Crime/Public Safety/Drugs Portage Lake Incident (Portage Lake)   A man is dead following an all-day standoff with police in the Aroostook County town of Portage Lake on Monday.  Authorities say the incident began with a report of a domestic dispute between a woman and 29 yo Steven Righini.  When police arrived at the home, the woman […]

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Local News 02/04/25

Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Portage Lake Incident

(Portage Lake)   A man is dead following an all-day standoff with police in the Aroostook County town of Portage Lake on Monday.  Authorities say the incident began with a report of a domestic dispute between a woman and 29 yo Steven Righini.  When police arrived at the home, the woman had escaped, but Righini was inside with a 4-week-old infant.  They say they were able to coax him outside, but he resisted being taken into custody.  Shots were fired, and a deputy was shot in the shoulder.  Reghini also seriously wounded Preacher, a State Police K-9.  Troopers shot and killed Righini when he again pointed a gun at them.  The infant was not wounded and was returned to her mother.  Preacher was taken to an emergency vet for surgery.  The injured deputy was also hospitalized.

(Portage Lake)  An all day standoff with police in the Aroostook County town of Portage Lake Monday resulted in a deputy and a police K9 being shot, and the offender being killed.  Authorities say the incident began with a report of a domestic dispute between a woman and 29 yo Steven Righini.  When police arrived at the home, the woman had escaped, but Righini was inside with a 4-week-old infant.  They say they were able to coax him outside, but he resisted being taken into custody.  Shots were fired, and a deputy was wounded.  About 8 p.m., Reghini attempted to flee, shooting and seriously wounding State Police K9 Preacher. They say when he again turned the gun on troopers, Reghini was shot dead.  Preacher was taken to an emergency vet for surgery.  The injured deputy was also hospitalized.

Maine Capitol Police Introduce First Bomb Detection Dog

(Augusta)  Maine Capitol Police have a special introduction to make this Thursday – Teddy, a 17 month old Labrador Retriever, is the agency’s first bomb sniffing dog!  Teddy was selected and trained through the Maine State Police K9 Unit and is certified through the Maine Criminal Justice Academy – an impressive pedigree to be sure!  Teddy is also the 100th detection dog graduate of the AKC Puppy Program, which addresses a critical shortage of high-quality, domestically raised and trained explosives detection dogs.  The public will have a chance to meet the new recruit on February 6th at 10 a.m. at the Statehouse Visitors’ Center.

(Augusta)  Maine Capitol Police this Thursday will be introducing a very special new recruit.  Teddy, a 17 month old Labrador Retriever, is the organization’s first bomb sniffing pup!  Teddy went through some pretty doggone heavy training, and he’s graduated with an impressive pedigree.  His handlers say he’ll allow them to conduct daily sweeps of the Statehouse complex, helping to ensure safety, reduce disruption from hoax bomb threats, and more.  Although still developing and refining his skills, Teddy is wagging his tail in excitement – ready for his first day on the job.  We’re sure it will be a paw-sitive experience for everyone.  The public will have a chance to meet the new recruit on February 6th at 10 a.m. at the Statehouse Visitors’ Center.

FMO Investigates Fire at MTA Garage

(Auburn)  The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fire that destroyed a Maine Turnpike Authority building in Auburn.  Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, a 9-1-1 call was placed reporting a fire at the Maine Turnpike Authority garage off I-95 and Hackett Road in Auburn.  The Auburn Fire Department arrived at the scene to find the six-bay garage fully involved.  The structure and its contents are a total loss.  FMO investigators were on scene Monday conducting an origin and cause investigation.  They say multiple accidental causes have been identified and are still being examined.  The blaze is currently classified as undetermined with no indication of foul play.  No injuries were reported.

(Auburn)  No injuries, but a Sunday evening fire destroyed a Maine Turnpike Authority building in Auburn.  Investigators say they received a 9-1-1 call about the blaze shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday.  Crews arrived at the MTA garage off I-95 and Hackett Road to find the six-bay garage fully engulfed.  The structure and its contents are reported to be a total loss.  They say multiple accidental causes have been identified and are still being examined.  The blaze is currently classified as undetermined with no indication of foul play.  FMO investigators were still on the scene Monday, attempting to narrow down a cause of that blaze.

Economy

Bangor Bakeries Say Rising Costs Create Pricing Issues

(Bangor)  Some Bangor restaurant and bakery owners say they’re putting off raising menu prices, but it’s becoming a challenge, as the cost of eggs is getting to be … well, no yolk.  The Bangor Daily News reports Bagel Central now spends close to $3K a week for eggs alone.  Owner Scott Bryson said that compares to a thousand dollars last winter.  A major factor contributing to the skyrocketing costs is the spread of avian flu, which has resulted in the culling of millions of egg-laying birds.  Proprietors say they’re seeing a rise in other commodities as well – everything from flour to electricity.  But they say they’re reluctant to raise prices and possibly lose customers.

(Bangor)  Area restaurants and bakeries are seeing costs rise across the board like yeast-laden bread dough – the price of everything from flour to electricity has gone up.  Especially troublesome for bakeries is the soaring cost of eggs.  The Bangor Daily News reports Bagel Central now spends close to $3K a week for eggs, nearly triple what owner Scott Bryson said he spent on eggs last winter.  Factors contributing to the skyrocketing costs include the spread of avian flu, which has resulted in the culling of millions of egg-laying birds.  Eatery owners say they’re reluctant to raise prices and potentially lose customers; but at some point, if they don’t, they say business is likely to “fly the coop.”

Hammond Lumber Puts in Bid for Naming Rights for Augusta Civic Center Auditorium

(Augusta)  Hammond Lumber hopes to continue “building up” its good reputation here in Maine.  The company has put in a bid for sub-naming rights at the Augusta Civic Center Auditorium.  The Augusta City Council will vote Thursday on whether the Paul Poulin Auditorium will become the Hammond Lumber Company Auditorium.  The main auditorium was dedicated to the former Augusta City Manager in 1983 and is where most events are held in the facility.

(Augusta)  Hammond Lumber could be building on its name recognition if all goes well Thursday.  The retailer has put in a bid for sub-naming rights at the Augusta Civic Center Auditorium.  City Council will vote February 6th on whether the Paul Poulin Auditorium will become the Hammond Lumber Company Auditorium. The area was dedicated to the former Augusta City Manager in 1983.  The name change would reportedly be part of a ten-year, $800K deal.

Education

Alternative Lobster Fishing Gear Demonstrations

(Jonesport)  Area fishermen and members of the public are invited to an afternoon of demonstrations and informal discussion focusing on the use of alternative lobster fishing gear.  The February 6th program will include live demonstrations of the gear at the Jonesport town marina at the end of Sawyer Square, as well as simultaneous informal discussions at the Peabody Memorial Library.  Attendees can come to either location, anytime between 1 and 5 p.m., with demonstrations based on specific interests and needs.  Registration is not required. The event is hosted by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and the Sunrise County Economic Council.

(Jonesport)  Change is hard, especially when it’s changing from something you’ve used and/or known your entire career.  If you’re a lobster or other fisherman facing the changeover to alternative gear, you’re invited to an afternoon of demonstrations and informal discussion focusing on the use of alternative lobster fishing gear. The February 6th – that’s this Thursday – program will include live demonstrations of the gear on the Jonesport town marina at the end of Sawyer Square, as well as simultaneous informal discussions at the Peabody Memorial Library.  The public is welcome to join in.  Demonstrations and discussion will be based on the interest of those attending.  The event is hosted by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and the Sunrise County Economic Council.

Environment  

Third Quake Strikes Maine

(Maine)  A third earthquake has rocked an area about eight miles off the coast of York Harbor.  The U.S. Geological survey reports the magnitude two tremblor struck shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday morning.  That followed a magnitude 3.8 quake that hit last Monday and that was felt throughout New England and another magnitude two that shook things up only slightly on Wednesday.

(Maine)  The rockin’ and rollin’ keeps on keeping on in Southern Maine.  The U.S. Geological Survey reports a third earthquake struck Maine Sunday about eight miles off the coast of York Harbor.  The epicenter was at a depth of more than seven miles, but the quake only registered two on the Richter scale.  That followed a magnitude 3.8 quake that hit last Monday and that was felt throughout New England and another magnitude two that shook things up only slightly on Wednesday.

Human Interest/Entertainment   

Messenger Animal Rescue Secures Shelter Building

(Harrington)  Great news from our friends in Harrington – the Messenger Animal Rescue has officially purchased a building for their new location.  Animal Control Officer Sarah Strout had been running the rescue out of her basement and fundraising for a separate facility.  Strout says the building will need to be renovated, and they have a team of contractors ready to begin work as soon as the bank loan is finalized.  She hopes to be in the new space later this year.  To find out how you can help, follow them on FB.

(Harrington)  Harrington area Animal Control Officer Sarah Strout has such a heart for animals, she’s been doing what she can, running a shelter out of her basement.  This past year, Sarah and her team began fundraising in earnest to buy a separate facility that could allow them to save even more animals.  Yesterday, that dream became a reality, with the purchase of a building on Main Street.  Strout says the building will need to be renovated, and they have a team of contractors ready to begin work as soon as the bank loan is finalized.  She hopes to be in the new space later this year.  To find out how you can help, follow them on FB.

Sports

Local high school basketball games this evening – it’s Lady’s Night on the local courts, with Sumner taking on Calais, the Machias Lady Bulldogs shooting hoops with the Narraguagus Knights, Jonesport-Beals on the hardwood against Woodland, and the MDI Lady Trojans going net to net with the Ellsworth Eagles.

Bruins on the home ice tonight against the Minnesota Wild, the Celtics on the court in Cleveland against the Cavs.

These schools reporting in results from last night’s high school basketball games – on the girls’ side, the Bucksport Golden Bucks squeaked past the GSA Eagles 40-39, and MDI beat Foxcroft 60-51.  On the boys’ side, Sumner gets the win over Central 62-58, the Washington Academy Raiders get past Bucksport 48-43, Jonesport Beals easily defeating Narraguagus 49-39, and Foxcroft pulls off a 52-44 win over Orono.

National News Headlines

In National News Headlines:

Mexico agrees to deploy ten thousand troops to the U.S. border, in exchange for a tariff pause.

The ten percent tariffs on China now in effect

In Canada, stores removed USA liquor brands and hockey fans booed the National Anthem at the Ottawa Senators game this weekend in protest of Trump’s threat of tariffs.  And Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced he is “ripping up” that province’s $100M contract with Elon Musk’s StarLink.  Prime Minister Trudeau says the President has agreed to a 30-day tariff pause there.

The Treasury Department gives Elon Musk’s team access to the federal payment system – essentially, a checkbook for the federal government that includes Social Security, Medicare, and payments to government contractors.  The system is a closely held operation run by career officials, as it contains sensitive information of hundreds of millions of Americans. Musk reportedly brought in his own team that began downloading that information, as Democrats pulled the fire alarm.

Marco Rubio is taking over as acting head of US AID amid turmoil in that agency that has provided United States aid to countries in desperate need of food, medicines, and other critical resources.