Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Deer Isle Domestic Dispute
(Deer Isle) Another alleged domestic violence incident in Deer Isle on Sunday. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, they responded to a residence about 3 p..m. that afternoon on report of a domestic dispute. As a result of an investigation, they arrested 62 yo Keith Klemenz. Klemenz was charged with Aggravated Domestic Violence Assault and taken to the Hancock County Jail. It was the second domestic incident on Deer Isle involving an arrest in as many weeks. Anyone facing or suspecting domestic abuse is urged to call Next Step Domestic Violence Project in Ellsworth at 800-315-5579. And you can call 24/7.
(Deer Isle) A Deer Isle man was arrested Sunday and charged with Aggravated Domestic Violence Assault. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, they responded to a home on Deer Isle about 3 p.m. on December 8 on a report of a domestic dispute. As the result of an investigation, 62 yo Keith Klemenz was arrested and charged. It was the second domestic incident on Deer Isle in as many weeks. And again, anyone facing or suspecting domestic abuse is urged to call Next Step Domestic Violence Project in Ellsworth at 800-315-5579. And you can call 24/7.
Edgecomb Death Ruled a Homicide
(Edgecomb) Authorities say the man whose body was found by a hunter in woods in Edgecomb last week was a victim of a homicide. The Chief Medical Examiner determined 34 yo William Nathaniel Robinson of Austinville, Virginia, died of a gunshot wound. Robinson had been recently staying at a home in Edgecomb. Police say there is no known danger to the public at this time. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities say they will release more information as it becomes available.
(Edgecomb) Authorities have determined the man whose body was found last week by a hunter in Edgecomb died of a gunshot wound. The Chief Medical Examiner has ruled 34 yo William Nathaniel Robinson’s death a homicide. Robinson’s body was found last Tuesday near the Schmid Land Preserve on Old County Road in Edgecomb. He was reportedly from Austinville, Virginia, but had been recently staying at a home in Edgecomb. An investigation is ongoing, and authorities expect to release more information as it becomes available. They say they do not believe there is any danger to the public at this time.
Sixteen Dogs Die in Brooklin Fire
(Brooklin) A fire at a home in Brooklin Friday claimed the lives of 16 dogs. The Ellsworth American reports the Brooklin Fire Department was called to the Bay Road home around 4:15 Friday afternoon and found the home fully engulfed. Assistant Fire Chief Tom Morris said due to the extent of the damage, the cause of the blaze may never be known. The property belonged to Linda Cole, who lived there with her daughter, Lori. Crews worked for several hours to tamp down the flames, but the fire flared up again Saturday morning on the roof, so firefighters returned for several more hours. The community is working to support the Coles with a Go Fund Me page, a spaghetti supper, and other fundraisers planned.
(Brooklin) Sixteen dogs died in a Friday fire in Brooklin. According to the Ellsworth American, crews were called to the Bay Road home around 4:15 Friday afternoon and found the structure fully engulfed. The property belonged to Linda Cole and her daughter, Lori, neither of whom was at the house when the fire broke out. The community has come together and started a Go Fund Me page and planned other fundraisers to support the Coles. Brooklin Assistant Fire Chief Tom Morris said due to the extent of the damage, they may be unable to determine a cause of that fire.
Maine State Police Investigate I-95 Crash
(Bangor) Maine State Police are investigating a Monday morning crash on I-95 in Bangor. Shannon Moss with the Department of Public Safety tells Star 97.7, the Bangor RCC received multiple reports of a serious personal injury crash at mile marker 181 just before 7 a.m. yesterday. When troopers arrived, they found several motorists providing aid to the driver, 25 yo Kenneth Cartledge of Massachusetts, who had been ejected from his vehicle and was lying in the roadway. Cartledge was taken to a hospital where he was listed in serious but stable condition. An initial investigation indicates Cartledge lost control of his pickup while traveling southbound, crossed the center median into the northbound lane, where his vehicle overturned and he was ejected. Cartledge was not wearing a seatbelt, and initial reports indicate he was traveling too fast for road conditions.
(Bangor) Speed and not wearing a seatbelt led to a crash on I-95 in Bangor Monday morning that left a driver with serious injuries. Maine State Police were called to mile marker 181 shortly before 7 yesterday morning, where they found several motorists giving aid to 25 yo Kenneth Cartledge of Massachusetts. An initial investigation indicates Cartledge was southbound in his pickup and may have been traveling too fast for road conditions when he lost control, crossed the median, and flipped his truck, blocking the northbound lanes. Cartledge, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was thrown from his vehicle and was left lying in the roadway. He was taken to a hospital, where he was said to be in stable condition. Both northbound lanes were blocked by the crash, resulting in a traffic backup and a total shutdown of the road while troopers investigated.
Local Politics
New Maine Legislature Changing How It Operates
(Augusta) Vague placeholder bills, prolonged meetings, and other Statehouse norms have, in the past, hindered public participation in the Maine Legislature. Now, the Bangor Daily News reports, Democrats and Republicans have agreed on some changes. Among them, the Legislature will only hold floor sessions on Tuesdays, rather than on multiple days, for the first few weeks of next year. They say that could give committees more time to meet and work on a flood of new bills. The legislature is also likely to approve a change in concept drafts that initially have only vague titles and no other language. Such change could require text of those proposals to be publicized at least a week before they receive an initial public hearing.
(Augusta) Changes coming to the Maine Legislature could allow for more public participation, lessen long meeting times, and put an end to vague placeholder bills. The Bangor Daily News reports, Democrats and Republicans are pretty much in agreement on the changes. Among them, the Legislature will only hold floor sessions on Tuesdays, rather than on multiple days, at least for the first few weeks of next year. That could give committees more time to meet and work on a flood of new bills. The legislature is also likely to approve a change in concept drafts that initially have only vague titles and no other language. A change could require text of those proposals to be publicized at least a week before they receive an initial public hearing.
Economy
Electricity Maine Begins Mailing Refunds
(CBS) The check is in the mail. Or it soon will be for some 20,000 former and current customers of Electricity Maine who were reportedly overcharged by the supplier. The Office of the Public Advocate says the refunds are part of a settlement that will result in thousands of customers receiving reimbursement of up to three months of unlawful charges. As part of the settlement, Electricity Maine was also ordered to pay a $315,000 fine.
(CBS) Some 20,000 customers of Electricity Maine will be getting a Christmas bonus – a refund of overcharges, just in time for the holidays. The Office of the Public Advocate said the monies will come via debit cards that will need to be activated and are part of a settlement that will refund customers for up to three months of unlawful charges. According to the utilities commission, CBS reports Electricity Maine was charging some customers a rate more than double the standard offer rate without obtaining customers’ consent or notifying them of a rate increase.
Health
More Rural Ambulance Services in Jeopardy
(East Millinocket) Slow reimbursement rates, huge coverage areas, and low pay, making it difficult to recruit and train staff. Rural EMS services in particular continue to face an uncertain future. The Bangor Daily News reports four unorganized territories in Penobscot County are the latest to face a crisis, after the East Millinocket Fire Department sent a letter to the four asking to be released from its contract. The unorganized territories rely on surrounding towns, the county and state to provide all essential services because they have no municipal government. If the ambulance service with East Millinocket ends, the townships – Grindstone, T2 R9, TA R7 and T1 R6 – will need to find new towns to provide emergency medical services. The contract for fire services is separate and not affected.
(East Millinocket) One pressing matter the current legislative session could address is the ongoing problem with rural EMS Services. Such services continue to face an uncertain future, largely because of slow reimbursement rates, huge coverage areas, and low pay – making it difficult to train and recruit staff. The Bangor Daily News reports four unorganized territories in Penobscot County are the latest to face a crisis of survival, after the East Millinocket Fire Department sent a letter asking to be released from its contract. The unorganized territories rely on surrounding towns, the county and state to provide all essential services because they have no municipal government. If the ambulance service with East Millinocket ends, the townships will need to find new towns to provide emergency medical services. The contract for fire services is separate and not affected.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Work
(Ellsworth) A traffic note to tell you about in Ellsworth today, weather permitting. The City tells Star 97.7, the Public Works Highway crew will be assisting the Water Department in repairing a leak on Surry Road between Mountain View and Westwood Drives. They say that section of the roadway will be down to one lane during the repairs.
(Ellsworth) Just one traffic note this week in Ellsworth, but it’s happening today, weather permitting. The City tells Star 97.7, the Public Works Highway crew will be assisting the Water Department in repairing a leak on Surry Road between Mountain View and Westwood Drives. They say that section of the roadway will be down to one lane during the repairs.
Human Interest/Entertainment
A Grand Christmas in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) It truly IS the MOST wonderful time of the year here in Ellsworth – the Christmas tree lighting, the Annual Christmas Parade of Lights, and, of course it wouldn’t be the holidays without the magic happening at The Grand! Executive Director Nick Turner fills us in. (((GrCh 1 “…A Christmas Story, the Musical.” :18))) There’s a pay-what-you wish performance this Thursday to kick things off, with shows various times and dates December 13th through the 21st. Tickets at grandonline dot org.
(Ellsworth) You know about the leg lamp with the fishnet stocking. And you know about 9 yo Ralphie Parker and his quest for the ultimate Christmas gift. Nick Turner, Executive Director of The Grand in Ellsworth, tells Star 97.7, this year’s production of A Christmas Story is a can’t miss for the holidays. (((GrCh 2 “…but it seems to really resonate with all ages.” :27))) Turner is directing this year’s musical, which opens Friday and runs various days and times only through the 21st. Don’t miss out – tickets at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) Where can you find a Broadway quality musical, complete with a live orchestra? Right here at the Grand in Ellsworth. Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, opening Friday, it’s this year’s holiday offering – A Christmas Story; the classic story of 9 yo Ralphie Parker and his quest for the ultimate Christmas gift. (((GrCh 3 “…and that heart of Dear Evan Hanson.” :22))) Turner said his dream as a 9 yo boy was a neon colored cave man set, and that he, too, was told not to play with BB guns, because “you’ll shoot your eye out!” Don’t miss out – tickets on sale at grand online dot org.
(Ellsworth) Treat yourself and the whole family this season with the Grand’s holiday musical “A Christmas Story.” Grand Executive Director Nick Turner tells Star 97.7, the Grand is real community driven theatre! (((GrChr 3 “…something like this for everyone to enjoy.” :30))) And our best to first time Stage Manager Ben Carter. And by the way, Turner says the Grand is committed to being all inclusive, so if ticket prices are a bit more than you can afford, please join them for the pay-what-you wish dress rehearsal, this Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. And thank you for supporting your Grand!
Sports
The Bruins face the Jets tonight in Winnipeg. Celtics off until Thursday when they’ll be home against the Detroit Pistons.
Last night in High School basketball, on the girls’ side, it was George Stevens over Sumner. For the boys, Woodland beat Shead and Calais over Narraguagus.
High School Basketball this evening:
Girls – Shead vs. Narraguagus, Machias vs. Woodland, MDI vs. Hermon
Boys – WA takes on Orono, George Stevens vs. Bucksport
Girls and Boys – Searsport hits the hardwood against Deer Isle Stonington.