Probate Recount
(Ellsworth) – There may be a recount in at least one race in Hancock County. Lynne Williams who finished 2nd in polling to incumbent Will Blaisdell in the Probate Judge race this week has formally requested the recount. Out of the more than 27-thousand votes cast Tuesday, Williams finished just 235-votes behind Blaisdell. The Bangor Daily News reports the recount request went out yesterday. Meanwhile, there is no final outcome yet in the write-in race for Hancock County Treasurer. Pam Linscott held a narrow lead over Matthew Boucher who both ran as write-in candidates when no one put their name on the ballot.
SW Harbor Bag Ban
(SW Harbor) – Voters in Southwest Harbor will gather next week to decide whether to ban single-use plastic bags and polystyrene foam food containers. The special town meeting is set for next Tuesday at 6:30 at the town’s fire station meeting room. Also on the town meeting warrant is a bond question to do an upgrade at a water pumping station. Several towns in Maine have banned plastic bags. It’s believed the Southwest Harbor proposed ordinances may be the first in Hancock County if the measures pass.
Rockland City Hall Theft
(Rockland) – A long-time employee in Rockland’s city finance department is accused of stealing by using the city’s credit card for personal purchases. Village Soup dot-com reports 55-year old Laurie Smith worked for more than 20-years in the finance department, but is no longer employed by the city. The fraudulent purchased allegedly started in 2016 and Smith has paid back about $2-thousand dollars. The purchases totaled more than $5-thousand dollars. The police department issued a summons earlier this week.
Ballot Tabulations
(Augusta) – For the first time in history a ranked choice recount is under way for a federal election, and it’s right here in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Neither Bruce Poliquin nor Jared Golden finished with more than 50-percent of the vote, so the Secretary of State’s office has started collecting tabulator memory sticks and ballots that machines couldn’t count. Secretary of state Matt Dunlap tells Star 97.7 he’s not sure how long a recount will take. Poliquin had a couple thousand more votes than Golden and says without ranked choice voting, he would be the winner.
Poliquin Whines
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Maine’s Republican congressman says he would’ve won his contest against a Democratic challenger under the state’s old voting system. Rep. Bruce Poliquin is in a tough fight against Democratic state Rep. Jared Golden. The election is the first in U.S. history to use a ranked style of balloting that reallocates the votes of third- and fourth-place candidates based on voters’ second choices.
Shoes & Paperwork Theft
(Rockland) A Rockland woman is accused of stealing shoes and paperwork from her neighbor, who happens to be a Rockland City Councilor. 45-year-old Angela Robbins was arrested last week on 2 felony counts of theft and 2 counts of violating release conditions. Robbins allegedly took the packages containing 2 pair of shoes and a confidential city council agenda packet on October 20th while her neighbor, councilor Amelia Magik, was out of town. A Knox County judge set Robbins’ bail at $400 and she’s due in court next month.
Rabies Clinic
(Searsmont) Pet owners in Waldo County can take advantage of a free rabies clinic this weekend. Belfast Veterinary Hospital will set up at the Searsmont Town Office on Saturday morning from 9 to 11. Pets should be on leashes or in cages. Cats and dogs from other counties are welcome at the clinic for a $7 fee.
Holiday Bonuses
FREEPORT, Maine (AP) – Citing an increase in fall sales, clothing retailer L.L. Bean has announced it is sending holiday checks to employees this year. The Portland Press Herald reports the checks will be distributed next month, and they will range from $35 to $165. Company President Stephen Smith attributes the fall uptick in sales to the company’s “Be an outsider” ad campaign and flannel.
Short-term Rentals
(Portland) Voters in South Portland have approved new rules restricting short-term rentals through services such as Air B-n-B. The Portland Press Herald reports South Portland residents approved the regulations Tuesday by a margin of about 1,000 votes. The new rules that go into effect Jan. 1st require that all short-term rentals are inspected, insured and licensed by the city.
Jury Selection
(Houlton) Jury selection began in the trial of a Massachusetts man charged in connection with a drug-related killing in northern Maine. Two of three defendants pleaded guilty to charges including felony murder and robbery. Jury selection began yesterday for the third defendant, Marcus Asante. Officials say the three traveled from Massachusetts for a drug deal. 31-year-old Douglas Morin Jr was killed in October 2016. His body was found in his vehicle in Sherman, Maine. He’d been shot twice in the back of the head.
Sports
- Boston Celtics 116 Phoenix Suns 109 – OT (Kyrie Irving scored 39, Celtics were down by 22 points and came back)
- The Celtics take on the Utah Jazz tonight.
- Vancouver Canucks 8 Boston Bruins 5
- Thursday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers 52 Carolina Panthers 21
