Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Belfast Alleged Sexual Predator
(Maine) Terrifying shelter-in-place orders resulting from a gunman on the loose in Windham, an alleged sex-offender in Belfast, a search for three teens who escaped Longview, an armed gunman in Rumford, and a homicide in Waldoboro. The weekend was a busy one for law enforcement across the state. Shortly before 4 p.m. Friday, Belfast police received a 9-1-1 call about a man in a white panel van offering people $100 to get into the vehicle. When police arrived, they learned a young woman had taken 42 yo Thomas Massey VI of Camden up on the offer and that she had been sexually assaulted. Massey was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, criminal restraint, unlawful sexual touching, and furnishing alcohol to a prohibited person. Belfast Police Chief Robert Cormier tells Star 97.7 an investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Windham Shooting Death
(Windham) Also on Friday, Windham police responded to a shots-fired complaint on Route 302. Maine State Police say 33 yo Erin Hayne of Casco was on a motorcycle at the intersection of Roosevelt Trail and Landing Road, when a vehicle pulled up and fired several shots, then fled the scene. Bystanders attempted life-saving measures on Hayne, but were unsuccessful. A shelter-in-place alert was issued. Authorities then located the suspected shooter, 48 yo James Ford of Windham, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say there was no known connection between Hayne and Ford. Anyone who witnessed the shooting and/or who may have video of the incident is asked to contact Maine State Police.
Three Escaped Teens Back in Custody
(South Portland) Three teens who escaped the Long Creek Youth Development Center on Friday afternoon were back in custody later that night. Authorities tell Star 97.7, the two seventeen year olds and a 14 year old left the facility around 12:30 p.m. A patrol unit with the Saco Police Department saw a car the teens were suspected of driving around 9:20 Friday night, but all three suspects allegedly then ran from the vehicle. Two were quickly apprehended, the third was taken into custody about an hour later. It was the second escape from the facility in less than a month. Multiple escapes were also reported in 2024. Long Creek officials say they are taking steps to prevent future such incidents.
Waldoboro Homicide
(Waldoboro) A man charged in the homicide death of a Waldoboro woman whose body was discovered a week ago Saturday was arrested this past weekend in Florida. 53 yo Lavern Kelley was found dead at her Genthner Road home in Waldoboro on August 9th by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies. Police had been called to the residence for a well-being check. Maine State Police issued an arrest warrant for 49 yo James Clark of Damariscotta, charging him with Murder. He was located Friday in Volusia County, Florida and was to be extradited back to Maine.
Rumford Shooting
(Rumford) Officers with the Rumford Police Department were forced to pursue several men they say shot at deputies with AR-15 style rifles during an attempted traffic stop Friday night. According to a press release, about 10:30 p.m., an officer attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle on Eaton Hill Road. The vehicle reportedly took off, leading authorities on a high speed chase, with the suspects firing multiple shots at the officers. The suspects eventually fled on foot. A tactical team, drones, and K-9 teams were then employed, and an overnight shelter-in-place order was issued. Two of the suspects were ultimately apprehended. Three others escaped and are believed to have left the area. During an investigation, authorities say they seized firearms, suspected illegal drugs, and U.S. currency.
Stolen SNAP Benefits
(Augusta) Scammers. Just when you think they can’t get any more brazen or go any lower, now comes word some $76,000 in SNAP benefits were stolen from EBT cardholders in Maine. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services tells WMTW about 300 Maine households have been affected so far; but that reach could grow, as the fraudulent activity was ongoing as of Friday. Officials say the SNAP benefits are being stolen through illegal point-of-sale devices registered in New York and other states, where recipients have also been impacted. SNAP benefits help low-income families afford food by supplementing their monthly grocery budget. Current EBT cardholders are encouraged to take steps to protect their accounts, including changing their PIN and regularly reviewing their account to quickly spot suspicious activity.
Woman Injured at Bass Harbor Lighthouse
(SW Harbor) Officers from the SW Harbor Police and Fire Departments, along with other first responders, were called to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse in Acadia National Park Saturday afternoon on a report a person had slipped off the trail and became wedged in the rocks. The Mount Desert Islander reports EMS personnel from Southwest and Mount Desert strapped the victim to a bucket rescuer, while other agencies helped extract the injured up the trail to an ambulance. The hiker was taken to MDI Hospital. Members of the Tremont Fire Department also assisted in the rescue.
Officials Continue to Urge Caution with Fire Danger
(Orland) Wildfire danger remains high or very high throughout the state. On Friday, firefighters were called to a blaze in Acadia National Park. The burn was discovered by bicyclists near the Carriage Road west of Eagle Lake. Authorities say the wildfire was likely the result of a lightning strike. Experts tell Star 97.7 lightning strikes can cause fires that start underground and smolder for days before erupting into a wildfire. On Saturday, Bucksport fire officials responded to a woods fire off the Dresser Road, assisted by crews from Orland. Orland said so far this year, they’ve responded to 105 incidents, compared to 63 this time last year. A burn moratorium issued by the Maine Forest Service remains in effect until dry conditions improve.
Local Politics
Washington County Public Hearing
(Machias) Oversight by former County Commissioners, audits that were years behind because of a lack of available county auditors, the county unknowingly depleting funds that had been there in the past but in this case simply weren’t – an error not caught BECAUSE of the lag in auditing. It was a perfect storm of missteps that put Washington County in its current budget crisis. This Thursday, the Washington County Commissioners are hoping for a large turnout at a public hearing to discuss the current financial situation. The regular commissioners’ meeting will start at 3:30 in the Superior Courtroom in Machias, and should conclude about 5 p.m. for the Public Hearing. County officials strongly urge the public to attend to get clarification and avoid misinformation that invariably occurs apart from the facts.
Northern Light Ends Contract Negotiations with Anthem
(Maine) Thousands of Mainers may be forced to switch insurance companies and/or face higher costs after Northern Light Health on Friday ended stalled contract negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield. The conflict largely stems from reimbursement rates and timelines. In a written statement, the healthcare giant said it would consider continuing talks with Anthem “in the event that Anthem comes back with a reasonable offer.” The contract between the two companies ends September 30th. Last week we also told you about staggering rate increases proposed by insurance companies. More than three dozen people spoke on the issue Friday at an online public forum sponsored by the Maine Bureau of Insurance.
DC Police Take Back Control from National Guard
(Washington, DC) Bowing to pressure from a federal judge, the US Department of Justice on Friday backed off and clarified that Washington’s Police Chief will, for now, retain control of the City’s police force. The Trump Administration had taken aggressive action to control the police department in an order to rid the city of its homeless population. Church volunteers were working shifts running late into the night to encourage people to protect themselves by going to shelters. The New York Times reports Judge Ana Reyes ordered the Justice Department to reach an agreement with the city or she would intervene and block the federal government.
Trump Sides with Putin in Alaska Summit
(Alaska) President Trump backed off planned threats against Russian President Vladimir Putin designed to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. After a summit in Alaska, the NY Times reports Trump sided with Putin, adopting his preference for peace based on Ukraine’s ceding unconquered territory to Russia instead of the urgent cease-fire the President had said he wanted before the meeting. The change could give the Russian dictator an edge in talks to end the fighting, which are due to continue today when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the White House. World leaders from at least seven countries have vowed to attend today’s meeting in support of Zelensky and to prevent a repeat of February’s meeting where Zelensky was ridiculed for not wearing a suit and accused of disrespecting the President.
Economy
Franciscan Friars Sell Bucksport Home
(Bucksport) A former monastery in Bucksport has been purchased by a New York couple. The Bangor Daily News reports Kenneth Soucy and Donald Martel came to Bucksport in the 1990s as the Franciscan Brothers of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Focusing on love and public service, they opened and ran popular cafes as ministry to the areas. When Martell died suddenly in 2023, the eateries closed, and Soucy and a remaining member decided to list the 15-room home – unique because it contained a chapel and dormitory style rooms. The new owners intend to continue using it as a residential property. The Brothers’ FB page now lists them as living in New Gloucester.
Penquis CAP to Open Renovated Housing for Homeless
(Bangor) As the Trump Administration takes a hard line on clearing Washington of the homeless, a Bangor group is working to make sure the homeless there have a place to go. The Bangor Daily News reports a 41-unit permanent housing facility is finally opening, six months after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Penquis CAP renovated the former Pine Tree Inn into supportive housing. Some 30 tenants are expected to begin moving into Theresa’s Place this week. The residents-to-be were approved from a pool of more than 100 applicants and will be offered life skills training and help with employment. Operations Manager Peter Malia told the BDN he expects the building to be fully leased sometime this fall.
Social Security to Celebrate 90th Anniversary
(Augusta) This Friday, Governor Janet Mills will commemorate the 90th Anniversary of Social Security with an official proclamation at the Maine State House. The event will honor the vital role played by Social Security in supporting Mainers across generations. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law in 1935 as part of the New Deal aimed at addressing economic insecurity. The original Act was financed by a payroll tax shared equally by workers and employers, with the first Social Security taxes collected in 1937. Regular monthly benefits began in 1940.