the Surry Road about 11 a.m. when the tragedy occurred. Firefighters attempted to save the man by performing CPR, but they say he died at the scene. Maine State Police are investigating.
Local Politics
Planning Board Considers Vacation Cabins in Salisbury Cove
(Bar Harbor) The Bar Harbor Planning Board is reportedly considering an application to build 18 two-bedroom vacation cabins in the outlying village of Salisbury Cove. MaineBiz reports the proposed development sits in the heavily traveled Ireson Hill Corridor on Route 3, would include a gift shop, cafe, and check-in building and would provide upscale accommodations on a seasonal basis. Neighboring residents have expressed concerns about the possible disruption of nearby vernal pools and streams and cited already troubling traffic issues such as speeding, and use of the busy Route 3 roadway by pedestrians and cyclists. The Planning Board found the initial application incomplete, but will take up the matter again at a public hearing scheduled for next Wednesday.
Economy
Local Businesses Rally to Sponsor “Fill the Grand” Act III
(Ellsworth) Higher food and energy costs, continued cutbacks in government benefits. These and other concerns have tripled the number of local families served by the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Ellsworth. On Friday, September 13th, the pantry will hold its “Fill the Grand, Act III” at the historic Grand theatre in downtown Ellsworth. Darling’s Chevrolet has provided shopping bags to place in the seats, and they’re hoping to fill every seat with non-perishable food items; or, better, your $25-per-seat donation, which goes even farther. You can donate anytime at loaves and fishes ellsworth dot org or drop off groceries on the 13th between 10 and 6. The pantry is hoping to raise $10,000 to help stem hunger here in Hancock County.
(Ellsworth) The folks at the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry are hoping Friday the 13th is their lucky day! September 13th is the date for “Fill the Grand, Act III”, with a goal of filling every seat in the historic Grand Theatre in Ellsworth with non-perishable groceries; or perhaps your $25-per-seat donation, which will go even further. Darling’s Chevrolet, the event’s major sponsor, has provided shopping bags, and you can donate funds anytime online at loaves and fishes ellsworth dot org or drop off groceries between 10 and 6 on September 13th. Pantry volunteers say the number of local families served has tripled, with higher food and energy costs and continued cutbacks to government benefits. Here’s hoping Friday the 13th brings the nonprofit good luck in reaching their $10K goal – that “luck” can only happen with your support.
Luxury Glamping, Treehouses, On Tap for Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Luxury glamping and treehouse camping could be coming to Ellsworth as early as January. The Ellsworth American reports three families have joined together to build 14 treehouses and two cabins near the Union River off Bangor Road, at a resort dubbed Arbor Camp. One of the treehouses and the cabins could be completed and ready by January, with the other short-term rentals expected by the start of 2025. The treehouse will have aerial views, but won’t actually be built in trees; the cabins will be ADA “C” compliant, meaning all but the height of the bathroom and kitchen sinks. Pricing for a night’s stay hasn’t yet been finalized, but is estimated to be between $400 and $450 a night.
Birch Bay Village Voted a “Best Place to Work in Maine”
(Hulls Cove) You know it’s a great workplace, when the employees give it two thumbs up. We’re so happy to learn one of our nonprofit advertisers has been voted one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Maine. The Mount Desert Islander reports Birch Bay Retirement Village was awarded the recognition from Best Companies Group, a research-based organization that examines a company’s practices, programs and benefits and surveys employees for their perspective. Birch Bay’s Executive Director Robert Hemenway said the recognition is a testament to the culture they’ve supported and that the retirement village is a place where teamwork, compassion, kindness and trust are felt every day.
Environment
Passy Pete to Make Seasonal Prediction
(Belfast) Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania’s famous season-predicting groundhog, has nothing on Passy Pete. The Pen Bay Pilot reports Passy Pete the lobster emerges from Penobscot Bay every year on Labor Day to confirm whether we will have six more weeks of summer or an early winter. Passy doesn’t use anything as unpredictable as his shadow – rather he chooses from two scrolls offered by his handlers, the Belfast Barons. This year’s nail biter is scheduled for 10 a.m. September 2nd at Heritage Park in Belfast, after which Passy Pete will be released back into Penobscot Bay.
(Belfast) Punxsutawney Phil and his groundhog descendents have been making predictions about the seasons since 1886. But he’s in Pennsylvania. Here, Mainer’s look to a much more reliable source – a lobster by the name of Passy Pete. The Pen Bay Pilot reports Passy Pete emerges from Penobscot Bay every year on Labor Day to predict whether we will have six more weeks of summer or an early winter. Passy doesn’t use anything as unpredictable as his shadow – rather he aims a claw at one of two scrolls offered by his handlers, the Belfast Barons. This year’s claw biter … er, nail biter, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on September 2nd at Heritage Park in Belfast, after which Passy Pete will be released back into Penobscot Bay.
Education
Library Card Sign-Up Months to Benefit CardHolders
(Ellsworth) Beginning Monday, the Ellsworth Public Library is teaming up with downtown businesses in a BIG way for Library Card Sign-Up Month. Throughout September, an Ellsworth Public Library card offers additional value, giving cardholders access to exclusive discounts and free items at 15 businesses in downtown Ellsworth. From delicious treats to unique shopping experiences, this September, supporting your local library awards patrons in a new way. Library cards are free for all Ellsworth residents and some neighboring towns as well. For details and updates on participating businesses, visit ellsworth library dot net.
(Ellsworth) September is Library Card Sign-Up Month at the Ellsworth Public Library! Whether you’re a longtime cardholder, or signing up for the first time, you can use your library card for a free popcorn at The Grand, 10% off at Mimi’s Craft Basket, a free taster of Fogtown Brewing’s best brews, and lots more. Show your card and enjoy discounts and/or complimentary items at 15 businesses in downtown Ellsworth. Need a library card? Stop in with a photo id with proof of your physical address. For more details and updates on participating businesses, visit the Library’s website at ellsworth library dot net.
Infrastructure
Versant Upgrades UMaine Substation
(Orono) Students and staff at the University of Maine Orono will have a better chance of staying warm this winter. Versant Power says it has updated equipment at the University’s Steam Plant; and that will increase reliability to the facility that provides heating to 90% of the campus, Alfond Arena, Hotel Ursa, and other campus buildings. Versant says the upgrade includes more modern and resilient equipment, such as a new transformer, switchgear, insulators, and metering. Versant said it worked closely with UMaine Facilities Director Blaine Williams to minimize disruptions during the upgrades.
Sports
The Blue Jays turning the tables on the Red Sox last night, holding them scoreless with a 2-zip win.
Red Sox in Detroit this weekend to run the bases with the Tigers.
The Patriots taking on some tigers as well this weekend – they’ll take on the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday.