Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
New Laws for Boaters Take Effect in New Year
(Augusta) New laws will affect boaters in the new year. WGME reports one new law limits the noise of airboats to 90 decibels, 75 decibels between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. The limit does not apply to the Maine Marine Patrol when used in the line of duty. A wake boat and wake surfing law went into effect during the summer, requiring motorboats pulling wake surfers to be in water that is at least 15 feet deep, in order to protect shoreline wildlife. Costs are going up for boaters as well. ”Invasive species control” stickers jump from $15 to $25, and registration fees in all classes are going up by $10. Plus, nonresident fees will go up to $60 for lake and river protection stickers; for Maine boats, that fee is included in the annual registration cost.
(Augusta) It will cost boaters more to be on the waters in Maine this year, and new rules will be in effect as well. WGME reports there are new laws limiting the noise of airboats, except when they are in use by the Maine Marine Patrol while in the line of duty. Wake boat and wake surfing laws require motorboats pulling wake surfers to be in water that is at least 15 feet deep, in order to protect shoreline wildlife. The cost for “invasive species control” stickers jumps from $15 to $25, and registration fees in all classes are going up by $10. Plus, nonresident fees will go up to $60 for lake and river protection stickers; for Maine boats, that fee is included in the annual registration cost. Fines for violating the laws range from $100 to $500 per infraction.
Industry Man Rescued After Falling Through Ice
(Industry) An Industry man is lucky to be alive after he fell through the ice on Clearwater Pond yesterday morning. Game Warden Cody York was checking on an ice fisherman about 11 a.m. when they heard a man yelling for help. The two drove to Moes Cove Road where the yelling appeared to be coming from and saw 68 yo David Beaudoin in over his head about 15 feet from the shoreline. The men were able to get a rope to Beaudoin and drag him safely to shore. The Maine Warden Service says the victim was extremely hypothermic and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he is expected to recover.
(Industry) The Maine Warden Service is cautioning folks to check the ice before venturing out on frozen water bodies. They say Warden Cody York was checking on ice fisherman Miles Pelletier on Clearwater Pond about 11 yesterday morning when the two heard a man yelling for help. The men drove to the vicinity from which the sound appeared to be coming and saw 68 yo David Beaudoin of Industry about 15 feet from shore, where he had broken through the ice and was in over his head. York and Pelletier were able to get a rope to Beaudoin and pull him safely to shore, but they say he was extremely hypothermic and unable to speak or move. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he is expected to recover.
Authorities Unable to Determine Cause of Machias Motel Fire
(Machias) The Fire Marshal’s Office says damage to the Bluebird Motel in Machias was so extensive, they are classifying the cause as “undetermined”. The fire broke out Christmas night and destroyed much of the frontmost of the three buildings. The blaze also damaged a pipe that delivered water to the other two structures, forcing the facility to remain closed at least through mid January. A FB post this week said the motel office will be open 8 to 6 each day while management works out a plan to restore internet and water access to the two remaining back buildings.
(Machias) A Christmas night fire did such extensive damage, investigators say they’ll be unable to determine a cause of the blaze that heavily damaged the Bluebird Motel on Route One in Machias. The fire destroyed much of one of the three motel’s buildings and damaged a pipe that brought water to two other buildings. Motel Management posted on FB the office will be open from 8 to 6 daily while they work on a plan to restore internet access and water to the two back buildings.
Teens Save Couple from Burning Home
(Atkinson) Three teenage boys returning from New Year’s Eve are being credited with saving a couple from their burning home in Atkinson Wednesday morning. WABI reports the blaze began as a large barn fire and spread to the home on North Stagecoach Road. They say the teens reported the fire to 9-1-1 shortly after 1:30 a.m. then banged on the door. When that failed to wake the homeowners, they opened the door and rescued the couple, coming face to face with the flames. The boys, 16 yo Colby Simmons, 16 yo Robert Weymouth, and 14 yo Kaleb Weymouth said they dodged falling pieces of wood and heard propane tanks hissing as they got the couple to safety. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is expected on the scene today to help determine a cause.
(Atkinson) Three teens are being hailed as heroes today after rescuing a couple from their burning home in Atkinson early Wednesday morning. WABI reports 16 yo Colby Simmons, 16 yo Robert Weymouth, and 14 yo Kaleb Weymouth were returning home from New Year’s Eve about 1:30 Wednesday morning when they encountered a large barn fire on North Stagecoach Road that had spread to a nearby home. The teens called 9-1-1, then raced to the door to wake the homeowners. When they did not get a response, they reportedly opened the door, coming face to face with the flames, but were able to wake the couple and help them to safety. Dover-Foxcroft Fire Chief Brian Gaudet said it was very heroic and he wished there were more people in the world like the three teens. The Fire Marshal’s office will be on the scene today to look for a cause.
Clifton Fire Ruled Accidental
(Clifton) A Christmas Day fire at a mobile home in Clifton has been ruled accidental. The Fire Marshal’s Office reports investigators were called to the Gustafson Road home around 8 Christmas morning to assist the Clifton Fire Department. An investigation determined the fire was started by an overheated heat tape beneath the mobile home.
(Clifton) A Christmas morning fire that destroyed a mobile home in Clifton is being ruled accidental. Firefighters from seven departments responded to the blaze about 8 o’clock that morning. They say the home was fully engulfed when they arrived. The Fire Marshal’s Office has been investigating and says the fire was started by an overheated heat tape beneath the home.
Biddeford Fatal Fire
(Biddeford) A December 30th fire at a structure on the corner of Alfred and Ray Streets in Biddeford claimed the life of a 71 year old man. The Department of Public Safety reports to Star 97.7, the fire, which was called in about 3:00 that afternoon, was contained to a second floor apartment over the garage. The main house was not damaged, but the garage building sustained extensive damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
(Biddeford) A 71 yo man was the victim of an apartment fire in Biddeford on December 30th. The Biddeford Fire Department reports they were called to the blaze shortly after 3 p.m. and found the victim unconscious in a second floor apartment above a garage. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. The main house on Alfred Street was undamaged, but the garage building sustained extensive damage and is uninhabitable. The Fire Marshal’s Office will look for a cause.
Appleton Fire Update
(Appleton) An update on that fire in Appleton on December 29th. The blaze happened around 6 p.m.. The homeowner was able to escape to a neighbor’s, but suffered serious burns and was ultimately taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland. The cause of that fire is still under investigation, but fire officials now say it appears accidental and likely involved a wood stove.
(Appleton) An update on that December 29th fire in Appleton. Crews were called to a structure on Appleton Ridge Road about 6 p.m. last Sunday. The homeowner was able to escape the blaze, but suffered serious burns. She fled to a neighbor’s and asked for an ambulance but was unable to provide more information. Due to fog and drizzle, it took crews extra time to locate the home, which was set back off the road. The victim was first taken to Pen Bay Medical, then transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she remains hospitalized. Investigators continue to look for a cause of that blaze, but now say it appears accidental and likely involved a wood stove
Pittsfield Wrong Way Crash
(Pittlsfield) A crash in Pittsfield on the morning of New Year’s Eve proved fatal for a wrong-way driver. Authorities say about 11 Tuesday morning, State Police began receiving calls of a wrong-way driver who was NB in the SB lane of I-95. Investigators determined 82 yo Ivan Cunningham of Corinna was driving the wrong way and collided head-on with a truck driven by 27 yo Nathaniel Blanchard of Stetson. Police quickly shut down the Interstate SB. Cunningham was pronounced dead at the scene. Blanchard was Life-Flighted to Bangor with injuries that are considered non-life-threatening. That area of the Interstate remained closed for about two hours while investigators worked to reconstruct the crash.
(Pittsfield) A wrong-way crash on I-95 in Pittsfield New Year’s Eve claimed the life of one driver and sent another to a hospital. Authorities say State Police began receiving calls that morning of a wrong-way driver who was NB in the SB lane of I-95. As troopers were responding, they say a vehicle driven by the wrong-way driver, 82 yo Ivan Cunningham of Corinna, collided head on with a truck driven by 27 yo Nathaniel Blanchard of Stetson. Deputies quickly shut down the Interstate SB at exit 150 and diverted traffic. Cunningham was pronounced dead at the scene. Blanchard was Life-Flighted to Bangor with injuries that are considered non-life-threatening. That area of the Interstate remained closed for about two hours while investigators worked to reconstruct the crash.
Local Politics
Trump Allies Warn Maine Officials of Possible Jail Time for Sanctuary Policies
(Ellsworth) Officials with America First Legal, whose President will serve as Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, sent more than 200 letters last week to officials in cities and states with what it deemed were “sanctuary” policies. The Bangor Daily News reports Hancock and Cumberland County officials in Maine were among recipients of the letters from Stephen Miller’s nonprofit. The six-page letters signed by an attorney for the nonprofit stated, “Your jurisdiction’s sanctuary laws or policies … make a mockery of American democracy …” Top Democrats in other states have reportedly dismissed the letters as a scare tactic ahead of the President-elect’s inauguration on January 20th.
(Ellsworth) President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation operation in US history. This week, officials in Hancock and Cumberland Counties were among those who received letters threatening their “sanctuary” policies. The counties were two of more than 240 cities, states, and other government entities to receive the letters from America First Legal, a nonprofit led by Stephen Miller, who has been tapped by Trump to serve as deputy chief of staff for policy. The Bangor Daily News reports the Cumberland County Jail has not honored federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to hold inmates beyond their release dates since 2017, under a policy implemented by Kevin Joyce. The Hancock County Jail reportedly has a similar policy, according to ICE. Top Democrats in other states have dismissed the threats as political posturing before the January 20th inauguration.
Economy
Community Closet 207 Could Use Our Help
(Ellsworth) Community Closet 207 in Ellsworth could use our help as we bring in a new year. They especially need men’s clothing – think jeans, in particular – and personal care items like toothpaste and toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, etc. You can drop things by 330 Water Street Sunday through Tuesday from 11 to 3 and Wednesdays from 2 to 6. And be sure to follow them on FB.
(Ellsworth) The first of the year means a fresh start; and for many of us, that means organizing and cleaning out our closets! Community Closet 207 in Ellsworth tells us they’re greatly in need of men’s clothing, particularly men’s jeans. They’re also low on personal care items like shampoo and toilet paper. This wonderful organization serves a large part of our community, including a homeless population, many of whom Sarah says are working but simply can’t afford to live in anything but a tent. You can drop items by 330 Water Street Sunday through Tuesday from 11 to 3 and Wednesdays from 2 to 6. And be sure to follow them on FB.
Sports
These local high school basketball games on the schedule this evening:
Girls
Ellsworth Eagles vs. MDI Trojans
Jonesport Beals Royals vs. Searsport Vikings
Bucksport Golden Bucks take on George Stevens Eagles
Calais Blue Devils vs. Shead Tigers
Woodland Dragons up against Mattanawcook Lynx
And the boys and girls of Narraguagus Knights face off against Deer Isle/Stonington Mariners
The Boston Celtics at Target Center to hit the hardwood against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Bruins put the sticks to the ice in New York against the Rangers
The Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Number 6 ranked Ohio State blasts top-ranked Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoffs finals. The Buckeyes will face Texas in a semi-final matchup at the Cotton Bowl