Wildfires
(Washington County) – Firefighters and forest rangers were hopping in Washington County yesterday as wildfires popped up in several communities. Some of them were intentionally set, and rangers say they would appreciate any information that might lead to who set the blazes. The forest service reports that they and local fire departments contained fires in Whiting, Steuben, Dennysville, and Jonesboro. Fire danger crept up to moderate and high across the state yesterday, but should drop back to low today thanks to heavy rains.
New Jaspers
(Ellsworth) – The rumor has circulated for weeks that the former Jasper’s Restaurant on High Street in Ellsworth would become an Italian cuisine eatery. And the manager has confirmed it. Virginia Moscato says they’ll call the restaurant that is under complete renovation Primavera and serve Italian food. Moscato has started advertising for help, including cooks and wait staff. She may have her work cut out for her. Other restaurants in Ellsworth have reported severe shortages of qualified staff – one Downtown restaurant had to shut down for a couple of days this week due to a lack of help.
Falls Bridge
(Blue Hill) – A bridge the connects the road running between Brooklin and Blue Hill is in serious condition, and repairs could mean a long detour. The Ellsworth American reports town officials from both towns got a briefing this week as the Maine Department of Transportation took test borings on the Brooklin side of the bridge. The concrete structure with arches dates back to the 1920s, and engineers say some of the large stones that hold the bridge in place have shifted several inches. A work plan to replace the bridge will likely come out this summer.
Cruiser Rammed
(Lyman) – State police are looking for a 49-year old man who allegedly rammed a police cruiser then fled. Troopers say Michael Irving ditched his vehicle along an ATV trail in Lyman. Trooper David Coflesky had pulled over Irving for an inspection sticker violation and was sitting in the cruiser when Irving allegedly put his vehicle in reverse and rammed Coflesky’s vehicle, causing about a thousand dollars in damage. The trooper was not hurt. Police say Irving is a transient who hangs out in the Old Orchard Beach, Portland and Biddeford area.
Guns
(Glenburn) A Glenburn man admits he was a felon in possession of a firearm. Court records say in November 2014 police recovered a shotgun and a pistol in the attic where 31-year-old Jonathan Gardiner lived. He’s prohibited from having guns because of Maine felony convictions for burglary, aggravated assault, theft, and drug trafficking. If Gardiner is found to be an armed career criminal, he faces between 15 years to life in prison, 5-years supervised of release, and a quarter-million-dollar fine.
Crack
(Bangor) A Connecticut man admitted in court he sold heroin and crack at a residence in Hermon Maine last November. 35-year-old Luis Hernandez pled guilty to the charges in US District court Tuesday. He sold the drugs to a person working with law enforcement. Hernandez faces up to 20 years in prison, a one-million-dollar fine and at least 3 years of supervised release.
Fire by Child
(Augusta) Three families in Augusta are displaced after a 5-year-old set fire to a first floor apartment that quickly spread to the rest of the building. The Augusta Fire Department reports no one was injured but the apartment complex is a complete loss including the personal belongings inside. Mount Vernon Avenue was shut down Monday afternoon while fire crews battled the blaze. Fire officials aren’t sure if the child used matches or a lighter, but the family is undergoing counseling services to help the child through this event and provide education on fire safety.
Airport Arrests
(NYC) A Bangor man who tried to bring weapons on an airplane was arrested twice last week at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. WABI-TV reports the first arrest was Friday when TSA agents allegedly saw a gravity knife and metal knuckles in the carry-on bag of 25-year-old Michael Rios. The next day Rios tried to board a plane with an air pistol, six knives and a throwing star. He’s charged with criminal possession of a weapon.
Fake News Discussion
(Ellsworth) A gathering tonight in Ellsworth will teach people how to spot “fake news”. The Ellsworth American reports managing editor Stephen Fay will lead the discussion, along with Mt Desert Islander author and editor Earl Brechlin, and cultural historian of American news media at the University of Maine Josh Roiland. The fake news discussion is free and sponsored by the League of Women Voters Downeast. It’s 5:30 to 7 tonight at Pat’s Pizza in Ellsworth.
Job Fair
(Bar Harbor) As tourist season ramps up Downeast some businesses in Bar Harbor are looking to hire. A job fair will be held this Saturday from 10 to 4 at the Municipal Building on Cottage Street. Most of the businesses are restaurants, retail shops or tourist destinations. For more information contact the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
Drug Take-Back
(Hancock Cty) Hancock County residents are encouraged to safely dispose of any unused or expired medications during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the local event in collaboration with Ellsworth Police Department, Healthy Acadia and the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce. The service is free and anonymous. Bring your unwanted prescriptions to the Chamber on High Street in Ellsworth this Saturday between 10AM and 2PM. Other participating police departments that are also drop-off locations include Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Mt Desert, Southwest Harbor, and Gouldsboro.
Real ID Approval
(Augusta) The Maine State Senate approved a bill Tuesday to bring the state into compliance with the Federal Real ID Act. The Maine House passed the bill earlier this month. Next it goes to Governor Paul LePage who says he’ll sign the bill when it comes to his desk. The Real ID Law was passed after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. However, Maine has resisted compliance due to cost and privacy concerns. Complying with the law means the Bureau of Motor Vehicles must use facial recognition technology and also scan documents like birth certificates when issuing a Maine ID.
Sword Sentencing
(Brewer) A transient woman appeared in Bangor court via satellite link on Monday to face charges for allegedly going after her ex-boyfriend with a sword. The Bangor Daily News reports 25-year-old Christina McCarthy is not allowed in the city of Brewer except to retrieve her belongings while accompanied by police. McCarthy was arrested late Sunday night after police responded to South Main Street where she allegedly threatened her former boyfriend with a sword and cut him. Police had to use a taser to take her into custody. McCarthy’s charged with aggravated domestic violence assault, assault, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, criminal trespass, and refusing to submit to arrest. She’s out on bail and is scheduled to be back in court on June 13th.
Sports
- Red Sox & Yankees were rained out last night. They’ll try again tonight – Rick Porcello starts for Boston
- The Celtics & Bulls play game 5 of their NBA first round playoff tonight. The series is tied at 2 games each.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will retire from NASCAR racing after this season. He missed most of last season with a concussion.
High School Baseball
Ellsworth 10 MDI 0
Old Town 14 Foxcroft 4
Dexter 6 Bucksport 5
Woodland 21 Narraguagus 8
Orono 3 Houlton 2
Softball
MDI 14 Ellsworth 11
Old Town 7 Foxcroft 1
Dexter 7 Bucksport 0
Narraguagus 17 Woodland 1
Brewer 13 Messalonskee 3
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