Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Robbery Suspect at Large
(Bangor) Authorities this morning continue to search for a suspect who they say robbed the Irving at Broadway and Griffin Road in Bangor around 7 Sunday night. They say the man was between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 foot two, weighing between 250 and 300 pounds. The suspect reportedly took off with an undisclosed amount of money. Police used a search dog to scour the area but lost track of the person. We’ve shared a surveillance photo of the suspect on our Star 97.7 FB page.
Former Gouldsboro Ambulance Manager Charged in Fraud Scheme
(Gouldsboro) Former Gouldsboro ambulance service operations manager Kenneth McCartney has been charged with felony theft in a case that has already resulted in a criminal conviction for the town’s ex-fire chief. The Bangor Daily News reports 58 yo McCartney is accused of stealing “property or services” valued at more than $10K, according to court documents. One charge leveled against McCartney is a Class B felony, resulting in a steep fine and possible prison time. The town’s former fire chief, Tatum McClean, was convicted last summer in relation to the same alleged scheme.
(Gouldsboro) Last summer, Gouldsboro’s former Fire Chief, Tatum McClean was convicted in an alleged scheme in which he was accused of submitting fraudulent personnel stipend reimbursements to the town. Now a former Gouldsboro ambulance service operations manager has been charged with felony theft in that same case. The Bangor Daily News reports in court documents, 58 yo Kenneth McCartney is accused of stealing “property or services” valued at more than $10K. One charge leveled against McCartney is a Class B felony, that could result in jail time and a fine of up to $10K.
Tractor Trailer Crash in Brewer Closes Portion of South Main Street
(Brewer) A section of South Main Street in Brewer was closed last evening after a tractor trailer flipped over. The Brewer Fire Department posted notice of the closure between South Brewer Drive and Elm Street. The incident happened about 4:30 Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the road being closed shortly after 5 p.m. No details were given, but the Brewer police and fire departments were on the scene, along with representatives from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Snowmobile Goes Through Ice in Dexter
(Dexter) The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife continues to remind folks that ice depth on lakes and ponds is still unpredictable this winter. Two Dexter men found that out the hard way Tuesday. The father and adult son survived when their snowmobile broke through the ice on Wassookeag Lake in Dexter. MDIFW spokesperson Mark Latti reports the men entered the lake at the boat ramp and were headed across the lake to go ice fishing about 11:30 yesterday morning when their snowmobile suddenly went through the ice. The men were reportedly in the water yelling for help about ten minutes before the son was able to boost his father onto the ice. The father was then able to help his son get out of the water as well. The men were able to walk to an ice fishing shack and warm up while help was summoned and they were checked out by local EMTs. .
Ellsworth Fire Department Seeks to Grow with the City
(Ellsworth) With a growing population, the City of Ellsworth has seen an increase in fire and EMS calls. The Ellsworth Fire Department finds itself in need of upgrades in order to better serve those growing needs. Ellsworth Fire Chief Scott Guillerault told the Bangor Daily News, the entire fleet of vehicles needs to be upgraded to replace aging vehicles and move others to more of a backup role. The Department is also looking at other big changes, including upgrading its medical response license, securing a second ambulance, and possibly establishing another station on Route 1A, the Bangor Road, in order to more timely serve the growing number of 9-1-1 calls. Guillerault said he hopes City Council will approve funding in the 2025-26 budget for some of the more immediate needs. In 2024, the Ellsworth Fire Department responded to 42 fire and more than 1500 EMS calls.
(Ellsworth) A growing population means growing needs in response to 9-1-1 calls for fires, medical and other emergencies. The Ellsworth Fire Department is feeling that keenly. In 2024, the Ellsworth Fire Department responded to 42 fire and more than 1500 EMS calls. Chief Scott Guillerault told the Bangor Daily News the Department needs more people and better vehicles to replace an aging fleet that includes a fire truck that rolled down a hill and smashed into a tree. Even if that vehicle is repairable, Giullerault said several other vehicles are showing their age and use. The Department is also looking at other big changes, including upgrading its medical response license, securing a second ambulance, and possibly establishing another station on Route 1A. Guillerault said he hopes City Council will approve funding in the 2025-26 budget for some of the more immediate needs.
FMO Investigates Winslow Arson
(Winslow) The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fire in Winslow they say was intentionally set. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, the Winslow Fire Department responded to a structure fire at a home on Abbott Road shortly before noon on Monday. The sole occupant of the home, 40 yo Joseph Forestell, was taken into protective custody by Winslow Police and transported to a local hospital for evaluation. The investigation into the fire is ongoing. Authorities have not released further information at this time.
(Winslow) Fire at a home in Winslow Monday is believed to have been intentionally set. The Winslow Fire Department was called to the home at 328 Abbot Road shortly before Noon on January 13th on the report of a structure fire. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was also called in to investigate. As a result, 40 yo Joseph Forestell, the home’s sole occupant, was taken into protective custody and transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Authorities say the investigation into that blaze is ongoing.
Local Politics
County Commissioners Choose New Leadership
(Augusta) The Maine County Commissioners Association held their annual meeting in Augusta Tuesday and selected leadership for 2025. Penobscot County Commissioner Andre Cushing was elected President, Somerset County Commissioner Robert Sezak will serve as Vice President, and Sawin Millett of Oxford County will serve as Secretary/Treasurer. More than a third of the commissioners elected in November are new to county government, though many have a depth of experience in public service. Commissioners advocate for resources for counties to serve their residents, with services ranging from the jails and rural patrol to emergency management, regional 9-1-1 service, and more.
(Augusta) Do you know who your County Commissioners and County Managers are and what purpose they serve? Commissioners advocate for resources for counties to serve their residents with services ranging from the jails and rural patrol to emergency management, regional 9-1-1 services, and more. On Tuesday, the Maine County Commissioners Association held their annual meeting in Augusta. On the agenda, choosing new leadership. Penobscot County Commissioner Andre Cushing was elected President, Somerset County Commissioner Robert Sezak will serve as Vice President, and Sawin Millett of Oxford County will serve as Secretary/Treasurer. More than one-third of the commissioners elected in November are new to county government, though many have a depth of experience in public service.
Senator Angus King Expressing Concern Over Exchange During Hegseth Confirmation Hearing
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King and others expressing concern after Trump defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth reportedly refused to rule out the use of torture in a confirmation hearing on Tuesday. King made repeated attempts to get a firm answer on the subject of whether or not the U.S. would follow the rules of the Geneva Convention and its prohibitions on torture. King accused Hegseth of saying we have to follow the rules except in cases where they are “burdensome”. Hegseth is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense.
Environment
FBC Awarded Million Dollar Grant for Tidal Salt Marsh Restoration
(FBC) Frenchman Bay Conservancy has been selected to receive a highly competitive million dollar grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The money will be used for restoration of a tidal salt marsh at the recently acquired Jordan River Preserve, formerly the Bar Harbor Golf Course. FBC says the salt marsh is vital to the health of the preserve’s ecosystem. The grant was awarded to just 28 projects across the country, and this particular endeavor was the only one awarded in Maine.
(FBC) Big congratulations to Frenchman Bay Conservancy on being awarded a million dollar grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The conservationists will use the money for restoration of a tidal salt marsh at the recently acquired Jordan River Preserve, formerly the Bar Harbor Golf Course, which the group says is vital to the health of the preserve’s ecosystem. The highly competitive grant was awarded to just 28 projects across the country, this being the only one in Maine.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Houlton Business Owner Hopes to Revitalize Temple Theatre
(Houlton) Northern Maine Media has wrapped a pair of deals that could lead to revitalization of a century-old movie theater business and the building that houses it in Houlton. Temple Theatre opened in 1919 and is one of the oldest, continuously operated businesses in the Aroostook County town. News that the former owner planned to close the business prompted the purchase. MaineBiz reports so far, outdated ductwork and HVAC systems were removed from the projection booth, with plans in the works to paint the interior, replace carpeting, and renovate the streetside facade. Live concerts and events such as karaoke nights are on the agenda for the future.
Cory Falabella Selected to Serve on Key Committee
(Ellsworth) We were excited to learn Tuesday that Downeast Community Partners’ Housing Supervisor Cory Falabella has been tapped for a huge honor. DCP reports Falabella has been selected to serve on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s 2025-26 Crew Leader Scheme Committee. Cory is a former lobsterman who took advantage of a paid apprenticeship program with DCP, learning to help people save on energy bills by auditing homes for efficiency, weatherizing those homes, and performing final inspections. He was a top performer in the Washington County College Apprenticeship Program, completing hundreds of skills and tasks to complete seven certifications and two licensing requirements. Cory shared his journey with Star 97.7 listeners last year. He says his lobster boat is still in the water, but nowadays it’s strictly a hobby he shares with his daughters.
Sports
Tuesday Night Scores – only these teams reporting in as of press time.
Girls – Machias beating woodland 52-35, Old Town over MDI 4033, Washington Academy squeaks past Narraguagus 48-45. The Ellsworth boys defeated Hermon 46-24.
Games scheduled this evening (01/15):
Girls Boys
Ellsworth vs. Hermon Calais vs. Penobscot Valley
Schenck vs. Lee Academy
Woodland vs. Shead
MDI vs. John Bapst
Celtics in Toronto tonight to shoot hoops with the Raptors.