Blizzard
(Undated) – The State of Maine has shut down – literally – as a major blizzard pounds the state. The storm will leave a couple of feet of snow over Downeast Maine before it’s over early tomorrow morning. All state government offices are closed today per order of Governor LePage. Local governments have shut down non-essential services. Those with full time police and fire have those staff on duty as well as the snow plow drivers. Public safety officials have advised motorists to stay home if they don’t have to go anywhere. That will allow the plow drivers to safely move the snow off the roads. There are no public schools open today.
Vassalboro Shooting
(Vassalboro) – Three police officers remain on paid administrative leave after a shooting that left two daytime home invasion burglary suspects dead. A state police lieutenant, a trooper, and the Vassalboro police chief, opened fire on 25-year old Kadhir Bailey of Gardiner after he rammed his vehicle into a state police cruiser in Vassalboro on Friday afternoon. Police shot him and 18-year old Ambrosia Fagre of Oakland. The two were suspected of being involved with a home invasion robbery earlier in Vassalboro that left a former pro-golfer tied up. The Attorney General’s office is investigating the shooting incident.
Duffy’s Fire
(Orland) – Minor damage to a former restaurant in Orland during the weekend. The fire department reports the fire started near a wood stove inside Duffy’s Restaurant, but the owners were able to knock it down quickly as the fire department raced to the scene. The call came in Saturday evening. No injuries are reported.
Tremont – Law Enforcement Vote
(Tremont) – Voters in Tremont will decide which law enforcement agency will cover their town at the annual town meeting. A citizen’s petition asked the Town to decide whether to continue the current 40-hour a week contract with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department or to enter a 24/7 patrol contract with the Town of Southwest Harbor. The Southwest Harbor contract will cost more. The vote will be by referendum at the annual town meeting in May. The Mt. Desert Islander reports both agencies will hold off on hiring necessary manpower to cover Tremont until the vote’s outcome.
Killer Sentenced
(Houlton) A Houlton man will spend the rest of his life in prison. A judge sentenced 35-year-old Matthew Davis for the 2013 shooting deaths of 49-year-old Heidi Pratt and 51-year-old Michael Kitchen at their Oakfield home in 2013. The victims’ family members spoke before the court room for 3 hours, then Davis spoke, saying he did not commit the murders.
Boat Sinker Sentenced
(Tenants Harbor) One of 3 men charged with sinking a lobster boat in Tenants Harbor has pleaded guilty. 20-year-old Devin Meklin was sentenced to 3 months in jail and must pay the boat owner 16-thousand-dollars in restitution. Court records say the boat that was sunk was part of a trap dispute last year. Meklin was arrested in September along with 22-year-old Vincent Hilt of Vinalhaven and 47-year-old Alan Norwood of Tenants Harbor who’s suspected of instigating the sabotage.
Business Seminars
(Ellsworth) A series of seminars for business owners and entrepreneurs is coming to the Union River Center for Innovation. The workshops are spread out from March thru May and topics include how to raise funding or find grants, and how to pitch your business ideas. The seminars are free at the Center for Innovation on Water Street in Ellsworth. Get more information by logging on to: Union River Innovation dot Net.
Mom Released
(Troy) A mother from Troy charged in the death of her infant son is free on bail and will be allowed to see her two other sons. The Morning Sentinel reports that Miranda Hopkins was released Tuesday night from a Wiscasset jail after a jury indicted her on a charge of manslaughter. The murder charge she had originally faced was dismissed. An attorneys for Hopkins says she was released on $50,000 worth of property. Bail conditions don’t prevent Hopkins from seeing her two sons, ages 6 and 8, who are with relatives. The 32-year-old Hopkins was arrested last month in connection with the death of her 7-week-old son, Jaxson. Police said the baby suffered blunt force head injuries and rib fractures.
Stabbing Arrest
(Sullivan) A houseguest staying with a friend in Sullivan was arrested for allegedly punching another man then stabbing him with a steak knife. The Bangor Daily News reports 52-year-old Randolph Garland is charged with Elevated Aggravated Assault, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and up to a 50-thousand-dollar fine. The fight allegedly happened last Wednesday after the other man told Garland he needed to go find another place to stay. The injured man was treated at the hospital and released. Garland may face more charges once the DA’s office reviews the case. Garland has an extensive criminal history.
Firearm Sentencing
(Bangor) A Swanville man prohibited from owning guns was sentenced for possessing firearms. Court documents say Waldo County Sheriff’s deputies went to the home of 50-year-old John Hines after a neighbor complained of hearing gunshots from the residence. Deputies found Hines with a loaded revolver, 2 rifles and a shot gun. Hines is not allowed to own firearms because of a previous domestic violence assault conviction. A judge sentenced him last Thursday to time served in prison, which was about 10 months.
Suspicious Fire
(Pittsfield) Officials say a fire at an empty factory in Pittsfield is considered suspicious. Fire marshals are trying to figure out what caused a fire at the former San Antonio Shoe Factory off Waverly Avenue. WVII-TV reports a passerby spotted the flames on Wednesday afternoon and called for help. The building has been vacant for nearly a decade.
Soup Contest
(Brooklin) Brooklin School’s 2nd annual Soup Chili Chowder Challenge raises money for the PTF. Contestants are invited to cook up their best soup, chili, or chowder for a chance to win a crockpot crammed with cash. A $100 prize will be awarded in each category. The challenge is at Brooklin School on March 4th at 5:30PM.
Bags for Charity
(Ellsworth) Hannaford in Ellsworth is donating to a local organization through their reusable bag program. During the month of March every time a customer purchases a blue reusable bag from the Ellsworth Hannaford, one dollar goes to Families First Community Center. FFCC is currently fundraising to buy and renovate a property on North Street in Ellsworth to become a transitional home for homeless families with children. Learn more on their website: Families First Ellsworth dot Org.
Healthy Acadia Funding
(Ellsworth) Healthy Acadia will receive funding to help further their services in Hancock and Washington Counties. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services will award Healthy Acadia with over 3-hundred-50-thousand-dollars to continue providing services in substance use prevention, tobacco use and exposure prevention, youth engagement and empowerment, and obesity prevention. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s initiatives visit: Healthy Acadia dot Org.
Sports
High School Cheering – State Championships
Class “A” – Lewiston – 1, Brewer – 2
Class “B” – Hermon -1, Ellsworth-2
Class “C” – Lisbon – 1, Central -2
Class “D” – Central Aroostook -1 Penobscot Valley – 2
NHL: Boston Bruins 4 Montreal Canadiens 0
Celtics play the Mavericks in Dallas tonight.
High School basketball play in games start tomorrow.
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