School Threat
(Ellsworth) – Extra police presence at the two public school campuses in Ellsworth today follows a court appearance Friday of a teen-ager who claimed he wanted to become the most notorious school shooter in history. Superintendent of Schools Dan Higgins sent a letter to school parents indicating that extra uniformed police in addition to the school resource officer will be present when students return from school vacation this week. 19-year old Michael Allen is held without bail until a court hearing early next month. He allegedly posted a threat on an internet gaming site before the FBI alerted local police who arrested Allen last week.
Inn Foreclosure
(Camden) – One of the large buildings that houses an Inn in Camden goes up for auction late next month. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the Camden Harbor Inn is valued at $2-million dollars by the town. The 144-year old Inn has 20-luxury rooms and a gourmet restaurant. The current owners had to go to the state supreme court to add more rooms over neighbors objections. That court action proved to be costly, leading to the auction.
Northport Fire
(Northport) – Flames ripped through a Waldo County home yesterday, leaving it unlivable. Firefighters from Northport, Lincolnville, Belfast and Belmont responded to the scene about a mile from Route 1 on Parkinson Lane. No injuries are reported, and firefighters remained at the scene for about 3-hours putting out the flames. No word on a cause.
Keg Party Bust
(Penobscot) Twenty-six people face charges after police shut down an underage drinking party. Nearly 50 people were gathered at the keg party in Penobscot last Thursday. The Hancock County Alcohol Enforcement Team arrested the 3 men who rent the home on Dunbar Road for Furnishing a Place for Minors to Drink. Each posted bail and have been released. A 20-year-old Topsham man driving away from the party was pulled over and charged with Illegal Possession of Liquor by a Minor and may face an OUI charge. Twenty-two other people, ranging in age from 18 to 20 and most of them from Maine, are all charged with Illegal Possession of Alcohol by Minors.
Chef’s Gala
(Ellsworth) You know spring is nearing when people start talking about the Chef’s Gala. Maine Coast Memorial Hospital’s Philanthropy Officer JoAnn Brown says the theme for this year’s event is Fire and Ice. The 25th annual Chef’s Gala is April 28th at the Ellsworth Ramada Inn. Brown says only about 100 tickets are left. Volunteers are also needed. Visit: Maine Hospital dot Org for details.
Boat Collision
(Kennebunk) The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of a tugboat collision about 3-miles south of Kennebunk early Wednesday. One of the two crewmen aboard the 40-foot tugboat alerted the Coast Guard that their vessel collided with the 80-foot tugboat they were towing. The Coast Guard rescued the two men, and while towing the larger boat toward Portland it began taking on water and sank. Federal, state, and local authorities will evaluate the scene for pollution potential.
DCF Latest
(Augusta) The Criminal Justice committee will meet with Appropriations and Financial Affairs on Tuesday to hear the Governor’s plan to close county jails in Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, Piscataquis and Washington Counties. It’s not a public hearing and there is no formal bill. Representative William Tuell says his bill to fund the Downeast Correctional Facility has still not come up for another vote in the House. It’s currently tabled on unfinished business
False Claims Settlement
(Scarborough) North East Mobile Health Services of Scarborough will pay $825-thousand-dollars to settle a civil suit that they allegedly provided medically unnecessary ambulance transportation. The settlement resolves allegations that North East improperly billed Medicare for non-emergency ambulance transportation of patients discharged from Maine Medical Center starting in 2007. The Portland hospital must also pay $600-thousand-dollars for allegedly providing North East with inaccurate information about the medical necessity of transporting patients by ambulance.
Taxing the Wealthy
(Augusta) Support is growing for a Maine proposal to increase taxes on high earners to pay for home care for elderly and disabled people who need help with daily activities. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap says supporters have enough signatures from voters to get the proposal on the November 6th ballot if lawmakers do not pass it first. The campaign reported receiving a $350-thousand-dollar boost from nonprofits linked to billionaire philanthropist George Soros.
Sports
- Buffalo Sabres 4 Boston Bruins 1
- Bruins have obtained Rick Nash from the Rangers and signed Brian Gionta as the gear up for the playoffs.
- Boston Red Sox 7 Baltimore Orioles 1 (Spring training)
- U-Maine women beat Albany 74-69 in overtime to win the America East regular season championship.
High School Tournament – Northern Maine Champs
Class “A” – Hampden Boys, Hampden Girls
Class “B” – Hermon Boys, Winslow Girls
Class “C” – George Stevens Boys, Houlton Girls
Class “D” – Woodland Boys, Southern Aroostook Girls
