RCC Director
(Hancock Cty) The search is on for a new director of the Hancock County Regional Communications Center. Last week the Hancock County Commissioners hired Charles McInnis of Old Town to fill the post, but McInnis has since rescinded his offer due to family reasons and other considerations. County administrator Scott Adkins says they’ll take their time finding a qualified candidate for the position. Interested applicants should contact the Hancock County Administrator.
Weather Watch
(Augusta) – Salt and sand trucks hit the roads early this morning as weather turned cold fast overnight, freezing up rain soaked travel lanes and creating ice. Other workers are also at it after yesterday’s storm – power company linemen, mostly in Western Maine where more than 15-thousand customers lost power overnight. Some school systems in Washington County have delayed the start of school today because of the icy road surfaces. A flood watch is posted for the state until mid-day after yesterday’s heavy rain broke up ice on rivers, creating a flood potential.
Manslaughter Indictment
(Presque Isle) A Presque Isle man appeared in court Monday to face manslaughter and aggravated assault charges in connection with the death of a Caribou man. Caribou and state police arrested 22-year-old Jon Limary over the weekend after an Aroostook County grand jury indicted him. Police say Limary injured 44-year-old Jean Bragdon during a fight in October. Bragdon died weeks later from post-surgical complications after being discharged from the hospital. Limery is held at the Aroostook County Jail.
Town Manager Fired
(Jackman) Selectmen in Jackman have fired their town manager who publicly supported white separatist views. Selectmen fired Tom Kawczynski after a closed-door executive session. He made comments bashing Islam and called for the preservation of white European heritage in northern New England. Kawczynski says he received a $30-thousand-dollar pay out not to sue the town.
Manslaughter Trial
(Rockland) – Testimony began in Rockland yesterday as a Tennessee truck driver is on trial for manslaughter after a crash two years ago killed two people. Randall Weddle is accused of driving his lumber carrying big rig while under the influence in March 2016. The crash on Route17 in the Town of Washington killed a Warren woman and an Owl’s Head man.
Fishermen Rescued
(Eastport) – A Washington County fishing boat crew picked up two men from their sinking boat in Cobscook Bay yesterday. The Born Again issued a mayday that it was sinking near Pembroke. The crew from the Alex Shea rushed to the scene and plucked the two men from the ocean, then transferred them to a Coast Guard rescue boat based in Eastport. The Coast Guard tells Star 97.7 the rescued crewmen received treatment for hypothermia.
Wire Fraud
(York) A man from Hawaii pleaded guilty to wire fraud for taking over $25-thousand-dollars in commissions from his employer that he was not entitled to. Court records say in 2014, 46-year-old Jon Cowles used interstate wires to skim the money from Maine Coast Shellfish, a lobster wholesaler in York. Cowles also caused the business to ship 50-thousand-pounds of lobster to a customer in China who’s identity is unknown, but Maine Coast Shellfish never received the $360-thousand-dollars they were owed for that transaction. Cowles faces up to 20-years in prison and a quarter-million dollar fine. He must also pay back his former employer.
Seaport Village Alarm
(Ellsworth) – Firefighters from four communities converged on Ellsworth yesterday when an alarm went off at Seaport Village nursing facility. The initial report said there was a fire in a laundry chute, but Deputy Chief Gary Saunders tells Star 97.7 it turned out to be a broken sprinkler that caused a black soot like substance to appear. The facility gathered residents in a common room, but did not evacuate them into the rain and cold.
Unemployment Rate
(Augusta) Maine’s unemployment rate fell slightly again in December. The Maine Department of Labor says the preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.0 percent in December was down 0.3 percentage points from November. It was also down from 3.8 percent a year ago.
Ferry Fare Increase
(Augusta) The Maine State Ferry Service has proposed a set of fare increases in order to offset a projected budget shortfall. The Portland Press Herald reports the largest increases would fall on non-residents with some trips increasing by $7. Transportation officials say the estimated $700,000 increase would help with the service’s projected $11 million budget.
Sports
- LA Lakers 108 Boston Celtics 107 (4th straight loss for Celtics)
- Boston Bruins 3 New Jersey Devils 2
High School Basketball
Boys
Ellsworth 56, Old Town 41
Hermon 54, Orono 30
Girls
All games postponed
