Border Pleas
(Bangor) – An Australian woman and her Mexican boyfriend face possible jail time and big fines after border agents caught him crossing the border in Calais illegally. The US Attorney’s office reports to Star 97.7 that 37-year old Sarah Branch admitted she helped 45-year old Benigno Godinez Cortez get to Canada and then cross into the US near Calais. The Border Patrol caught him last month. She faces 5-years for encouraging illegal entry. He was deported in 1994 and faces up to 2-years in prison.
Fake 20s
(Bangor) – Fake $20-dollar bills are circulating in the area. WVII-TV reports the money looks very close to real, except that the word replica is printed in several places on the bill in small letters. It’s money used in movies. The Penobscot County Credit Union issued the bulletin about the movie money.
Cruise Ship Limit
(Rockland) – City councilors in Rockland have put a 6-visit limit on large cruise ships. The Bangor Daily News reports ships with more than 500-passengers may visit the port a total of 6-times in September and October while the city council works on a long term harbor management plan. There’s a daily limit of 3,000 passengers. Some residents have expressed concern about the influx of visitors from the cruise ships. Local business owners, though, say the ships passengers bring a lot of business to town.
Murder Conviction Upheld
(Augusta) – An Aroostook County man serving life in prison for a double murder and numerous other crimes has lost his bid for a new trial. The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling against Matthew Davis. Back in September 2013 Davis broke into an Oakfield home and shot two people to death, stole their vehicle, drove to a lumber mill and set that afire, stole another vehicle then a boat and tried to flee from police. His attorneys argued that testimony from a neighbor who saw Davis’s booking photo on Facebook should have been excluded. The high court disagreed.
Jumbo Jackpot
(Ellsworth) Ticket sales are strong for the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce’s Jumbo Jackpot. The drawing happens each year leading into Autumn Gold. Chamber executive director Gretchen Wilson says contest rules were reviewed and adjustments are made to enhance the ticket holders’ experience. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Ellsworth Chamber’s office on High Street between now and Autumn Gold weekend.
Terrorizing-Shooting Threat
(Auburn) A Bowdoinham man is accused of threatening to shoot up Central Maine Community College in Auburn. The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office charged 23-year-old Darren Lilly with terrorizing. Investigators arrested him Monday evening after deputies received information that Lilly allegedly made threats to the school while in possession of several guns. Officers seized the guns. Lilly posted bond and is now barred from owning guns or entering the city of Auburn. He’s scheduled back in court in September.
Puppy Mill
(Brunswick) A Brunswick couple is charged after police seized more than 40 dogs from their home in what appeared to be an unhealthy breeding operation. The Bangor Daily News reports police removed 44 dogs on Friday with severe skin infections while kept in cages stacked 3 or 4 high. Kyle and Diane Enman are charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals, and failing to give animals humanely clean conditions, proper indoor shelter, and necessary medical attention.
Child Porn Conviction
(Lincoln) A Lincoln man will spend 20 years behind bars for possessing child porn. 36-year-old Derrick Coffin was sentenced Monday in US District Court and must also pay $13-thousand-dollars in restitution. Court documents say during a probation check in March 2016 Coffin was in possession of hundreds of images on his laptop. Coffin has a prior conviction for gross sexual assault.
Firearms Charges
(Searsmont) A Searsmont man admits he provided false information when he bought two guns last year. 28-year-old Mark White pled guilty Tuesday to buying guns from licensed dealers on two separate occasions in 2017 and claiming they were for him. Investigators in Massachusetts discovered White bought the firearms for someone else. When he sentenced later White faces up to 10-years in prison and a quarter million dollar fine.
Dead Seals
(Saco) Officials say 11 seals, most of them pups, have washed up dead at southern Maine beaches. The seals were first reported Monday in Saco. Officials say the nonprofit Marine Mammals of Maine examined the seals before they were removed from the beach, but it’s unclear what caused the seals’ deaths.
Pier Renovation
(Rockland) The U.S. Department of Commerce will spend $830-thousand-dollars to renovate the Rockland Commercial Fish Pier. The project calls for repairs and upgrades to the pier, including resurfacing, stabilizing the storage areas, and upgrading the electrical system. The department’s Economic Development Administration said the renovated structure will support current needs, and future growth.
Warden Promoted
(Augusta) A game warden who’s been with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for 25-years has been promoted to Lieutenant. The Maine Warden Service announced Tuesday that Dan Menard has been selected to oversee one of 5 Warden Service divisions based in Sidney. During his career Menard has served from York County up to Aroostook County where he currently resides.
Sports
- Boston Red Sox 2 Philadelphia Phillies 1 (Brock Holt with the game winning, pinch hit home run)
- Tonight, Nathan Eovaldi will start against the Phillies.
- Red Sox continue to maintain a 10-game lead in the American League East over the Yankees.
- Portland Sea Dogs 5 Trenton Thunder 2 (10-innings)
