Blue Hill Administrator
(Blue Hill) – The Town of Blue Hill is thinking about hiring a town administrator. The Ellsworth American reports current Selectman Jim Schatz oversees the day to day operation of the town government, continuing a system that most municipalities abandoned decades ago. The other two Selectmen say they don’t have the time to spend that many hours in the town hall, and Schatz has said he may retire from elected office and move out of town. The Board of Selectmen estimates they can hire a town administrator for about $42-thousand dollars a year plus benefits, which is far less than most communities pay for a full time administrator or manager.
Accused thief missing
(Bangor) – Authorities have issued an arrest warrant after a Bangor woman accused of stealing money from a kennel failed to appear in court yesterday. WABI-TV reports 27-year old Michelle Harmon was supposed to make a court appearance in connection with her indictment for allegedly using a credit card for Green Acres Kennel to buy items for herself. She didn’t show up for court. Police are searching for her.
PETA/Fair Trade
(Gouldsboro) – The animal rights activist group PETA has filed a complaint against a Gouldsboro lobster processing company with the District Attorney’s office in Hancock County. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claims that Fair Trade Lobster has torn lobster limbs off living lobsters. The organization claims the practice violates Maine law that requires that if animals are killed, the death must be instantaneous. PETA has posted a video on its website showing what it claims is lobster torture.
Land Conservation
(Franklin) – 17-acres of shorefront land in Franklin will likely end up protected from development thanks to a huge grant to the Frenchman Bay Conservancy. The Hancock based organization says it received more than $94-thousand dollars from the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program to purchase 17-acres along Hog Bay in Franklin. The purchase will prevent development on the parcel and provide for public shorefront access. The Conservancy says it also plans to build trails on the land.
Neighbor to Neighbor
(Sullivan) The town of Sullivan is slowly and steadily working on a community-wide program that has residents looking out for one another. Age Friendly Sullivan initiated a friendly caller program which got off the ground this month. Neighbor to Neighbor coordinator Andrea Saint George-Jones says the weekly calling program is primarily aimed at Sullivan’s aging population. Those who wish to become a volunteer caller or to be put on the list to receive calls should contact the Sullivan town office for details.
Deer Investigation
(Mt Vernon) Game wardens are actively working a case in Kennebec County involving a dead deer found in a field. In October wardens responded to Bean Road in Mount Vernon where a large male whitetail deer was killed illegally and left to waste. Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to a-thousand-dollars for information leading to a conviction of those responsible.
Officer Incident Sentence
(Livermore Falls) A Livermore Falls woman who dragged a police officer with her car will spend up to 9 months in jail. 35-year-old Melissa Couture received her sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty in October. The Sun Journal reports police pulled over Couture in Jay last December and she tried to drive away, but an officer reached into her car to put it in park. Couture accelerated and dragged him about 50 feet before he fell to the ground, then led police on a high-speed chase until they caught her. Couture was charged with assault on an officer, eluding an officer, possessing heroin, and driving under the influence of drugs.
MDIFW Nomination
(Augusta) Governor-elect Janet Mills says she’ll nominate 48-year-old Judy Camuso as the next commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Camuso has worked for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for more than a decade. If confirmed, Camuso would be the first woman ever to lead the D I F & W, which is tasked with preserving, protecting and enhancing the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state.
Sports
- Phoenix Suns 111 Boston Celtics 103
- The Bruins host the Anaheim Ducks tonight
High School Basketball
Girls
Shead 66 Jonesport Beals 41
Searsport 41 Piscataquis 23
Penquis 40 Stearns 36
