Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Number of Children in State Custody Raising Alarms About Child Safety
(Augusta) The number of children in state custody in Maine in order to protect them from suspected neglect or abuse is at its highest level in two decades. The Portland Press Herald reports more than 2500 children were in state custody as of June 1st, a more than 20% increase over six years. Maine has had difficulty finding permanent placement for those children within the 12-month goal period. The rate of finding permanency since 2018 has decreased from 30 to 22 percent, putting the state behind the national standard of 40.5%.
(August) Child abuse and neglect is an ongoing issue across the US. Here in Maine, that’s made worse by the struggle to find permanent placement for children who have been removed from their homes in such cases. The Portland Press Herald reports as of June 1st, 2,573 children were in state custody due to suspected neglect or abuse – the highest level in two decades and an increase of more than 468 children over six years. During those same years, the rate of finding permanency within the 12 month goal period has fallen to 22% from 30.. Experts say that puts the state will behind the national standard of 40.5%.
Damariscotta Restaurant Burns
(Damariscotta) A waterfront restaurant in Damariscotta was destroyed by fire overnight on Saturday. The Damariscotta Fire Department was called to Schooner Landing Restaurant about 3 a.m. Sunday morning. Multiple other departments responded to the blaze as well, but first responders were unable to save the popular eatery. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is working to determine a cause.
Runaway Golf Cart Injures Three
(Port Clyde) Correct grip, pivot from the hip socket, soften the knees, head down…and make sure that golf cart is in park. Three people were taken to Pen Bay Medical Center last week after a golf cart left in a Port Clyde driveway overturned on a grassy area filled with people who were enjoying a late summer evening. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the cart lunged forward, struck a dining table and several bystanders, and came to rest with one of the bystanders pinned underneath it. The operator and a passenger in the cart were treated at the scene. Knox County Deputies investigated and determined the golf cart operator was in error. The incident occurred on private property. Authorities report no charges were filed.
Midcoast Animal Shelters Overwhelmed
(Camden) We can’t say it enough – please spay and neuter your pets. The Bangor Daily News reports the situation with cats has become so overwhelming in Waldo and Knox Counties, one animal control officer posted on a Belfast area FB page to NOT trap any cats and call her, as both shelters with which she works were full. The problem stems directly from people not getting cats fixed, especially in situations where there are colonies or barn cats. Experts say people drop cats off thinking they’ll have milk, then they have more kittens, the kittens don’t get fixed and on and on. There ARE low cost resources, and PAWS in Camden is imploring people to reach out to local shelters, get that information, and get your animals fixed.
Lawsuit Seeks to Seize Properties of Illegal Marijuana Grows
(Norridgewock) The federal government wants to seize properties in Norridgewock and Sangerville they say are used for illegal marijuana growing operations. The Bangor Daily News reports the federal government filed two lawsuits last week, seeking to be awarded ownership of the properties by civil forfeiture. It’s the latest attempt to crack down on illegal marijuana grows that have sprung up across Maine, especially in the state’s rural areas. The US attorney’s office has ongoing proceedings against four other properties in China, Machias, Cornville, and Corinna.
(Norridgewock) Maine law prohibits the state from pursuing forfeiture of property connected to the adult use of marijuana in specific circumstances. But federal law doesn’t have that provision. The Bangor Daily News reports last week, the federal government filed two lawsuits, seeking to seize properties in Sangerville and Norridgewock that were allegedly used for illegal marijuana growing operations. A federal government memo leaked in August 2023 said there were up to 270 such grows in Maine connected to Chinese organized crime, which led to ramped up enforcement. The US attorney’s office has ongoing proceedings against four other properties in China, Machias, Cornville, and Corinna.
Farmington Drug Arrests
(Farmington) Two arrests have been made in connection with the seizure of a substantial amount of illegal drugs, weapons and suspected drug proceeds. The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Farmington police arrested 42 yo Jason Robbins of Farmington and 39 yo Miguel Alvarez of Webster, Massachusetts, for trafficking in cocaine and fentanyl following a three-month investigation. Agents and police also seized cocaine, fentanyl, multiple firearms and more than $5,000 in suspected drug proceeds. The approximate street value of the seized drugs is $40,000. Robbins and Alvarez were transported to the Franklin County Jail and made their initial court appearances on Friday.
Rockland Drug Arrests
(Rockland) Police in Rockland have made two arrests, one of them a juvenile, in what they call an “ongoing burglary, theft and drug trafficking investigation.” WMTW reports police searched a home and several outbuildings on Thursday and seized more than 170 grams of drugs, including crack cocaine, methamphetamine and suspected heroin and fentanyl. Police arrested 66-year old Robert “Bo” Curtis and charged him with possession of scheduled drugs, receiving stolen property and endangering the welfare of a child. The juvenile arrested was taken to the Long Creek Youth Development Center.
Piscataqua Bridge Incident Update
(Kittery) Authorities Friday released more details on that Thursday morning incident in New Hampshire and on the Piscataqua Bridge that left three people dead. The victims have been identified as 37 yo Trent Weston, his wife 37 yo Brittany Weston, and his son 8 yo Benson Weston of Troy, New Hampshire. Authorities say last Thursday, Trent Weston called 9-1-1 to say he had had a fight with his wife and that she was dead. Police found her body at their residence. He then allegedly confronted police with a weapon while parked on the bridge, forcing police to respond with deadly force and shoot him dead. Following the shootout, the body of his child was found in Trent Weston’s vehicle. The child’s death was not related to the police shooting. We’ve posted further details from the Maine Department of Public Safety on our Star 97.7 FB page. It remains an active investigation.
Unity Criminal Threatening Case
(Unity) Maine State Police investigating a case of alleged criminal threatening that happened last Thursday at the Unity Raceway. Authorities say shortly after 4 pm, a man called police to say a man he knew threatened him with a gun while he was at the raceway. The victim identified the suspect as 30 yo Joshua Littlefield of Unity and provided a description of Littlefield, as well as of the firearm. Officers and a Crisis Negotiation Team then went to Littlefield’s home, where he was taken into custody and charged with Criminal Threatening with a Dangerous Weapon. Anyone who witnessed the encounter is asked to call Maine State Police.
Surry Death Ruled the Result of a Medical Event
(Surry) Authorities now say the death of a man at a Nexamp solar site in Surry last Thursday was likely the result of a medical event, and not an electrocution as originally suspected. First responders were called to the Surry Road location shortly before noon on August 29th and attempted to revive 52 yo Edwin Kendall Jones, a contract employee from Washington, Maine. OSHA was called in, and an autopsy was being performed to determine an exact cause of death.
(Surry) While the investigation remains active and ongoing, authorities say a contract worker who died while working at a Nexamp solar site in Surry last Thursday likely suffered a medical event. Authorities initially reported 52 yo Edwin Kendalll Jones of Washington, Maine may have been electrocuted. First responders attempted unsuccessfully to revive Jones. OSHA was called in and an autopsy was scheduled to take place this weekend.
Concerns Over Brunswick Spill Leads to Packed-House Meeting
(Brunswick) More than a hundred residents packed a meeting in Brunswick last Thursday to discuss concerns about one of the country’s largest ever toxic spills. The August 19th spill released 1600 gallons of the fire suppressing chemical A-Triple-F, spewing toxic foam through a hangar at the Brunswick Executive Airport, into nearby ponds, and across land that is now likely contaminated with the forever chemicals. The Portland Press Herald reports samplings are being conducted to determine the existence of airborne contamination. MDEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim told those in attendance that the DEP has been investigating contamination at the base, which was designated a superfund site by the EPA in 1987, for decades.
(Brunswick) Concerns about the toxic foam released last month at the Brunswick Executive Airport prompted residents of the town to pack a Town Hall for a meeting last Thursday. The August 19th spill spewed hundreds of gallons of the fire-suppressing chemical A-Triple-F across a hangar, nearby fields, ponds and other water sources. The Portland Press Herald reports Maine Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Melanie Loyzim updated the crowd about efforts to contain the spill, telling those in attendance the DEP has been investigating contamination at the base, which was designated a superfund site in 1987, for decades. It’s unclear how the forever chemicals have and/or will affect groundwater sources, soils, and possibly even cause airborne contamination.
Local Politics
City of Ellsworth/Maine Judicial Branch Seek Potential Alternative Site for New Courthouse
(Ellsworth) An alternate location for the new Hancock County Courthouse? The City of Ellsworth is working with the Maine Judicial Branch, seeking information about the availability of potential alternative sites for construction of the new courthouse. The currently proposed site on the Surry Road has drawn strong opposition; especially from residents who live in the area, many of whom cite traffic concerns. Alternative sites to be considered must meet certain criteria, including proximity to the central urban core of Ellsworth, at least five buildable acres, 3-phase electric and public water and sewer. Information on requirements and responding to the City’s RFI can be found on the City’s and on our Star 97.7 FB page. The City has set a September 8th deadline for submitting responses.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth residents spoke up, and it appears the City has listened. Ellsworth officials are working with the Maine Judicial Branch, seeking information about possible alternative sites for construction of the new Hancock County Courthouse. The prospect of building on the currently proposed Surry Road property has drawn vocal opposition; particularly from residents who live nearby. Many say a major issue is more traffic congestion on an already busy thoroughfare. Alternate sites must meet certain criteria, which can be found on the City of Ellsworth and on Star 97.7’s FB page, along with information on submitting property information. The City has set a September 8th deadline for submitting responses.
Technology
Eastbrook Launches Rapid Renewal
(Eastbrook) Eastbrook residents can now quickly and easily renew their vehicle registrations and pay municipal excise taxes online at any time. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ office says Eastbrook has launched Rapid Renewal, the state’s online service for the renewal of motor vehicle registrations. 341 municipalities have now adopted the service, which is optional for residents. More than 3 million transactions have been processed to date.
Bar Harbor Traffic Alert
(Bar Harbor) A heads up if you’re going to be in Bar Harbor this week. Beginning tomorrow, crews will be paving Bay View Drive from Hadley Point Road west toward Route 3. That’s going to be happening through Friday, daily between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sports
Red Sox losing to the Tigers in Detroit yesterday 4-1. Boston heads to Citi Field tonight for a game against the New York Mets.