Police Chief Suit
(Bar Harbor) – A judge has ruled that the Town of Bar Harbor did not violate due process and freedom of access laws when it fired now former police Chief Nathan Young. The firing more than 4-years ago came after police officers discovered Young slumped over the wheel of his pickup truck in Town Hill in September 2013. The Mt. Desert Islander reports that Judge Bruce Mallonee ruled that the town council held proper executive sessions prior to voting to uphold town manager Dana Reed’s firing of Young as police chief. Young had sued for wrongful firing.
Hospital Tax Abatement
(Ellsworth) – The hospital affiliated real estate company that rents out condos and suites to Ellsworth area doctors will have to pay property taxes. Maine Coast Medical Realty group had asked the city for a property tax exemption. The Ellsworth American reports the Board of Appeals ruled 4-to-1 that the group is not solely a charitable organization and could potentially make money by selling property.
Emergency Landing
(Passadumkeag) – A pilot is OK after he landed his plane in the Passadumkeag River last evening. WABI-TV reports the unnamed pilot had his engine seize up, but managed to glide without the propeller moving and found the river to be his best option for landing. The Federal Aviation Administration will be on scene today to investigate.
Jack the Barber
(Ellsworth) – A long time fixture in Ellsworth has died after a long battle with diabetes. Jack Forni was known to a few generations of boys and men as Jack the Barber. Forni died last Saturday at the age of 77. He ran his barber shop for 50-years and served in the US Army in Viet Nam. Forni would often travel to clients’ homes to cut their hair if they were ill.
Pedestrian Safety
(Orono) The Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the Department of Transportation continue holding Pedestrian Safety Forums around the state this summer. Bicycle Coalition spokeswoman Angela King says the forums began a few years ago when the number of pedestrian fatalities started to increase. The discussions include risky behaviors and attitudes of both drivers and pedestrians, and coming up with solutions to make streets safer. Forums are scheduled in Bangor on July 18th, Orono on August 15th, and Brewer August 16th.
Ferry Service
(Bar Harbor) – Town officials in Bar Harbor could receive a proposal as soon as next week for the high speed ferry to Nova Scotia to serve the tourist community. Bay Ferries Limited currently operates out of Portland, but numerous media reports say the Canadian company plans to propose Bar Harbor be its western terminal instead. The Cat stopped serving Bar Harbor many years ago. Last month voters in Bar Harbor overwhelmingly approved purchasing the former Bay Ferries terminal.
Loon Plate
(Maine) If you have a Maine loon license plate – that means free admission to select state parks and historic sites this Sunday. Loon Plate Appreciation Day is put on by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Bureau of Parks and Lands as a way of thanking Mainers for supporting the iconic birds. Free admission is 9AM ‘til close on Sunday at certain locations with a few exclusions.
Boil Water Order Lifted
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth homes under a Boil Water Order since Monday are cleared. The Ellsworth Water Department reports as of Wednesday afternoon after water tests show no coliform bacteria. The order was issued earlier this week after a water main break in the Surry Road area.
Manslaughter Indictment
(Roque Bluffs) A Washington County grand jury has indicted a Roque Bluffs man in connection with a crash that killed his daughter. Police say last December 46-year-old Christopher Stevenson was driving with a suspended license when his car went off the road in Cathance Township and hit a tree. The accident killed his 11-year-old daughter. WABI-TV reports Stevenson is charged with Manslaughter and Aggravated OUI.
Farmer Sued
(Swanville) Town officials in Swanville have accused a farmer charged with animal cruelty by state animal welfare agents of violating building ordinances. Village Soup-dot Com reports the Town alleges that Jerry Ireland and his wife Emily built a “bunkhouse” on their Nickerson Road property without a construction permit, and someone was living in it without running water or plumbing. The complaint also alleges the Ireland’s ignored violation notices. Jerry Ireland was charged after allegedly shooting and burying malnourished pigs before agents arrived to examine his farm. Agents exhumed dozens of pig carcasses during the planned inspection. Ireland denies the allegations.
Sports
- Boston Red Sox 4 Texas Rangers 2 (9th straight win for Sox, Chris Sale struck out 12 over 7-innings.
- Tonight, the Sox send David Price to the mound against the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Roger Federer is out at Wimbledon, losing a quarter final match in 5-sets to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson
- Croatia will face France in the World Cup soccer final this weekend.
