Drug Bust
(Ellsworth) – Drug agents had watched a Hancock Couple for several weeks, and when William Smeal and Savanna Adams went out of state this week, then came back in yesterday’s snow storm, they made their move. Police pulled a Mercedes over on High Street in Ellsworth. They found 100-grams of heroin hidden in the luxury car and a bunch of cash. Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Commander Darrell Crandall reports to Star 97.7 they also found 40-grams more at the couple’s Hancock home. Both are charged with aggravated drug trafficking.
Fatal Fire
(Dedham) – A little over a week after an Orland man died when he entered his burning house to find a dog, another Hancock County man has died doing the same thing. The State Fire Marshal’s Office reports to Star 97-7 that 76-year old Jerry Bishop of Dedham died near a doorway in his home yesterday morning. Firefighters recovered his body in the log cabin. Bishop’s wife Phyllis escaped injury. She told investigators they’d had electrical issues at the log cabin the day before. Several fire departments assisted Dedham at the scene when the fire call came in around 10-o’clock yesterday morning.
Lobster Processor
(Bucksport) – Construction is underway in Bucksport on a lobster processing plant. WABI-TV reports the building in the Buckstown Industrial Park will employ up to 50-people when it’s up and running, possibly by next summer. Stonington based Greenhead Lobster is putting up the building where workers will pull lobster meat from the shells.
Valentine’s Flowers [Courchesne = core SHANE]
(Ellsworth) Valentine’s Day is one of the leading holidays for flower sales. Bud Connection owner, Barbara Courshesne explains that the price of roses increases during the lover’s holiday because of supply and demand. Regardless of the demand, Courshesne says she tries to keep her prices fair for customers. The Bud Connection on Main Street in Ellsworth is open today from 8 AM ‘til about dinnertime.
Free Fishing Weekend
(Statewide) This Saturday and Sunday allow for free fishing across the state. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reminds folks that any person may fish without a license except those who have had their license suspended or revoked. All other rules and regulations apply, including bag and possession limits. Free fishing weekend is open to both residents and non-residents.
Former Fire Chief Dies
(Bangor) The Bangor Fire Department sadly announces the passing of former fire Chief Robert Burke. Chief Burke began his career with the Bangor Fire Department in 1965 and worked his way through the ranks over the next 25 years. He later served as fire chief in Orono then Old Town until retiring in 2000.
Teacher Assaults Student
(Waldoboro) A former teacher at Coastal Christian School in Waldoboro admits she sexually assaulted one of her students. WABI-TV reports 44-year-old Nancy Brann pled guilty to gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact. Authorities say the assault happened during the fall of 2016 after Brann had been working at the school for about 6 weeks. The school later dismissed Brann for unrelated reasons. She’s due for sentencing next month.
Cookbook Author
(Ellsworth) A local cookbook author will share her tips and offer samples of her dishes for audience members to try – The Ellsworth Public Library will host Sarah Walker Caron this Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock. Caron penned “The Super Easy 5-Ingredient Cookbook” and her new release “The One-Pot Pasta Cookbook”. Caron’s visit to the library is presented in partnership with Healthy Acadia and the National Networks of Libraries of Medicine.
Gov’t Shutdown Bill
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – A Maine legislative committee is recommending that the Legislature should pass an emergency bill that would provide financial relief for federal workers in the state impacted by future government shutdowns. The proposed bill would guarantee Maine residents employed by the federal government access to up to $15,000 in interest-free local bank loans during shutdowns longer than two weeks.
Mills Supports Transmission Line
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Maine Gov. Janet Mills is showing new support for a proposed 145-mile power transmission line. Maine Public reports Mills questioned the project during her campaign for election, saying the proposal needed to offer concrete and long-term benefits to Maine residents. Mills told the station Tuesday she is pleased with what the companies involved are offering for rate subsidies and funding for new energy technology such as electric vehicles. Central Maine Power’s planned New England Clean Energy Connect project would bring power from Quebec to southern New England. Mills says she wants to see a finalized package before passing judgment. CMP needs approval from the state Public Utilities Commission and federal authorities before it can move forward with construction.
Sports
- Boston Celtics 118 Detroit Pistons 110
- Red Sox pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training yesterday. The Sox say they expect to pick a closer from the current roster of relief pitchers after Craig Kimbrell turned down an offer.
- U-Maine women’s basketball 78 Hartford 58
- The Northern Maine High School basketball tournament gets underway at the Cross Center tomorrow with Class “B” action.
