Budget/Shut Down
(Augusta) – Still no state budget and it’s highly likely state government will shut down after Friday until lawmakers and the Governor can come up with a spending plan. The Governor’s office tells Star 97.7 that he’s even agreed to a higher budget than first proposed, but refuses to give in to Democrat demands for education spending with no accountability. The Governor has proposed ending property tax exemptions for land trusts that hold large tracts of land, and dedicating that money toward education.
Gouldsboro Standoff
(Gouldsboro) – A 32-year old Seal Harbor man faces numerous charges after a stand-off in Gouldsboro brought heavily armed state troopers from across the state to the scene. Gouldsboro’s police chief Tyler Dunbar reports Alan Walton eventually surrendered without injury after police and fire departments shut down Main Street in Prospect Harbor for a few hours. Walton was reportedly wanted after an early morning chase on the west side of Bar Harbor. When the chief approached, Walton allegedly pulled a gun. Police arrested Walton earlier this year on a vehicle theft warrant.
Orland Shooting
(Orland) – Police briefly closed down Route 1 in Orland last evening after a shooting incident report. The state police tactical team and other officers responded to a scene near the Big Apple Store at the intersection with Route 15 and Route 1. The road reopened after officers found the shooter took their own life.
Bucksport Walkway
(Bucksport) – Town Councilors in Bucksport will use eminent domain to keep a riverfront walkway unimpeded by gates. The Ellsworth American reports the Fort Knox Park Inn threatened to put up gates after claiming guests were bothered by people using the walkway. Councilors said there was no evidence the inn was losing business and no significant number of police reports about incidents on the walkway. The eminent domain ruling would see the town pay for any lost value on the land where the river-walk runs. Town manager Susan Lessard called that a negligible amount.
Rockland City Manager
(Rockland) – The finance director for the City of Rockland will likely become the new city manager. City Councilors have offered the job to Tom Luttrell. Village Soup dot-com reports Luttrell did not apply for the post when the city advertised for a new manager last fall, so a search committee did not interview him. Luttrell beats out a Virginia man whom the search committee had recommended for the post.
Camden Finance Director
(Camden) – The Town of Camden will pay its departed finance director more than $11-thousand dollars in accrued vacation and sick time. Village Soup dot-com reports the town terminated Virginia Lindsey at the beginning of the month. Lindsey held the finance directors post during a tumultuous period that included the sudden resignation of the town manager and an audit showed massive overspending on a renovation project at the Camden Snow Bowl. Lindsey was previously the Knox County Clerk and the finance director in both Rockport and Rockland.
Killer Held
(Augusta) – Maine’s Supreme Court says a convicted killer will continue to spend his time at the Riverview Psychiatric facility. Mark Gessner suffers from multiple mental health issues that causes him to yell loudly and angrily and to slam doors. The court ruling noted that Gessner refuses to take medication or attend counseling and does not consider himself mentally ill. He was convicted in a 1995 murder and for numerous assaults on police and others since his incarceration.
Farm Tour
(Penobscot) A family in Penobscot is helping to provide local, grass-fed beef, lamb and more at their 30 acre farm. Quill’s End Farm is part of Blue Hill Heritage Trust’s “Farmland Forever” Program. Outreach director Chrissy Allen says you can join them for a tour of the Front Ridge Road property in Penobscot this Friday.
Sports
- Boston Red Sox 9 Minnesota Twins 2 (Drew Pomeranz with the win, 2 rain delays. Rick Porcello starts for the Sox tonight against the Twins). – Red Sox a game up on the Yankees in 1st place in the American League East.
- Portland Sea Dogs 2 NH Fisher Cats 1 (6-innings, rain)
- Florida wins the College Baseball World Series, sweeping LSU in the best of 3 series.
- The Celtics are reportedly trying to sign Utah’s Gordon Hayward and trade for Indiana’s Paul George when the free agent season starts Friday.
- The Knicks have parted ways with General Manager Phil Jackson.
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