Former Legislator Sentenced
(Belfast) – As he sentenced a former state lawmaker to 10-years in prison, a judge called the case the worst theft he’d ever seen. The Bangor Daily News reports 54-year old Robert Lindell of Frankfort had asked for a shorter sentence and vowed to pay back the estimated $3-million dollars he stole from two elderly widows. Lindell used the money to maintain a lavish lifestyle. Jurors convicted him last year for theft and tax evasion.
Tieman Conviction
(Augusta) – Maine’s highest court says there was plenty of evidence to convict a Fairfield man for murdering his wife. In a 12-page decision released yesterday, the State Supreme Court upheld Luc Tieman’s conviction and 55-year prison term. Tieman originally told police his wife vanished from a Wal-Mart parking lot while he was inside. He then said she died from a drug overdose and he buried her body on his parents’ property. An autopsy revealed Valerie Tieman died from gunshot wounds. Tieman’s appeal claimed prosecutors should not have been allowed to use Facebook messenger posts to a woman with whom he was having an affair.
Burglar Plea
(Rockland) – A man who admitted to more than 40-burglaries will get out of jail after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. Village Soup dot-com reports 41-year old Charles York of Portland agreed to the deal which sentenced him to 40-months in prison. He’s already been in jail for that time. The District Attorney’s office says it made the deal because the burglary and theft case against York would be difficult to prove.
Athena Layoffs
(Belfast) – About 35-people face job losses at Waldo County’s largest employer. The Bangor Daily News reports Athena Health plans to lay off a little under 4-percent of its work force at its Belfast offices. The Health Technology company employs about 900-people there. Athena recently merged with another health tech firm and said many of the jobs on the chopping block were duplicate positions with the merged company.
NLMCH Breast Care
(Ellsworth) Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital’s annual Chef’s Gala is Saturday evening to benefit breast health services at the hospital. Physical Therapist Assistant Cora Fahy works at the hospital and became a breast cancer patient in 2015. Fahy got a second opinion a Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, but she says she’s thankful she chose to undergo treatment right here in Ellsworth. Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital’s breast cancer treatment program is nationally accredited with a focus on early detection and prevention.
Jail Smuggling Arrests
(Wiscasset) Drug agents arrested 6 people allegedly involved with smuggling drugs into the Two Bridges Jail in Wiscasset. The investigation focused on 23-year-old Alexander Laurelez, an inmate who allegedly had two outsiders mail him Suboxone and LSD while he was in jail. Fellow inmate, 26-year-old Devon Leonard, allegedly coordinated with his girlfriend and Laurelez to have more drugs sent to the jail. Investigators say a third inmate, 29-year-old George Markos, also got in on the scheme. All six people involved face drug charges.
Fair Housing Law Seminar
(Ellsworth) Local landlords and property managers are encouraged to attend an upcoming Fair Housing seminar. The 3-hour workshop is conducted by the Maine Human Rights Commission, Disability Rights Maine and Pine Tree Legal Assistance, and will provide an overview of Fair Housing Law. The free seminar is Monday (4/29) from 10 ‘til 1 at the Ellsworth City Hall auditorium.
Bridge Inspection
(Deer Isle) Inspection work on the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge is set to begin on Monday. The bridge carries Route 15 over Eggemoggin Reach. The Maine Department of Transportation’s inspection work requires a lane closure with flaggers directing alternating traffic. Motorists should expect minor delays on the bridge from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM each weekday starting Monday. The inspection work is expected to be finished by May 24th.
Emera Rate Withdrawal
(Bangor) Emera Maine has withdrawn its request for a distribution rate increase. The utility requested the increase from the Public Utilities Commission on March 22nd. Three days later Emera announced they were selling the company to western Canadian firm Enmax Corporation. Emera reports that withdrawing the request for a rate increase allows the focus to be on the upcoming regulatory approval of Enmax Corporation’s acquisition.
Needle Exchange Program
(Belfast) A needle exchange program has opened in Belfast, designed to promote public safety by providing clean needles to addicts free of charge. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the program is run by nonprofit Health and Equity Alliance, and it’s overseen by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The Center for Disease Control says sharing needles is a common way to spread infections and diseases. Advocates say exchange programs give users a safe way to dispose of used needles and to obtain new, sterile needles.
FFCC Volunteers
(Ellsworth) Families First Community Center in Ellsworth is seeking volunteers to provide support and advocacy for families who are working to achieve financial stability. FFCC is a transitional home that helps homeless families with minor children in Hancock County work toward living an independent and stable life. Volunteers are needed to share life-skills with families enrolled in FFCC programs. Contact Families First Community Center for details.
Marijuana Ruling
(Augusta) Maine’s proposed rules about the sale of marijuana for recreational use would limit licenses to residents of the state for the first two years. The state released its long-awaited draft rules about the recreational marijuana program late Monday. Residents voted in favor of legalizing marijuana in 2016, but crafting the rules has been a long and sometimes contentious process. The draft rules are subject to public comment and face state approvals.
Snow Record
(Caribou) The National Weather Service reports that Caribou is mostly snow-free after setting a record for longest stretch with at least an inch of snow on the ground. Officially, Caribou had at least 1 inch of snow for 163 days from Nov. 10th through April 21st. Meteorologist Mal Walker said that shattered the old record of 155 days in the winter of 2002-2003.
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) – The Maine State Police are letting the public know the agency is continuing to investigate a case in which a woman’s body was discovered off a logging road nearly 26 years ago. Susan Hannah’s body was found in Limington in November 1993, more than a year and a half after her mother reported her missing. Hannah was 22 when she was last seen at a bar in Old Orchard Beach.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – A bill to prevent Maine public schools from using mascots and logos depicting Native Americans has passed the House. The Democratic-controlled House voted 88-49 largely along party lines Tuesday to recommend the legislation. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and several tribal leaders have said Skowhegan’s mascot harms Native Americans. Republican lawmakers argued local boards should decide such issues.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Maine is set to explicitly ban electronic cigarettes on school grounds under a Democrat’s bill that passed the House and Senate. Sen. Rebecca Millett’s bill headed to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ desk Tuesday. Tobacco producer Altria and Vapor Technology Association reported lobbying Millett’s bill.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Maine could end non-medical exemptions for routine childhood vaccines required by schools and certain health care facilities by September 2021. The House voted 78-59 on a Democrat’s bill Tuesday. Oregon and Washington are considering similar bills. Republican Rep. Heidi Sampson has said Maine is stigmatizing thousands of kids who could face removal from school.
Sports
- Boston Bruins 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 1 (Bruins win playoff 4-3, they will face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2nd round)
- The Red Sox lost both ends of a double header with the Detroit Tigers, falling 7-to-4 and 4-to-2. Chris Sale struck out 10 for the Sox in his best outing of the season thus far. Michael Chavis hit his first major league home run in the nightcap.
- The Sox take on the Tigers again tonight – Eduardo Rodriguez is on the mound for Boston.
- High School baseball and softball were rained out yesterday.
