State Budget Approved
(Augusta) – The State shutdown is over – Maine has a new budget. Today’s a holiday, so the entire state government will reopen for business tomorrow. Governor Paul Lepage’s office reports to Star 97.7 that the Governor signed the budget late last night after lawmakers pulled out a proposed lodging tax increase. Just before the signing, lawmakers gave nearly unanimous approval to the measure which also increases education funding and eliminates a voter approved 3-percent tax on Mainers making more than $200-thousand dollars a year.
Belfast Cowboys
(Belfast) – The Belfast Police Department rounded up the usual suspects after they broke out and headed for the river. These suspects, though, had 4-legs, and they were not exactly cooperative. Four cows broke loose from a farm, walked down Route 1 and headed for the waterfront and a dip in the Passgasswaukeag River. The Pen Bay Pilot reports police were eventually able to get ropes around all four heads of cattle and the farm owner fetched them home. Later in the day, the same ring-leader cow found another break in the fence and escaped with two others again, only to be rounded up again by officers.
Holden Man Sought
(Holden) Police are looking for a Holden man allegedly involved in a domestic violence assault. A Hancock County deputy and K9 assisted Holden police early Monday morning searching for 41-year-old Michael Weston after he fled. WABI-TV reports Weston is wanted for aggravated assault and other charges are pending. The US Marshals Services also has 2 state warrants for Weston. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call Holden police
Fireworks – State Rules
(Undated) – Just what are the rules for fireworks in Maine? Some towns ban them all together, others have no local ordinance and fall under state law. That state law requires landowner permission if you shoot off fireworks from property that is not yours. That means most public parks are off limits. And there is a midnight limit tonight for shooting off fireworks. Other than the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve, that limit is much earlier.
Acadia Park Closures
(Bar Harbor) Park Rangers at Acadia National Park are assessing the traffic and parking situation over the next few days and will close sections of the Park Loop Road as needed. Park spokesman John Kelly says parking lots and even the Island Explorer bus system are hitting capacity. Kelly says Ocean Drive, Cadillac Mountain and perhaps other areas will be closed at unpredictable times as the closures are based on traffic.
Pet Safety
(Hancock Cty) The sound of fireworks exploding can be stressful to dogs and other pets. Hancock County SPCA Executive Director Diana De Los Santos says in addition to keeping your dog inside there are other measures you can take to help relieve their anxiety. De Los Santos says more animals go missing during the 4th of July than any other time of the year. Be sure to have an ID tag on your pet’s collar.
Dog Adoptions
(Bangor) The latest round of dogs rescued from kill shelters in Mississippi and Georgia will be up for adoption at the Bangor Humane Society tomorrow. WABI-TV reports the shelter brought in about 30 puppies who will be adoptable starting at Noon, but it’s recommended you go in early and get a number. The staff encourages you to do your research before coming in to adopt. And if you’re not a dog-person the Bangor Humane Society also has several litters of kittens available for adoption.
Heroin Arrest
(Patten) A Maine man driving through Massachusetts with false license plates wound up in jail on drug charges. Massachusetts state police pulled over 36-year-old Steven Pearl of Patten (Maine) because his license plates did not match the vehicle they were on. WABI-TV reports a search of the car found Pearl in possession of more than 400 bags of heroin. He allegedly also had crack cocaine in the car. Pearl faces drug trafficking and drug possession charges.
Man Threatens Police
(Belfast) A Belfast man who allegedly threatening to blow up a police officer’s home will have his day in court. Last month 60-year-old Timothy Saint Thomas was reported to Belfast police for being loud and disorderly. An officer responded to the scene near the Belfast footbridge and asked Saint Thomas to leave. He refused to follow orders several times and the officer arrested him. While transporting Saint Thomas to the Waldo County Jail the Pen Bay Pilot reports he made some comments to the officer, leading to the criminal threatening charge. Saint Thomas also faces a disorderly conduct charge during his July 21st court appearance.
Recovery Summit
(Washington Cty) Business owners and human resource staff are invited to a discussion about the challenges associated with hiring people recovering from addiction. A panel of experts will share information about addiction, available treatment and recovery supports, and will talk about strategies for success. “Addiction, Recovery and the Workforce”, a summit for Washington County businesses of all sizes, is a free event on July 13th from 8:30AM to 3PM at the University of Maine in Machias. To register or get details log on to: C C C Maine dot Org.
Katahdin Woods
(Stacyville) In a rural corner of Maine that’s so remote even Mainers call it “the willy-wags,” there’s a new place for camping, hiking and birding. But it comes with a dash of political intrigue. Maine’s new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is now welcoming guests for its first full summer as a monument. The monument was designated by President Barack Obama late last summer in a move that has caused controversy for almost a year.
Theater Camps
(Ellsworth) Not all summer camps are outside in the hot Maine woods. The Grand in Ellsworth is offering theater camps for kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Grand’s education director Jasmine Ireland will lead the 3 groups who will practice at various times throughout the summer and perform at the end of their term. For more information contact The Grand.
Sports
Boston Red Sox 7 Texas Rangers 5 (11-innings, Andrew Benintendi knocked in the winning runs. Tonight, David Price starts against the Rangers for the 1st place Sox.)
Hartford Yard Goats 8 Portland Sea Dogs 7
American Legion: Bangor Comrades 13 Trenton Acadians 7
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