Ellsworth Police Shooting Verdict
(Ellsworth) – A judge has found an Ellsworth man guilty of reckless conduct with a weapon but declined to convict him for attempted murder in a gunfire exchange with police officers in December of 2023. Justice Terrence Hannigan set sentencing for 70-year old Jeffrey Paine for Thursday. Paine had a gun when police attempted to serve a harassment order at his apartment. When one officer pushed in the door, the gun went off. Another officer returned fire and wounded Paine in the arm. He’s been in jail since the incident. The judge agreed with Paine that the gun discharged accidentally.
Farmington Explosion
(Farmington) –Two Farmington men are recovering from serious injuries following an explosion at a trailer during the weekend. The Farmington Fire Department responded to a call Saturday morning as 62-year old property owner Jon Bubier and 68-year old Mike Warren were working on the home. The Fire Chief in Farmington says he believes the Moore Avenue explosion was likely caused by propane. The Fire Marshal’s office is still investigating the incident.
Albion Fatal Accident
(Albion) – A hit and run crash in Albion left one child dead, and an adult and another child with serious injuries. State police report to Star 97.7 the crash took place on Hussey Hill Road shortly after 5PM on Friday evening. Police caught up to the driver and arrested 44-year old Benjamin Lancaster of Albion on OUI and leaving the scene of a fatal accident charges. Troopers took him to the Kennebec County jail. Lifeflight helicopters airlifted the two injured survivors to the hospital. The child’s name was not released.
Cruise Ship Legal Fees Mount
(Bar Harbor) – The legal bills keep mounting in Bar Harbor as eight lawsuits involving limits on cruise ship policies make their way through courts. The Mt. Desert Islander reports the town has spent more than $1-point-1 million dollars defending town policies over the past two fiscal years. The first of the lawsuits came in 2022, from a citizens’ group, while the owners of the Golden Anchor and resident Charles Sidman filed other suits following that. The town filed one suit against Golden Anchor for allegedly violating the ordinance which limits the number of passengers cruise ships may bring ashore on any given day. Several of the suits have decisions that are under appeal.
Union Homicide
(Union) – Still no arrest reported following a paddle boarder’s death on a pond in Union. State Police detectives say they’re still working to gather evidence in the incident that left 48-year old Sunshine Stewart of Tenant’s Harbor dead. The Union Fire Department and game wardens recovered Stewart’s body on July 3rd, a day after she was last seen paddle boarding on Crawford Pond.They alerted the Major Crimes Unit of the State Police. An autopsy determined she was a homicide victim.
Habitat for Humanity House
(Blue Hill) – A Blue Hill woman now has a home thanks to Hancock County Habitat for Humanity. The group finished construction on the Carter Road home for Sonia Groesbeck more than a year after they broke ground for the house. The group cut the ribbon officially on Saturday. She had planned to share the home with her son, but he passed away before it was finished.
Sports
- Jannik Sinner wins the men’s singles finals at Wiimbledon
- The Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-to-1 for their 10th straight win going into the All-Star break.
- Cooper Flagg has been shut down by the Dallas Mavericks for the rest of the summer season after scoring 31-points in his 2nd