Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Christmas Day High Speed Pursuit
(Trenton) A high speed chase that began in Trenton late on Christmas Day ended in the arrest of a Franklin man. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, shortly before 10 p.m. on December 25th, 28 yo Jarret Patten tried to elude deputies who were attempting a traffic stop on the Bar Harbor Road. Patten reportedly took off, leading officers on a high speed pursuit that eventually ended in Lamoine with his being arrested. Authorities say Patten had two active arrest warrants and now faces additional charges of Eluding, Violating Bail Conditions, and Operating after Habitual Offender Revocation with priors. The Sheriff’s Office says more charges are pending.
(Trenton) A Franklin man with active arrest warrants finds himself facing even more charges after he allegedly fled an attempted traffic stop on Christmas night. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, officers were attempting to stop 28 yo Jaret Patten on the Bar Harbor Road in Trenton shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday night, when he took off, leading police on a high speed chase. The chase eventually ended in Lamoine, with Patten being arrested. Authorities say Patten had two active arrest warrants and faces charges of Eluding, Violating Bail Conditions, and Operating after Habitual Offender Revocation with priors. The Sheriff’s Office says more charges are pending.
Bluebird Motel to Remain Closed for at Least Two Weeks
(Machias) The fire that destroyed part of the Bluebird Motel in Machias on Christmas Eve will mean the motel will remain closed for at least several weeks. In a FB post, the owners wrote that a water pipe that carried water to the two undamaged buildings was burned and damaged in the fire, so they are unable to get water to the other buildings. Staff members were in the process of notifying guests with reservations of free cancellations and information on other local lodging. The State Fire Marshal’s office and insurance investigators will reportedly need at least until January 14th to complete an investigation. The owners say they hope to decide on a plan to repair and restore water to the two back buildings before the end of January.
(Machias) Only one of the three buildings at the Bluebird Motel in Machias was damaged by that blaze on Christmas Eve, but a pipe that fed water to the two undamaged buildings was burned and impaired, rendering the entire facility uninhabitable for several weeks. Management writes in a FB post that staff members are in the process of notifying guests who have reservations of free cancellations, as well as providing information on other local lodging. According to the post, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and insurance investigators will need until at least January 14th to investigate and possibly determine the cause of that fire. The owners say they hope to have a plan to repair and restore water to the two back buildings at that time.
Sidney Woman Accused of Killing Teen to Make Court Appearance Today
(Sidney) 39 yo Megan McDonald is scheduled to make her first court appearance today on charges she murdered a 14 yo boy in Sidney last week. McDonald was supposed to be in court Monday, but her attorneys asked for a delay. McDonald went to authorities last Friday to report “an incident” at her home. When police responded, they found the body of the teen outside the Summerhaven Road home. An autopsy determined the boy died of asphyxiation, manual strangulation, and sharp force injury. Neighbors told WMTW the victim was McDonald’s son, although authorities have not confirmed that.
(Sidney) The woman accused of murdering a 14 yo boy in Sidney last Friday is scheduled to make her first court appearance this morning. 39 yo Megan McDonald was to appear Monday, but her attorney asked for a delay. McDonald went to authorities on December 20th and reported an incident at her Summerhaven Road home. Police responded and found the boy’s body outside the house. An autopsy determined the boy died of asphyxiation, manual strangulation, and sharp force injury. Police have not yet released the boy’s identity, but neighbors told WMTW the teen was McDonald’s son.
Maine Turnpike Authority Warns of Smishing Scams
(Maine) The Maine Turnpike Authority is warning drivers of a scam that is targeting E-Z Pass Users. In a FB post, MTA says it is experiencing an increase in phone calls to E-Z Pass Customer Service from customers who say they’ve received a text message purportedly from MTA claiming to be a final reminder regarding an unpaid toll and asking the recipient to settle their outstanding balance or incur an additional $35 fee. The text includes a link to e z maine dot com. Authorities say this is a smishing scam and not to click on the link. They say correspondence regarding violations is sent via U.S. Mail, and E-Z Pass customers can check their online accounts for posted tolls.
(Maine) If you’ve traveled the Maine Turnpike recently, you may have received a text the Maine Turnpike Authority says is a smishing scam. The text looks authentic, with the MTA logo. It warns potential victims it’s a final reminder regarding an unpaid toll and directs the recipient to settle an outstanding balance by clicking on a link or they could incur an additional $35 fee. Authorities say correspondence regarding violations is sent via U.S. Mail, never by text; and E-Z Pass customers can check their online accounts for posted tolls.
Coast Guard to Build Nation’s First Polar Security Cutter
(Undated) The U.S. Coast Guard has received approval to begin building a new polar security cutter. According to a press release, the Coast Guard requires polar icebreaking capability to support the country’s economic, commercial, maritime, and national security needs in the Polar Regions. The new cutter will be 450 feet in length and will ensure access to both polar regions. The ship will be capable of executing key Coast Guard missions, including defense readiness, marine environmental protection, security for ports, waterways, and coastal areas and search and rescue. The new cutters will operate worldwide in a range of conditions, including polar, tropical, and temperate zones.
(Undated) It’s been more than 50 years since the U.S. Coast Guard last built a polar security cutter. Earlier this month, the Coast Guard received approval to begin building a new such vessel. A press release reports the Coast Guard requires polar icebreaking capability in order to support the country’s economic, commercial, maritime, and national security needs in the Polar Regions. The new cutter will be 450 feet in length and will ensure access to both polar regions. The ship will operate worldwide in a variety of conditions, including polar, tropical, and temperate zones.
Economy
Water, Sewer Rate Increases Likely for Bar Harbor Residents
(Bar Harbor) Bar Harbor residents will likely see an increase in their water and sewer bills beginning in April. The Mount Desert Islander reports the Town Council got a first look at the budgets at last week’s meeting. The increased rates and new rate structure are pending approval by the Council and the Maine Public Utilities Commission, and will generate an additional $477K-plus in revenue over the fiscal year’s final quarter.
(Bar Harbor) Beginning in April, Bar Harbor residents will likely see an increase in their water and sewer bills. Town Council members got a first look at the proprietary budget last week. Materials presented to the Council for the water budget did not include a set rate structure, as the town awaits completion of a rate study; but the Mount Desert Islander reports the budget calls for an increase in revenue that will require the first rate increase in eight years – an increase needed to cover a projected 30% increase in operating expenses compared to actual spending and final estimates for FY 24.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Keeps Giving After Holidays
(New York) The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree draws close to 500K visitors to New York City each year. The tree is donated by a landowner in the U.S. or Canada; and while you might chafe a bit at the cutting down of such majestic trees, it’s good to know those trees keep on giving long after the holiday. According to the Weather Channel, since 2007, the trees have been turned into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity, becoming shelter for families in need. The lumber is “branded” so that its source is clear, and some builders even leave that mark showing in a place or two. A true “Giving Tree” and a Christmas gift for years to come.
(New York) Every year, someone in the US or Canada volunteers to donate a majestic tree to adorn the Rockefeller Center in New York City at Christmastime. And while it may be tough to swallow the “death” of a usually towering tree each year, the Weather Channel reports those trees actually live on by providing shelter for those in need. Since 2007, once taken down, the trees have been turned into lumber that is then donated to Habitat for Humanity. The planks are marked with a special brand, designating them as having come from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree; and sometimes builders will even leave one of those brands showing, to prove the tree is the gift that truly keeps on giving.
Holiday Fun for Kids Abounds Locally
(Undated) Are your kids (or perhaps YOU?) needing a break from holiday break? Head to The Grand in Ellsworth for the Vacation Movie, Garfield the Movie – just a dollar general admission, daily through the 31st (except Sunday), sponsored by the City of Ellsworth. The Ellsworth Public Library has the Kids’ NOON Year’s Eve Party, with crafts, snacks, and more on December 31st, beginning at 11 a.m. Then on January 3rd, join them for Legos at the Library at 2. Today at 10 at the SW Harbor Public Library it’s an interactive Family Story Time; and from 3:30 to 5 today theTeen Anime Club for teens 12 and up meets at the Blue Hill Public Library – cosplay welcome. And on January 2nd at 3:30, it’s Youth Chess Club. No need to be bored.
(Undated) Watch a movie matinee, learn to play chess, build with legos, or share some anime fun! No need for the kids to be bored over break. Head to The Grand in Ellsworth for the Vacation Movie, Garfield the Movie – just a dollar general admission, daily through the 31st (except Sunday), sponsored by the City of Ellsworth. The Ellsworth Public Library has the Kids’ NOON Year’s Eve Party, with crafts, snacks, and more beginning at 11 a.m. on December 31st. Then on January 3rd, join them for Legos at the Library at 2. Today at 10 at the SW Harbor Public Library it’s an interactive Family Story Time; and from 3:30 to 5 today it’s Teen Anime Club for teens 12 and up at the Blue Hill Public Library – cosplay welcome. And on January 2nd at 3:30, it’s Youth Chess Club. Didn’t get all that? We’ll have it on our Star 97.7 Local News page shortly.
Sports
The Celtics home against the Indiana Pacers tonight.
The Bruins in Columbus to put the sticks to the ice against the Blue Jackets.
The Patriots at Gillette Stadium Saturday against the LA Chargers
Local high school basketball games today:
Girls – Ellsworth takes on Old Town, Woodland vs. Narraguagus. On the boys’ side, Sumner up against Calais and George Stevens shooting hoops with Woodland. These boys and girls teams on the hardwood today – Machias vs. Schenk, MDI up against Houlton, and John Bapst takes on Foxcroft Academy.