Storm
(Ellsworth) – Schools in much of Downeast Maine are closed for the day. Winter weather advisory is up for the entire day, and by the time the snow stops early tomorrow morning, a new 8-inches will coat the road surface. Plow trucks have been out since about 3AM treating road surfaces which were covered by wet, heavy snow. Police reported no traffic problems early on, but road conditions are expected to be less than ideal.
Scallop Closure
(Gouldsboro) – The State Department of Marine Resources has closed down scallop fishing in Gouldsboro and Dyers Bay off Steuben as of yesterday. The emergency closure says the scallop population in that area was at risk for imminent depletion if fishing had continued. The season opened statewide December 1st. Depending on the populations of scallops and the harvest pressure, the season is expected to run to March, but early closures are likely in other areas.
Church Rectory Fire
(Old Town) – A Catholic Church rectory in Old Town suffered damage in a weekend fire. WABI-TV reports the fire at the Holy Family Catholic Church Rectory was reported around 9-o’clock Saturday night. It’s believed that a fireplace fire was not completely put out and spread. There is damage to the first floor and basement ceiling.
Drug Arrests
(S. Portland) – Two people from Massachusetts face drug charges after their arrest in Southern Maine. The Maine Drug Enforcement agency reports that Luis Ortiz and Tatiana Rosado of Lowell Massachusetts allegedly had more than 200-grams of heroin and fentanyl with them when the sold the drugs to an undercover agent in South Portland. Drug agents arrested both without incident at a South Portland parking lot. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of more than $39-thousand dollars.
Bodies Found
(Richmond) – An 11-year old boy discovered his mother and her boyfriend dead inside a Richmond home this weekend. State Police spokesman Steve McCausland reports to Star 97.7 that the Medical Examiner’s office will release the results of an autopsy today. Dead are 46-year old Kirk Alexander Jr. and his long-time girlfriend, 37-year old Niomi Mello. Her son ran to a nearby convenience store to seek help. He’s staying with his father.
Saco Fatal
(Saco) – A 27-year old Southern Maine man died while walking along the Maine Turnpike early Saturday morning. State Police tell Star 97.7 that Tyler Seaver of Biddeford was hit by a car and a tractor trailer truck. He died at the scene. Investigators are still trying to determine why he was walking on the highway.
BDN Artist Dies
(Bangor) –One of the finest newspaper artists in the nation has died after a battle with a blood disease. Tom Hennessey spent his entire career with the Bangor Daily News. He began his career in 1959 and retired in 1996, but kept on contributing columns and art work until 2013. Much of his art focused on the outdoors, as did his columns that appealed to sportsmen world-wide. In addition to painting for the BDN, Hennessey was commissioned to do paintings around the world. He was 81-years old when he died at his Hampden home this past weekend.
Recount Terminated
(Augusta) The recount for Maine’s Congressional District 2 race has ended at the request of candidate Bruce Poliquin. The official tabulation results show Democrat Jared Golden victorious with just over 35-hundred votes more than his opponent. Poliquin, who had requested the recount on November 26th, notified Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap of his decision to terminate the process last Friday.
New Police Officers
(Vassalboro) Maine’s 62 newest police officers have graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro. Governor Paul LePage was the guest speaker at Friday’s ceremony. The officers spent 18 weeks in study and training and most will begin patrolling immediately, just in time for Christmas and New Year’s Eve enforcement efforts. Among the graduates are Adam Bouchard and John Stanley with the Ellsworth police department, Zachery Allen with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and Timothy Cormier with Marine Patrol serving Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor.
Restaurant Crash
(Damariscotta) Diners at Crissy’s Breakfast and Coffee Bar in downtown Damariscotta suffered minor injuries when a woman crashed her car into the side of the restaurant. The Lincoln County News reports a 71-year-old Bristol woman was backing her car out of the restaurant’s parking lot Thursday when she struck the side of the building several times causing extensive damage and knocking out power to the building. The driver was not hurt but 3 patrons were treated on scene. The car is said to be a total loss.
Reynolds Press Conference
(Portland) A Central Maine toddler’s mother whose daughter disappeared 7 years ago will hold a press conference this morning with her legal team. It’s expected that Trista Reynolds will file a wrongful death lawsuit against Ayla Reynold’s father. Ayla was 20-months old the day her father, Justin DiPietro, reported her missing to police in 2011. Ayla had spent the night at DiPietro’s Waterville home with him, his then-girlfriend and other family members. Police suspect foul play, but no one’s been charged and Ayla has not been found.
Request to Withdraw Plea
ALFRED, Maine (AP) – A judge has told a Maine woman charged with killing her husband in a driveway that her request to withdraw a guilty plea could result in more prison time. Kandee Collind initially pleaded guilty to the reckless and knowing murder of Scott Weyland in August. She asked to withdraw that plea because she says she was not thinking clearly at the time she entered it.
Mills’ Hires
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Maine’s incoming Democratic governor has named a former senior White House health policy expert to head the state’s embattled health agency. Gov.-elect Janet Mills said Friday she will nominate former Obama administration staffer Jeanne Lambrew as the next commissioner of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services. The state Senate would take up the nomination of Lambrew. Mills said Friday that Maine will expand Medicaid “fairly expeditiously.”
Sports
- Pittsburgh Steelers 17 NE Patriots 10
- Buffalo Sabres 4 Boston Bruins 2
- Mens’ basketball: Duquesne 72 Maine 46
- Women’s Basketball: North Carolina State 84 Maine 46
- FCS Football Semi-Finals: Eastern Washington 50 Maine 19
High School Basketball
Boys
MDI 76 Oceanside 59
Orono 52 Winslow 41
Woodland 52 Calais 41
DI/Stonington 53 Machias 45
Girls
Ellsworth 62 George Stevens 29
DI/Stonington 63 Machias 18
Jonesport Beals 57 North Haven 27
Central 73 Lee 7
