Old Town Fire
(Old Town) – Flames shot high into the air overnight in Old Town. Firefighters responded to Brunswick Street at about 1:30 this morning, finding an apartment building in a densely packed neighborhood ablaze. Help came to the scene from several other fire departments. No word on whether everyone inside the building got out safely. The fire shut down Center Street during the morning hours.
Cruise Ship Study
(Bar Harbor) – There’s little question that things get pretty congested in Bar Harbor during the summer months. The cruise ship industry has offered to pay for a study of just how jammed up things get, and why. The Mt. Desert Islander reports town officials showed some reluctance about the study, saying it likely would be biased in favor of cruise tourism. The town council passed the idea, though, by a 4-to-2 vote.
Bucksport Chase
(Winterport) – State police carted a 36-year old Massachusetts man to the Hancock County jail last night after he led them on a chase from Bucksport to Winterport. WABI-TV reports a trooper pulled over the car 36-year old Levon Johnson was driving in Bucksport. As the trooper talked with a passenger, Johnson took off. Police gave chase and it ended at the Shell Station in Winterport. Johnson faces numerous charges.
Electricity Provider Increase
(Local) If you’re an Emera Maine customer receiving standard service in the Bangor Hydro District, your electric bill is about to go up. The Maine Public Utilities Commission says new prices effective for a year begin January 1st. Maine PUC spokesman Harry Lanphear says an average residential customer could expect to see an increase of 6-and-a-half-percent in their monthly bill next year. That’s up from 7-point-2-2 cents currently. Anyone wanting to shop around for their electricity provider can find a comprehensive list of companies by going to Maine dot Gov and searching for the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Hospital Cop
(Ellsworth) Northern Lights Maine Coast Hospital hopes to hire an Ellsworth police officer to keep patients and staff safe. Police chief Glenn Moshier tells Star 97-7 that before the EPD can sign a contract to rotate officers at the hospital 40-hours per week, he must have enough staff in place. Hospital president John Ronan tells the Ellsworth American the hospital is budgeting between $70 and $80 thousand-dollars for the position.
Crack & Heroin Arrests
(Corinth) Drug agents took down an alleged crack dealer in Corinth after making two drug purchases at his home. Agents arrested 46-year-old Shawn Bowman Wednesday for Unlawful Trafficking, Aggravated Trafficking, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. Police searched Bowman’s Ledge Hill Road home and seized drugs, 2 loaded guns, and $8-thousand-dollars in cash. A man from Connecticut was also arrested during the raid.
Wal-Mart Theft Arrest
(Palmyra) A Bangor woman is charged with stealing and drug possession. 37-year-old Karey Sinclair was already on bail conditions for previous thefts at a WalMart and barred from going to any WalMart stores. But state police say on Wednesday Sinclair allegedly took nearly $900 worth of merchandise from the Palmyra WalMart. She and her alleged accomplice, 37-year-old Matthew Smullen, were located at the nearby Auto Zone. A search of their car turned up hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia. Smullen was summonsed for several offenses while Sinclair was taken to the Somerset County Jail.
Halloween Standoff Update
(Bucksport) The Bucksport man accused of creating standoff on Halloween remains in jail on $25-thousand dollars bail. Police went to the home of 57-year-old William Benjamin on Route 1 for a well-being check. When they arrived, police say Benjamin threatened to set off an explosive. He was initially arrested for reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. WABI-TV reports Benjamin appeared in court Wednesday to face additional counts including terrorizing, criminal use of explosives, and creating a police standoff.
Wreath Convoy –
(Harrington) – The annual caravan to Arlington National Cemetery that will carry a quarter million wreaths gets under way Saturday at the Quoddy Head Light in Lubec. Sunday, the Wreaths Across America event will make its first stop in Ellsworth for a ceremony at the Maine Coast Mall. US Senator Susan Collins is expected to speak. The convoy will head out from Ellsworth and then stop at Mt. View High School on its way to Washington DC. The wreath convoy event started in 1992 when Worcestor Wreath owner Morrill Worcestor donated and placed 5-thousand wreaths at Arlington.
Sports
- The U-Maine football team plays Weber State in Ogden Utah tonight in the FCS quarterfinals
- Boston Celtics 128 NY Knicks 100
- Tampa Bay Lightning 3 Boston Bruins 2
- The Red Sox have signed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to a 4-year, $68-million dollar contract. The Sox obtained Eovaldi in a trade over the summer.
- Thursday Night Football: Tennessee Titans 30 Jacksonville Jaguars 9
