Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
More Details Emerge on Charges Against Republican Lawmaker
(Sanford) More details have emerged about charges against a Republican lawmaker who turned himself in Monday after a warrant was issued over the weekend. The Bangor Daily News reports 45 yo Lucas Lanigan of Springvale allegedly choked his partner Friday after she confronted him about an affair. A police affidavit reveals the partner had confronted the lawmaker and another woman at a Safe Storage Facility. An argument ensued, during which Lanigan is alleged to have put his hands around his partner’s throat and choked her for about 20 seconds. The woman was able to free herself and call friends. She was later treated at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Lanigan represents House District 141, which includes parts of Springvale and Sanford, along with Newfield and Shapleigh.
(Sanford) Police affidavits Tuesday revealed more about what led to a warrant against a Republican lawmaker over the weekend. The Bangor Daily News reports 45 yo Lucas Lanigan faces a charge of domestic violence aggravated assault. He turned himself in to police Monday morning, telling CBS 13 he had been away for the weekend. The affidavit reveals charges that when he and another woman were confronted by his partner on Friday, an argument ensued and Lanigan put his hands around his partner’s throat and choked her for about 20 seconds. Once freed, she reportedly called friends and later was treated at a hospital in Portland. An examination confirmed bruising around her neck and other injuries. Lanigan represents House District 141, which includes parts of Springvale and Sanford, along with Newfield and Shapleigh.
Biddeford Homicide Arrests
(Biddeford) Authorities have arrested two people in connection with a September 27th homicide in Biddeford. 45 yo Garret Labonte and 57 yo Linda Lambert, both of Biddeford, face charges stemming from the murder of 46 yo Gene Dares. On the day of the crime, police responded to a report of gunshots at a home on Foss Street and found Dares who was injured and who succumbed to gunshot wounds. Labonte and Lambert both face charges of Felony Murder and Robbery; Labonte is also charged with Murder. The two were being held in the York County Jail and are scheduled to make their first court appearance this morning.
(Biddeford) Two people are now under arrest and facing multiple charges stemming from an incident in Biddeford last month. Authorities were called to a home on Foss Street on September 27th after someone reported hearing gunshots. They found 46 yo Gene Dares suffering from gunshot wounds. In spite of attempts by first responders, Dares died at the scene. 45 yo Garret Labonte and 57 yo Linda Lambert, both of Biddeford, face charges of Felony Murder and Robbery; Labonte is also charged with Murder in the case. Labonte and Lambert were being held in the York County Jail and are expected to make their first court appearance this morning.
Local Politics
City of Bangor Sues Owner of Bangor Mail
(Bangor) The City of Bangor is suing the owner of the Bangor Mall, alleging failure to keep the building, sign, and parking lot up to code. The Bangor Daily News reports numerous code violation notices were sent to the mall’s ownership as early as last April, but no changes were made – that’s according to the lawsuit. The city is asking a judge to declare the mall in violation of city codes, to force compliance, and to assess fees.
(Bangor) Deteriorating conditions at the Bangor Mall have prompted several businesses to move out of that facility. Such conditions have prompted the City of Bangor to sue the mall’s owner, as well. The Bangor Daily News reports as early as last April, the city began sending code violation notices to the mall’s ownership, but no changes were made. In addition to asking a judge to declare the mall in violation of city codes, the City is asking the court to force compliance and assess fees.
Closing in on Election Day
(Augusta) With less than a week to go now before Election Day, the Maine Secretary of State’s office says absentee balloting has held steady. Through Monday afternoon, more than 243,000 Mainers had already cast their ballots. Yesterday was the last day to ensure those mailed in ballots got in on time; but in many towns and cities, voters have the option of returning an absentee ballot to a secured drop box. Municipal clerks examine those ballots and signatures; and if a ballot is rejected, the voter is then able to cast a different ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
(Augusta) Close to a quarter million Mainers have already cast their ballots via absentee voting. Yesterday was the last day to ensure those mailed in ballots are received on time; but in many towns and cities, voters have the option of returning an absentee ballot to a secured drop box. Upon receipt of an absentee ballot, a municipal clerk examines the signature of the voter on the envelope and any other documentation. Should an absentee ballot be rejected, a voter would still be able to cast a different ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day – that’s less than a week away now.
Economy
Mill Mall in Ellsworth for Sale
(Ellsworth) Meanwhile, (((SFX Cha-Ching :01)))) the Mill Mall in Ellsworth is up for sale. The mall currently houses Sylvia’s Cafe, Willey’s Sporting Goods, UMaine Augusta’s adult education program, and several other entities. The listing agency is F.O. Bailey Real Estate, which has not publicly disclosed an asking price, although the property is assessed at $5.3 million according to public records.. So far there have been no offers.
(Ellsworth) The Mill Mall in Ellsworth could be under new ownership soon. A sign posted on the property that houses Willey’s Sporting Goods, Sylvia’s Cafe, a branch of UMaine Augusta and other tenants says the sale is being handled by F.O. Bailey Real Estate. The realtor has not publicly disclosed an asking price, though the property is assessed at $5.3M according to public records. No offers so far, but at least one new tenant has plans to move in – Sweet Cheeks Bakery has plans to open a retail space with indoor seating and a drive through later this year.
Education
Versant Power Planetarium November
(Orono) Sound … how is it used to understand the world in which we live? Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium, tells Star 97.7, beginning this Friday, the Versant Power Planetarium is offering a new program on Friday nights. Scientists say the earth has a lot to say if we just listen! (((Planet Nov 1 “…to understand the world around them.” :17))) That’s Friday nights at 7 through the month of November. Tickets at astro dot u maine dot e d u and at the door.
(Orono) Sundays at 2 during November, kids can learn about the mysteries of the polar night. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Planetarium, tells Star 97.7, kids will join a special pair of polar peeps as they travel around the Earth in a magical spaceship to learn all about the seasons and the solar system. (((Planet Nov 2 “…ice in the solar system as well.” :18))) Tickets and more information at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Feeling a bit chilly? Shake it off at the Versant Power Planetarium! Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, their November music show is back by popular demand! (((Planet Nov 3 “…will be fun for the entire family.” :13))) That’s every Sunday at 4 at the Planetarium on the UMaine campus in Orono. Probably a good idea to get tickets ahead of time for this popular show – astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) The Universe is ages old – by comparison the Maynard Jordan Planetarium is young. But Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, the planetarium is celebrating a very special milestone birthday. (((Planet Nov 4 “…for that 70th Anniversary celebration.” :20))) By the way, Laatsch tells us if you’re still hoping to catch comet Tsuchinchan, you only have about a week and a half left. Look to the western sky after sunset, and if you can’t see it with the naked eye, you might be able to pick it up with your camera.
Planetarium Celebrates 70 Years
(Orono) Happy 70th anniversary to the Maynard Jordan Planetarium and ten years of the new Versant Power Astronomy Center! In October 1954, three years prior to Sputnik, the University of Maine opened just the ninth university planetarium in the United States. It began as a facility for teaching astronomy to university students, but rapidly expanded to serve the community with K-12 school visits and public performances. As of the end of this month, the Center has reached a million visitors in their 70 year history and inspired countless citizens to explore the universe in new ways. Three special programs are planned this Saturday – each promising a stellar surprise or two! Congratulations!
(Orono) At the end of this month, the Maynard Jordan Planetarium and the Versant Power Astronomy Center will have reached a million visitors and inspired countless people of all ages to explore the universe in new ways. On Saturday, the Planetarium will celebrate a milestone – its 70th year anniversary. It was October 1954, three years prior to Sputnik, that the University of Maine opened just the ninth university planetarium in the United States. Begun as a teaching facility for university astronomy students, it quickly expanded its outreach to serve the community with K-12 school visits and public performances. Three special programs are planned this Saturday, and they tell us each one promises a stellar surprise or two! Congratulations!
Environment
Government Holds First Offshore Wind Lease Sale in Gulf of Maine
(Washington, DC) The Biden-Harris Administration yesterday held its sixth offshore wind lease sale – its first in the Gulf of Maine. Avangrid Renewables, the parent company of Central Maine Power and Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility, won two lease areas totaling just over 223,000 miles located off the coast of Massachusetts. Invenergy NE Offshore Wind won areas totaling about 216,000 miles off the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts. Together, the leased areas have the potential to power more than 2.3 million homes with clean energy.
(Washington, DC) The first offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Maine resulted in sales to Avangrid Renewables, the parent company of Central Maine Power, and Invenergy NE Offshore Wind. The leases awarded Tuesday reportedly do not authorize construction or operation of any offshore wind facilities, but do provide the right to submit a project plan for review by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. BOEM will then develop an Environmental Impact Statement to analyze specific impacts of any project proposals before making decisions on whether to approve a proposed construction and operations plan.
Sports
Bruins having a tough start to the season – they lost to the Flyers last night, 2-nothing
Celtics in Indy tonight to take on the Pacers (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
World Series the Yankees keep their championship hopes alive by beating the Dodgers 11-4 in Game 4. Game 5 today. The Dodgers lead the series 3 games to 1.