Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Surry Man Arrested for Domestic Violence Assault
(Surry) A Surry man was arrested Tuesday for alleged Domestic Violence Assault. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, deputies were called to a residence shortly before midnight Tuesday for a domestic situation. As a result of an investigation, officers arrested 42 yo Thomas Robbins of Surry. Robbins was taken to the Hancock County Jail.
(Surry) An alleged domestic assault landed a Surry man in jail Tuesday. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, deputies were called to a residence shortly before midnight on Tuesday on a report of a domestic situation. After investigating, officers arrested 42 yo Thomas Robbins of Surry. Robbins was charged with Domestic Violence Assault and was taken to the Hancock County Jail.
Portland Man Appeals Conviction in 2022 Murder at Schoodic Institute
(Winter Harbor) A Portland man is appealing his murder conviction in the June 2022 hit-and-run death of his girlfriend at the Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor. The Portland Press Herald reports 37 yo Raymond Lester was found guilty of killing 35 yo Nicole Mokeme during a retreat at the Institute. Authorities testified Lester ran Mokeme down with his car then fled to Mexico, where he later turned himself in. He’s serving 48 years. Lester’s attorney on Wednesday said the jury was not told of Lester’s intoxication that night, which could have led to an interpretation he acted recklessly instead of intentionally, leading to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
(Winter Harbor) A man convicted of running his girlfriend down with his car and then fleeing to Mexico is appealing his murder conviction. The Portland Press Herald reports 37 yo Raymond Lester was intoxicated in June 2022 when he ran down Nicole Mokeme, on the campus of the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, killing her. Lester’s attorney on Wednesday said the jury was not told of Lester’s intoxication that night, which could have led to an interpretation he acted recklessly instead of intentionally, leading to a lesser charge of manslaughter. Lester was sentenced to 48 years in prison in November 2023.
Local Politics
Gun Group Files Lawsuit Challenging 72-Hour Waiting Period
(Maine) A gun rights group this week filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the 72-hour waiting period passed by Maine lawmakers following last year’s mass shooting in Lewiston. The Bangor Daily News reports the lawsuit, filed by five Mainers against Attorney General Aaron Frey, contends the waiting period violates people’s Second Amendment rights. Frey said he looks forward to defending the law, adding, “Waiting periods have been upheld across the country as a reasonable, limited regulation that does not infringe on Second Amendment rights.”
(Maine) Five Maine individuals this week filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the 72-hour waiting period requirement passed by Maine lawmakers after last year’s mass shooting in Lewiston. The Bangor Daily News reports the lawsuit claims the statute prevents people from taking a gun home when they buy it and delays people’s rights “for the sake of delay.” Supporters of the law say the waiting period will help reduce suicides in Maine, where in 2022, 156 of 179 firearms deaths were suicides. They say their priority is on saving lives. Filers of the lawsuit say the 72-hour waiting period violates their Second Amendment rights.
Café Owner Submits Recount Petition
(Bar Harbor) Bar Harbor’s West Street Café owner Kevin DesVeaux, turned in a petition yesterday seeking a recount of ballots cast in last week’s vote on cruise ship rules. The Bangor Daily News reports residents rejected the proposal to adopt looser limits for cruise ship visits and the 1,000 passenger per day cap by just 63 votes out of about 3500 cast. Town Clerk Liz Graves said she planned to go over the petition today to verify all signatures on the petition were valid and that the signers were registered Bar Harbor voters.
(Bar Harbor) The owner of a Bar Harbor café yesterday turned in a petition asking for a recount of ballots cast in last week’s vote on cruise ship rules. Kevin DesVeaux, owner of West Street Café, presented the petition to Town Clerk Liz Graves. The Bangor Daily News reports residents rejected the proposal to adopt looser limits for cruise ship visits and the 1,000 passenger per day cap by just 63 votes out of about 3500 cast. Graves said she will review the petition today to verify all signatures are valid and that the signers are registered Bar Harbor voters.
Economy
Farmstand Coffee House Opens in Trenton
(Trenton) That long stretch of Route 3 on the way to Bar Harbor has been relatively caffeine free until now. But groggy morning commuters can now grab a cup of Joe at Farmstand Coffee House. John Bates, who also owns our neighbor Stone Park in Ellsworth and other area rental properties, opened the shop across from the Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton. Drivers can now wake up and smell the coffee, grab pastries, sit and enjoy, or be on their way.
(Trenton) Wake up and smell the coffee – now you can do that on your way to Bar Harbor. The Farmstand Café is open on Route 3, offering local brews and pastries to help fuel you for a morning at the park or other destinations in the tourist town. The café offers indoor seating or you can simply grab and go. The Farmstand Café is located across from the Bar Harbor Airport.
Environment
Hancock County Towns Join Forces on Dam Concerns
(Hancock County) After the state rejected its first petition last summer, state officials have accepted a new petition from Bucksport Mill, LLC, a subsidiary of American Iron & Metal, to cede ownership of the three dams it acquired when it purchased the former Verso Paper Mill in 2015. The Bangor Daily News reports water impounded by the dams forms Silver Lake in Bucksport and Alamoosook Lake and Toddy Pond in Orland. Blue Hill, Penobscot, and Surry, which also have waterway frontage, have joined Bucksport in expressing concerns. Local officials and residents say if AIM sells the dams or walks away, they could fall into disrepair and lake levels could drop dramatically. To prevent AIM from abruptly discarding the dams, Bucksport and Orland have adopted moratoriums barring the company from doing anything with them before next spring at the earliest. A public meeting is scheduled tonight at 5 p.m. at Maine Maritime Academy.
(Hancock County) State officials have accepted a new petition from Bucksport Mill, LLC to cede ownership of the three Hancock County dams it acquired with purchase of the former Verso Paper Mill in 2015. The Bangor Daily News reports the petition by the company, a subsidiary of American Iron & Metal, has raised concerns for several towns across Hancock County. Water impounded by the dams forms Silver Lake in Bucksport and Alamoosook Lake and Toddy Pond in Orland. Blue Hill, Penobscot, and Surry, which also have waterway frontage, have joined Bucksport in expressing concerns. Local officials and residents say if AIM sells the dams or walks away, the dams could fall into disrepair and lake levels could drop dramatically. A public meeting is planned tonight at 5 p.m. at Maine Maritime Academy.
Super Moon This Week
(Undated) Keep your eye to the sky this week – you can’t miss this year’s fourth and final Super Moon. It will be awhile before we see the next one – there are three Super Moons in 2025, but the first one doesn’t occur until October next year. A Super Moon isn’t really bigger, but it can appear that way because of an especially close swing around the earth, according to the Associated Press. The size difference is barely perceptible, but the change in brightness is easy to detect. Scientists say a Super Moon can be 30% brighter than average. The full lunar phase will happen this Friday – fingers crossed for clear skies.
(Undated) If you awoke last night to a bright light shining through your window, you likely were experiencing the Super Moon. A Super Moon isn’t really bigger, but it is brighter – up to 30% brighter than average. The AP says a Super Moon happens with an especially close swing around the earth – the current one is the fourth and final one this year. Take a good look, because while 2025 has three Super Moons, the first doesn’t occur until October next year. The full lunar phase for our current Super Moon happens tomorrow (Friday) – here’s to clear Maine skies.
Technology
Sub-sea Cable Provides Broadband to Isle-au-Haut
(Isle-au-Haut) Isle-Au-Haut this week installed its first subsea telecommunications cable, establishing broadband access for the year-round island community. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the six point two mile underwater cable connects the island to Stonington on Deer Isle, which has connections to the mainland. Funding for the project came from a $1.2M grant, part of a program administered by the Maine Connectivity Authority and designed to support broadband expansion into underserved and especially rural communities.
(Isle-au-Haut) The year-round residents living on Isle-au-Haut are now feeling a lot more connected. The Pen Bay Pilot reports Axiom Technologies this week installed the island’s first subsea telecommunications cable, establishing broadband access. The 6.2 mile underwater cable connects Isle-au-Haut to Stonington on Deer Isle, which has connections to the mainland. The project was funded by a $1.2M grant that was part of a larger grant program administered by the Maine Connectivity Authority and designed to aid broadband expansion into underserved and especially rural communities.
Hannaford Continues to Deal with Cybersecurity Issue
(Maine) A cyber security issue that hit Hannaford Supermarkets last Thursday continues to plague the chain. The issue forced Hannaford to take some of its systems offline in order to protect the stores, their website, and To-Go systems, which remain down. The store is still able to accept checks, cash, and electronic payments; but customers who need to refill prescriptions have been advised to do so in person. The company does not yet have a timeline for a resolution to the issue.
(Maine) Hannaford Supermarkets continue to wrestle with a cybersecurity issue first discovered last Thursday. The issue forced Hannaford to protect the stores, their website, and To-Go systems by taking some of its systems offline. The store is still able to process checks, electronic payments, and cash, but advises customers who need to refill prescriptions to do so in person. They are currently unable to fill To-Go orders. No word on more details about the cyber security event nor on a timeline for resolving the issue.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Milbridge Holiday Memory Tree
(Milbridge) The Town of Milbridge is once again hosting its Holiday Memory Tree. The Memory Tree provides a touching way to honor or remember a loved one. For just $5 each, the name you submit will be printed on a laminated tag and attached to the tree on the lawn of the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center. Beginning at 4 p.m. on December 7th before the tree lighting, each name will be read aloud. The last day to submit a name is Friday, December 6th. For details, contact Cathy Chipman at 546-7251.
(Milbridge) It’s the perfect way to honor a loved one this Christmas. The Town of Milbridge will once again celebrate with its Holiday Memory Tree. For just $5 each, the name you submit will be printed on a laminated tag and attached to the tree on the lawn of the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center. Beginning at 4 p.m. on December 7th, just before the tree lighting, each name will be read aloud. A special thanks goes to the Milbridge Fire Department for donating the tree in loving memory of Robert Stanley. Names can be submitted anytime through Friday, December 6th at the Milbridge House, Maine’s Best Friend, or by calling Cathy Chipman at 546-7251.
Sports
The Bruins in Dallas tonight to put the sticks to the ice against the Stars.
Celtics come back from that close loss to the Hawks with a convincing 139-114 win over the Nets last night in Brooklyn.