Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Computer Crimes Unit Executes Search Warrant in Hancock County
(Hancock) The Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit this week executed a search warrant at 1484 Route One in Hancock. The search warrant was in reference to an ongoing investigation into Possession of Sexually Explicit Material. Authorities say 47 yo Peter Dysart was home at the time of the warrant and has been cooperative with the investigation. Once complete, the investigation will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office.
(Hancock) Maine State Police on Tuesday executed a search warrant at a home in the Town of Hancock. The investigation included the MSP Computer Crimes Unit and was in reference to an ongoing investigation into Possession of Sexually Explicit Material. The warrant was executed around noontime Tuesday at a residence at 1484 Route One. Authorities say 47 yo Peter Dysart was home at the time of the warrant and has been cooperative with the investigation. Once complete, the investigation will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office.
Augusta WalMart Evacuated
(Augusta) Halloween is not for a few more days, but there were some scary moments last evening at the WalMart in Augusta. Police responded to the store about 6:30 p.m. on the report of a terrorizing complaint. They say a bomb threat was communicated through a message left at the store. WalMart staff met with Augusta Police Officers and decided to evacuate the store, which was temporarily closed. It reopened a short time later per the request of WalMart personnel. Officers continue to investigate.
(Augusta) Attention WalMart shoppers – we need to evacuate the store. That was the message to those shopping at the Augusta WalMart about 6:30 last evening after officers responded to the report of a terrorizing complaint. The bomb threat was reportedly communicated through a message left at the store. WalMart staff met with Augusta Police Officers and decided to evacuate the store, which was temporarily closed. It reopened a short time later per the request of WalMart personnel. Officers continue to investigate.
CCU Executes Search Warrant in Penobscot County
(Eddington) The Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit was busy this week, executing search warrants in the towns of Hancock and Eddington. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday, arrest and search warrants were executed at 153 Rooks Road in Eddington. 42 yo Norman Dean Fannin of Oregon was taken into custody for Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse, a Class B felony. A search of Fannin’s residence was conducted relating to an ongoing investigation for Disseminating Sexually Explicit Material. Fannin is being held at the Penobscot County Jail pending extradition proceedings for an extraditable arrest warrant out of Oregon.
(Eddington) An Oregon man was taken into custody this week on an extraditable arrest warrant out of Oregon. The Maine State Police Computer Computer Crimes Unit executed arrest and search warrants at a home at 153 Rooks Road in Eddington early Tuesday morning. They say 42 yo Norman Dean Fannin of Oregon was taken into custody for Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse, a Class B felony. A search of Fannin’s residence was conducted relating to an ongoing investigation for Disseminating Sexually Explicit Material. Fannin is being held at the Penobscot County Jail pending extradition proceedings.
Local Man Jumps Into Action to Help Restore Power in Storm-Ravaged Areas
(Maine) When storms hit with their violent destruction – tornadoes, hurricanes, straight winds, storm surge – a group of brave men and women stand ready to help restore power. And not just those who work for our local utilities. William Manchester from Roque Bluffs is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 104 who recently responded to the back to back storms that hit Florida. He tells Star 97.7, he keeps his bag packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. (((Storm 1 “…asking for availability for linemen.” :17))). Manchester says he then decides which company to go with, heads for the airport, and often unknown conditions to help get folks back online. He says when they first got to Florida, the coop they worked on had 20,000 customers, and not one single meter was turning.
(Maine) When storms hit anywhere in the U.S., a group of men and women jumps into action to help restore power as quickly as possible to those impacted. Roque Bluffs resident William Manchester is one of those heroes who responded to the back to back hurricanes in Florida recently. He tells Star 97.7, about what living conditions were like, including life in a very large base known as a man camp. (((Storm 2 “…9-10 o’clock at night and get your dinner.” :19))) Manchester said at one point, they were driving an hour and a half each way to restore lines, sometimes wading in waist-deep water….and, he says, in Florida, the biggest concern? Snakes and alligators as they waded through swamps!
(Maine) When hurricanes and other storms hit, one of the biggest impacts is the loss of power. Food spoils, medical support is lost, and darkness makes the flooding and other destruction even more dangerous. William Manchester lives in Roque Bluffs and is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 104 who headed to Florida to help deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Within days, they were evacuated to Ocala to wait out Hurricane Milton. (((Storm 3 “…to try to get the wires back up in the air.” :19))) Manchester said in such conditions they stay safe by grounding the lines and boxing themselves in to grounded work areas to be as safe as possible. Their biggest concern wasn’t necessarily being electrocuted, but watching for snakes and alligators in the swampy storm surge.
(Maine) William Manchester lives in Roque Bluffs, Maine. But he’s traveled all across the country, helping to restore power to people impacted by storms such as hurricanes and floods. A member of IBEW 104, he recently spent 21 days in Florida making repairs after back to back hurricanes Helene and Milton. Star 97.7 asked Manchester who pays for those repair expenses and learned it’s not always FEMA. (((Storm 4 “…lodging, food, hardware, fuel, all that stuff.” :22))). For now, Manchester’s bag stays packed with clothing and his tools in the back of his truck – ready to respond at a moment’s notice to the next storm, wherever he’s needed.
Local Politics
Decision on Site of Future Courthouse Still Up in the Air
(Ellsworth) No firm decision yet on a potential alternative site for the new Hancock County Courthouse. Complaints about a current location on the Surry Road prompted officials to seek public input on alternative sites. At Monday’s City Council Meeting, City Manager Charlie Pearce said the state has noted potential feasibility with a property behind Merrill Furniture on High Street, pending concerns about road access and the state’s timeline of securing the property in time to begin construction next Spring. A slideshow presentation on the issue is available on the City’s website.
(Ellsworth) The decision on a site for the new Hancock County Courthouse remains up in the air; but at Monday’s City Council Meeting, officials said a 44 acre parcel behind Merrill Furniture on High Street held some promise. Road access and meeting the state’s construction timeline of beginning next spring could be issues with that site, although the state has noted its potential feasibility. City Manager Charlie Pearce said he plans to hold an additional public workshop to discuss the property with the community. A special City Council meeting would be needed to vote to authorize document finalization and funding. A slideshow presentation on the issue can be found on the City’s website.
US Attorney Appoints District Election Officer
(Bangor) Assistant US Attorney John Osborn will oversee the handling of Maine’s Election Day, including complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence against election officials or staff, and allegations of election fraud. Osborn was appointed the District Election Officer by US Attorney Darcie McElwee. Osborn will help to ensure voter access for Maine voters, as well as maintain the safety of poll workers and voters.
(Bangor) There’s now a name associated with election security in Maine. Assistant US Attorney John Osborn will oversee the handling of the state’s Election Day on November 5th, including complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence against election officials or staff, and allegations of election fraud. Osborn was appointed the District Election Officer this week by U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee. In that role, Osborn is tasked with helping to ensure voter access, as well as with maintaining the safety of poll workers and voters.
Health
Second Agency Warns Northern Light Health’s Rating Could Drop
(Brewer) A second agency says it is considering lowering its credit rating for Northern Light Health over growing financial troubles at the healthcare institution. Moody’s lowered its credit rating for the Brewer-based healthcare system earlier this month. The Bangor Daily News reports this week, S&P global announced there’s a 50% chance it could make a similar downgrade in the next 90 days. Last week, Northern Light lost and/or cut jobs of three high level executives in as many days after posting a $105M operating loss through the first three quarters of the fiscal year.
(Brewer) The troubles of Brewer-based Northern Light Health are growing, along with its ballooning deficit. Earlier this month, Moody’s lowered its credit rating for the healthcare institution. Now, the Bangor Daily News reports, S&P global is considering making a similar downgrade in the next 90 days. Facing a $105M operating loss through the first three quarters of the fiscal year, Northern Light last week lost and/or cut the jobs of three high level executives in as many days and said it plans to outsource at least 500 jobs.
Human Interest/Entertainment
All Things Jazz at the Grand
(Ellsworth) Don’t be surprised if you hear the sounds of jazz ringing out in downtown Ellsworth today. Student jazz musicians and their band leaders and educators are filling the Grand with “all that jazz” for the Second Annual Yon-VIL-em VAN de VET-er-ing (Janwillem van de Wetering) Jazz Invitational. These stunningly gifted musicians hail from Ellsworth, MDI, George Stevens Academy and elsewhere, and will be working with Alex Tremblay and other jazz artists from the Newport Jazz Assembly Band and Leland Baker, Education Manager for the Newport Festivals Foundation, producers of the Newport Folk and Jazz Fests. Wish you could get in on the fun? You can! At an absolutely free concert tonight following the day of clinics. The Alex Tremblay Jazz Quintet will perform on the Stanley Subaru Stage, beginning at 6 p.m., and the community is welcome!
(Ellsworth) Students from Ellsworth, MDI, George Stevens Academy, and elsewhere are converging on The Grand in Ellsworth today for the Second Annual Yon-VIL-em VAN de VET-er-ing (Janwillem van de Wetering) Jazz Invitational! The talented student jazz musicians, their band leaders and educators will work through a day of clinics, featuring Alex Tremblay and other jazz artists from the Newport Jazz Assembly Band and Leland Baker, Education Manager for the Newport Festivals Foundation, producers of the Newport Folk and Jazz Fests. Doesn’t it make YOU just want to hear some jazz?! You CAN! Following the day, the Grand welcomes the community to a free concert, featuring the Alex Tremblay Jazz Quintet, live on the Stanley Subaru Stage! Concert begins at 6 p.m., and everyone is welcome!
Ellsworth Silent Auction to Benefit Christmas for Kids Fund
(Ellsworth) It’s almost time for the City of Ellsworth’s Silent Auction to benefit the City’s Christmas for Kids Fund. Each year, the City assists between 80 and 100 children who might not otherwise experience the joy of the holidays. The City budgets $60 per child and says in recent years, many children have received most of their wish lists, thanks to your generous donations and proceeds from benefits such as this. They’re looking for local businesses that would like to donate a gift card or other item or items of their choice to be on display during the auction in November. The auction will be held November 1 through 30 at City Hall.
(Ellsworth) It’s almost time to deck the halls – Ellsworth City Hall, that is! The City will hold its Silent Auction to benefit the Christmas for Kids Fund November 1 through 30. Each year, the City assists between 80 and 100 children who might not otherwise experience the joy of the holidays. The City budgets $60 per child and says in recent years, many children have received most of their wish lists, thanks to your generous donations, and proceeds from benefits such as this. If your business is willing and able to donate a gift card, certificate, or item(s) of your choice, it would really make a difference for this worthy cause. And mark your calendars to stop in and bid on the items on display next month to help bring a child some holiday cheer!
Sports
Bruins on the home ice tonight to skate against the Dallas Stars.
The Celtics at Capital One Arena to take on the Washington Wizards.