A word to the wise:

During this New Brunswick Day long-weekend, the RCMP will conduct a number of checkstops throughout the province with a focus on the proper use of occupant restraints.

Police say approximately 90% of New Brunswickers use seat belts.

But it is the 10% who don't that accounted for 44% of those killed on New Brunswick roads so far this year.

Seat belts save lives.

The checkstops are part of the RCMP's ongoing commitment to make New Brunswick roads the safest in the country.

Calais police are investigating a burglary at the St. Croix #1 Fire House.

Police chief David Randall told WQDY NEWS Tuesday the case remains under investigation. Patrolman Greg Sawyer is handling the case.

ABOVE: Rear of the old fire house and bulkhead -WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"As far as I know we don't have any leads right now but he did find some material that was burned on the floor," the chief said.

There was also some damage done to the furnace.

It's believed the burglary happened sometime late Sunday night.

City hall officials found evidence of a burglary Monday when they went to the building to set up the polls for the school budget referendum vote Tuesday.

ABOVE: Facade of the St. Croix #1 Fire House-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"It appears that entry was made through the bulkhead through the cellar and up through. But the case is still under investigation," Randall said.

If anyone has information about the burglary, call the Calais police at 454-2752 during business hours or 454-2751 during non-business hours.

For the past several years a dedicated group of volunteers has been working hard to restore the brick structure and turn it into a fire fighting museum.

They've already got some exhibits waiting to occupy the space when it's done -- two vintage antique fire trucks, a 1917 and a 1926 Mack. 

According to a brief history of St. Croix # 1 written by Captain Dale Purton of the Calais Fire Department, the fire station was constructed after the Great Fire of 1870 when the City decided to upgrade the Fire Department. In late 1870, the City purchased two horse-drawn steam fire engines which were named the St. Croix No. 1 and Eagle No. 2.

The St. Croix No. 1 Engine was assigned to the Lowell Street Fire House and the Eagle No. 2 to the Milltown Fire House.

In 1872 Fire Chief William King reported that the Fire House on Lowell Street was in desperate need of repairs and that there was little room for apparatus and equipment. As a result, the City Council, in 1873, voted to build the fire house on Church Street.

In the summer of 1874, the fire department moved into the new building which was very modern for its time. The fire house was named the St.. Croix No. 1 because the St.Croix Steam Pumper and the St. Croix Ladder Co. had been moved to this location from Lowell Street. The fire house saw more construction in 1894 when the hose tower was added, and the name of the house changed from St. Croix No. 1 to Calais Fire Department Central Station.

In 1968, the City decided that the fire, police and public works departments had all outgrown their quarters and constructed a new public safety building on North Street to house all departments under one roof.

On April 12, 1970, the fire department moved into its new home and closed the doors to the Church Street Fire House for the final time, Purton wrote.

The St. Croix # 1 Firehouse is next door to Calais City Hall.

From 1970 to 2003, the building served as a meeting place for local senior citizens and occasional city council meetings.

The fire station was once used as a backdrop for a television commercial for the "Kodak Pocket Instamatic Camera" because it was the oldest fire house the producers could find.

ABOVE: The Delmonaco Brothers [Thomas DiCenzo] who restored the trucks have offered to house both antique fire trucks in the St. Croix #1 Fire House once the building is restored - WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO 

For more information about the St. Croix #1 Fire House, visit their Web site at  www.scfirehouse.com  [click]

Following a lengthy public hearing Monday night on the fiscal year 2011 budget, the Eastport City Council followed with a special meeting where they passed a budget that contains many cuts and reductions -- but still the tax rate will rise from $20.07 per one-thousand value to $21.69, an increase of 8.1 percent.

Facing reductions in state revenue sharing and school subsidies, the city made some drastic cuts as well.

But there are other costs that are not within Eastport's control.

One is a $47,000 increase in hydrant rental from the Passamaquoddy Water District.

Considering the 8.1 percent increase, there wasn't a large public presence on hand Monday night at Shead High School.

Just a few members of the public along with some department heads and budget committee members.

There was ample time given to the public to ask questions or comment.

"As we overcome the challenges ahead, I ask the citizens of Eastport to be mindful of the strain on resources and the balance needed and demands of what we have come to expect place pressures on the city resources. If we're to make Eastport an affordable city to live in, we must understand our services have their limits," City Manager Jon Southern told the council. 

As for school budget cuts, City Council President Bob Peacock said, "We're asking questions about the budget but it is down $656,000 from where it was. It's a very difficult thing to cut 22-percent of your budget and still educate the same number of children."

School Committee member Meg McGarvey talked about the state cutting tuition costs in Eastport.

"The State establishes the tuition rate in December and last year they cut our tuition rate by approximately $2,000 per student. So that's $160,000 out of our existing budget. We had to adapt to a change of that magnitude in the middle of the year. We have cut our costs. Our tuition rate will go down so this is that spiral. We have to change that. We have to start spending money here at the school. If we keep cutting and cutting, we're dead," McGarvey said.

"This budget is absolutely bare bones for the school," she added.

Former principal Jeanne Peacock commented, "I think that's probably the grossest unfairness I've ever heard of in education where [former superintendent] Terry Lux cut the budget by $100,000 to help the taxpayers save and we get struck with a $2,000 loss in tuition. It's so unfair."

"I don't know who'll win the governor's race but I think we should send a delegation down there to say to the governor --this has got to stop because we will lose our school. The state's helping to put the nails in the coffin," Peacock added.

Because of the AOS and putting budgets into place to meet the state law, the tax bills haven't gone out in Eastport yet and that's putting an additional squeeze on the municipality.

The city is using a line of credit to get by in the meantime because there are no tax dollars coming in..

Officials hope to get the bills out soon but in the interest of generating cash flow, they've shortened the time by a month of when interest will begin.

It was the first business day of November -- but after a vote last night, it'll be the first business day in October.   

This is a cautionary tale about what can happen to your old license plates.

Somewhere around Calais there's a red Dodge pickup truck that used to have North Carolina license plates.

It doesn't have them anymore.

But the victim in this case really isn't the victim at all.

Calais Police Officer David Claroni told WQDY NEWS they got a call from a gentleman who sold a vehicle and it still had his old North Carolina plates  attached to it.

"So the plates weren't removed when the vehicle actually changed hands and I guess the gentleman who purchased the vehicle was still riding around with the North Carolina plates attached to the truck," Claroni said.

The guy who sold his pickup truck -- in this case, the complainant, eyeballed his former vehicle -- with  HIS old plates attached -- in the IGA parking lot in Calais Saturday afternoon and called police.

"The truck was seen with a 'for sale' sign in the driver's side window and then a 'for sale' sign on a boat that was attached to the truck," Claroni said.

When police ran a computer check of the North Carolina license plate with Washington RCC dispatch, it came back to the truck's former owner -- the complainant.

"I took the plates off the truck," Claroni explained.

"Whoever had the keys to the truck must have moved it -- it's no longer there. I don't believe they realize there's no plate on it anymore," he said.

Claroni said he didn't know if people sometimes just neglect to re-register a vehicle when it changes hands but by law, technically, it's illegal attachment of plates. If you attach or keep the plates the old owner had on the vehicle, you can be cited or arrested for that.

So far the pickup truck's new owner hasn't gone to report his plates missing.

"I took the plate and it's gone to the Department of Motor Vehicles or will shortly. They'll will return it to North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles," Claroni said.

"The reason we do that is so no one can take the plate and put it on their vehicle and maybe go commit a crime and dump the plate. It's almost like an identity theft thing -- you really should dispose of your plates. Just take them back to DMV. It's a simple process -- leave them there with the people who working there and they'll take care of the rest," he said.

Asked if this incident was unusual or just routine, Claroni chuckled.

"I must be getting old. It doesn't seem that outlandish, I guess. I think sometimes, as do most people who have done this job for a length of time just shake their heads at some of the things you see."

Recalling advice from retired police chief Michael Milburn, Claroni related, "he always said you have a front row seat to the greatest show on earth and there's a lot to that."

In other words --- you can't make this stuff up!

Expensive and rare books missing, a test drive gone awry, apples with nails through them in a mailbox along with more run-of-the-mill complaints like theft, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and underage drinking dot this week's report from MSP Troop J. Here are some highlights: 

July 19:

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a complaint from a Calais woman that two women were threatening to assault her in Princeton. The pair were warned to stay away from the caller and when asked, they said that she had called them.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a theft complaint in Castine where a wood-splitter was reported stolen from a shed. A suspect is known. Investigation continues.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a criminal threatening complaint in Brooklin. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler responded to an underage party complaint in Princeton. A 16-year-old female was summonsed for illegal possession of alcohol by a juvenile, an 18-year-old woman was summonsed for illegal possession of alcohol by a minor and a 19-year-old man was later summonsed for furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol. Indian Township Police assisted.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a fraud complaint in Alexander where an unauthorized item was purchased on a credit card. The bank is handling the investigation.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a burglary complaint in Robbinston where checks were stolen from a residence. A 24-year-old Calais man was arrested for burglary, unlawful possession of cocaine and oxycontin, theft by deception and violation of conditional release. Calais Police assisted.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer summonsed a 19-year-old Alexander man on Route 9 for a minor transporting alcohol after a traffic stop.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a theft of medication complaint from Surry. The female caller was living with a man at her residence and she believed he took her medications. The man was questioned by police but denied taking the meds. Trooper Christopher Smith assisted.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a family fight complaint from Sedgwick. The female caller reported that her estranged husband had come to her residence while she was not home and damaged her bedroom door. The caller was uncooperative with a criminal investigation but Trooper Mitchell spoke to the man and warned him for his conduct.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a theft complaint from Trenton. It appeared that an employee was removing numerous electronics from nearly completed boats. The investigation continues.

July 20:

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer assisted the Washington County Sherriff’s Office in Charlotte for a suicidal subject.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer spoke with a Danforth man regarding a civil issue. and recommended that he contact the bank where he is the co-signer of his son's car loan --- that his son has not been paying.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a theft complaint from Dedham. The caller reported the theft of five older children's bicycles from the Pine Trail Road in Dedham. Investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a theft complaint from the Maine Maritime Academy. The investigation revealed the academy librarian believed to have several very expensive and rare books missing. He had learned that a subject from Bangor appeared to have the books for sale on E-bay. Trooper Greg Mitchell contacted the Bangor Police Department and discovered that they had similar incidents of books being taken from area campuses. The investigation continues.

July 21:

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a criminal mischief incident on Mill Road in Dedham. The caller reported that her husband arrived home to find several apples in the mailbox with nails through them. The apples were removed and investigation continues.

Trooper Mike Southard received a theft complaint from a Mariaville man. The caller reported that he had a 2000 Chevrolet Tracker that he had been trying to sell. Another man of the Mariaville area asked to take the vehicle for a test drive and never returned. He later contacted the caller and refused to tell him where the vehicle was. The investigation continues.

July 22:

Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi and Warden Wayde Carter responded to East Machias for a trespassing complaint and a "shots fired" complaint. Warden Carter arrested a 40-year-old Portland man for disorderly conduct. Sgt. Ingemi also arrested the man for criminal mischief after he kicked and broke a cruiser window. The combatant was also summonsed for possession of a usable amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a burglary complaint in Perry where a seasonal camp had been broken into during the winter. Several items were stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to a tractor trailer roll-over crash on Route 9 in Crawford where a bait truck had crashed causing about 61,000 pounds of bait fish to spill from the vehicle. Troopers Andrew Foss, Jason Fowler, Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Transportation and the Alexander Fire Department also assisted. The operator, Brian Wentzell, 56, of Nova Scotia, was found to not have a current duty status.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a phone harassment complaint in Edmunds.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Sullivan where a vehicle was broken into at Donnell Pond and camping gear was stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Staci Carpenter received a complaint from Lubec who reported that a 28-year-old Lubec man had intentionally rammed his ATV into a vehicle belonging to another woman. The man was located nearby and was arrested for operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor, criminal mischief, operating after suspension and violation of a protection order.

July 23:

Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi conducted a traffic stop in Machias where a 20-year-old  was summonsed for unnecessary acceleration noise, illegal transportation of liquor by a minor, and possession of a usable amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. An 18-year-old passenger, of Machias was summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a minor. Another juvenile passenger from Machias was summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a juvenile. Trooper Jason Fowler notified the juvenile's parents and his probation officer of the incident.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a criminal mischief complaint in Sedgwick where it was reported that someone had entered a rental property and turned the faucet on causing water damage. Investigation continues.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a fraud complaint in Blue Hill where person requesting US Citizenship sent money to a company with no results. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey  assisted Ellsworth Police with a large underage party complaint in Ellsworth.

Trooper Jessica Shorey responded to a crash in Otis. The operator, a 16- year-old female of Holden, was processed for an administrative OUI. She was also summonsed illegal possession of liquor by a minor.

Trooper Andrew Foss and Trooper Jason Fowler responded to a burglary complaint at the Meddybemps Post Office. Several items were stolen and the US Postal Inspector was notified. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler and Trooper Andrew Foss responded to Alexander for a large out of control party complaint. It was found that two men had a verbal argument. Everyone was warned for disorderly conduct. Baileyville Police assisted.

July 25:

Trooper Jessica Shorey responded to Eastbrook for a report that a 29-year-old man was walking around with a gun and on drugs. The man was arrested for violation of conditional release. Ellsworth Police and Hancock Sheriff's Office also responded.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted Indian Township Police with the arrest of a subject in Princeton.

An adult and two teens have been arrested by the RCMP and town police in Woodstock, New Brunswick, in connection with a rash of vehicle thefts, break and enters and thefts from vehicles in the Woodstock area over the past few weeks.

Last week, Woodstock Town Police arrested and charged 18-year-old Dylan Turner from Woodstock. In his appearance in Woodstock Provincial Court, Turner pleaded guilty to one count of theft of a vehicle.

Carleton York RCMP also arrested a 16-year-old female and a 15-year-old boy in connection with these thefts.

The 16-year-old girl, of no fixed address, appeared in Woodstock Provincial Court Monday [July 26] where she pleaded guilty to five counts of theft of a vehicle, one count of theft from a vehicle, one count of theft of a cheque and one count of breach of probation.

The 15-year-old boy was released on conditions and will appear in court at a later date.

Authorities anticipate further charges and further arrests in connection with these thefts. The investigation continues.

Over the past two weeks, District 2 RCMP, working in collaboration with the Surete du Quebec, have successfully apprehended three people from Quebec for whom arrest warrants had been issued after they left New Brunswick and failed to appear in court to face charges.

"People may be under the impression that once they leave the province, they're home free, but that is not the case," says Cpl. Jacques Cloutier.

"We will cooperate with our partners in other jurisdictions in order to make sure these individuals are brought before the courts."

According to the RCMP, 43-year-old Leonard McTear of Brigham, Quebec was apprehended and returned to New Brunswick after failing to appear in Burton Provincial Court in June 7 to face charges of possession of ecstasy and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

McTear was initially arrested and charged in New Brunswick in February of this year. Police said Friday he was being escorted back to New Brunswick for a court appearance at a later date.

And 40-year-old Quentin Hadlock of Brome Lake, Quebec was apprehended and returned to New Brunswick after having failed to appear in Burton Provincial Court in June in connection to the same investigation.

Upon his return to New Brunswick, Hadlock was released on $3,500 bail and is scheduled to appear in court August 30, to set a trial date.

Police said another 48-year-old man was apprehended for failing to appear in court to face charges related to the sexual assault of a minor. They said that suspect was being escorted back to New Brunswick by District 2 RCMP members and will be appearing in court at a later date.

Somebody is copping copper from vacant homes in the Border City and the cops in Calais want you to be vigilant.

Calais Police Sgt. Chris Donahue told WQDY NEWS Friday that they've received three complaints recently of people getting into vacant houses and stealing the copper water pipes and other pipes.

"We're asking if you have a vacant house make sure you're extra vigilant on securing it. If you live next to a vacant house please be vigilant."

"If you see anything out of the ordinary, no matter what time of day or night it is, call the Calais Police at 454-2751 so we can investigate to make sure there's nothing inappropriate going on," Donahue said.

BAILEYVILLE, Maine - An Indian Township woman was killed and three other people injured Thursday afternoon when two vehicles crashed head-on.

Jane Tinker, 62, the operator of one of the vehicles involved, died at Calais Regional Hospital after the accident.

The accident occurred on a straight stretch of Route 1 on a clear afternoon, Police Chief Shawn Donahue said, and its cause remains under investigation.

He said, however, that speed and alcohol have been ruled out as factors. Tinker was driving a 2004 Chrysler van and her passenger, Alfred Socoby, 77, also of Indian Township, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The second vehicle, a 2007 Buick sedan, was operated by Tamara Thomson, 16, of Waite. She and her passenger, her mother, Stacey Thomson, 46, also of Waite, also were taken to Calais Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Donahue said both vehicles were demolished. No one had to be extricated nor was anyone ejected in the crash.

All occupants were wearing seat belts, he said. Donahue said he was assisted at the scene of the accident by Officer Andrew Seavey, the Baileyville Fire Department, Downeast EMS and Calais Fire Department EMS.

ABOVE STORY FROM THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS

Passamaquoddy High Stakes Bingo returns to Indian Township Saturday.

Walking into the renovated high stakes bingo facility on Route 1, the first thing that hits you is that "new" smell.

One look around will confirm it.

WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Tribal Governor William Nicholas gave WQDY NEWS a tour of the place Wednesday.

As the governor pointed out the attributes of the new hall, workers scurried putting the final touches in place such as hanging the tribe's cultural Native American decor on the walls and elsewhere.

WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"It's the theme," Nicholas said. "It is what it is and that's what we want people to know -- you're coming to the reservation to play high stakes bingo, to have a different experience."

High Stakes Bingo not new at Indian Township

"We had high stakes bingo here about 18 years ago and the State Police shut it down way back," Nicholas told us. The license has been sitting there a long time.

"When I got elected in 2006, I had two local elderly people who have passed now, ask me if we were ever going to do high stakes bingo again."

Nicholas said his first priority was to make sure the tribe was in a position to be sustainable.

"Get ourselves out of debt, bring integrity back to the tribe, and be able to sustain our current infrastructure which is our tribal reservation through our tribal administration and all our businesses," he said.

"It's taken us a little over three years to do that which is pretty quick. So the plan about a year and a half ago was, along with working with trying to get a racino in Calais, Indian Township always wanted to open up their high-stakes bingo," Nicholas explained.

"Things with some of our businesses turned well, we were able to invest back into our facilities, invest back into our community. Everything here we've done and we haven't borrowed anything to do it," Nicholas said.

It's been the works a year and a half but it's come to fruition in the past five months.

Much work with licensing

"We knew we could run a high-stakes bingo but we were concerned that with the Lucky 7 machines and the bill going through the Legislature -- the Legislature always usually, 99-percent of the time passes our bills, but they would get vetoed by [Maine Governor John Baldacci]."

WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"In this case, the governor signed the bill and so once we knew that bill was signed, we were very pro-active with moving forward, working with our compact --our memorandum of understanding with the State Police," Nicholas said.

"They've inspected this building, the Fire Marshal has inspected our facilities, we're all within code, our licenses are all current. Everything that we have to do for each machine is up to date."

"We're ready to roll this weekend," Nicholas said.

Jobs created from renovations

"We hired local crews from here on the reservation. Native American-preference crews that did this whole facility."

WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"This facility is immaculate," Nicholas beamed.

And although they didn't advertise, last weekend about 75 people came and were interviewed for possible employment at the facility.

"We'll be employing 20-30 people every weekend."

"When we start saying that it's not affecting the economy, it is. We believe that if we're employing 20 or 30 people that are working in this facility who can't gamble, come Monday, when they get paid, they're not going to be able to come back into this facility and put the money back in. We want them to utilize their resources for their children, for their homes, for everything that has to do with what their lives encounter and come back next weekend and go back to work again," the governor said.

The facility is air-conditioned, smoke-free and there's a kitchen. There's a designated area under cover for smokers as well.

"There's nothing like this in Washington County," Nicholas said. The closest one is the Penobscot Nation High Stakes Bingo.

As for the long term?

"If we fill this at 500 this weekend that's great. But if we bring in 200 or 250 we've just accomplished something." Advertising will bring more, word of mouth to the communities will bring more.

"We're taking Canadian money at par," Nicholas said.

We're trying to reach out not just to our neighbors around in the surrounding communities and the counties in Maine, but to the people in Canada -- New Brunswick -- other provinces and saying we have something here that we want to offer.

Building an economic base

"We want to be able to draw buses in from the provinces of Canada and anywhere else, have them stay in Calais -- feed that economy. People that are going to be there for the weekend are going to go to the downtown. We're going to utilize those facilities and everything that we've done here in this facility has been local," Nicholas said.

WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"We just want people to know that we're here," Governor Nicholas said.

The company hoping to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Calais is now working to find a new financial backer now that the original partner has bailed out.

Calais LNG hopes to find a new financial backer to replace Goldman Sachs within three weeks.

In a letter to state regulators Wednesday, Calais LNG wrote to BEP chairwoman Susan Lessard that "GS Power Holdings, LLC, the managing member of Calais LNG, is in the process of selling its interest in the project to a new financial partner for Calais LNG unrelated to GS Power Holdings, LLC."

"In the event that the transaction noted above does not close by August 11, 2010, Calais LNG would expect to withdraw all Calais LNG applications filed with the Maine Board of Environmental Protection," wrote company attorney David Van Slyke.

After a positive upward tick for the company early last week with Calais  officials things have gone downhill ever since.

On Monday July 12, Calais LNG won unanimous approval from the Calais Planning Board for the terminal's site plan in the Red Beach section of the city.

ABOVE: Calais LNG rep Mike Lane tries to respond to local resident Jesse Owens' question- "who is Calais LNG?" during July 12 Calais Planning Board meeting- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

But the next day, attorney David B. Van Slyke sent a letter to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection requesting "postponement of the hearings on Calais LNG's pending applications currently scheduled for July 19-23."

The company said they needed more time to provide information to the board and the Department of Environmental Protection.

Then on July 14, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection reluctantly granted Calais LNG's request that the public hearings be postponed until after Sept. 1.

The company has proposed to build a $1-billion terminal, a 20.5-mile natural gas pipeline, a pier and two storage tanks along the St. Croix River opposite the Canadian port of Bayside.

The Goldman Sachs connection had been a much-touted talking point at various local meetings and on Calais LNG's web site.

"In the Calais LNG project, Goldman Sachs sees an opportunity to invest in a project that will supply much-needed, cost-effective, cleaner natural gas to areas including Maine, New Hampshire, and Boston where there is growing demand for natural gas and a shortage of supply," the web site states.

The Washington County Council of Governments (WCCOG) has obtained a $42,385.00 Solid Waste Management Grant from the Rural Utilities Service of the USDA.

Judy East, WCCOG's executive director said they'll be working with residents, transfer station managers and municipalities to develop programs to permanently increase recycling rates in Washington County.

East said they will work with the same partners to organize up to three collections of household hazardous waste, universal waste and pharmaceutical waste.

Funds will not start until the new federal fiscal year in October, 2010. In the mean time WCCOG staff members are getting the word out. 

While recycling rates are reasonably high in some parts of Washinton County, there is significant room for improvement.

"Boosting recycling rates is a cost saving strategy," says Jeremy Gabrielson, senior planner with WCCOG.

"We're not operating small municipal dumps anymore. Our trash gets shipped away for disposal. Even aside from the market value of bulk recyclables, if we can reduce our waste stream county wide, our communities save on trucking and disposal fees." 

Many factors contribute to Washington County's variable recycling rate. WCCOG will work with transfer station managers to identify new opportunities.

"When we submitted this grant, we asked transfer station managers what their issues were," says Gabrielson. "Do we have the right equipment to handle recyclables and move them efficiently to market? Are there opportunities for us to improve recycling by partnering with the private sector?" 

WCCOG staff will work with regional transfer stations to work on solutions for storage, containment, compaction, shipping and markets for the sorted recyclable materials, and assist in securing funds for facilities to support financially sustainable recycling programs. 

A second part of the USDA Solid Waste Management Grant addresses disposal of household hazardous waste, universal waste, and unused pharmaceutical products.

"Disposal of these products present challenges to rural residential households," says East.

Household hazardous waste includes such leftovers as paints, pesticides, cleaning solvents, and motor oil.  Even in small quantities, these items require special disposal methods to avoid creating health and safety hazards for residents and sanitation workers. 

Universal waste describes widely generated wastes that do not present significant hazards in the small quantities generated by a single household, but nonetheless present a cumulative hazard to public health and the environment.

Examples include electronic waste (TV sets, audio equipment, computer components, etc.), some types of batteries, and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

A new State of Maine law restricts the disposal of universal waste to keep these toxic substances from accumulating in conventional landfills.

Leftover pharmaceuticals present both poisoning hazards and security risks to the prescribed users, as the theft of prescription medicines is an unfortunate current reality.

The most common disposal methods for pharmaceutical waste - flushing unused supplies down the toilet or disposing of them in landfills - can lead to surface and groundwater contamination. 

Sanitation workers can also be injured or infected by improperly disposed syringes and medical cleansing solutions. 

WCCOG organized the first regional household hazardous waste collection in 2005. The program collected over 325 units of household hazardous waste and received a lot of positive public feedback.

However, the total cost of planning and conducting the pilot program was so high that WCCOG has not been able to offer any repeat collections.

"The USDA grant allows us to organize another, expanded collection, says East, and a Maine-based firm is now available to bid on the collection so we hope to realize significant savings over the 2005 collection," says East. 

As in 2005, WCCOG will work with communities to develop a fair and manageable cost-sharing formula to encourage local governments to participate in up to three collections for household hazardous waste, universal waste and pharmaceutical waste in the summer of 2011. Residents from non-participating municipalities will also be able to dispose of their HHW/UW and pharmaceutical wastes by paying a per-item fee.

The Washington County Council of Governments (WCCOG) is a non-profit municipal membership organization that provides a wide range of land use planning services to its member communities in Downeast Maine.

WCCOG is exclusively owned and operated by its member communities, County government, the Unorganized Territories and local development groups. 

In their efforts to ensure that any future AMBER Alerts in New Brunswick reach as many people as possible, Facebook users can now sign up to receive New Brunswick AMBER Alerts directly to their News Feeds.

AMBER Alert is a partnership between media and law enforcement to provide the public with information which may help in locating an abducted child. In the event of an AMBER Alert in New Brunswick, information will be sent out via Facebook at the same time as it is distributed to media outlets.

Although other individuals have set up various AMBER Alert Pages on Facebook, this marks the first time law enforcement agencies responsible for sending out actual AMBER Alerts have launched an official Page in consultation with Facebook. 

The AMBER Alert program was launched in New Brunswick in 2003. To date, it has never been activated.

The launch of the New Brunswick AMBER Alert Page is the result of cooperation between the New Brunswick Chiefs of Police Association, the RCMP, Facebook, the Child Safety Research and Innovation Centre and WiredSafety.org (a member of Facebook’s Safety Advisory Board).

To learn more about the AMBER Alert program in New Brunswick, visit the RCMP’s information site: AMBER Alert [click]

You may be able to help save a child’s life. Like the Page now to receive the alerts.  [click]

Three people were injured Tuesday morning in a crash in Calais.

Calais Police Officer Bob Fitzsimmons told WQDY NEWS that a man had pulled over to use his cell phone -- a "recommended practice."

"But when he pulled back into traffic he just used his mirrors --he didn't look over his shoulder and he missed the van that was in his blind spot, pulled over and caused a collision on Main Street," Fitzsimmons said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CALAIS POLICE DEPARTMENT

All three people suffered injuries. "Seat belt injuries which fortunately they were wearing. [There were] abrasions due to the airbag." Fitzsimmons said drivers need to look over their shoulders to check traffic.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CALAIS POLICE DEPARTMENT 

"Traffic is light in the morning on Main Street but you never know who's going to be there if you're not careful."

"The people in this crash weren't injured too badly and it could have turned out worse than it was. Thankfully, everybody's okay," Fitzsimmons said.

The crash happened at the intersection of Calais Ave. and Main Street. Calais Fire Rescue also responded.

Construction has begun on the Route 1 gateway project - the largest financial highway undertaking in New Brunswick history.

Ofiicials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday in St. George.

Transportation Minister Denis Landry said the provincial government promised to complete Route 1 as a four-lane highway.

"This new infrastructure between Waweig and Lepreau, along with other major upgrades, will help create 900 new jobs and, more importantly, will save lives and improve the flow of people and goods along this key trade corridor between Atlantic Canada and New England."

The provincial government is investing $370 million, while the federal government is contributing $210 million through various federal-provincial highway agreements.

"Our government is pleased to join the Government of New Brunswick in breaking ground for this important project," said New Brunswick Southwest MP Greg Thompson. 

"Route 1 is a key infrastructure priority for us, and this work will help to save lives, reduce injuries and improve access and traffic flow at New Brunswick's key land border crossing with the United States," Thompson said.

SCHOOL BUDGET VALIDATION REFERENDUM ELECTION

The polls for the City of Calais, School Budget Validation Referendum Election to be held at the St. Croix #1 Fire Station at 9 Church Street, on Tuesday, July 27th will be open at 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. only.

Another active week for Troop J, Maine State Police. Here are some of the highlights from the Weekly Report:

July 12:

Trooper Daniel Ryan arrested a 25-year-old woman in Blue Hill for possession of stolen property after she as found to be in possession of stolen license plates on a vehicle she was operating. The case originated in Ellsworth.

Trooper Greg Mitchell responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence in Otis. A neighbor reported hearing a male and a female screaming at each other.

Trooper Greg Mitchell located a local woman in the area who denied any issues occurring at her residence. No male subject was located.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a theft complaint in Township 10 where a kayak was reportedly stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Mariaville where tools were reportedly stolen from a shed. Investigation continues.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer arrested a 28-year-old Indian Township man for violating conditions of release after receiving a call from Indian Township Police that he was intoxicated laying at the pumps at the Circle K in Princeton.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a call in Princeton that two males were fighting. The two males involved were located and refused to press charges but changed their mind a couple days later. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler and Trooper John Matthews assisted the Washington County Sheriff's Office with a tractor trailer rollover crash on Route 6 in Topsfield.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a burglary in Township 3 where several tools were reported stolen. Investigation continues.

July 13:

Trooper Christopher Smith received a telephone harassment complaint in Addison. A local man reported receiving harassing calls to his cellular phone. Investigation continues.

Trooper Christopher Smith received a telephone harassment complaint in Cherryfield. As a result a local female was warned for harassment.

July 14:

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a harassment complaint in Orland where a local man reported an intoxicated male was harassing him. A 47-year-old man was located in the area and placed under arrest for operating under the influence.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer investigated a criminal mischief/theft complaint in Princeton where a street sign had been stolen and a mailbox had been shot. Investigation continues.

Trooper Mike Southard and Trooper Dave Barnard responded to an assault complaint in Trenton. As a result, a 22-year-old man was arrested for assault.

Trooper Mike Southard received a theft complaint in Eastbrook where a generator had been reportedly stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer handled a harassment complaint in Robbinston involving two families. Both families were warned not to harass each other.

Trooper Greg Roy received a complaint in Sedgwick of a suicidal subject. The subject was taken into custody without incident and transported to EMMC for an evaluation.

Trooper Greg Roy received a burglary in Blue Hill where the door of a residence had been forced open. There did not appear to be anything missing from the residence. Investigation continues.

Trooper Daniel Ryan responded to a family fight complaint in Penobscot involving a local man and woman. The two were separated for the night. Some marijuana was also seized and MDEA was advised. Charges are pending for the drugs.

Trooper Andrew Foss handled a family fight complaint in Northfield involving two females. The two were separated for the evening. The Washington County Sheriff's Office assisted and DHHS was notified.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a 44-year-old man for driving to endanger in Alexander after a traffic complaint was reported about him.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a criminal trespass complaint in Baring where a local woman was warned to stay off another local woman's property.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted Machias Police in Whitneyville with a Level III Inspection during a traffic stop of a tractor trailer. Commercial Vehicle violations were noted.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a juvenile in Pembroke for transportation of liquor by a juvenile. His parents were also notified of the incident.

July 17:

Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to a report of a possible family fight in Tremont. The complainant reported that he could hear a woman screaming at his neighbor's residence. The female at the residence had recently had back surgery and screamed out in pain when she tried to move.

Sgt. Alden Bustard investigated a report of a male subject who was intoxicated on the beach at Georges Pond in Franklin. The 38-year-old suspect from Franklin was located as he was leaving the area and was arrested for OUI and transported to the Hancock County jail.

Sgt. Alden Bustard received a theft complaint in Eastbrook where a small wooden statue of a bear had been taken from the top of the sign outside the school. The investigation continues.

Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to a family fight complaint in Hancock. The dispute was verbal in nature and the two were separated for the night.

Trooper Andrew Foss assisted Troop A with an interview of a Forgery suspect.

Trooper Foss summonsed a 43-year-old man with forgery (Class C).

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted the Maine Warden Service with an injured deer in Waite.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed DBA Cilley's Construction in Princeton for allowing the operation of an unregistered motor vehicle over 150 days.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted Baileyville Police with a felony arrest of receiving stolen property, violation of bail and violation of probation in Baileyville.

July 18:

Trooper Andrew Foss assisted Washington County Sheriff's Office with a domestic assault in Machiasport.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer responded to a family fight in Topsfield. This was found to be verbal only in nature.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a 46-year-old man in Ellsworth for criminal speed. (70 in a 35).

Dalhousie RCMP didn't just get their man Monday.

They got two men and a woman who were in the process of breaking into a home when the Mounties arrived.

All three are from Dalhousie.

They'll be in Campbellton on Tuesday -- for their appearance in provincial court.

Refuge Manager Bill Kolodnicki encourages the public to take advantage of recreational opportunities available at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge this summer.

Blueberries are ripening earlier than usual this year and some are already for picking. The Refuge manages certain areas of the refuge for blueberry production for consumption by wildlife and humans alike through periodic prescribed burning.

Two of these fields are conveniently located just a short 300-yard walk or bike ride behind the Refuge headquarters office. Blueberry picking on the Refuge is by hand only -- the use of blueberry rakes is prohibited to be fair to the animals and to avoid depletion of the blueberry resource.

Visitors are encouraged to take only what they need and limited to two quarts per person per day. Remember, bears and other wildlife are also fond of blueberries and may be observed throughout the Refuge, especially in the early morning and late evening hours.

Free van tours of the Refuge will be available on Tuesday evenings through the summer. The van departs from the refuge office at 6 PM Tuesdays. Space is limited so please call the refuge office at 454-7161 between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday thru Friday to make reservations.

The Refuge is open to visitors daily from sunrise to sunset. Camping and fires are prohibited except at Cobscook Bay State Park [which is part of the Refuge]. Littering and distrurbing wildlife or plants is prohibited throughout the refuge.

For additional information on blueberry picking, van tours, fishing, and other opportunities at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, call (207)-454-7161 or visit the headquarters, located off the Charlotte Road, about 3 miles south of Route 1.

Online visit: www.fws.gov/northeast/moosehorn/  [click]

RCMP say a man was killed Sunday after a collision on Highway 105 in White's Cove, New Brunswick.

According to police, the crash occurred when an eastbound motorcycle operated by 61-year-old Arthur Larry Corey of White's Cove collided with the rear end of a pickup truck and skidded into oncoming traffic, colliding with two westbound motorcycles.

Corey died at the scene and the driver of one of the other motorcycles sustained minor injuries.

The crash happened shortly after noontime Sunday.

The RCMP said alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the collision and their investigation continues.

RCMP say a man died early Monday when his pickup truck collided with a moose on the Trans-Canada highway outside of Perth-Andover, New Brunswick.

The crash killed 42-year-old Arthur Versloot of Keswick Ridge.

Two other passengers in the truck were not seriously injured.    

Maine's Bureau of Highway Safety says thirteen people have lost their lives in traffic crashes so far this month.

The latest victim is a 76-year-old woman killed last Thursday when the car she was a passenger in crossed the center line and collided with a van. That crash closed Route 111 in Arundel for several hours.

Four people died last weekend in fatal crashes in Baileyville, Mechanic Falls, Saco and along the Maine Turnpike in York.

The Bureau says four people were killed over the three day July 4th weekend, which equals the death toll from the holiday weekend the year before.

During 2009, the deadliest month on Maine roads was July with 24 deaths. July and August are also the busiest months because of the influx of vacationers.

So far this year, 71 highway deaths have been reported, compared to 76 deaths reported in the same period in 2009.

COLLISIONS INVOLVING MOOSE

Included in the recent highway deaths was the state's second fatality of the year involving a moose. State Police say a car with three New Brunswick residents slammed into the animal on the turnpike in York the night of July 10. A passenger in the front seat was killed and the driver suffered serious head injuries. Troopers said the animal was standing in the middle of the southbound lanes when the Volkswagen Jetta struck it about 11:20 p.m.

The other moose related death took place on Interstate 295 in Topsham in April. Maine averages over 600 collisions each year with moose and many result in serious injury.

NEVER USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS TO START A FIRE

A Connecticut man was burned earlier this month when he poured gasoline on an outdoor fire in Wells. The State Fire Marshal's Office said Allan Zullo, 37, of Kensington suffered first and second degree burns and was transported to Maine Medical Center by ambulance.

Investigators said the fire department responded to a large brush pile fire on Littlefield Road and after the fire was put out, they learned that Zullo had been injured.

Fire Marshals say each summer, a handful of people are burned trying to light outdoor or camp fires with flammable liquids. The incident took place on July 3.

DISTRACTED DRIVER

State Police cited a Gardiner man earlier this month with distracted driving after his Toyota Camry slammed into guard rails on Route 27 in Pittston.

Trooper Jason Madore said 30-year-old Bradford Christopher's car crashed after he reached into his backseat to move a power tool. Christopher was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with back injuries. Madore cited Christopher with failing to maintain control of a motor vehicle. The crash occurred on July 8.

The Port of Eastport is having a major cow this weekend -- as about 500 cows will be exported through the port. 

It could be the start of something new --it's already something big.

It almost didn't happen but thanks to some major intervention by Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins along with Congressman Mike Michaud,  the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s [USDA] Animal Plant Health Inspection Service [APHIS] approved a shipment of 500 cattle from Eastport.

A Texas-based company's request to utilize Eastport as a special port of embarkation for 500 dairy heifers to Turkey had been in limbo due to bureaucratic challenges relating to port and livestock inspections.

The country of Turkey is interested in buying approximately 8,000 dairy heifers from the United States.

Over the last 18 months, dairy farmers across the country have operated at a loss and many have lost their farms and animals due to current economic conditions.

This initial shipment of 500 includes cattle from over 30 small dairies from Maine, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Turkey's regulations require that animals be exported only from "bluetongue disease free" states like Maine.

At this time, however, the only approved port meeting these requirements is Wilmington, Delaware.

According to APHIS, the federal agency responsible for certifying ports and inspecting livestock for exportation to ensure animal welfare, arranging the logistics for inspecting a new port usually takes several weeks.

However, given the exporter's need to ship the cattle by July 18, the delegation worked closely with USDA to send additional APHIS staff to Maine to ensure the port, inspection facility, containers, and vessel are inspected appropriately.

If USDA-APHIS identifies any problems during the inspections, they will have to reassess the situation. 

In addition to helping with this initial shipment, the congressional delegation has successfully urged APHIS to initiate the process for long-term certification of the Port of Eastport  as a livestock exportation facility.

"We appreciate USDA working with us to help the exporter and the Eastport Port Authority expedite the exportation process for this shipment," said the delegation. "At a time when the dairy industry has been in crisis, the exportation of dairy heifers provides them with important economic support. Maine and other states can take advantage of a tremendous export opportunity to Turkey, but this market is limited because of the very specific export regulations to Turkey.

Opening the Port of Eastport for the exportation of cattle would be very beneficial to Washington County, and we are hopeful that additional shipments can help more of our dairy farmers in the future." 

When the Texas-based exporter ran into logistical issues with the APHIS certification process, Chris Gardner, Executive Director of the Eastport Port Authority, suggested that the company contact the congressional delegation for assistance. 

"Everyone at the Port of Eastport is extremely thankful to the federal delegation for their assistance in this matter. When the issue came to light we knew instinctively that our delegation could, and most importantly would, help as they have on many occasions in the past. From our local Senator Kevin Raye all the way to the federal delegation, everyone was very responsive. Within thirty-six hours of reaching out to them we had resolution and it is without a doubt that without their help, these permitting issues would not have been able to be overcome,” said Gardner.

"This could be a tremendous opportunity for not only the Port of Eastport and Washington County, but for the entire state," Gardner continued. 

"It has the potential to be a new industry here in Maine that centers on some of our oldest industries like farming and shipping. We remain focused on building upon the success of this initial shipment and anticipate more in the foreseeable future."  

The United States and Canadian Coast Guards have signed an annex to the Canadian/United States Atlantic (CANUSLANT) Joint Marine Pollution Contingency Plan.

The Atlantic Geographic Annex covers the Atlantic marine boundary between Canada and the United States, defines the CANUSLANT Joint Response Team, and is regularly tested and improved in an ongoing series of CANUSLANT exercises.

Its purpose is to augment and link the pollution response systems and plans in each nation to facilitate an efficient joint response to a cross-border spill.

Rear Admiral Daniel Neptun, commander First Coast Guard District, and Ms. Nancy Hurlburt, assistant commissioner maritimes region, Canadian Coast Guard, signed the annex which allows both nations to work seamlessly in the event of the pollution incident in the boundary waters of Canada and the United States.

The annex was signed June 29.

Two Ontario residents have been charged by the RCMP in New Brunswick in connection with a marijuana grow op.

The pair appeared Friday in Fredericton Provincial Court, charged with production of marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, and theft of electricity.

Both have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in Fredericton provincial court on Monday.

The charges stem from an investigation led by the RCMP which resulted in the dismantling of two sizeable grow operations: one in Zionville, N.B., and one in McGivney, N.B.

A total of 1,667 plants were seized in Zionville, where plants were being grown both indoors and outdoors. In McGivney, 236 indoor plants were seized.

Taken together, this much marijuana could have potentially produced nearly one million marijuana joints, police said.

The investigation continues.

Pleasant Point Housing Authority will receive a combined $852,236 in grant funding as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Indian Housing Block Grant Program.

The funds will be used to support a variety of affordable housing programs, according to an announcement Thursday by U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

"This grant funding will greatly benefit our Passamaquoddy community by supporting safe and affordable housing," said Senators Snowe and Collins. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds private housing developments to assist in housing opportunities for low income residents.

Indian Housing Block Grants (IHBGs) can be used for a variety of eligible affordable housing activities, including operating assistance, development of affordable housing (whether new construction, acquisition, modernization, or rehabilitation of rental or owner-occupied housing), housing services, housing management for low-income housing, crime prevention or model activities.

The Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program for Indian Tribes and Alaskan Native Villages is a competitive assistance program, the primary purpose of which is the development of viable Native American communities, including decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.

It's been an interesting couple of days for the company that wants to build a $1-billion liquefied natural gas terminal in Calais.

On Monday night, Calais LNG's project manager Ian Emery was elated at the unanimous okay given by the city's planning board to the company's site plan for an liquefied natural gas import terminal in the city's Red Beach section.

"For five years the city of Calais has been steadfast in their support for the Calais LNG project. Tonight, the city and its planning board and its officials have really sent a message to the State of Maine, and to people of the United States and the folks in the LNG business around the world that Calais LNG is open for business," Emery told local reporters after the meeting. 

Emery said the company was ready for the public hearings next week.

"Our next milestone will be with the BEP hearings next week. We look forward to completing their process and having a decision made," he added.

What a difference not quite 24 hours makes.

On Tuesday, Calais LNG attorney David B. Van Slyke sent a letter  requesting that the Board of Environmental Protection "postpone the hearings on Calais LNG's pending applications that is currently scheduled for July 19-23."

The company said they needed more time to provide information to the board and the Department of Environmental Protection.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection had granted Calais LNG's wish that next week's public hearings be postponed until after Sept. 1.

As word of the postponement spread Wednesday, postcards from Calais LNG were landing in local mailboxes. 

Above: Postcard sent to area residents from Calais LNG-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

The company has proposed building a $1-billion terminal, a 20.5-mile natural gas pipeline, a pier and two storage tanks at a site in Calais' Red Beach section. 

A new date for the public hearings has yet to be set.

The automated scam calls purporting to be from Machias Savings Bank's Security Department are starting all over again.

IT'S NOT MACHIAS SAVINGS BANK!!

The calls are being received by people who aren't even customers of the bank.

A few of those calls were received at WQDY and WCRQ on Tuesday and we were able to record some of the audio of the automated female and male voice and the routine it goes through to try to STEAL your personal information -- if you let it.

We'll be running that audio on all eight of our local newscasts on Wednesday so you can hear the scam call and the line they hand you.

WQDY-WALZ local newscasts air at 5:30, 6:30, following ABC News at 7:05 & 8:05 and 11:30 AM. Then at 12:30, 4:30 and 5:30 PM [Eastern Time].

Budget cuts forced Calais city officials to eliminate local police dispatch and turn the chore over to the county.

Two weeks ago, local dispatchers signed-off after many years of service to the city and the Washington County Regional Communications Center in Machias added the city of Calais to the many communities they provide dispatch services for.

Above: Sign at Calais PD for what to do after hours. Silver call box [left] connects to the RCC. Police officers still work the streets of Calais but their dispatchers are in Machias-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

On Tuesday, Calais Police Chief David Randall said he was very happy with the way things are going. "The folks at the RCC are doing a great job. I've been listening to the scanner 24-7 just to see if there's any issues that we need to work out," Randall said.

Larry Hayward of Washington RCC is doing a great job, the chief said. "It's not just about Larry or me," Randall said.

"It's about our people finding a way to work together and they're really comfortable calling up and telling the officer -- if you do it this way, it'll be easier for us and vice-versa and I think that the communication between not just the supervisors but the guys on the street and the guys behind the radios at the RCC are making a big difference."

"I hear them doing status checks on them -- we're getting really good service, I have no complaints."

"The crew over there at the RCC is doing a great job and my guys are really working with them," Randall said.

The chief said he hasn't had any complaints from any citizens yet about the new set up at the department.

"I think people realize there had to be some major changes because of the budget and I think they're understanding that there are [now] business hours, calling during the day and talking with Marcia Hayward, our Administrative Assistant," Randall said.

The Calais Planning Board gave their approval Monday night to the site plan proposed by Calais LNG.

The action came following a public hearing that was held at Unobskey College in downtown Calais.

Company representatives gave a quick overview of the project as it pertained to the planning board and then the public had their turn.

There were questions, comments and statements from members of the public.

Here are some:

Neil Lane, executive director of the St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce said he was "representing the businesses of the St. Croix Valley to express our overwhelming support of the Calais LNG project."

"I fully support this project," stated Calais resident, Tom Webster.

Above: Tom Webster favors Calais LNG-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"As it stands right now we have absolutely nothing in the future for Calais except doom and gloom. Calais, since before any person in this room was born, was a shipping lane. There's always been ships for years down the St. Croix River. They brought No.6 oil to the Woodland mill, brought fuel oil to Dead River, they've got rock and stone going from St. Andrews every day -- now the Canadian government's going to build another bigger nuclear power plant -- and I'm sure they won't be over here asking us for permission to do it, they'll just go ahead and do it," Webster said.

Not everyone was in favor of the Calais LNG proposal.

Jesse Owens of Calais said he was opposed.

Above: Jesse Owens opposes Calais LNG-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

 "I'm from Calais, I live on Main Street and I've lived here 12 years and I've retired here because it's such a nice retirement town and I want this to stay this way."

Melody Greene of Calais asked about trucks.

"At one point in the application plan, it talks about how the gas will be delivered through a 36-inch pipe or locally delivered [by trucks]," Greene said. "Basically, what I want to know is -- if you don't get approval for the pipeline, does that mean that gas from those, possibly two tankers a week -- is going to be loaded onto trucks and delivered all over the place?" Greene asked.

Mike Lane of Calais LNG responded, "The facility has been designed to accomodate outgoing deliveries by truck so that the gas comes in by tanker, is vaporized, and can be shipped out by truck or pipeline. If for some reason we don't get permits or approvals for the pipeline, I can assure you that this facility will not be built. They're not going to deliver a supertanker of LNG via 18-wheeler."

Dan Spear of Calais questioned comments that the city should concentrate on tourism and forget LNG. "I fully support this project. As for tourism, it doesn't work. It doesn't do anything for this area. That heritage center -- the taxpayers spent how many dollars on that? What happened to it," Spear asked.

Cheryl Smith became emotional in her opposition.

"If this company comes into the area, there should be a way to downsize and get away from it so that it becomes less and less an impact in our world. Think about what this will do for our future, think about it!" Smith said.

 Another audience member asked Smith if she lived in Calais.

"No, I don't," Smith replied as Chair Robert Bailey jumped in to regain order.

Raising her voice, Smith continued, "No, but I see those boats pass my house on Passamaquoddy Bay!" "I just came up here to retire and I've told my son -- come here, it's beautiful and I want my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have the beauty of this place, not a cheap fix," Smith said as she started for the door.

"Don't forget solar and wind power," Owens shouted out.

"I want my kids to have jobs too, lady," an unidentified man hollered at Smith as she left the meeting.

Following public comment, many people who spoke in opposition left the meeting.

The assorted public comment brought up issues that did not necessarily fall under the planning board's purview.

Issues included concern over financial stability over Calais LNG, spin-off industries, safety, environmental, competition, and importing employees from outside the area.

Above-Planning Board members Richard Ramsey and Bill Barnett- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Planning Board Member Bill Barnett said the issue of importing employees from outside the area was really not a planning board issue.

He said he would hope as many jobs as possible would come from Calais. "But I, myself, have no problem with high-paid people from away moving here and spending their dollars here."

Richard Ramsey, also a member of the board said, "a lot of thought went into the board's decision. "I support this wholeheartedly. You have to weigh the benefits and I think a lot of people that remain sitting here tonight have weighed the benefits and said life is a gamble. Life also isn't fair. Sometimes you've got to take that gamble and I'm glad a lot of people are and I'm glad Calais LNG has decided to venture a project in our area. But we looked at from a whole different view. Not from a business aspect, but what's right for the use of the land in the city of Calais," Ramsey said.

The Calais Planning Board isn't the first such board locally to give approval for an LNG project.

Back in 2006, the Robbinston Planning Board put its stamp of approval on Downeast LNGs proposal at Mill Cove.

Both Calais LNG and Downeast LNG face numerous hurdles in the permitting process from state and federal agencies as well as continued opposition from Canada.

St. Stephen area residents had their first look at a planned satellite dialysis unit for the Charlotte County Hospital Tuesday.

The floor plans were unveiled at the hospital by Health Minister Mary Schryer and officials from the Horizon Health Network.

The unit will feature five hemodialysis stations operating 12 hours per day, three days a week, with a capacity to serve 10 patients. The construction contract was awarded to Avondale Construction Ltd.

The unit is expected to be in operation in early 2011. The unit will include five patient treatment stations and all required support spaces such as soiled and clean utility rooms, patient washroom, staff washroom, supplies storage room, bio-medical room to test and repair dialysis machines and a room to house the central reverse osmosis water purification system.

Schryer said the unit will enable area residents to obtain dialysis treatment closer to home. Currently, many travel to the Saint John Regional Hospital for this procedure.

Donald J. Peters, president and chief executive officer, Horizon Health Network, said this expansion is a major contributor to providing accessible health care for patients and their families.

"The satellite dialysis service was a high patient-care priority for our organization," he said. "This service means that patients will no longer have to travel outside of their local area to receive the care they require."

The provincial government is investing close to $1.4 million in capital and operating funds to establish the unit. The Charlotte County Hospital Foundation has contributed $350,000 for new equipment.

"The Charlotte County Hospital Foundation is thrilled to have assisted with the establishment of a satellite dialysis unit in St. Stephen," said Steven Backman, president, Charlotte County Hospital Foundation.

"This new unit is truly terrific news for the hospital and the residents of Charlotte County," Backman said.

Two charges of luring a child over the Internet were laid Tuesday against 65-year-old William Atkins of Welsford, New Brunswick.

The RCMP said the charges stem from an ongoing investigation initiated by the Halifax Regional Police Department into a man allegedly attempting to lure a child over the Internet.

On April 14, 2010, a search warrant was executed at the man's home by the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit. Computer and electronic equipment was seized at the time.

Atkins has a September provincial court date in Hampton to enter his plea.

Some highlights of incidents covered by MSP Troop J over the past week:

July 5:

Trooper Staci Carpenter responded to Pembroke after a woman reported that her purse had been taken from her vehicle. Investigation continues. Trooper Jessica Shorey assisted the Hancock Sheriff's Office in Verona with the search for a suicidal female.

July 6:

Trooper Greg Mitchell and Trooper Christopher Smith responded to Penobscot for a reported family fight. The investigation revealed this was verbal only in nature. However, a 41-year-old woman was arrested for a violation of bail conditions and possession of schedule Y drugs.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a report of a missing juvenile from the town of Blue Hill. The juvenile was located a friend's residence a short distance away. MPO Rustin Ames assisted.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Sullivan were several items were reported to have been stolen from a rental property. A suspect is known. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey responded to a family fight complaint in Hancock. This was found to be verbal only in nature and both parties were intoxicated. They were separated for the night.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a criminal mischief complaint in Township 16 where an Excavator was damaged on July 4th. Investigation continues.

Trooper Andy Foss handled a criminal mischief complaint in Charlotte where damage was done to construction equipment during the weekend. Evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

July 7:

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a theft complaint in Lamoine where magazines were reportedly stolen from a mailbox. Investigation continues.

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a theft complaint in Trenton where signs and banners have been reportedly stolen from a local business. Investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a disorderly conduct complaint in Stonington where a female stated that after a verbal argument with a male, the male threw the contents of her drink at her window and got her wet. The female was uncooperative with a criminal investigation.

Trooper Jessica Shorey assisted Bar Harbor PD with a traffic complaint where she warned an operator in Trenton for making bad passes.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a theft complaint in Wesley where a water pump was reported stolen. Evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

July 8:

Trooper Cliff Peterson responded to a report of a burglary in Hancock. A 29-year-old man was arrested for Burglary, Theft and Criminal Mischief.

Trooper Christopher Smith responded to Sullivan for a well being check. As a result a local woman was transported voluntarily to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital for an evaluation by her son.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a theft complaint in Franklin where a water pump was stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy received a theft complaint in Surry where money was stolen from a purse that was left in a vehicle. Investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy received an assault complaint referred by the Bangor Police Department. The Bangor Police Department had a juvenile female who was reporting being assaulted by a 49-year-old in Orland. The person was located the following day and summonsed for assault.

Trooper Michael Johnston assisted. Trooper Greg Roy responded to Surry to a report of a noise complaint. A 17-year-old male was charged with illegal possession of liquor by a juvenile and released to a family member.

July 9:

Sgt. Tim Varney summonsed a 23-year-old Hancock man for possession of marijuana after a traffic stop on Rt. 1 in Hancock.

Trooper Greg Mitchell investigated a criminal trespass complaint received in Orland. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 46-year-old Stockton Springs man for violation of bail and possession of oxycodone.

Trooper Mike Southard and Trooper Cliff Peterson responded to a report of someone throwing a beer bottle out the window of a moving vehicle on Route 1 in Orland. The beer bottle struck the front of another vehicle that was traveling southbound. The operator of the vehicle that had been struck turned and followed the suspect car until it was intercepted on the Bucksport Road. A 33-year-old man was arrested for criminal mischief.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a theft complaint in Columbia Falls where a propane cannon was reported stolen from a blueberry field and was used to scare away birds and deer from damaging the blueberry crop. Investigation continues.

July 10:

Trooper Jason Fowler arrested a 40-year-old man in Perry for violation of conditional release after he was found to be in possession of alcohol. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi assisted.

July 11:

Trooper Dan Ryan handled an assault complaint in Deer Isle involving two local males. The Maine Warden Service and Hancock Sheriff's Office assisted. Investigation continues.

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a well-being check complaint in Blue Hill where it was reported that a local woman had left a note for her husband that caused him concern. She returned home later in the evening and appeared to be of sound mind.

Trooper Dan Ryan handled an assault complaint in Stonington where local man reported a local woman assaulted him. He did not wish to pursue charges and just wanted it reported.

Trooper Miles Carpenter assisted Machias Police Department with a bail violation complaint.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted Calais PD with an armed robbery complaint in Calais. He collected evidence at the scene and assisted the Maine Warden Service with a K-9 track.

Trooper Jason Fowler responded to an assault complaint in Codyville. A 31-year-old man was arrested for assault. Border Patrol assisted.

Trooper Jason Fowler responded to Baileyville for a report of a suicidal woman that had tried to run into traffic and later threatened to jump from a 2nd floor window of a residence. Trooper Fowler located her and transported her to the Calais Regional Hospital where she went voluntarily. She later left the hospital and later met up with Trooper Fowler and was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center at her request. Troopers Fowler, Vittum and the Calais Police assisted.

Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP said a man was killed late Sunday night after his vehicle collided with a moose.

The crash happened on Highway 7, near Welsford, New Brunswick.

According to police, the driver was a 66-year-old Fredericton man. He died at the scene.

Two passengers were transported to the hospital, one with minor injuries and the other with serious injuries.

All occupants were wearing seatbelts and alcohol is not believed a factor in the collision. The road was wet at the time of the collision.

Police are releasing the victim's pending notification of next of kin.

Calais Police are investigating an armed robbery at a fast food business in the city over the weekend.

Details are very few but Calais Police Chief David Randall did confirm to WQDY NEWS Monday that a man entered Burger King at about 11:30 Saturday night brandishing a weapon and demanding money.

One employee was transported to Calais Regional Hospital but no details were available.

Trooper Jason Fowler of the Maine State Police assisted in collecting evidence. The Maine Warden Service assisted with a K-9 track.

No other info is being released.

Sgt. Chris Donahue is heading up the investigation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will present its multi-family housing Site Manager of the Year award to Brenda Donaghy at an award celebration Tuesday.

Donaghey is the site manager for a 90-unit Multi-Family Housing property in Calais.

The awards panel selected Donaghy not only because she met all the criteria, but also for her above and beyond assistance to the tenants.

Each year, every state selects a "Site Manager of the Year," who has met or exceeded the following criteria: Tenant satisfaction, property has curb appeal, manager has no incidents of noncompliance with regulations, no unresolved findings, and the manager has consistently does more than expected.

Nominations are sent in by tenants, borrowers and community members. The nominations are reviewed and a selection is made in every state.

The award will be presented Tuesday July 13 at the Calais Methodist Homes, Inc's annual picnic.  

NOAA invites the community to visit and tour the NOAA navigational survey boat, which will be docked in Lubec, from 1-5 PM on Saturday, August 7.

Join the crew at the floating docks at the boat launching ramp, and see the multibeam sonar instrumentation they use to survey the seafloor.

ABOVE: Some of the equipment onboard NOAA's navigational survey boat- WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO

The NOAA Coast Survey navigation response team has been surveying near-coastal water and bays surrounding Eastport and Lubec since the beginning of June, acquiring hydrographic data used to update NOAA's nautical charts.

Visitors will be able to see examples of the processed bathymetry that NOAA will use to update charts that are available free to other commercial mariners, and the public.

Above: NOAA's SeaArk- WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO

Charts are available at  www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov  [click] NOAA's Office of Coast Survey is committed to improving marine safety, using the latest scientific and technical advancements to support mariners and coastal communities.

Elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP, also known as red tide poisoning) have caused many areas of the coastline to be closed to commercial harvesting for some shellfish.

According to the Maine CDC and the Department of Marine Resources there have been especially high levels recently detected in the Downeast area of the state and they remind Mainers and tourists of recommendations for the safe consumption of shellfish.

Important steps people can take to thoroughly and safely enjoy Maine shellfish include:

Purchase shellfish from a certified shellfish dealer. Their operations undergo rigorous public health screening and auditing. If harvesting for personal use, make sure the shellfish beds are not closed for red tide.

Check the Department of Marine Resources website for the latest information on closed areas:

www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/public_health/closures/pspclosures.htm

Do not consume clams or mussels floating in ocean waters. They are likely to have filtered much more algae-containing water than those from flats or beds, and therefore will usually have much higher concentrations of toxin. When eating lobster, do not eat the tomalley. It is important to note that testing has shown lobster meat is safe to eat. Tomalley is the soft, green substance found in the body cavity of the lobster and functions as the liver. Much like the liver of other animals, the tomalley serves as a natural filter for contaminants that are in the water.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is a marine biotoxin that is associated with certain types of algae blooms in coastal waters. Bivalve shellfish such as clams, mussels, oysters, and quahogs filter water and eat the toxic algae from the water.

High concentrations of the toxin in these types of shellfish can then cause serious illness or even death if eaten by humans. Although it had been about 30 years since the last report of Mainers with red tide poisoning, the state has seen three serious but non-fatal incidents in the past three years (one each in 2007, 2008, and 2009), involving a total of eight people.

All three incidents involved people from Downeast Maine consuming mussels harvested for personal use, and one involved mussels growing off from a rope or barrel floating in the ocean in areas closed for shellfish harvesting because of red tide.

Symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning usually include tingling of the tongue, lips, and throat that begin within minutes to 10 hours (usually within 2 hours) of eating shellfish. This tingling may spread to other areas of the body such as the face, neck, and arms. Symptoms can also include headache or nausea, and can progress to weakness, difficulty breathing, and choking. It is important that people with these symptoms seek medical care immediately.

Shellfish that may be unsafe: Clams (soft shell, hard shell, surf, or hen); Mussels; Oysters (both American and European); Quahogs; Snails; and Whelks.

Fish that are usually safe (please call the Poison Center to check, this list is not all-inclusive): Crab (meat, not whole crabs); Lobster (but not the tomalley); Scallop meats; Shrimp; and Finfish. Maine Department of Marine Resources Red Tide Closures: www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/public_health/closures/pspclosures.htm

Governor John Baldacci will be participating in the 102nd Annual Meeting of the National Governors Association followed by the 34th Conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.

Both events are being held in Massachusetts.

The National Governors Association meeting in Boston begins Friday and continues through Sunday.

Featured prominently at the Conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers is the issue of energy security, efficiency and supporting the development of renewable energy to benefit the region.  Many presenters at the day-long meeting are from Maine, which the Governor said is not surprising given Maine's aggressive pursuit of energy independence.

Ambassadorial representation from the two countries will also be present at the meeting to discuss the relationship to discuss the U.S. and Canada relationship.

In addition to the larger conference objectives, the Governor is expected to sign two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).

On Monday, Gov. Baldacci and Premier Darrell Dexter of Nova Scotia will sign an MOU to work cooperatively on renewable ocean electricity generation. The MOU calls for Maine and Nova Scotia to share information on renewable electricity with a focus on ocean tidal energy and offshore wind energy and explore opportunities to bring together tidal energy academics, researchers, policy makers and private sector developers from the two jurisdictions. 

The Governor will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Premier Shawn Graham of New Brunswick to establish a Maine-New Brunswick Cultural Initiative. The MOU recognizes the strong and deep historical, cultural and artistic ties between Maine and New Brunswick and calls for further exploration of collaborative cross-border cultural projects, as well as business and cultural trade opportunities.

The RCMP have recovered the body of a Saint John, New Brunswick man following an extensive search in the South Oromocto Lake area. 

According to the RCMP, 54-year-old James "Soney" Whitenect was reported missing by a family member who discovered a 14 ft. aluminum boat, unmanned, with the motor still running on South Oromocto Lake around 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

The body of the victim was recovered shortly before noon Friday.

The RCMP say a 65-year-old Welsford man is scheduled to appear in Hampton Provincial Court next Tuesday to answer to two charges of luring over the Internet.

The charges stem from an ongoing investigation initiated by the Halifax Regional Police Department into a man allegedly attempting to lure a child over the Internet. According to police, a search warrant was executed at the man's home in April by the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit.

Authorities seized computer and electronic equipment.

The ICE Unit was assisted in the investigation by the District 3 RCMP and the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre.

A city councilor in Eastport claims that US Customs and Border Protection officials denied entry to "several hundred" motorcycle enthusiasts on July 4th.

CBP's response: "It never happened."

Eastport city officials told WQDY NEWS on Wednesday that Councilor John Miller's e-mail to dozens of media outlets in New England, New Brunswick and even the White House did NOT represent the city or council. 

In his e-mail, Miller claimed that "several hundred bikers were turned back at border on 4th of July."

Miller was referring to the annual Atlanticade event in St. Andrews, New Brunswick over the Canada Day holiday last weekend that attracted over "5,000 participants."

Quoting the e-mail, "On the last day the last day (July 4th) an invitation had been issued by the people of Eastport for the riders to make their last run to our Island City and enjoy the Independence Day Celebration that has become the biggest and best in Maine," Miller wrote. 

"Sadly, only a handful made it here. Most of them by ferry. Councilman Bob Peacock spoke to several including a doctor and a pilot for Air Canada."

"We were informed this morning [Tuesday] that Customs and Border Patrol turned back several hundred that attempted to make the visit saying they did not have proper credentials. This is a story that needs some gumshoeing by a real investigative reporter." 

The e-mail was signed, "John Miller, Member Eastport City Council."

After receipt of Miller's e-mail Tuesday, WQDY NEWS contacted Ted Woo, Public Affairs Liaison for US Customs and Border Protection in Boston and asked him to respond to Miller's allegations.

"During the July 4th weekend there were not hundreds of bikers that were turned away at ports of entry in Maine. It never happened, Woo said.

As to Miller's statement  in the e-mail where he said, "We were informed this morning that Customs and Border Patrol turned back several hundred that attempted to make the visit saying they did not have proper credentials," Woo responded tersely, "That's not true."

There are the tighter rules that now apply to enter or re-enter the United States.

"People that are entering the United States are required to be Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative compliant documents but during the July 4th weekend there were not hundreds of  bikers that were turned away attempted to cross the borders into Maine. It just didn't happen," Woo told us by telephone.

Woo told us late Tuesday afternoon "extensive follow-up and review by CBP officials [re: Miller's e-mail] has turned up nothing as far as large quantities of -- not just bikers -- but anybody that's been turned away."

Eastport City Council President Robert Peacock and City Manager Jon Southern were unavailable for comment Tuesday when Miller sent his e-mail out far and wide. 

They were on hand for the departure of the U.S.S. DeWert, the Navy ship that had visited Eastport for the July 4th celebration.

But it was clear when they were reached for comment that Miller's opinions were his own and in no way was Miller speaking for the city or its council.

City Manager Jon Southern told WQDY NEWS Wednesday morning he thought the July 4th celebrations had gone very well.

"We've had an excellent relationship with all of the surrounding local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. We can't thank them enough for their professionalism. They kept the ship safe, the sailors safe and the people that came to the celebration. We thank them sincerely for everything they've done for us from the efforts of the Marine Patrol, the Border Patrol. They were invaluable. It was greatly appreciated," Southern told us.

In an e-mail, Council President Robert Peacock told WQDY NEWS, "at least 4 bikes made it over."

"[They were] VERY expensive bikes. They came by ferry. I talked with 2 - a Doctor and a pilot," Peacock said.

"They loved Eastport." 

Streets in Milltown, New Brunswick reopened to traffic at about 1 PM Atlantic time Tuesday after a natural gas leak Tuesday morning.

RCMP Corporal Jon Nagy told WQDY NEWS the leak was caused when  a construction company crew struck a 2-inch natural gas line.

Gas company technicians responded to the scene, took care of the situation and the streets were re-opened.

RCMP had restricted traffic on Riverside Avenue off Milltown Boulevard as well as Murchie and Pleasant Street to create a 90-meter exclusion zone. Authorities notified and evacuated residents around the affected area as a safety precaution.

Cpl. Nagy said the incident did not affect the Milltown Border Crossing at all. 

The Calais Recreation Department announces North American Soccer will be doing a week long soccer camp in Calais the week of August 9-13. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the experts. The camp needs at least 12-campers to attend and the program runs M-F from 9-12 PM at the DiCenzo Athletic Complex. The program is open to anyone ages 6-14. Please register as soon as possible at the Calais City Hall. Any questions,  call John Rogers at 214-8792.

The U.S. Postal Service Tuesday announced plans to seek approval for a wide array of rate increases, filing its request with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

In response, Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement on the USPS proposal: "As the principal author of the 2006 postal reform act, I am disappointed that the Postal Service is seeking rate increases that far exceed the rate of inflation, averaging between four and six percent and for one class of mail as high as 23 percent. Only when the Postal Service can demonstrate 'exceptional or extraordinary circumstance' does the law allow for rate increases that exceed the rate of inflation. The Postal Service cites as one factor justifying the exigent rate case 'continued movement toward electronic alternatives' despite that trend being neither unexpected nor extraordinary.

"The Postal Service's proposal could actually worsen the erosion in its customer base. Raising the rate for catalogs by more than five percent will cause some businesses to reduce their mailings of catalogs and to direct more of their customers to websites for information about their products. The Postal Service's plans to hike rates so substantially as well as to cut services may well produce a death spiral of fewer customers and ever declining volume, exactly the wrong direction," Collins said.

Here are some of the highlights from MSP Troop J's Weekly Report:

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a camp burglary in Otis. Several items were stolen. Evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter and Trooper Andrew Foss responded to Perry for a family fight complaint where a 16-year-old female was out of control. Upon arrival she had calmed down and had been upset about being grounded for consuming alcohol the previous night.

Trooper Greg Roy received a noise complaint in Eastbrook. He arrived on scene and located three minors inside drinking. Two juveniles were charged with possession of liquor by a juvenile and an 18-year-old man was arrested for furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol.

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a well-being check in Blue Hill where a woman was reported to possibly be suicidal. She was located and found to be intoxicated but was not threatening to harm herself or others.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a suspicious complaint in Dedham where a juvenile got unusual text messages the previous night. A friend then reported that she saw someone standing outside near their residence. The investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a burglary complaint in Township 4 where a camp was broken into and an outboard motor was stolen. Evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted the Washington County Sheriff's Department with a harassment complaint in Waite. Trooper Andrew Foss assisted the Washington County Sheriff's Office as an Evidence Response Team member by processing several camp burglaries for evidence.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated the theft of a Bangor Hydro electric meter from Franklin. The owner of the property from Holden reported the incident. A suspect has been identified and interviewed. Investigation continues.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a burglary at in Eastbrook where a small safe was stolen. Evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a 54-year-old man in Lubec for unlawful possession of Schedule Y Drugs.

Trooper Greg Roy received a vandalism complaint regarding fresh graffiti at the Patten Pond Boat Landing in Surry. Investigation continues.

Sgt. Alden Bustard and Trooper Greg Roy responded to Trenton for a report of an assault where a 47-year-old man was arrested for assault.

Trooper Kim Sawyer received a theft complaint from in Danforth where a boat motor was reported stolen.

Trooper Greg Mitchell investigated a personal injury accident in Brooklin. Albert Smith, 72, of Brooklin was operating his 2004 Volvo SUV on the Reach Rd in Brooklin. A 12 year-old female from Belmont, Massachusetts attempted to cross the roadway in the path of Smith and was struck and injured. She was flown by helicopter from the scene to the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. She is currently listed in "stable" condition. Alcohol and speed do not appear to be a factor in the incident.

Trooper Michael Southard responded to the intersection of Lake Road and Golding Road in Perry for an automobile crash. Nicholas Ampungan, 18, of Eastport drove through the intersection and hit a guide wire from a utility pole. A 19-year-old passenger, Matthew Butler of Eastport was summonsed for possession of alcohol by consumption. Ampungan was transported to the Calais Hospital for his injuries. Pleasant Point Police Department assisted with the call and were first on scene. Calais Police Department assisted with the investigation and initiated a blood kit drawn on Ampungan. Further charges are expected.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a burglary in Milbridge. A 26-year-old Milbridge man was arrested for burglary and violation of conditions of release.

Sgt. Tim Varney investigated a single vehicle accident on Route 9 in Amherst. As a result, Mitchell Sullivan, 35, of Whitefield was arrested and charged with OUI, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to report accident by quickest means.

Trooper Greg Burns investigated a harassment complaint in Jonesport where two local women were warned for harassment.

Trooper Greg Burns assisted the Washington County Sheriff's Office with an assault complaint in Milbridge. Trooper Greg Roy responded to a personal injury motor vehicle crash on Route 1 in Hancock. The crash was a head on collision between a car and a motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was seriously injured and Life Flight transported the victim to Eastern Maine Medical Center. The driver of the car, Patrick Bellis, 25, was arrested for aggravated operating under the influence and transported to the Hancock Jail. Trooper Shorey and the Hancock County Sheriff's Department assisted in the crash.

Trooper Greg Burns investigated a theft of tools from a barn in Pembroke. Evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

Trooper Mike Southard and Trooper Greg Roy responded to Amherst for a Car vs Pedestrian crash. Levi Moores, 29, of Bangor struck Jimmy Nga of Oakland, California. Nga was jogging in the eastbound lane when Moores struck him. The crash is being reconstructed by Trooper Jessica Shorey who was assisted by Lt. Pat Kane of the Hancock County Sheriffs Department. Moores was transported by Life Flight Helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center with internal injuries. Nga was transported by ambulance to Eastern Maine with a severely broken leg and a skull fracture. Neither Moores nor Nga's injuries are believed to be life threatening.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed Christopher Troiani, 27, for failing to give notice of accident by quickest means. The summons stemmed from an investigation into a personal injury accident in which Troiani was injured and left the scene. He was also summonsed for a seatbelt violation.

Sights from Eastport's 4th of July!

Tom McLaughlin - WQDY NEWS PHOTOS

Eastport City Manager Jon Southern

doing double duty at Key Street and 

County Road during the parade.

And then the Fireworks! They just

kept going and going and...

To learn more about the Eastport 4th 

of July Committee and how you can 

help, visit http://www.eastport4th.com 

District 1 RCMP are alerting drivers and urging all users of the highways in Charlotte County to be extra vigilant over the next several days, as heavier than usual volumes of traffic are expected during the Atlanticade 2010 motorcycle festival taking place in the area from June 30 to July 4.

Events associated with Atlanticade 2010, while based in St. Andrews, will be taking place throughout Charlotte County and the City of Saint John and are expected to draw large numbers of motorcycle enthusiasts from the Atlantic Provinces and New England.

Organizers are preparing for the participation of several thousand riders over the four day festival, that will be culminating on Sunday afternoon, July 4, in a massed group ride of all participants from St. Andrews to the St. Stephen waterfront.

"We are urging all motorists to use extra care and to be prepared for the possibility of occasional delays," says Sgt. Greg MacAvoy of the District 1 Charlotte and the Isles RCMP.

"It is hoped that with some patience by all and courtesy toward other road users, everyone will safely enjoy this festival as well as the various Canada Day and Fourth of July celebrations taking place over the next few days."

The RCMP will have additional personnel on duty during this week and will also be supplemented by members of the Saint John and Rothesay Regional Police Departments

Today marks the final shift for local police dispatch in Calais.

Citing financial pressures, the city council decided earlier this year to eliminate local police dispatch and have the Regional Communications Center [RCC] in Machias add Calais to the other fire and police frequencies they handle around Washington County.

Scanner buffs will notice after 6 PM Wednesday that the dispatcher voice on the Calais PD repeater will be coming from the RCC in Machias.

Budget cuts this year resulted in the elimination of the department's K-9 and now local dispatch.

A public service announcement about the changes with the loss of local dispatch has been airing regularly on WQDY-WALZ and our sister station WCRQ for the past few months.

"We've checked everything, double checked it and triple-checked it. I think we're good to go," Chief David Randall told WQDY NEWS on Tuesday.

"I don't suspect that anybody will notice the difference in police service. As I've been saying in the PSAs, there's been a change with the phone system. We have business hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and we will have an administrative assistant, Marcia Hayward and I think we're good," Randall said.

There may be eight million stories in the Naked City and there are probably that many stories in the time of local dispatch.

Incidents from deadly serious to downright ridiculous.

Of the latter, it was early one Sunday morning in May of 1999, when a couple from out of state saw what they thought was an injured cat on the side of Route 1 in the Magurrewock area.

They picked it up and put it in the back seat of their car and drove it to the police station.

Back then the station was configured differently -- there was a little foyer and that's where they put the "cat."

The dispatcher on duty looked through the door and informed the couple that it wasn't an injured housecat -- it was in fact, a bobcat -- and it started to revive at that point and was bouncing off the windows.

The dispatcher called the animal control control officer, the couple left,  relieved about their sense of timing but not their judgement.

Shortly after that incident, Calais police received an offer of help in the form of a fax from another law enforcement agency in the event of further such incidents.

To our knowledge, there have been no repeats -- at least not like that one.

Chief David Randall could say exactly how long there has been a dispatch at the department.

"It might have been here before I was born. I was born in 1965. I've seen pictures of not this dispatch but dispatch itself from the 70's," Randall said.

"Before they had the dispatcher, they had a dispatch set-up and two officers would work. One officer would come in and dispatch and the other officer would work the road," the chief explained.

"Back in the day when you didn't have the laws and regulations -- if the other officer had to go, I think the fire department watched it. But that just wasn't possible now -- they're busy with the ambulance -- but I think that's the way it used to be, back in the day."

"That was back when the officers actually were responsible for going down to Main Street and locking all the front doors so that was quite a while ago." 

"I guess they used to walk down both sides of the street -- I can't picture retired chief Milburn walking that far, but they tell me that's what used to happen. That was before my time," Randall said.

But this is a salute to the many dispatchers who have worked in Calais over the years as an era ends here in the Border City.

Restaurant owners in New Brunswick are being warned about a telephone scam currently targeting the province.

The RCMP says someone claiming to be a health inspector is calling restaurants to set up an appointment for an inspection. The caller is asking the restaurants to provide detailed personal and business information.

Health inspectors in New Brunswick do not regularly schedule inspections with restaurants and will not ask for detailed personal or business information over the phone. They also always carry identification.

This "health inspector" scam is widespread -- it's been reported in several jurisdictions across North America.

RCMP say if any restaurant owner has received such a call they should contact PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501 or www.phonebusters.com

Anticipating increased boating traffic for the Canada Day long weekend, the RCMP will be on waterways throughout New Brunswick ensuring boaters are obeying the law.

In particular, people will notice an increase in police activity on the water in the St. Andrews area due to the large number of boaters anticipated in the area for the holiday.

"Alcohol consumption and people not wearing life-jackets continue to be the most common cause of fatalities and serious injuries on the water," says Corporal Tony Vienneau of the Atlantic Region Integrated Border Enforcement Team.

"Boaters are also reminded that anyone who operates a pleasure craft of any size fitted with a motor must carry proof of competency."

For more information about boating safety or Operator Competency, please visit: www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm

Highlughts from the Troop J Weekly Report:

Trooper Staci Carpenter, Trooper Dan Ryan and Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to a family fight in Addison. The dispute was verbal in nature and the parties were separated for the night.

Trooper Staci Carpenter investigated a telephone harassment complaint in Dennysville. The caller reported that she had been receiving harassing calls from a woman in Aroostook County. The caller was warned for telephone harassment.

Trooper Kim Sawyer investigated a theft complaint in Danforth. The caller reported that someone stole his chainsaw sometime the previous night. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Mitchell investigated a pair of vandalism complaints in Deer Isle. In one incident, the caller reported that someone had thrown rocks through his car windows (windshield, the driver's side window and the rear window). The driver's side of the vehicle had been spray painted with silver metallic paint. The paint was used to create the image of male genitalia. A similar rendering was sprayed on the side of a residence.

Trooper Greg Mitchell investigated an identity theft complaint in Blue Hill. The investigation disclosed that an elderly woman had received a scam telephone call. The woman provided the caller with her full name, date of birth and her social security number. The trooper provided the complainant with directions on how to access the State of Maine Attorney General's website that has a guide for identity theft. Trooper Mitchell also met with the woman to discuss the incident.

Trooper Greg Mitchell and Trooper David Barnard responded to a domestic dispute at a residence in Tremont. No criminal conduct was discovered and the parties were warned for their conduct. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office assisted at the scene.

Trooper Greg Mitchell arrested a 22-year-old Franklin man for violation of bail. The man was discovered to be intoxicated at a residence in Surry.

Trooper Cliff Peterson investigated a theft complaint in Sullivan. The caller reported that approximately twelve firearms belonging to her deceased husband had been taken from his residence which has been vacant for several years. The investigation continues.

Sgt. Alden Bustard summonsed a 37-year-old Machiasport man for operating a motorcycle without a driver’s license on Route 92 in Machiasport.

Trooper Christopher Smith, Sgt. Tim Varney and Trooper Andy Foss responded to a report of a suicidal female in Franklin. The female was taken into custody and transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for an evaluation.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted the Baileyville Police Department investigating and processing a burglary crime scene on the Houlton Road.

Trooper Greg Roy investigated a theft complaint in Blue Hill. The caller reported that she had been swimming at Curtis Cove the previous day and left her wallet in her vehicle which was not locked. Approximately two hundred dollars had been taken from her wallet while she was swimming. The investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler investigated a complaint of a violation of a protection order in Dennysville. Further investigation revealed there was no violation of the protection order.

Trooper Barry Curtis and Sgt. Tim Varney responded to Addison for a report of a suicide. It was discovered that victim had died at his residence from a self inflicted gun shot wound to the head.

Trooper Dave Barnard received a theft complaint in Eastbrook. The caller reported that someone had taken drip edge from the Eastbrook Grange Hall.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted CID reviewing video pertaining to the triple homicide in Amity.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a criminal mischief complaint in Addison. The caller reported that his mailbox was damaged between June 21 and June 26. The caller also advised that there were other mailboxes in the area that were damaged as well.

Trooper Greg Mitchell investigated a report of a missing person in Lamoine. An extensive search of the area between Lamoine and Bass Harbor was conducted without results. The following day the missing person was located by family members.

Trooper Kim Sawyer investigated a theft complaint in Grand Lake Stream. The caller reported that a 20 HP Honda outboard motor was stolen sometime during the night. The investigation continues.

Trooper Staci Carpenter responded to a report of a possible domestic dispute at a residence in East Machias. Machias Police also responded to the scene. A 31-year-old man was stopped by Machias Police as he was attempting to leave the scene. The man had been involved in a verbal argument with his girlfriend and he was arrested for OUI and Violation of Conditions of Release.

Trooper Staci Carpenter investigated a criminal mischief complaint in Jonesboro. The caller reported that someone had broken out his bathroom window and the windows on his vehicle on June 14. The caller did not initially report the incident because he had been threatened by the suspect. The investigation continues.

The People's Alliance of New Brunswick has its second official candidate.

John Craig, Mayor of the Town of St. Andrew's, was acclaimed as candidate at the PANB Charlotte-Campobello nomination meeting on Saturday afternoon at Scotch Ridge Hall.

Craig, a well-known proponent against LNG development in Passamaquoddy Bay said that this was an exciting time for politics in New Brunswick.

"People have wanted the see a change in the way politicians operate in our province for some time. I'm glad I have the chance to be one of those people standing up to provide that change," Craig said.

Craig joins Ed Hoyt in carrying the People's Alliance banner as a choice for voters in the Sept. 27 election.

The St. Andrew's mayor added the election may only be a short time away, but he is ready for the intense ride.

"I have 12 years involvment in municipal politics behind me, and I plan to use the knowledge I gained from that to prove myself on the provincial scene," he said.

PANB executive director Sterling Wright said other political parties in Craig's riding are in for a tough time.

"John's an extremely credible candidate. Look at his municipal experience," Wright said.

"It's going to be a fun race to watch in Charlotte-Campobello once the writ is dropped."

Party leader Kris Austin, who was unable to attend the meeting said he wished he could have been there to see people's reaction to Craig's nomination.

"John is very well liked in his region and once you get to know him a little, it's easy to see why. I couldn't be happier that he will be carrying our banner in Charlotte-Campobello," Austin said.

State Police say the pickup truck missing from the scene of a triple homicide in Amity has been found.

The blue and silver 1989 Ford F-150 was found late Saturday morning in   Weston, a town about 15 miles south of the crime scene.

Authorities said a land owner found the truck along a tote road while out on his property.

The truck had been destroyed by fire and State Police detectives and investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office went to the site to gather evidence.

A relative found the bodies of  Jeffrey Ryan, 55,  his 10-year-old son Jesse Ryan, and 30-year-old Jason Dehahn Wednesday night. Dehahn was a friend of Ryan's and also lived in Amity.

The victims had been stabbed to death.

State Police had put out an appeal to the public for help in locating the truck, which was registered to one of the victims. 

The truck has been transported to the State Police Crime Lab in Augusta for further investigation. 

Liberal Campaign HQ Opens In St. Stephen

Relishing the campaign run are NB Premier Shawn Graham and Annabelle Juneau, candidate for the riding of Charlotte-Campobello - WQDY NEWS PHOTO

While in Charlotte County Thursday, Graham announced an investment to help Connors Bros. complete efficiency upgrades to its processing plant. The provincial government is providing a $3-million forgivable loan as part of a $12-million project that will help maintain more than 1,000 jobs in southwestern New Brunswick.

Calais Regional Hospital is implementing a Hospitalist Program on July 1.

A Hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for patients admitted to the hospital and usually does not see patients in an office setting.

Most Hospitalists are internal medicine or family practice physicians.

Hospitalists are easily accessible in emergencies and when questions or concerns arise. Because they work in the hospital, they can see patients quickly and more than once a day, if needed.

"The introduction of a Hospitalist program is a natural progression as primary care providers have become busier, hospitalized patients have become sicker and technology becomes more sophisticated. Hospitalist medicine has become the fastest growing specialty in the United States because hospitals and patients are seeing the positive difference it makes," explained Michael K. Lally, CRH Chief Executive Officer.

The Hospitalist is able to be there for the patient from admission to discharge, managing the entire inpatient care process.

With the assistance of other physicians, nurses and support staff the Hospitalist works to deliver a coordinated team approach for each patient. Primary care providers have the option to refer their patients to the Hospitalist for inpatient stays.

With the Hospitalist caring for inpatients, your primary care provider can be with patients in the office with fewer delays or interruptions and be able to devote more time to caring for patients in the outpatient setting. Your healthcare provider and the Hospitalist communicate as needed during an inpatient stay and coordinate for a smooth transition back to outpatient care.

"The Medical Staff at Calais Regional Hospital is very pleased to provide our admitted patients with care around the clock from our new Hospitalist service," stated Dr. Karen Hadam, CRH Chief of Staff.

"The hospitalists will allow our internal medicine providers to continue to serve the community with expedient care in the office setting, while the hospitalists coordinate and attend to the needs of those who are admitted to the hospital. The Hospitalist service will provide our community with a collaborative team of excellence in health care. We are pleased to continue to grow to serve the needs of our community and welcome the new physicians to our area."

TOWNSHIP 27, MAINE [AP]- Game wardens say the body of a boater who was knocked into Big lake in Township 27 in eastern Maine last weekend has been recovered.

The body of 40-year-old Scott James of Princeton was found Wednesday morning.

James' body was recovered after the warden service and volunteers resumed the search at 5 a.m. Wednesday, after suspending it Tuesday night due to darkness. The boater was located on the water's surface approximately 300 yards off Greenlaw Island.

Scott had been boating with a 16-year-old family member Saturday afternoon when the boat hit a wave, knocking him into the water.

[THIS STORY FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Lubec voters decided to close their high school Wednesday. 

WQDY NEWS PHOTO

The town was squeezed by a cut of more than $500,000 in state subsidies based on the high valuation and low enrollment --- which is estimated to be 30-35 students this fall.

The ballot question asked "Do you favor authorizing the Board of Directors of M.S.A.D. #19 (RSU 85) to close the Lubec Consolidated School? The additional cost of closing the school has been estimated by the regional school unit Board as $3,553.67.

Above: The count begins at the Lubec Town Office- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Lubec Town Clerk Betty Case told WQDY NEWS  there were 269 YES votes and 230 NO votes. There were three blanks and a total of 502 ballots cast.

From 8 a.m to 6 p.m Wednesday, it was rain and a nearly steady flow of voters in and out of the polls at the town office.

Case considered it  a "very good turnout."

"I was pleased that they did come out, it was an important issue and I'm glad the people did come out and vote," Case said.

It was a very wet Wednesday.

WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"I was surprised they came out considering it was pouring at times and people were sopping wet when they came in. I'm glad they took the opportunity to take their right to vote and do so," Case added.

There are 1,109 registered voters in the town of Lubec.

In referendum elections held last week, eleven towns from Crawford to Lubec voted to form an Alternative Organizational Structure or AOS.

This is an allowed alternative as part of the state's new school consolidation law which aims to centralize administrative functions.

At a lengthy meeting Tuesday night in Robbinston, AOS Board members elected Shannon Emery of Eastport as chair and Bill Cody of Calais, vice chair.

Above- AOS Board Members from 11 communities at meeting in Robbinston- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Following an 70-minute executive session, Jim Underwood was named Superintendent of the AOS #77. It was decided that the central office for AOS #77 will be located in Calais.

This AOS includes all of School Union 106, School Union 104 and MSAD 19.

"Now it is AOS 77, all of us together," Underwood told WQDY NEWS in a post-meeting interview.

During the consolidation process, communities have been under the gun and nothing has changed. The public has to vote to approve the AOS budget on June 30.

"This important step [Tuesday night] was the AOS Board passing the Central Office budget. Now just like local school budget, town meeting votes, the citizens will need to come and vote in a 'town meeting style' with all 11 municipalities -- two cities, and nine towns -- will be invited," Underwood said.

The posting of the meeting went out Wednesday to all 11 towns to advise the public of their vote June 30 to pass the budget for AOS #77.

There will be clerks from all eleven municipalities and a moderator will read through the articles.

"There are only four articles but they are very important ones," Underwood said. "It is the breakdown of the budget that was passed [Tuesday night] by this AOS."

"It's a lean budget, it's about as lean as it can go and it must be passed June 30 by the citizens in order to avoid the penalties to all these towns. If we don't get a budget passed this June 30, all of the towns are subject to the penalties," Underwood stressed.

This AOS meeting will be held at the Pembroke Elementary School on Route 1 in Pembroke on Wednesday June 30 at 6:30 PM.

As for penalties the state will levy if a budget isn't passed, Underwood said a "total penalty combined for all 11 municipalities is about a quarter of a million dollars."

He said the penalty within each muncipality varies based on scope and size of their local budget.

"For example, Calais' penalty would be $82,000, Alexander's penalty is about $15,000." Underwood said he feels everyone is ready to get all the bureaucratic things done.

"There is a lot -- there are quite a few challenges. We all want to get all of those tasks done so that we can start looking at what we're here for which is to do the best we can for our kids and our schools and work together across all 11 towns to share the programs and share the load."

"We can't enrich education, we can't expand education, we can't even meet what's happening financially across the state alone and this will enable us to work together. It's the best thing we've got going," Underwood said.

Ongoing efforts to map Cobscook Bay are getting a boost from the developer of a proposed LNG terminal in Passamaquoddy Bay.

Representatives from Calais LNG met with offcials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and announced that they will be providing data and resources to assist with the ongoing federal mapping of marine waterways throughout the Bay of Fundy and Cobscook Bay.

As part of the permitting process for the approval of an LNG terminal, Calais LNG has been conducting extensive research of marine resources and waterway navigation data over the last several months.

Earlier this month, NOAA began its own process of updating marine navigation data in the same area.

"We have obtained a lot of useful data, and we thought it made perfect sense to share that information to assist NOAA with their own mapping effort," said Ian Emery, development manager of the Calais LNG project. "To us, it made no sense for the federal government to spend time and money since we already had a lot of the information."

NOAA Commander Lawrence Krepp, who is coordinating the federal mapping project, said the assistance provided by Calais LNG will save significant time and money.

"Every once in a while we get lucky and are able to benefit from resources provided by the private sector," Krepp said.

"The assistance of Calais LNG is very much appreciated and saves us valuable resources."

Capt. Robert Peacock, an Eastport city councilor and harbor pilot, said he came up with the idea of asking Calais LNG if they would assist with the effort.

"Calais LNG was very willing and quick to offer their assistance," Peacock said. "It will be a big help and save taxpayers a lot of money. There's no good reason to do the same thing twice."

The federal navigation charts, which were last updated in the 1800s, rely on numerous points of data, including a survey of the ocean bottom to determine navigational hazards.

"So many people in this area depend on our marine resources for their livelihoods," Peacock said. "Calais LNG recognizes this, and it's great that they are willing to offer their assistance and technical expertise to this very important effort."

Officials say a Maine soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. 

Sgt. Brandon Silk, 25, of Orono was killed Monday while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Silk was a Black Hawk crew chief, stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, according to his family.

"The death of a soldier is a terrible tragedy for family, friends and the entire community. A hole is opened in many lives," Governor Baldacci said.

"The men and women who serve in the military have earned our respect and our gratitude. During this very difficult time, we will keep Sgt. Silk's family and friends in our thoughts and in our prayers."

Writing on his Facebook page Tuesday, Brandon's dad, Mark Silk said, "Every parents nightmare has happened in my family yesterday. My son, Brandon, was killed in Afghanistan yesterday in a helicopter crash. We are at a loss for words and our hearts ache. Brandon was a HERO and very much loved State of Maine and his Country. We miss him desperately!!!"

Early Wednesday over 50 comments had been posted from friends expressing their shock and sadness over the loss of Brandon. Others offered condolences to the Silk family.

Mark Silk worked for the Calais Police Department several years ago.  

"In Maine, we're all an extended family," Governor Baldacci said. "At times like these, we have to reach out and take care of one another. Sgt. Silk was a hero, and we will honor his life and his sacrifice."

Governor Baldacci will order flags lowered to half-staff on the day of Sgt. Brandon Silk's funeral.

ST. STEPHEN- A young American man, bleeding copiously from cuts on his left arm after he punched a store window, owes his life to two local RCMP officers.

"If those officers hadn't been on the scene, this individual would have succumbed to his injuries," said RCMP Sgt. Bob MacKnight.

"It was fortunate they were there and they took action to ensure his safety and save his life."

The 19-year-old man's name was not released, but Cst. Mark Walsh said he had spoken to the individual Monday by telephone at the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

"He basically apologized for his actions and is facing a long recovery," said Walsh.

"He's had one surgery and is having a sceond one this afternoon [Monday]. He says he can't move his fingers."

Walsh echoed Knight's comment that the man would have died had RCMP officers not been on the scene.

Walsh said charges are pending against the man once he has recovered.

The man was airlifted from the Calais Regional Hospital to the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor early Sunday at approximately 5:30 AM ADT.

His injuries were sustained from punching a large plate glass window in the Frugal Furnishings thrift shop on Milltown Boulevard.

MacKnight said RCMP officers were on patrol in the area of the Old Town Tavern on King Street around 2:15 AM Sunday.

The two officers, Cst John Beck and Cpl. Ross Davis, noted a small crowd of people in front of the bar. The people were asked to move along.

Beck and Davis followed five young men from that group who were making their way to the St. Stephen/ Calais border. Beck saw one of the men punch the store window.

He and Davis approached the individual with the intention of charging him with mischief when they noticed he was bleeding very freely from cuts to his left arm.

The two officers made the man sit down on the sidewalk and tried to stop the bleeding.

"There was already a large amount of blood on the sidewalk and blood was spurting from his arm," said MacKnight, referring to notes from the officers' reports.

The man began vomiting and exhibiting signs of shock.

"It became evident if he didn't get treatment immediately he could die," said MacKnight. "He was losing consciousness."

The officers contacted emergency medical personnel advising they had a "10-18 young male bleeding out fast." "10-18" is first responder code for "urgent."

"Cst. Beck was trying to contain the bleeding which was futile," the report reads. The ambulance had not arrived and the young man's condition was deteriorating.

The officers made the decision to load him into the police car and transport him to the Charlotte County Hospital. EMS personnel arrived on the scene just as the police car was about to pull away.

They took over the treatment of the man and rushed him to CCH. The decision was made to transport the injured man across the border to the Calais Regional Hospital.

A spokesperson for the Calais hospital said the man's condition was stabilized and he was airlifted by Life Flight to the Eastern Maine Medical Hospital in Bangor.

At one point his blood pressure dropped to 50/20 from the loss of blood.

The rear seat of the police car bore graphic evidence of the man's fight for life. The police report said the rear of the car was "polluted" with blood which pooled under the rear seat and sprayed all over the rear portion of the vehicle.

Beck made an attempt to clean the vehicle at the local car wash, but the cruiser required professional cleaning. Beck hosed the blood off the sidewalk with a container of water obtained from the St. Stephen Fire Department.

Monday morning, Donna Linton, coordinator of the Volunteer Centre of Charlotte County which operates the Frugal Furnishings shop, was cleaning up glass debris inside the store.

Members of Cops on Patrol had nailed a piece of wood over the broken window, but jagged edges of glass, one stained with blood rivulets, were still much in evidence inside.

Linton said the force of the blow that shattered the window was so great she found pieces of glass hurled halfway down the centre aisle of the store, a good six or seven metres from the broken window.

Tiny shards of glass crunched underfoot on the carpet, pieces were found on the check out counter and on nearby display shelves.

Outside, the sidewalk was stained in spots, but it was not clearly evident if the markings were blood stains or from another source.

MacKnight said acts of vandalism persist in St. Stephen at bar closing time, despite the efforts of the RCMP to be more visible at that time.

He lauded the efforts of Beck and Davis saying it was a high risk situation for both officers. "Anytime somebody is bleeding that badly, when there are bodily fluids involved, it's a high risk sitaution for our members. They don't know what they're dealing with," said MacKnight.

"They were risking their own safety, but the members did not delay doing what was necessary." "This young man owes his life, in large part, to their quick actions."

[STORY FROM THE JUNE 22, 2010 SAINT CROIX COURIER]

TOWNSHIP 27, MAINE - (AP) Maine game wardens are back on Big Lake looking for a 40-year-old man who was reported missing after falling from a boat in the lake.

The Maine Warden Service says Scott James of Princeton ended up in the water late Saturday afternoon while boating with a juvenile in a 16-foot boat in Township 27.

Officials say the teenager threw a lifejacket to James and jumped in the water to help him, but had to be pulled from the water himself by nearby campers.

Officials initially said the pair were fishing, but later amended that to say they were boating.

The search began Saturday night and resumed Sunday morning, but was later suspended due to thunderstorms.

The search resumed just after 6 a.m. Monday.

[ABOVE STORY FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

A man is facing several charges after allegedly setting fire to a building in Lubec Monday morning.

Trooper Staci Carpenter charged 23-year-old Matthew Locke with violation of bail, violation of a protection order, and operating after suspension after he went to a residence on Main Street in Lubec and set it on fire.

The fire was eventually put out causing minor damage.

Maine Marine Patrol Officer Russell Wright located Locke driving on Route 189 in Lubec and placed him under arrest. The Fire Marshal's Office responded and will likely be charging Locke with arson. 

Calais Police 1st Annual Poker Run 

For the Relay For Life raises $1,562!

ABOVE: Motorcycles lined up at the 

St. Croix Country Club- WQDY NEWS 

PHOTO

Above: Cpl. Pooh mans the registration 

desk- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: Officer Bob Fitzsimmons - WQDY 

NEWS PHOTO

Above: The Line Up - WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: Rolling onward- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: Bob and Fran Fitzsimmons head 

out -WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Another active week around Troop J. Here are some of the calls and complaints they handled:

Trooper Cliff Peterson investigated a burglary of a motor vehicle complaint in Hancock. A checkbook had been taken from the center console of a vehicle sometime during the night. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy received a report of a verbal altercation in Franklin. As a result, a 39-year-old woman from Franklin was arrested for driving to endanger. A 19-year-old man also from Franklin was also summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a minor.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Township 34 where an abandoned vehicle had been broken into and a stereo system was stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Andrew Foss summonsed a 31-year-old Cherryfield man for false report stemming from an incident on May 22nd when the man reported that his vehicle had been stolen after he had crashed it the night before.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a theft complaint in Cathance Township where staging for a house was reportedly stolen. The staging was recovered and a 32-year-old man was summonsed for Theft (Class C).

Trooper Jason Fowler responded to a criminal mischief complaint in East Machias where a 39-year-old man was reported to have thrown a rock at a vehicle causing damage to the vehicle. The man was summonsed for criminal mischief. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi assisted.

Trooper Jason Fowler responded to a domestic assault complaint in Dennysville. A 43-year-old man was arrested for domestic assault. Trooper Staci Carpenter and Det. Elmer Farren assisted.

Trooper Kim Sawyer summonsed a 29-year-old man for operating after suspension, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and for attaching false plates after observing him driving in Baring.

Trooper Sawyer received a burglary complaint in Grand Lake Stream. Two people at the same cottage had items taken from them. $400 cash and two blank checks were stolen. The investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to a theft complaint in Steuben where numerous tools were stolen from an enclosed trailer at a work site. Evidence was collected and the investigation continues. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi also assisted as an Evidence Response Team member.

Trooper Andrew Foss conducted a traffic stop in Dennysville where two females in their late teens  were summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a minor. An 18-year-old male was also summonsed for displaying a fictitious inspection sticker and for operating a defective motor vehicle.

Trooper Andrew Foss and Trooper Jason Fowler responded to Dennysville for a civil complaint involving a 43-year-old man who had previously been arrested for domestic assault. This time the man was arrested for violation of conditional release and summonsed for falsifying physical evidence after destroying an inspection sticker which was part of a criminal investigation.

Trooper Christopher Smith summonsed a male juvenile for driving to endanger as the result of a road rage incident on June 14.

 Trooper Barry Curtis responded to a threatening complaint on Schoodic Lake in Twp 18. As a result, a 49-year-old man from Harrington was arrested for threatening to burn down a neighboring camp and harassing the people that were there. Trooper Chris Smith also assisted.

Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi handled a theft complaint in East Machias where an electric meter was stolen.  Evidence was collected and investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a theft complaint in Cutler where an IPOD and a digital camera were stolen from a residence. A suspect is known and investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter arrested a 21-year-old man for violation of conditional release and a 22-year-old woman for possession of Schedule Z drugs and summonsed her for possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop in Jonesport.

Trooper Christopher Smith received a theft report from a resident in Franklin. The homeowner reported that his wallet which contained $890.00 cash was removed from his pants pocket inside his residence. Investigation continues.

Trooper Barry Curtis responded to the River bend Apartments in Addison and arrested a man for criminal restraint. Lt. Travis Willey of the Washington County Sheriff's Office assisted.

Trooper Staci Carpenter investigated a tractor-trailer/moose collision on Route 9 in Township 30. The truck received minor damage and the moose had to be dispatched.

Down East Community Hospital will celebrate cancer survivors on June 26.

Cancer survivors will be honored for their strength and courage, and the contributions of their families, friends and healthcare providers will also be recognized.

This year there will be an open house combined with the celebration.

After the ceremony, people will be able to have a tour of Down East Community Hospital's new infusion clinic and cardiac rehabilitation clinic. All are welcomed to attend.

In the lobby at Down East Community Hospital, there will be presentations by cancer survivors followed by refreshments provided by the DECH Auxiliary.

There will be an opportunity to sign the survivor banner, a chance to visit with other attendees, and time to tour the infusion and cardiac rehabilitation clinics.

A "survivor" is anyone living with a history of cancer - from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. If you plan to attend the June 26 event, please RSVP to 255-0244. 

According to a story in the CALAIS ADVERTISER, the town of Baileyville has hired a new police chief.

Shawn Donahue had worked for Baileyville for 11 years up until a year and a half ago when he left to take a position with the Washington County Sheriff's Department Donahue's first day in office will be July 6.

He told the Calais Advertiser he knows the Baileyville Police Department is short-handed right now, but plans to get things back to where there will be 24 hour coverage.

"That's going to be a huge challenge for me, but that's what I'm up for -- challenges," he said.

He said that he feels the council has been very supportive in their efforts to find a chief and keep the police department going. "The officers and the chief have the support of the town and the council," he told the newspaper.

A Minnesota man was arrested Wednesday by border agents when he crossed the border into Canada at Woodstock, New Brunswick. Authorities allegedly seized prohibited goods along with child pornography.

According to the RCMP, Canada Border Service Agents intercepted a vehicle entering Canada at the Woodstock Road border crossing.

Suspicious material was located and seized during a routine secondary screening of the vehicle.

Police said the driver and lone occupant, 40-year-old Darrin Whittaker of Rush City,  Minnesota was arrested by CBSA and the RCMP.

On Thursday morning, Whittaker appeared in Woodstock Provincial Court to face charges of smuggling prohibited goods and possession of child pornography.

Whittaker was remanded into custody until a bail hearing on Friday in Woodstock Provincial Court.

A follow-up investigation is being conducted jointly by CBSA and J Division RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE).

"An Adaptive Management Plan for Alewife in the St. Croix River" has been released today for a 60-day public comment period. The plan's purpose is to restore the sea-run (anadromous) alewife, a native fish species, to the St. Croix River basin.

In 1995, Maine state law closed passage of alewife in the St. Croix River at all but the most downstream dam (Milltown).

That law was amended in 2008 to reopen the next dam upstream (Woodland), but alewife can still only access 2 percent of their native habitat in the basin. 

The St. Croix Fisheries Steering Committee drafted the plan at the request of the International Joint Commission's (IJC) International St. Croix River Watershed Board (the Board).

In recognition of the importance of the smallmouth bass sport fishery, which has become economically important in the basin in the last century, the plan takes a precautionary approach to alewife restoration to ensure that a healthy bass fishery is maintained at current or higher levels. 

The Board will consult with stakeholders in the basin on the draft plan and invites the public to attend its August 4,2010 Annual Public Meeting to hear more about the plan and to provide an opportunity to ask questions and make comments.

The meeting will be held at Princeton Elementary School starting at 6 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Atlantic.

The comment period will remain open until Monday, August 16, 2010.

Following its consideration of the public comments, the Board will determine what advice to provide to the IJC. 

The full draft plan and background information is available at: http://www.ijc.org/rel/st-croix-alewife/

The alewife must swim upstream to spawn and are vital to the food webs and nutrient cycles of marine, freshwater and land habitats in the basin. As bait, they help support coastal fisheries and lobstering. Fossil evidence shows alewife were present in the basin from prehistoric times.

IJC's mandate under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 is to prevent and resolve disputes over the use of waters shared by Canada and the United States.

The IJC takes a collaborative approach and works to build consensus on solutions that are in the best interests of the people and the watershed. The IJC works very closely with its International St. Croix River Watershed Board on all issues in the basin. 

Contacts: Nadine Mackay Canadian Secretary (Acting) International St. Croix River Watershed Board c/o Environment Canada, 16th floor Queen Square, 45 Alderney Drive Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6. Phone: 902-426-2234, Fax: 902-426-6348. Email: nadine.mackay@ec.gc.ca

Tim Dugan Public Affairs US Army Corps of Engineers New England District, 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742. Phone: 978-318-8264 timothy.j.dugan@usace.army.mil 

ST. STEPHEN - A fatal ATV accident Saturday has plunged a community into mourning and cast a shadow of grief over ceremonies planned next week for the graduating class of St. Stephen High School.

Dead is Matt Haley, 18, of Pomeroy Ridge. Listed in good condition Tuesday morning at the Saint John Regional Hospital is Sean Kent, 17, of Scotch Ridge whom police believe was the driver of the vehicle. Both teens were scheduled to graduate June 23.

"Matthew is a member of our senior class. He was due to graduate in a little over a week's time," said SSHS principal Jamie Waycott. "He was a very, very well thought of young man by his peers, the students at our school, and highly thought of by our staff. He was a very hardworking, very honest young man.

The challenge will be to appropriately remember Matthew and at the same time celebrate the accomplishments of the remainder of the grad class and I'm sure we will find that balance and do it appropriately," said Waycott.

He described the accident as a school's and family's worst nightmare, especially at this time of year.

Haley's funeral will be held this week on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the S.O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home in St. Stephen.

Visiting will take place Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Internment will take place in the Milltown Roman Catholic Cemetery in Barter Settlement. Donations can be made to the Matthew Haley Scholarship Fund.

District 10 Superintendent Derek O'Brien said he is leaving it to Waycott and Haley’s family to decide how to appropriately remember Haley at the graduation ceremony.

"Most importantly we do want Matthew's family to know our thoughts are with them and our prayers are with them as they deal with this during this difficult time and the hope that all our students out there, getting ready for graduation time, are thinking safety over the next few weeks," said O'Brien.

He said the school and district was also very concerned about Kent and he was glad to hear Kent is recovering from his injuries.

A spokesperson for the RCMP said the investigation into the fatality is ongoing. They have not officially released the names of the persons involved.

"There are still a number of unanswered questions as to what transpired and when," said Cpl. John Nagy.

"We're trying to identify some contributing factors," said the officer, citing unknowns at this time as the speed of the vehicle, the driver's knowledge of the terrain, whether the lights and brakes were working on the four-wheeled ATV and whether alcohol was involved.

"We're not considering charges at this time; we're a long way from that," said Nagy. He said a big part of the investigation is trying to determine the time of the accident.

Nagy said police are surmising the survivor (Kent) was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident because the vehicle is registered to one of his parents.

"The injured person also supposedly made a statement to someone that he was operating the ATV, but we haven't had the opportunity to go speak to him.

"Obviously we want to make sure the survivor is okay medically to speak to us," said Nagy.

Police and rescue personnel responded Saturday, June 13, around 10:40 a.m. to the accident scene along the new portion of Highway 1 near the exit into St. Stephen.

The investigation so far has determined the ATV carrying the two teens was travelling on the side of the westbound highway lane when it went down a steep, rock-strewn embankment.

The overturned quad was found in the water of Dennis Stream near a bridge. Haley was pronounced dead at the scene. Only one helmet was found at the scene and police have not yet determined who was wearing it.

Initial indications are that Kent was able to make his way up the rocky incline to the side of the road where a passing motorist stopped and rendered assistance.

A makeshift shrine has been established at the accident site and higher above it, beside the highway. Friends have placed flowers, erected crosses, and written condolences on cards as well as the guard rail.

Someone has planted a small flower garden inside a ring of stones, while others have spray painted messages on the cement pillars supporting the highway overpass.

Waycott said the school's emergency response team, a combination of SSHS staff and those from the district office, opened the school Sunday afternoon.

"We had on hand staff grief counsellors, and regular teaching staff, to give our students an opportunity to come to a place they call home, our school, to hang out," explained Waycott.

It was also an opportunity to identify students who were the most significantly impacted by this tragedy and to make accommodations for them. Friday was the last day of classes and exams started Monday.

Waycott said the team felt it was beneficial to the students to have the opportunity to congregate and for the initial grief process to begin.

By and large Monday morning's exams went well, he said, adding that a few more students came to their attention who needed special arrangements to accommodate their grieving.

Waycott said closing the school was never an option.

"Our training and experience tell us schools, where possible, should remain open and that students do need that normality. It provides them a place to grieve with their friends and with supportive adults with them."

Waycott said he has spoken to Haley's family. He confirmed Haley has a younger brother who is a Grade 10 student at SSHS.

"I spent a lot of time with his family Sunday morning and again this morning," Waycott said Monday afternoon.

"They are grief stricken as one would imagine. They've lost their son, the eldest child in the family due to graduate in a week's time," he said, visibly overcome with emotion.

He described Haley as a "very personable young fellow," calling him an outdoorsman, a typical 18-year-old living in rural New Brunswick who loved the outdoors and the activities it allowed including four wheeling, hunting fishing, "all good, healthy activities."

Haley's father, the late Allen Joseph Haley, was killed in a traffic accident when Haley was a small boy.

Besides his brother, he is survived by his mother, Shirley Etta (Hannon) Morton, his maternal grandmother, Bessie Hannon, paternal grandparents, Carol and Joe Haley, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

[ABOVE STORY FROM THE SAINT CROIX COURIER]

Some of the highlights from the Weekly Report of Troop J:

June 7:

Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi, Trooper Barry Curtis, Trooper John Matthews, Trooper Staci Carpenter and Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to the Harrington Irving to assist the Washington County Sheriff's Office and area fire departments with a vehicle that crashed into a gas pump causing an explosion. State Police assisted with traffic control, security and the crash investigation.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted the Machias Police Department as a Drug Recognition Technician where he found a female to be under the influence of drugs. Machias Police arrested the woman for operating under the influence of drugs.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a criminal mischief incident at a business on Route 200 in Franklin. The caller reported that his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle was vandalized while parked inside the company garage. The mororcycle was scratched several times with a knife and his leather jacket was cut multiple times. It appears that the man was targeted in the incident as no other equipment was tampered with. The investigation continues.

June 8:

Trooper Barry Curtis covered a two-vehicle crash in Harrington. A vehicle went to turn onto North Main Street, but did not see the motorcycle coming in the opposite lane. The motorcycle struck the side of the passenger vehicle causing the operator to land on the pavement. Luckily, there were no injuries.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a burglary complaint from Lamoine. The caller reported the residence she shares with another person was burglarized. The only items taken appeared to be prescription medications.

June 9:

Trooper Greg Roy conducted a bail check at the home of a 19-year-old man in Deer Isle. As the trooper approached the residence, two males ran out the rear door and fled into the woods. Sgt. Alden Bustard and canine "Zack" responded to track the subjects. A 17-year-old male from Surry, was located in the woods a short distance behind the residence and summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a juvenile. He was turned over to the custody of his grandfather in Surry. The man that the trooper came to check on originally was located behind the residence and arrested for violation of conditions of release and furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol. A third person, a 17-year-old male of Surry, had been hiding on the roof of the residence and was located a short time later. He was also summonsed for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of liquor by a juvenile.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a suspicious complaint from Blue Hill. The caller reported that a subject was in his yard trying to sell him an Apache generator. Trooper Mitchell arrived at the residence and identified the seller. Police were unable to determine that a crime had been committed but the event was related to other state-wide incidents.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a late report on a burglary complaint in Deer Isle. The caller reported seven inspection stickers from his business.

June 10:

Trooper Greg Roy received a forgery complaint from Eastbrook. The caller reported that a known male, also of Eastbrook, had forged a life insurance policy. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy handled a theft complaint in Deer Isle where copper piping and fittings were reported stolen. A suspect vehicle is known and the investigation continues.

June 11:

Sgt. Alden Bustard and Trooper Greg Roy assisted the Hancock County Sheriff's Office with a domestic dispute in Dedham. The caller reported that her brother was very intoxicated and threatening to kill himself. The brother was found to be very intoxicated but denied threatening to kill himself. Both parties agreed to stay away from each other until the brother sobered up.

June 12:

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a theft complaint in Columbia where checks were reported stolen. A suspect is known and the investigation continues.

Trooper Andrew Foss responded to Perry for a burglary complaint where a door and a window were found damaged on a seasonal residence. The investigation continues.

Trooper Andrew Foss handled a theft complaint in Jonesboro where tools were reported stolen from a garage. A suspect is known and the investigation continues.

Trooper Andrew Foss handled a theft complaint in Whitneyville where gasoline was reportedly siphoned from a vehicle. The investigation continues.

Trooper Daniel Ryan responded to a burglary complaint at the Blue Hill Rod & Gun Club where two doors were damaged and money was stolen. Evidence was collected and a suspect is known.

Trooper Jessica Shorey responded to Township 34 where a vehicle was found that had been involved in a crash. The owner called in the crash later after she returned home from the hospital. The investigation continues.

The driver of a pickup truck chose to lam it after crashing into a guard rail and going down an embankment Monday night on Route 190 in Eastport.

Above: Hauling the pickup truck from below-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Eastport and Pleasant Point police received a report that a vehicle had gone down over a bank.

"When we got here -- the person was gone," an officer told WQDY NEWS.

Above: Wrecker pulls truck over guardrail-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

It wasn't immediately clear who had been behind the wheel. 

"The vehicle crossed the center line -- hit the guard rail which spun the vehicle backwards and it went down over the bank. The driver got out and took off," police said.

Above: Guard rail will need rehab - WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"Whoever was driving that vehicle is really lucky," police said.

Lucky in the sense they were able to walk away from the scene.

The crash happened on the Route 190 causeway in Eastport near the line with Sipayik [Pleasant Point]. The road was shut down briefly as a wrecker hauled the GMC pickup up and over the guard rail so it could be loaded on a flatbed. 

The bottom survey of Cobscook Bay is now in progress.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] Navigation Response Team arrived in Eastport last week and expects to be here through the summer and they may return next year if more needs to be done.

Cmdr. Larry Krepp, NRT Team Leader Nick Forfinski and Matt Andring said the response from the local community has been great.

"From the landlords to folks in restaurants -- they're curious what we're doing and offering to help in any way that they can. It's a community response and involvement like I've never seen in the 18 years I've been doing this. You have a special place here," Krepp said.

On Monday, WQDY NEWS rode along with the NRT crew for brief tour of their operation.

Above: Image of a currently charted wreck in the vicinity of Broad Cove on the NRT's computer- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: With downtown Eastport in the background, we head for Broad Cove- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: NRT Team Leader Nick Forfinski checks information from the various computers -WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: Matt Andring prepares a piece of equipment called a Digibar. At the other end is a sound velocity sensor.

Above: Currently charted wreck -WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: Cmdr. Lawrence Krepp - WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: The NRT's Sea Ark vessel at the Eastport Breakwater- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Krepp noted the tidal flow in the area.

"You don't find this kind of current in too many places so you definitely have to be on top of your game -- it's fast and flows hard."

"We were well-warned [by] Capt. Bob Peacock and everybody we'd run into. Everybody here knows what happens on the water. All the local tidbits and information we've gotten has warned us of the dangerous areas. We had Dave Dent [of the Maine Marine Patrol] ride with us on our first day and he took us up through Reversing Falls and some of the more challenging areas on this project," Krepp said.

"I owe him a debt of gratitude just for taking the day to ride along -- to have that local expertise on board. So if Dave is listening [or reading], thank you," Krepp added.

Usually the NRT groups work larger port areas but the Cobscook Bay area has been plagued with seven fishing-related deaths since December 2008.

"There seems to be a number of contributors in these incidents. We know we can help out with the chart aspect. That's what we're here to do," Krepp said.

Above: Eastport's South End-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Above: NRT's Sea Ark in Passamaquoddy Bay. Head Harbour Passage in background- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Carleton-York District 7 RCMP are investigating an early morning crash that claimed the life of a New Brunswick truck driver.

According to police, a transport truck was headed westbound on Highway 2 near River de Chute when the vehicle left the road and continued down a 200-foot embankment.

The driver, 66-year-old Bob Anderson of Waterville, N.B., was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death. An RCMP collision reconstructionist is assisting with the investigation.

River de Chute is near the border with Maine roughly between Mars Hill and Easton Corner. 

The crash happened at about 5:25 a.m. Tuesday morning.

RCMP in southwestern New Brunswick are investigating three separate crashes and four other motor vehicle incidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers in Charlotte County over the past few days.

Seven Charlotte County residents, both male and female, ranging in age from 16 to 42-years-old, were arrested over the past four days for Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

They have all been released from custody and will all be appearing in Provincial Court in St. Stephen during the month of August.

Sgt. Greg MacAvoy said the RCMP will continue to treat impaired and aggressive driving as a serious public safety threat and urge all drivers to consider their own safety and that of other users of the highways, especially with the onset of the summer travel season and the impending school graduation celebrations.

The RCMP Monday issued a correction and apology on a news release issued over the weekend by District 1 RCMP concerning a fatal ATV crash.

The 18-year-old from Pomeroy Ridge who was killed was the passenger on the ATV not the driver. The 17-year-old driver from Scotch Ridge remains in Saint John Hospital with undetermined injuries.

The crash happened Saturday morning near the Dennis stream bridge off Highway 1 in St. Stephen.

It appears the ATV was driving on the side of the westbound lane when they drove off a cliff.

Police are not releasing the name of the victim.

The investigation is continuing.

Relay For Life In Calais at Washington County Community College ---

According to the event's web site there were

262 participants and 24 teams. The dollars raised 

amounted to $7,240.61:

HERE'S THREE OF THE TEAMS!

Above: Alexander 4 A Cure 

Above: The Ta-Ta's 

Above: The Pembroke Rowdies

A joint investigation by the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Maine State Police has uncovered a major theft operation.

According to Sheriff Donnie Smith, nearly 40 victims were identified over at least five counties over Eastern and Central Maine.

The nearly 40 crime locations consisted of burglaries and/or thefts of a variety of items, some of these crimes had been reported and some had not.

While working the case in Washington County, a tip led police to identify two suspects. Randy Millay, 42, of Machiasport and Richard (Twitch) Merritt, 54, are both cooperating suspects.

Merritt is being held at the Washington County Jail on an unrelated charge. Millay was charged by the Sheriff's Office and Maine State Police for theft.

During the investigation a significant amount of stolen property from victims, in excess of $20,000 in value, has been recovered so far. The property recovered included wood splitters, generators, outboards, tools, a boat, and other items.

Some of the property has been returned to the owners. The investigation remains ongoing and is expected to be linked to other similar crimes.

To date burglary and thefts have been cleared from Northern Washington County all the way to Central Waldo County.

It was found that property from Northern/Eastern Maine went back to the Central Maine area. Property from the Central Maine area went to the Northern/Eastern Maine area.

If anyone has information on these or related cases please call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 255-4422.

The Codiac Regional RCMP Drug Section arrested three 16-year-olds midday Friday and they are now facing charges for possession of drugs, possession of prohibited weapons and resisting arrest.

The teenagers, all male, were arrested at the corner of Mountain Road and Church Street in Moncton.

Police seized marijuana, brass knuckles and a retractable metal baton.

The arrests are the result of an investigation into the sale of illegal drugs around local high schools.

Two of the teens have undertakings with the court and are being held for a court appearance Saturday morning. The third teen was released and will be appearing in court at a later date.

A survey of the sea floor of Cobscook Bay is underway with some high-tech help.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] Office of Coast Survey has landed in Eastport for the summer to conduct an extensive hydrographic bottom survey of Cobscook Bay.

The primary areas that NOAA will survey this year were last surveyed in the 19th century, when measurements were taken by hand, using leadline. In addition, manmade and natural events can change important characteristics of waterways and seafloors.

The Coast Survey's Navigation Response Team arrived in Eastport on Monday.

Fishing communities throughout the Bay of Fundy have lost 16 men in a series of vessel sinkings over the past five years. Since December 2008, there have been seven fishing-related deaths in Cobscook Bay.

[Debris from the All American sits on a Lubec pier March 2009-WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO] 

Last November, the Coast Survey response team joined federal, state and a local effort to find out what happened to the sunken vessels. The team was able locate the wreck of the All American, one of the vessels.

In April of this year, Senators Susan Collins and Olympia J. Snowe asked NOAA to conduct  a "full bottom survey of the bay as soon as possible."

And now they're here.

Cmdr. Lawrence T. Krepp, Chief of the NOAA Navigation Response Branch met Tuesday with reporters at the Coast Guard Station in Eastport following a briefing with other federal, state and local officials.

[Cmdr. Lawrence T. Krepp, Chief, NOAA Navigation Response Branch, speaks with local reporters at Coast Guard Station Eastport -WQDY NEWS PHOTO] 

Krepp explained that NOAA has limited assets and usually they go to bigger ports for survey purposes. "With a limited charting resource, we generally are servicing port areas where the highest risk -- whether it be an environmental or an economic catastrophe may happen. [For the larger port areas] if the chart data is not up to date there and if something were to happen -- any impact to that port would be on a larger US scale would be more so than a lower volume port. We just have to dedicate the limited assets that we have to those primary port areas."

"The loss of life was what brought us here," Krepp said. "There is a human element here that in many cases, it is somewhat out of the usual that we're in this type of area that doesn't have a gigantic commercial component to it. Some of the other factors that help us make a decision as we prioritize ports is we do want to look at the vintage of the historic surveys and is the potential of that old data -- does that have an affect on the human aspect? Is there loss of life -- is there a loss of equipment maybe based on that and as we're looking at that -- that was the rational for coming up here," Krepp said.

Krepp credited Captain Bob Peacock for pleading a "very strong case that there may be something that these folks are snagging on and resulting in the loss of life and equipment."

The team will be forwarding any detected "dangers to navigation" to cartographers for immediate chart updates, and will provide periodic progress updates to local officials.

For this survey, NOAA's assets include a 28' Sea Ark vessel, single beam echo sounder, side scan sonar, and multibeam sonar.

Operations are expected to continue through the summer wrapping up in September.

New Brunswickers are being warned about an Internet dating investment scheme originating in Ghana. A resident of the province was a victim of the scheme which involved worthless gold certificates.

The New Brunswick Securities Commission [NBSC] issued the warning on Wednesday.

According to a press release, NBSC staff became aware of the situation because of the alert actions of a bank employee. The employee suspected a fraud when the resident tried to make a large withdrawal. The employee recommended that the resident contact the NBSC to investigate.

"This person became a victim of a prevalent Internet dating investment scheme," said Rick Hancox, executive director, NBSC. "Unfortunately, the victim was scammed out of thousands of dollars. The bank employee's quick thinking prevented the victim from losing any more money."

Internet scams evolve continuously, and anyone who has money is at risk. This particular scheme is very personal in nature. It begins with contact by way of a dating website; a relationship develops; and requests for money ensue, increasing in value over time.

This scheme involved securities.

Certificates for gold were issued purporting that it was the only way to export gold from Ghana. This West African country is known for its gold reserves.

Examples of the certificates are available on the NBSC website. "A successful con artist does everything to gain your trust and becomes skilled at manipulating your emotions," said Hancox.

"It is important to keep in mind that persons you meet online might not be who they say they are. You might be dealing with persons using false identities to get your money." The NBSC recommends New Brunswickers keep these tips in mind when considering online transactions:

With the Internet, scammers may operate anonymously from anywhere in the world, making them hard to catch. Once you have given your money to an online scam artist, it is likely gone for good.

The NBSC relies on New Brunswickers reporting suspicious investment or securities-related activity. New Brunswickers may report or file a complaint confidentially by contacting the NBSC at 1-866-933-2222; by e-mail; or by going online. As an independent provincial Crown corporation, the NBSC oversees the capital markets in New Brunswick and regulates those that sell or manage securities. The NBSC is funded by regulatory fees paid by those operating in the investment industry, including public companies, mutual funds and more than 7,000 registered individuals and firms.

Some highlights from the Troop J Weekly Report:

May 31:

Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi assisted Washington County Sheriff's Office in Addison with a family fight complaint.

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a theft complaint in Tremont where firearms were reported stolen from a vehicle two weeks prior. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a family fight complaint in Waltham involving a man and his sister. It was found that this was verbal in nature and both accused the other as being the primary aggressor. The parties were separated for the day. Sgt. Ingemi and Trooper Ryan also responded.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a burglary complaint in Franklin where a chainsaw and a gas can were stolen from a shed next to a seasonal camp. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey responded to a 911 hang up call in Sullivan where a woman was out of breath. Police determined it to be a domestic assault and a 25-year-old man was arrested. Trooper Dan Ryan, Hancock Sheriff's Office and Marine Patrol also assisted.

June 1:

Trooper Andy Foss responded to a family fight complaint in Jonesboro involving a woman and man. It was found to be verbal in nature and both were calm and had worked things out before the trooper arrived on the scene.

Trooper Andy Foss arrested a 42-year-old man in Machias in reference to the string of burglaries that he and another defendant were involved in during the past 2 years. The joint effort between the Maine State Police and the Washington County Sheriff's Office has solved over 40 burglaries at this point and much more is expected. These burglaries are now found to have occurred in Washington, Hancock, Penobscot, Waldo and Cumberland counties. Trooper Tom Pickering, Penobscot and Waldo Sheriff's Offices are all assisting.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a 63-year-old man in Princeton for operating under the influence of drugs after he drove into a ditch. The man was transported by ambulance to the Calais Regional Hospital. Trooper Tim McCadden also responded.

June 2:

Trooper Mike Southard received a theft complaint from a woman who was calling from Massachusetts. The woman, who owns a residence on the E. River Road in Pembroke, reported that a well pump, a burner motor for a furnace and a well cap had been stolen from her property sometime within the last two weeks. Investigation continues.

June 4:

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a fraud report in Stonington where a debit card had been compromised. The bank has been notified. Investigation continues.

Trooper Cliff Peterson assisted the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office with a harassment warning in Trenton. The trooper met with a man at the Hancock County jail and warned him not to have any contact with his ex-girlfriend.

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a credit card fraud complaint from a man in Trenton. The man reported that someone had used his credit card at Walmart in Ellsworth. The investigation continues.

June 5:

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a criminal mischief complaint in Penobscot where a water balloon was thrown from a vehicle causing another vehicle's windshield to break. Investigation continues.

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a harassment complaint in Blue Hill where one woman reported receiving harassing calls from another. The woman was warned for harassment.

Trooper Andy Foss and Trooper Jason Fowler responded to Lubec for a report of a loud party. A 19-year-old woman was warned for disorderly conduct and told to keep the noise down.

Trooper Jason Fowler assisted Washington SO as a drug recognition expert where 23-year-old man was arrested by the Washington Sheriff's Office for operating under the influence of drugs.

Trooper Cliff Peterson and Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to the Amherst General Store in reference to a report of a subject who was believed to be carrying a concealed weapon inside the store. Police located a 49-year-old man from Amherst inside the store and was carrying a fully loaded .357 Magnum revolver concealed under his jacket. He was placed under arrest for carrying a concealed weapon and was transported to the Hancock County jail without incident.

June 6:

Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi assisted the Hancock Sheriff's Office in Surry with a crash where the operator was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol. Tpr. Jason Fowler summonsed a 25-year-old woman in Baileyville for criminal speed. (73 MPH in a 40 MPH zone).

State Police have charged three minors and an adult in connection with a personal injury accident in Machiasport over the weekend.

Trooper Greg Burns investigated the "late report" and found that a 16-year-old male from Machiasport had been drinking the previous night and drove his vehicle down a steep embankment.

The boy and his two passengers then left the scene of the accident.

The boy was located at his residence and was summonsed for illegal possession of alcohol by a minor and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

The boy's passenger and 17-year-old brother, were also summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a minor.

It was also determined that 21-year-old Lawerence Hatt, of East Machias had purchased the alcohol for the boys and was also a passenger in the vehicle.

Hatt was summonsed for furnishing liquor to minors and violation of conditions of release. Hatt was transported to Downeast Community Hospital to be treated for possible internal injuries as a result of the accident.

A Calais woman was arrested last week and charged with burglary.

Sgt. Chris Donahue told WQDY NEWS the incident happened just after 11 PM the night of Tuesday June 1.

Police received a call from a residence on the River Road.

" [It was] a report of a subject coming into a residence and [allegedly] assaulting the occupant of the residence. Melanie Pagels, 24, of Calais, was arrested for burglary," Donahue said.

The investigation is continuing.

McAdam and Oromocto RCMP executed a residential search warrant Saturday at a home in Harvey, New Brunswick.

A quantity of dried marijuana, cash and a stolen firearm were seized.

A 31-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were arrested and released.

They will be appearing in court at a later date to face charges. The investigation is ongoing.

HARRINGTON, MAINE [AP] - Authorities say a medical delivery truck smashed into a car and gas pumps, causing an explosion and fire outside a convenience store in Harrington.

Sgt. Tim Tabbutt of the Washington County Sheriff's Department says four people managed to pull 62-year-old Gardiner Crabtree out of his burning Coast Med Tech truck on Monday.

He says Crabtree was airlifted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where he was in critical condition Monday evening. He says two Samaritans were being held overnight for smoke inhalation.

Tabbutt says the crash happened at 10:28 a.m. Monday. He says a motorist was able to drive his damaged car away. Firefighters doused the flames within a half-hour.

[ABOVE STORY FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Rainy Day In Eastport 
 
Couple walk along a rainy Water Street in downtown 
Eastport early Saturday afternoon - WQDY NEWS 
PHOTO
 
For the weather anytime online -- scroll
above and click on the "Community" tab then
select "area weather."

RCMP say a 9-year-old boy has died from injuries after being struck by a car late Friday afternoon in Bannon, near Hartland, New Brunswick.

According to police, the youngster was riding down a driveway when he drove onto the roadway and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The victim was rushed to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

RCMP is reconstructing the accident and their investigation is ongoing. The name of the victim is  not being released.

Maine officials have revoked the license of a nursing supervisor who let a disoriented patient leave a hospital in a heavy snowstorm.

61-year-old Reid Emery, of Eastport, was found dead the next day in a snowbank. 

Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced Friday that the Maine State Board of Nursing revoked the nursing license of John Zablotny, 44, of Steuben, for incompetent nursing practice and unprofessional conduct.

According to the AGs Office, on January 1, 2008, Zablotny was the nurse supervisor at Down East Community Hospital when he allowed an elderly and disoriented patient to be discharged from the hospital during a severe snowstorm.

The patient was admitted to the DECH on December 27, 2008 for treatment of abdominal pain.

During the day on January 1, 2008, a snowstorm developed and the patient, while still receiving pain medication, began asking to leave the hospital. Nurses advised the patient he was too weak to leave the hospital, and that his family was not able to return to the hospital to provide him with transportation due to the storm.

That evening, Zablotny, the supervising nurse, provided the patient with a form for the patient to sign if he was leaving the hospital against medical advice.

Prior to the patient's discharge, Zablotny failed to review of the patient's medical records to determine the patient's medical status, which included the medications administered to the patient.

The state says Zablotny failed to properly assess Emery's medical condition and ignored the advice of other staff members that the patient was confused and weak.

The patient signed the discharge form, and Zablotny pointed the patient to the front exit of the hospital unescorted.

Against the advice of hospital staff, Zablotny did not call the local police department. He also did not verify that the patient had transportation or a specific destination and did not ensure that the patient was properly clothed.

The patient left the hospital at approximately 8:20 pm and was wearing a pair of brown slippers, socks, pants and a flannel shirt.

Between 8:00 pm until 6:00 am the inner set of hospital doors were unattended and locked from the outside and the patient would be unable to get back in through the doors he exited.

At the insistence of the patient's family, the police were called at 9:25 pm to search for the patient.

Reid Emery's body was found on the afternoon of January 2, 2008 approximately 18 feet from the hospital building wall.

The medical examiner determined that the patient died of hypothermia and opiate toxicity.

"Nurses have a moral and ethical responsibility to use common sense and compassion to protect the patients that they care for," stated Attorney General Mills. "Anything less puts patients lives at risk."

Zablotny's nursing license was revoked for two years. He must also pay the cost of the hearing and a fine of $1,500.

Some parts of the Cobscook Bay bottom haven't been surveyed in over 100 years.

But that is about to change next week as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration embarks on an ocean floor survey of Cobscook Bay beginning June 7.

Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins recently sent a letter to NOAA officials requesting the survey.

[ABOVE-  A Falcon jet from Air Station Cape Cod searches the waters off Lubec just before sunset March 25, 2009, after debris from the commercial fishing vessel All American was found -Tom McLaughlin WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO]

"This is a positive step for the fishermen and boaters that operate in Cobscook Bay," said Senators Snowe and Collins.

"Cobscook Bay experiences some of the most dramatic ocean conditions in the world, and there have been seven fishing-related deaths in the bay since December 2008. By having better data of what lies below the waves, fishermen and boaters will be able to navigate and deploy their fishing gear more safely as they traverse this region."

ST. STEPHEN – The Wood & Wardrobe thrift shop is open for business.

With almost all of its stock destroyed in a May 22 fire that gutted its premises on King Street the future looked bleak for the store which employs mentally disabled adults under the auspices of The St. Croix Vocational Centre Inc.

Thanks to the benevolence of a local businessman, Yvon Albert, the thrift shop has a new rent-free location at 107A Milltown Blvd.

And thanks to the generosity of the local community, the store has items to sell.

Erika Boone, store manager, said the shop had a few things stored at the centre's building on Union Street. The merchandise for sale Thursday was a combination of that and the donations received in the past two weeks.

"People have been very generous," said Boone. While she said the new location is smaller than the original store, it's still large enough to do the job, which is to provide retail experience for the vocational centre clients. There were five to six clients at any one time working in the old store. This store will have a maximum of three.

"They're all very excited by this," said centre manager Tammy Parks early Thursday morning as she looked around the store which already had customers.

"I could have had 32 people here," she laughed. "They're all looking forward to their turn. On hand that morning were clients Bobby Clarke and Carole Joy McKeen.

Boone said the clients have missed the store and she has missed working with them. Client duties include putting clothes on the racks and tables, sweeping the floor and bagging items for customers.

Gerry Dempsey of Rollingdam was the first customer in the door at the new store. "I've missed it," he said. "It was great for those of us who need a yard sale daily."

Describing himself as a yard-sale addict, Dempsey said he was a frequent customer at the old thrift store on King Street.

"I'm the first customer. Do I get something?" he joked with Boone at the cash register. "Smiles," she replied with one.

No new information has come to light with regard to the cause of the fire, the RCMP state. Sgt. Bob MacKnight confirmed Thursday the blaze is still under investigation.

While the cause of the blaze has not yet been determined speculation is that the fire began in bags of clothing and other items that were dropped off and piled at the store's front door.

Both Boone and Parks stressed the importance of donations not being left at the new store in a similar manner. They said donations are being accepted at the centre at 129 Union St. during the week and on evenings and weekends, donations can be deposited in a bin behind the building there.

[Above story from the June 3, 2010 Saint Croix Courier]

Inevestigators from the Coast Guard are working with the Maine State Ferry Service to determine why the ferry Everett Liberty ran aground Thursday morning.

Thirty people were on board when the ferry left the terminal in Vinalhaven on the way to Rockland.

Officials said none of the 26 passengers or four crew members were injured during the accident and there are no reports of pollution.

The ferry terminal manager called the Coast Guard to report the grounding in The Reach, near Norton's Point. 

A 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Rockland escorted the Everett Liberty to a ferry landing in Rockland, where Coast Guard investigators and inspectors met the vessel.

Visibility at the time of the grounding was less than a quarter of a mile.

Saltwater fishermen have one more thing to remember before they drop their line in the water -- to register.

A new federal law requires most people saltwater fishing in New England to sign up with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.

The registration is quick, easy and free in 2010.

For more information or to register visit https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/  Or call toll-free 888-MRIP411.

Here are some incident highlights from the Troop J Weekly Report:

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer responded to a family fight in Grand Lake Stream at a private residence. The fight was found it to be verbal in nature.

Trooper David Barnard handled a theft of a canoe from the Castine Road in Orland. The caller, from Orland reported he left the canoe tied to the shore line. Someone had cut the rope and took it sometime during the night.

Trooper Greg Burns handled a theft complaint in Lubec where a canoe was reported stolen.  Investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a burglary complaint in Sorrento where copper pipes were stolen from a seasonal residence. The investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey assisted the Hancock County Sheriff's Office with a disorderly conduct complaint in Surry.

Trooper Michael Southard took a theft complaint of batteries from a grader. The grader was parked in Otis. The incident occurred within the last two weeks. Evidence was collected and will be sent to the crime lab for testing. The total cost of the batteries is over $400.

Trooper Michael Southard took a theft complaint in Amherst. The caller, from Bangor, reported his Old Town Canoe was stolen from his camp which is located on Smith Road in Amherst. The canoe was a red Old Town Discovery 15.8 with tan plastic seats and black gunwales. The caller did not have the serial number to the boat. The estimated time of the theft is within the last two weeks.

Trooper Michael Southard received a burglary complaint in Sullivan. The caller, from Pennsylvania, reported that his camp and shed on Flanders Pond was broken into. A local friend who takes care of the camp discovered the break and estimated it occurred between May 16 and May 20. It doesn't appear that anything was taken.

Trooper Michael Southard received a threatening complaint from a man who lives at on Georges Pond Road in Franklin. The caller reported that he was having some issues with another man, who had done some carpentry work for him. The dispute was over money owed to the carpenter. The caller asserts that he had already paid. Some words were exchanged and the two got into an argument over the phone resulting in the carpenter threatening the caller if he calls his number again. The caller admitted he was equally responsible for the bickering and just wanted the incident "on record".

Trooper Michael Southard received a theft from a motor vehicle complaint in Hancock. The caller, from Bangor, took his car to a local garage and alleged that someone there stole the paper prescription for Percocet from the glove box. The caller's prescription was written from a doctor in Connecticut. After speaking with the man's doctors office in Connecticut it seems that this type of allegation is a regular occurrence. It is unlikely they will rewrite the prescription.

Trooper Greg Roy investigated a burglary complaint at the St. Francis Church in Blue Hill. Two rolls of stamps and $51 were taken the previous night. Entry was made through an unsecured window.  Investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy investigated a burglary complaint at the 1st Congregational Church in Blue Hill. A total of over $100 in cash was stolen. Physical evidence was collected. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi assisted in the processing of the evidence. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy received a theft complaint from the Coastal Road in Brooksville. The caller had two lines of copper pipe stolen sometime in the last two months. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy received a theft complaint from the Old County Road in Sedgwick. The caller had a Honda generator stolen sometime in the last two months. The caller has been away from home and just noticed it missing. The caller did not have any further information about the size, model or serial number of the generator. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Mitchell investigated an assault on a Deer Isle High School student. The investigation revealed that one student had shot another with a BB gun. Trooper Mitchell met with the school staff and the mother of the victim. Both the victim and her mother declined to pursue criminal charges so the matter was referred to the school for disciplinary action.

Trooper Greg Mitchell conducted a well-being check on an elderly male in Deer Isle. The man was found next to Route 15 on his scooter. The man was naked and appeared confused and the trooper got him back to his residence. The man's family was contacted and arrangements for in homecare were made.

Trooper Greg Mitchell and Trooper David Barnard responded to the Curtis Cove Beach in Blue Hill. The caller reported that her boyfriend, of Blue Hill, was suicidal. The man had struck himself several times in the head with a football size rock before running away from his girlfriend. When the troopers arrived on the scene, the boyfriend was seen with blood running down his face before he attempted to run away from the troopers. A short foot chase ensued before the man was taken into protective custody. The man was transported by ambulance to the Blue Hill Hospital for medical care. Trooper Barnard then transported the man to the Acadia Hospital in Bangor.

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a criminal mischief complaint in Sedgwick where a vehicle had its tires cut. A suspect is known and the investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a theft complaint in East Machias where a vehicle drove away without paying for gas. A suspect is known. Investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to a burglary complaint in Charlotte involving a seasonal residence where copper pipes were stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to an assault complaint in Lubec involving two brothers. The caller decided not to pursue charges against his brother after calling the police.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a neighborhood complaint from a woman from Robbinston. The caller stated that someone put up a sign just before her property that said derogatory things. The caller was offended by this and said it was directed at her. The investigation continues.

Trooper David Barnard responded to a theft on US Hwy 1 in Hancock. The caller reported someone took a freezer from her attached shed.

Trooper Dan Ryan summonsed a 34-year-old man for keeping dangerous dogs and dogs at large for a violation that occurred in Blue Hill on May 1st after the dogs acted aggressive towards a passer-by.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a report from a woman in Lubec that her 2006 ATV Bombardier was stolen from her dooryard sometime between the evening of May 26 and the morning of May 27.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a theft / criminal mischief complaint from a man from Amherst. The caller advised that he found 100-feet of electrical wire missing from his camp. He also discovered that his camp had been entered. The front door had been kicked-in breaking the wooden door casing. He did not believe anything was taken from inside his camp.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a criminal mischief complaint from Cherryfield, that 3 signposts with sunrise trail information were taken out of the ground on Route 191 East Machias at the rail trail.

Sgt. Tim Varney and Trooper Greg Roy responded to a complaint from a Deer Isle man. The caller reported that he needed a trooper to come take his child away from him because he was not sure what he was going to do. The caller had received information his twelve year old child had been misbehaving. The child's mother lives in North Carolina and the caller stated he had enough of the child and needed someone to take him. The child was removed from the house and transported to his grandparent's residence in Charleston. DHHS was notified.

Trooper Staci Carpenter conducted a traffic stop on Route 1 in Jonesboro for an expired inspection sticker and summons the driver for operating without a Maine license.

Trooper Michael Southard responded to a neighborhood dispute between two neighbors on the Webb District Road in Columbia. One neighbor accused the other of littering on his property as they are property abutters. The complaint was unfounded.

Trooper Michael Southard responded to a theft complaint in Beddington. The caller reported his $10,000 Shore Master Dock was stolen some time over the winter. The camp is located at the end of West Beddington Lake Road.

Trooper Greg Roy summonsed an 18-year-old man with possession of a usable amount of marijuana as a result of a traffic stop on Route 15 in Deer Isle.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a criminal mischief complaint from a man from Vassalboro that someone kicked his door and left some marks at his camp in Topsfield. Investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Mitchell, Sgt. Timothy Varney and Lt. Christopher Coleman responded to the Verona end of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge to assist the Waldo County Sheriff's Office with a bomb threat. Both ends of the bridge were shut down to traffic for over 2 hours while a search of the area was conducted. Two state police K-9's were also used. The threat was on a note that was left in the tower.

Trooper Andrew Foss handled a burglary complaint in Pembroke where several tools were stolen from a seasonal residence. Evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

Trooper Michael Southard took a burglary complaint in Franklin from a man who owns a seasonal place located on Grist Mill Road. The caller reported that someone broke into his place and took his Echo Tree Pruner and Jonsered Weed Whacker. The items were taken sometime between August and December 2009.

Trooper Greg Roy responded to the Buttermilk Road in Lamoine after a report of a younger couple fighting on the side of the road. The witness did not actually observe any assault. Trooper Roy discovered the couple walking on the road. The male stated they had an argument but there was no assault. The female refused to provide any information and she confirmed no assault took place.

Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi, Trooper Miles Carpenter and Trooper Andrew Foss responded to a hit and run crash on Beals where a vehicle fled the scene after crashing through a telephone pole. The vehicle was located and later reported stolen. Warden Carter and his K-9 along with the Washington County Sheriff's Office also responded. Investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a criminal mischief complaint in Beals where plant hangers were damaged. Investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a criminal mischief complaint in Cherryfield where beehives were damaged. The investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler and the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an underage drinking party in Perry. Washington County Deputies summonsed several juveniles for possession of liquor. Trooper Fowler summonsed a 17-year-old female for possession of a usable amount of marijuana. All were warned for criminal trespass for being on private property.

Trooper Greg Roy investigated a vandalism complaint in Dedham. The caller stated he had parked his vehicle on the Lily Road in Dedham and sometime overnight a bottle was thrown at his windshield breaking it. Investigation continues.

Are you an adult with asthma? Or do you have a child or work with children who have asthma?

A FREE Asthma education session with dinner will be held in the Calais Regional Hospital Classroom on Wednesday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited. You must RSVP to 454-9262.

Asthma is a common condition that affects more than 23 million Americans.

"Maine has some of the highest rates of asthma in the country, and Calais is reported to have the highest rates of emergency room visits for asthma in Maine," stated Dr. David Walter, Calais Regional Medical Services Pediatrician.

For most physician practices, resources are focused on treatment when issues arise for those patients with asthma.

But, that will soon change for patients of the CRMS practice and the Calais area. Recently, CRMS was approved for a grant that will provide the resources to assist with putting some focus on asthma management for patients, families and providers dealing with this chronic disease.

Calais Regional Hospital believes that access to services and programs that focus on disease prevention can make our community healthy. Therefore, as part of our commitment to community health, we are pleased to offer this dinner education session to the public free of charge.

Learn about the planned resources for asthma patients and take part in a fun and educational session filled with useful information on asthma and asthma management, including: physiology, signs and symptoms, triggers and environmental factors, medications, delivery devices, Asthma Action Plans.

If you have questions about this event, contact the community relations office at 454-9227 or 454-9262 or community@calaishospital.org.

RCMP are investigating a single vehicle collision near Nackawic, New Brunswick that killed one person and injured another.

The crash happened early Wednesday morning on Route 102.

Police said it appears the operator lost control of the vehicle and went off the road and overturned.

RCMP say the driver, a 37-year-old Fredericton man, died at the scene. A 37-year-old Fredericton woman was injured in the crash and was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Authorities believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.

The things you find at checkstops.

As part of Canada Road Safety Week (May 18-24), the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies conducted a number of checkstop operations throughout New Brunswick in an effort to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on roadways.

During the week there were 98 checkstops conducted throughout the province with 22,000 vehicles checked.

Among the infractions discovered:

36 drivers were arrested for being impaired;

116 people were fined for not wearing their seatbelts;

303 people were fined for aggressive driving/speeding;

There were two fatalities during the week in Allardville and Lincoln. 10 people suffered serious injuries in various crashes.


At the largest checkstop conducted on the Trans Canada Highway near Salisbury, police made three drug seizures totalling 75 pounds of marijuana. A seizure was also made of 30,000 contraband tobacco cigarettes.

The week-long blitz included RCMP members from various districts, Traffic Services, Customs and Excise and Integrated Proceeds of Crime. Fredericton and Bathurst City Police Forces also took part, as did officials with Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, NB Department of Natural Resources and Motor Vehicle Inspectors.

The RCMP said checkstops will continue to be performed at various times in various locations throughout the province over the summer.

Memorial Day 2010 in Calais, Maine

wqdy news photos

Governor John E. Baldacci issued the following statement today on 

Memorial Day, observed Monday, May 31.

"As we enjoy this spring weekend with family and friends, I hope everyone will 

join me in paying tribute to the men and women who have served in our military.  

On Memorial Day, we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while 

wearing the uniform of the United States of America.  They have kept us safe and 

protected the values that make our country great.  We will never forget their sacrifice, 

and the sacrifice of those close to them."

"And we also hold close in our hearts the men and women who are serving in 

Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world.  

We are proud of their service and look forward to their safe return home.  

They are giving of themselves for all of us.  The have earned our respect and our 

support, while they are away and when they return home."

"On Memorial Day, flags will be lowered around Maine until Noon, in honor and 

tribute to America's fallen soldiers. Then the flags will be raised to the top 

of the staff until sunset, in honor of our country's war heroes."

"Maine is thankful to our heroes past and present. Time and time again, our soldiers 

have answered the call and stood ready to support the defense of our families, 

communities and country.  So on this day, we remember them, we pray for them, and we 

pray for their families." 

It's been a deadly weekend on New Brunswick roads.

According to the RCMP, a 28-year-old truck driver was killed around midnight Friday in a collision on the Trans Canada Highway in Perth Andover. Police said it appears the truck left the road, struck a bridge structure, fell into a ravine and caught fire.

Early Saturday, District 10 RCMP responded to a fatal collision on Route 130 near Four Falls, N.B. Police said it appears the driver lost control of his vehicle and left the road. The vehicle then crashed near a wooded area. The 44-year-old man from Tobique First Nation was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the lone occupant of the vehicle.

Later Saturday evening, Bouctouche RCMP responded to a collision on Highway 11 near Saint-Maurice New Brunswick involving two off road vehicles. A 16-year-old teenage girl who was a passenger on one of the all terrain vehicles was seriously injured in the collision. She was eventually transferred to a Moncton hospital where she remains in critical condition. Police said the crash remains under investigation but it appears both ATV's were on the roadway at the time of the collision and alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor.

Also Saturday evening, Caledonia RCMP responded to a fatal collision in Forest Glen, New Brunswick. When police arrived they found a vehicle smashed into a tree totally damaged and four of the five occupants ejected from the car. Paramedics and firefighters were on scene tending to the injured. An 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old teenage girl were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The three other occupants, an 18-year-old woman, an 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene. All five occupants were from the Riverview, New Brunswick area. Police said It appears that the occupants had not been wearing seat belts and speed may have also been a contributing factor. The investigation is ongoing.

And early Sunday morning, Bouctouche RCMP responded to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 11 near Mckee's Mills New Brunswick. The preliminary investigation reveals that a vehicle travelling northbound crossed the center line and struck head on with a vehicle travelling south. Fire and ambulance were on scene and the jaws of life were required to free one of the drivers. The driver of the southbound vehicle, a 30-year-old man from the Bouctouche area was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He is currently listed in stable condition. The driver of the northbound vehicle, a 46-year-old man from Rexton NB, received minor injuries. He was arrested for impaired driving causing bodily harm and will appear in court at a later date to face charges. The investigation is ongoing.

The names of victims have not yet been released.

The Maine Forest Service says citizens are cautioned about calling local authorities to report smelling wood smoke. Most areas of the state have been receiving smoke from several large wildfires in Northern Quebec.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is warning citizens with respiratory problems about the smoke http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/

Last week's record-breaking heat and lightning storms created over 60 wildfires in Quebec, several which are still considered out of control. The Maine Forest Service has mobilized 6 forest rangers and 15 wildland firefighters to assist with the fires in Northern Quebec, but still has adequate staffing of forest rangers in Maine.

It started out small but Sunday's winds caused a fire in Addison to spread to several acres.

District Ranger Jeff Currier of the Maine Forest Service told WQDY NEWS, "the Addison fire department was toned to a small woods fire of the Mann Road, located off Route 187 - the Indian River Road in Addison."

"Upon their arrival crews found a fairly small fire -- two-tenths of an acre in size burning in some softwood growth. However, the fire spread very quickly and the winds that we were experiencing today [Sunday], we had winds gusting over 25 miles an hour at the scene," Currier explained.

"The fire got established in softwood regeneration and took off from there and when it started to move we called in resources from the forest service, from the neighboring towns of Columbia Falls, Harrington and Jonesport and then I requested one of our helicopters to come down," Currier said.

"We also had as usual great assistance from the Downeast Correctional Facility -- they provided a crew to us and they'll be there with us on Monday.

"The fire burned actively consuming about eight acres total in spruce and fir regeneration and didn't show any signs of stopping until we got it pinched off."

The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.

"Some sort of human element but not suspicious at this point," Currier told us.

Crews will continue mopping up at the scene on Monday.

She thought she having a quiet lunch with the city council as a thank you for her lengthy service as Eastport city clerk, but officials had other things planned for Helen Archer on Friday.

Archer retired last month after 27 years of service to Eastport and The State of Maine.

Governor Baldacci honored Helen Wilson Archer by declaring Friday May 28th as Helen Wilson Archer Day in Maine in recognition and honor of her long and distinguished career serving Eastport and Maine.

Maine Senator Kevin Raye and State Representative David Burns introduced requests to both Houses of the Maine Legislature to Honor Archer with a Legislative Sentiment. The request was approved unanimously in the House and Senate.

The Proclamation from Governor Baldacci was read by Senator Raye and The Sentiment from the Maine Legislature was read by Representative Burns.

Eastport City Council President Robert Peacock presented Archer with a city Proclamation that appointed her as the new Honorary City of Eastport Chief of Protocol. The honors, accolades and new appointment were a total surprise for Eastport's new Chief of protocol Helen Archer.

Public  Supper  At The Perry Grange Saturday Night . . . . .

WQDY NEWS PHOTO

The New Brunswick government has awarded a tender for the construction of a new ferry linking White Head Island and Grand Manan. The $5-million investment was announced by Transportation Minister Denis Landry and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet. 

Landry said they will replace the eight-car MV Lady White Head due to its age and limited capacity.

"The new vessel, to be in service in 2011, is designed to carry 12 full-size passenger cars and 32 passengers."

This is exciting news, and this project is important for a number of reasons," said Doucet.

The MV Lady White Head, built in 1976, is owned by the province and operates under contract by Coastal Transport Ltd. It runs between Ingalls Head on Grand Manan and White Head Island.

It's a sentence of life in prison for William David White.

The 32-year-old man appeared in St. Andrews Provincial Court Thursday where he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Mary Claire Scott, 59, from St. Stephen.

White will only be eligible for parole after serving 20 years. He is also prohibited for life of owning or possessing firearms and ammunition.

White pled guilty April 22 to a charge of second degree murder in the death of Mary Claire Scott. Her body was found in her Queen Street home on November 30 of last year.

In response to several large forest fires currently burning in the Northeastern province of Quebec Canada, the Maine Forest Service is mobilizing a 21 person wildland fire crew.

The crew, lead by MFS Forest Ranger Mike Daigle, based out of Fort Kent, is comprised of 6 forest rangers and 15 civilian wildland firefighters.

In the past, more forest rangers have been sent with this type of crew, but with the current dry conditions in most of Maine, rangers are needed to provide their expertise on fires within the state.

The crew is being sent in support of the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission [a.k.a, "the Compact"], which covers the seven New England States, the New England National Forests and four neighboring Provinces in Canada.

The other members of the wildland firefighting crew are civilian wildland firefighters from Central, Downeast and Northern Maine.

All have been trained by the Maine Forest Service and recently completed a strenuous physical fitness test. The crew is expected to be mobilized for two weeks.

Part of the crew is scheduled to leave Bangor International Airport around 10 AM Friday. They will fly to Presque Isle to pick up the other crewmembers. before heading to Canada.

Most of the fires were caused by lightning from the recent thunderstorms and have been active due to the record-breaking high temperatures and windy conditions.

Within the last 36 hours, 14 new fires have been found. The exact location of the fires is not available at this time, but the area is referred to as "Latuque" and is sparsely populated.

The Calais area Relay For Life has another supporter -- the Calais Police Department.

And they've planned an event they hope will generate some interest and some money for the Relay For Life.

Officer Bob Fitzsimmons told WQDY NEWS that he was asked by Chief David Randall if a poker run could be organized with motorcycles and worked in conjunction with the Relay For Life to raise money for cancer treatment.

Officer Bob Fitzsimmons and Chief David Randall ready to ride in the CPD 1st Annual Poker Run June 19- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

"Something that's near and dear to both the Chief and I is cancer treatment and I thought that it'd be a great idea. With the folks that we have around here that ride motorcycles they've made it easy. I think it's a great thing to get all our motorcycles together and make this trip and raise some money for a good cause," Fitzsimmons said.

The Poker Run is Saturday June 19 and it's sponsored by the Calais PD.

"I think it's a great thing to get all our motorcycles together and make this trip and raise some money for a good cause."

Chief David Randall said he started thinking about a poker run when the Motor Maids came to town a few weeks ago.

"They're a great group of ladies -- they really care about what they did and I got thinking about how sometimes people might get the wrong idea when they see people riding motorcycles but bottom line is that they come from all walks of life, police officers, managers of businesses, stores, all kinds of different people," said the chief.

"Cancer research treatment is a big thing to both of us and I really want to do something. I wasn't going to be around here for the Relay for Life itself [June 11 & 12], but I want to try to do something to raise some money and the motorcycle riders in the area are great and really want to take part," Randall said.

The department is trying to get the word out. Posters are up at different businesses, it'll be posted on a Facebook page, or contact the police department on their non-emergency number of 454-2752 or e-mail policechief@calaismaine.org

"It's ten dollars a hand. The more bikes we have the better," Fitzsimmons said.

Seat belts save lives but only if drivers use them. 

A crash can happen to anyone-

ABOVE-A seat belt saved the life of Dep. Tom Chambers November 5 when he swerved to avoid a moose on Route 214 and his cruiser rolled several times after striking a stump- Tom McLaughlin WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO

To protect local lives, the Washington County Sheriff's Office is joining with law enforcement officers, highway safety officials and safety advocates across the country in support of the 2010 Click It or Ticket mobilization.

During the May 24 - June 6, 2010, campaign, Washington County motorists can expect to receive tickets, NOT warnings, if officers find them out on the roads unbuckled.

ABOVE-State Trooper Greg Burns looks over demolished WCSO cruiser following November 5, 2009 crash. Dep. Tom Chambers owes his life to his seat belt- Tom McLaughlin WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO 

In a public service announcement airing here on Classic Hits WQDY-WALZ & The Border 102.9 WCRQ, Deputy Tom Chambers speaks from experience.  

"In November 2009, I was wearing my seat belt when I swerved to miss a moose. Unfortunately, it rolled my cruiser several times ripping my driver's side door off."

ABOVE: The driver's side of the cruiser after striking a stump and rolling several times. Tom McLaughlin WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO.

"The seat belt that I wore religiously kept my body inside the vehicle and the airbag from the ceiling, seat and steering wheel kept my head from bouncing off the pavement."

"Without the seat belt, well, I'll let you use your imagination -- but for certain, I would not be here with my family."

ABOVE: Firefighters on standby at crash scene following rollover. Tom McLaughlin WQDY NEWS FILE PHOTO.

"My name is Deputy Tom Chambers of the Washington County Sheriff's Office and we will be aggressively enforcing the use of seat belts, so please, Click It or Ticket -- and be responsible. Protect yourself, your children and your future," Chambers said.

No question about it: Seat belts save lives.

Spread the word to your family and friends to buckle up. You could save them the cost of a ticket. Even better: You could save a life.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township is getting some help from the federal government. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA has selected 27 projects to receive grants to help fund rural businesses, start new businesses, save and create jobs, and train workers in Native American communities in 12 states.

In Maine, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township has been selected to receive a Rural Business Enterprise Grant in the amount of $30,000.

Grant funds will be used by the Tribe to acquire firewood processing equipment to lease to its Forestry Department. This will help them to produce a value-added firewood product to assist tribal members with heating needs, including its elderly and handicapped members, while creating five jobs.

USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said this project highlights one innovative and self-sustaining way the Tribe is using natural resources to benefit its economy, sustain jobs, and help its members heat their homes through renewable energy means. 

The $3.4 million in grants announced Wednesday is administered through USDA Rural Development's Rural Business Enterprise Grant program.

This program provides grants for rural projects that finance the development of small and emerging rural businesses, help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment-related adult education programs. 

These funds are part of USDA's annual budget and are not from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.

Firefighters in Whiting, Perry and Pembroke were kept busy Monday responding to wildfires in their communities.

There had been reports earlier Monday about a "smoke" in Perry or the "smell of smoke" but exactly where it was coming from wasn't immediately clear.

But shortly before ten Monday night, while the exact location wasn't  really defined crews had a better idea where it was.

ABOVE: Long-distance view of fire from the Ridge Road-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Pembroke firefighters could see the blaze from the Ridge Road  while Perry firefighters were working off the South Meadow Road.

Once firefighters were able to get on the scene they knocked this one down pretty fast.

Access was about a half-mile up a woods road where crews used 4-wheelers or walked just to get to the fire.

ABOVE: Crews emerge from woods road after heading in on foot and 4-wheelers to scene of woods fire on Perry-Pembroke town line-WQDY NEWS PHOTO

District Ranger Jeff Currier of the Maine Forest Service told WQDY NEWS the fire was located on the Perry-Pembroke town line off the South Meadow Road in a meadow system.

"It could be seen from the Ridge Road and that's how the fire was reported. We believe this is a fire that was called in earlier in the day -- a smoke that was seen -- but they were unable to locate it."

"Not their fault," Currier added.

"This type of fire is one that would probably flare up and then drop right down. So the smoke comes and the smoke goes."

Currier said the cause of the wildfire would be investigated. He estimated that about 4 acres were involved.

"These are tough at night because people see the glow and the glow magnifies the acreage quite a bit so this looked like a huge fire because of that glow. It had been burning for quite a while," Currier said.

Perry Fire Chief Paula Frost told us they spent the most time trying to find the fire.

"Actually, the first call came in around 7 o'clock. The RCC had a couple of calls -- people smelling smoke. Nobody could see anything. A couple of people from Pembroke rode this area pretty heavy and couldn't find anything."

Frost said she had some permits out and figured it was just a controlled burn.

"As it got dark, you could see the fire off the Ridge Road. But seeing it and getting to it were two different things," the chief said.

"There's so many woods roads off the area and at night your perspective is so far off that you don't really know what you're looking at. Once we did pinpoint it and get in there it was pretty easy to go ahead and knock it down," Frost said.

The Perry and Pembroke fire departments combined resources to take care of this one.

"I had a pretty good crew that's willing to whatever it takes to get in there. It was probably a half-mile in off the road and most everybody walked in. We had some 4-wheelers with some equipment but it was a pretty good little after-dinner hike for the troops but they took it well," Frost said.

That fire wasn't the only one that kept area firefighters busy Monday.

Earlier there had been a fire on Route 1 in Whiting said District Ranger Jeff Currier.

"Upon arrival, Whiting fire units found a fire burning in a dilapidated structure and a homeowner or caretaker was there and had been doing some burning and the fire had gotten away and gotten into the old boards and threatened an old Cape-style house," Currier said.

This fire was knocked down pretty quickly by the Whiting fire units. 

Currier and Ranger Jasmine Redlevske investigated the fire and determined;

"He had an open burning permit -- the trouble with that was that he had failed to read it very well because it expired about a week ago and more importantly to us, it said 'after 5 p.m.' for the burning. This happened right around noontime," Currier said.

The reason they put "after 5 p.m." on it is because the temperature generally goes down, the wind drops, relative humidity comes up and with that fires are less likely to escape.

"I think this gentleman learned a lesson in the fire alone but he was charged with failure to comply with open burning permit conditions and restrictions and he'll have a court date in Machias in July," Currier said.

ST. STEPHEN - The Canadian cradle of the game of basketball was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning, May 22.

"This is potentially the first place that basketball was ever played in this country," said Don Walker, local teacher and basketball enthusiast, as he surveyed the blackened interior of the Parson's Printing building at the foot of King Street, home of the St. Croix Vocational Centre's Wood and Wardrobe thrift store."

"This just sickens me to think that this could have been set," said Walker, expressing his concern for the loss of both the thrift store and the piece of sports history."

St. Stephen Fire Chief Jeff Richardson said the RCMP is investigating the cause of the blaze which began around 2:20 a.m. The call out was sounded at 6:30 a.m. The Calais Fire Department, as well as the Moore Mills and Oak Bay fire departments, responded to the scene. There were five 9-1-1 calls to the fire department reporting the fire. Richardson said it is apparent the fire began outside and then extended inside. An archway cut through into the space formerly occupied by Parson's Printing funneled the fire through the brick structure.

Walker said he paid a visit to the building years ago when he first found out about its link with Canadian basketball history. "It was just an eerie feeling that you would be walking in here and this is where it started in this country," said Walker.

He said a colleague of James Naismith, the founder of basketball, stayed in the building when it was used as a YMCA.

"The court was still there where they played." St. Croix Vocational Centre board member Tony Whittaker confirmed the place the building held in sports history.

"The first basketball game played in Canada was played in the back of this building, said Whittaker, gesturing up to the second floor. And the actual court is still there, still there intact."

Whittaker said the fire that wiped out the thrift store is a devastating blow to the non-profit organization which purchased the building about a year ago.

"It's certainly important to our organization and important to the community. It's something we'll want to deal with and recover from as quickly as we can," said Whittaker. The building, which years ago housed Waterson's Pharmacy, was insured. He said the store provided a retail training opportunity for about 30 mentally disabled young adults, the majority of whom are from Charlotte County.

"We sold clothing and used miscellaneous goods. It's amazing how generous the community has been." But Whittaker said the store was more than a significant source of revenue for the organization. "It's a great venue for the trainees to get out in the public and do some work here. They really enjoy it."

Saturday morning, Whittaker was dressed in work boots to protect his feet from all the broken glass that littered the sidewalk from the store's large front windows. He wore work gloves as he tossed bits of charred wood into what remained of the former store and cleaned up the remnants of garbage bags filled with donations now ruined by fire, smoke and water. White foam, most of the bubbles gone flat, still pooled in puddles on the sidewalk near the storefront.

"It's hard to tell what happened," said Whittaker referring to how the fire may have started. "The shop is something we rely on a lot for obvious reasons so we tend to take good care of it. It's hard to say what happened."

Whittaker said it looks like the fire started outside the main door of the store which was often piled high with overnight donations.

"Spontaneous combustion isn't likely," Whittaker stated. He said the trainees will be upset by the fire. "This is a place the clients can relate to. It will be upsetting for them to see it in this condition. They'll want to see it back in shape." Whittaker said until the future of the building is determined, donations of clothing can be made at the Vocational Centre's Union Street location.

Bennie Vienneau lives in an apartment nearby on Milltown Boulevard. He didn't venture into the night to watch the fire but did come by around 9 a.m. He said he and his wife go on frequent walks which take them by the thrift store. They often see large piles of garbage bags in front of the store after people drop off donations. Recently he said he told his wife somebody was going to be up to no good one day and set them on fire. He's not happy his prediction may have came true.

Walker said his wife, Kathy who is a board member, are both sickened by the devastation wrought by the fire. "It's really, really unfortunate. The board members have put so much into this place," said Walker. "It's sad to think that this could happen. Somebody's got nothing better to do. It's just senseless. It does make you angry." "History is one thing. You can't replace history. It's gone."

This story from the May 25 Saint Croix Courier

From old dynamite and blasting caps to a variety of complaints -- Troop J was busy over the last week with numerous incidents. Here are some:

Two members of the Maine State Police Bomb Team were activated and responded to Cape Split Road in Addison for some old dynamite and some old blasting caps. Troopers David Barnard and Shawn Whalen were called by the Fire Marshall's office to respond to the residence. The dynamite was stored in a small shed behind the residence and was in very poor condition. The Bomb Team made the decision to burn the dynamite in place.

Sgt. Jeff Ingemi and Troopers Jason Fowler and Kimberly Sawyer raised $844 for the Relay for Life by assisting with the "Tip a Police Officer" at the Dunkin Donuts in Calais. Washington SO and Calais PD were also involved.

Trooper Greg Burns received a theft complaint from a Beddington man. The caller reported that three gas cans had been taken from outside his camp sometime within the last month.

Trooper Cliff Peterson assisted the U.S. Coast Guard with the removal of two navigational buoys from a property on Swans Island. The buoys were removed without incident.

Trooper Staci Carpenter and Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to an unattended death at a camp on the Pigeon Hill Road in Steuben. A man from Florida had been staying at the camp for approximately a month and had passed away sometime within the last two weeks. The man was transported to the Medical Examiners office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Det. Elmer Farren also assisted at the scene.

Trooper Greg Roy received a bad check complaint from the Big Apple Store in Orland. The caller reported that a female had passed three checks totaling $236.98 that had been returned due to insufficient funds. The female had contacted the caller and made a payment arrangement. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Burns received a report of a domestic dispute from a woman of Rogue Bluffs. The caller reported that her daughter and her ex-husband had been fighting. The complaint was determined to be unfounded and no further action was taken.

Troopers Jessica Shorey and Tom Pickering responded to Sullivan for a report of several camp breaks. Damage was found on several campers and out buildings. Evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a traffic complaint in Baileyville where a 60-year-old Rockland, Massachusetts man was summonsed for driving to endanger. A Level III Commercial Vehicle Inspection was also completed and a log book violation was found. US Customs assisted by detaining the truck as it was attempting to enter Canada.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer responded to a motorcycle accident on Route 169 in Danforth. Bruce D. Lee, 37, had non life-threatening injuries and was life flighted to EMMC. Alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. Trooper Seth Edwards, from Troop E, assisted at the Bangor Hospital. The investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to a criminal mischief complaint in Cooper where a vehicle window had possibly been shot out while sitting in a driveway overnight. Investigation continues.

Trooper Andy Foss responded to two camp burglaries in Danforth. Several items were stolen. Evidence was collected and suspects are known. Investigation continues.

Trooper David Barnard responded to a residence in Deer Isle for a criminal mischief complaint. The resident reported he thinks his neighbor took his rototiller apart and will not put it back together.

Trooper Greg Roy responded to a trespassing complaint at the Bass Harbor Campground in Tremont. The caller reported that a former employee had recently been fired and was refusing to leave the campground. The former employee was escorted from the campground without incident.

Trooper Greg Burns responded to a report of a theft in progress on the Halls Mills Road in Whiting. The caller reported that someone was taking lumber from a house lot. A suspect was known. Trooper  Burns located the man and found him in possession of the stolen lumber. He was summonsed for theft and was placed under arrest for violation of probation.

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a theft complaint from a Blue Hill man. The man reported that he put twenty dollars worth of gas in his vehicle last night and now it is empty.

Trooper Cliff Peterson, Sgt. Alden Bustard and Trooper Greg Roy responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the Brooklin Inn. The manager reported that a man was causing a disturbance and harassing the patrons. The man was warned for disorderly conduct but he returned to the Inn a short time later and began causing a disturbance once again and harassing the patrons. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and was transported to the Hancock County jail without incident.

Trooper Mike Southard received a trespassing complaint in Verona. The caller reported that he had received a call from a camp owner who resides out of state advising they had received a rather high electric bill for their camp which is unoccupied. The caller checked the camp and discovered that someone had been staying there. The investigation disclosed that a subject known to the camp owners had been staying in the camp and he was given a criminal trespassing warning.

Trooper Staci Carpenter received a telephone harassment complaint from a Jonesboro man. The caller reported that he had been receiving harassing calls from another man, who is currently residing in Massachusetts. The man is currently on bail with conditions that prohibit him from having contact with a woman who resides at the residence where he had been visiting. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Burns summonsed a 19-year-old East Machias man for operating without a driver's license as the result of a traffic stop in East Machias.

Trooper Mike Southard received a threatening complaint from a man from Beals. The caller advised that he had received a call from his ex-girlfriend advising that her current boyfriend was riding around the island looking for her and had threatened to assault her. The man reported that he was hiding somewhere in the area of the wharf to avoid the ex-boyfriend. Trooper Southard located the ex-boyfriend at his residence a short time later and determined that he was cooperative. The ex-boyfriend said that he had no intention of trying to harm the girl. The girl was uncooperative and refused to speak with the troopers. No further action was taken.

Trooper Andy Foss summonsed a 52-year-old woman on Route 9 in Township 24 for criminal speed. (87 in a 55)

Trooper Andy Foss handled a theft of a vehicle complaint in Cherryfield where a man reported that his 2002 Toyota Tundra was stolen. It was located the following day in Deblois. Evidence was collected and a suspect is known. Investigation continues.

Trooper David Barnard responded to a theft complaint in Orland. The caller reported someone took his canoe during the night.

Trooper Mike Southard responded to a report of a stolen vehicle that had been located off Route 193 in Deblois. The caller of Cherryfield had reported that the vehicle stolen the previous morning. The vehicle was impounded at Rolfe's garage to be processed further. The investigation continues.

Trooper Andy Foss summonsed a 61-year-old woman on Route 9 in Township 30 for criminal speed. (93 in a 55).

An pair of juveniles decided to pay a visit to a Calais residence Sunday. As a result, the residents had a wake-up call they were probably not expecting.

Sgt. Chris Donahue told WQDY NEWS that police received a call, early Sunday morning at about quarter after 3 a.m. from a residence on Garfield Street close the intersection with North. "There had been a vehicle in that area honking their horn and when the person [from the residence] went out -- they took off."

Later, the vehicle was identified and stopped by police.

"It was occupied by juveniles. They advised that they were trying to check and see if someone was home and was trying to get their attention. When they didn't get their attention they left," Donahue explained.

Police said the juveniles allegedly made their escape in an Escape.

They may not have gotten somebody's attention but nonetheless, they drew the attention of Calais police and a subsequent stop.

"The operator of the vehicle was charged with operating without a license. She was a juvenile -- the driver was 14-years-old," Donahue added.

The vehicle was "borrowed" not stolen. The incident will be turned over to juvenile intake, Donahue said.

A day of family fun, with history added in is on the agenda for Margaretta Days.

This Celebration of the American Revolution Downeast remembers two battles: "The Battle of the Margaretta," - first Naval Battle of the American Revolution and beginning of the Merchant Marines - and "The Battle of the Rim" when the British returned for revenge and were defeated again with the great help of the Passamaquoddy Peoples.

The festival, sponsored by the Machias Historical Society, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 12 on the campus Mall at the University of Maine at Machias.

Festivities begin with a parade at 10 a.m. The parade will form at Helen's Restaurant, go up Main Street and then up College Hill.

Members of the Robert Treat Paine Chapter of the Massachusetts Sons of the American Revolution will be the color guard. 

Following them will be the Passamaquoddy's, Revolutionary War re-enactors, Mr. Jeff Chick's JMG replicas of the Margaretta and Unity, Mike Moore on his horse, and colonial clad participants.

The day-long celebration at UMM will have events for everyone.

Colonial re-enactors will be on hand, setting up their tents and showing life as it was during the late 1700's.

At the 2009 Annual Meeting of Down East Community Hospital last week the hospital's corporators unanimously elected a new Board of Trustees.

"This important step in our process of rebuilding community trust and promising accountability and decision transparency, paves the way to ending the receivership, stated DECH CEO Doug Jones, FACHE.

Jones was referring to the hospital's receivership with Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems (EMHS), which was put into place by the State of Maine following concerns of governance and quality. Jones expects the receivership will last through the summer, at least.

According to Jones, the state has been watching the hospital's improvements during the past year and is very pleased with this latest and important step.

In March DECH received full license status from the state, due to the many quality improvements that have been put into place. And most recently, surveys of employees and the community indicate confidence in the hospital's care, programs and services, and management.

Jones said that having a newly elected Board is key to DECH realizing its goal to be the best small hospital in Maine.

"This Board has balance, is representative of a wide range of views, and is made up of people who share the common interest of strengthening our hospital."

In seating a new Board, Jones added, DECH subscribed to the recommendations of the nationally acclaimed Governance Institute for Hospital Governing Boards.

Next steps include governance education, revision of bylaws, and election of officers. The members of the Board of Trustees are: Eric Burke, MD; Greg Campbell, PhD; John Church; Annie Dickinson; Kara Dwight, DO, ex officio; Dona Emerson, ex officio, Hospital Auxiliary; Debra Getchell, 1 year term; Cynthia Huggins, PhD; Douglas Jones, ex officio; Mortimer Lockett, PhD; Elizabeth Neptune; Paul Weston, 1 year term; and David Whitney.

Information on a party involving underage drinkers Saturday off the Kelley Point Road in Jonesport sent state police to the scene.

Trooper Staci Carpenter arrived fashionably late to find several people leaving the party.

She was not alone. 

Various teens were summonsed for alcohol violations including a female juvenile, of Addison - summonsed for possession of liquor by a minor, 2 juvenile males of Addison - were summonsed for possession of liquor by a minor.

Trooper Greg Burns summonsed Casey Pulaski, 18, of Prospect Harbor for possession of liquor by a minor and possession of a useable amount of marijuana.

Trooper Mike Southard initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that was leaving the area at a high rate of speed. The vehicle failed to stop until it pulled into the cemetery off the Kelley Point Road.

Police summonsed Patrick Foucher, 25, of Jonesport for failure to stop.

Trooper Southard also received information of a male subject who was believed to be suffering from hypothermia on the beach.

A 15-year-old male was found passed out under the deck of his residence and was transported to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. The boy was later summonsed for possession of liquor by a minor. The parents of all of the subjects were also notified.

A Baring man was summonsed for littering by Calais police for dumping ten bags of trash in the city.

Sgt. Chris Donahue told WQDY NEWS police received a report late in the afternoon of May 20 that ten bags of garbage had been found at the end of the Hardscrabble Road.

"Public works had to call someone in and take care of it so that created overtime along with the disposal of the trash."

Officer Christopher Scott investigated the origin of the trash the next day, Donahue said.

With help from public works, documents were found in the bags to indicate from whence the trash had come.

"The suspect that we figured out from personal items inside came in and admitted to the littering. Nathaniel Gardner, 20, of Baring, was summonsed for littering. His court date is July 6," Donahue said.

Calais police don't get a lot of these type of complaints but they have had some.

Only last month, Maine Forest Rangers summonsed a Calais woman for dumping eight bags of garbage at a Route 1 turn-out by Mill Cove in Robbinston.

A witness observed as the woman dumped the trash and reported it along with a physical description of her and the license plate number on her SUV.

Rangers returned the eight bags of garbage to her along with a summons.

As for the May 20 incident in Calais, Donahue said it probably looked like an easy place to dump something.

"They had missed the opening hours of the transfer station, and wanted to get rid of it."

"Hardscrabble Road seemed like a good idea at the time but re-thinking it, he thinks he could have redone it," Donahue said.

For the past few months since the Calais City Council voted to eliminate local police dispatch and turn it over to the county, Police Chief David Randall has taken to print and radio to update the public on the changes that are on track to happen by July.

Randall has voiced a public service announcement about the change in dispatch service that has been airing on WQDY-WALZ & WCRQ.

Randall along with Larry Hayward, Operational Supervisor for the Regional Communications Center in Machias were guests Wednesday on WQDY's public affairs program "Streetbeat" with Bill Conley.

"As I go through this I don't think the changes are going to be as much of a problem as I thought they were going to be in the beginning. I'm working really close with Larry from the RCC. I think we're pretty much up to speed. The transition is going to be July 1," Randall said.

The RCC handles most Washington County fire, police and ambulance calls already.

ABOVE:Police Chief David Randall, WQDY's Bill Conley and Larry Hayward from the Washington RCC during Streetbeat interview.

Adding Calais to that mix necessitated some changes at the RCC. Calais generates a tremendous amount of calls and they use the same records management system we do, Hayward said.

"We looked at the call volume and and came to the decision that we were going to have to have some extra people to work particular times. We were able to find out the high volume times -- probably 10 in the morning until 2 in the morning would be the highest call volume times."

"We were able to convince the County Commissioners that we needed to have some extra people so we're in the process of hiring two temporary full-time dispatchers to cover that time slot for Calais," Hayward explained.

There are two dispatchers on at all times at the RCC at the present.

"When we get these temporary people we'll have three for the high volume times," Hayward added.

The RCC dispatches for most fire, police and ambulance agencies in Washington County with the exception of Indian Township and Machias Fire.

"[Machias] has a driver/dispatcher. Actually when a call comes in and they leave the station we do the dispatching for them when they're out," Hayward said.

The RCC has absorbed dispatch duties for Lubec, Baileyville and most recently Pleasant Point. With everything they've got going, multi-tasking is a priority at the RCC.

"Everybody that I have is pretty good at that," Hayward said.

"We do monitor 18 frequencies now. With Calais coming on we'll have 19 frequencies and that's a pre-requisite, you've got to be able to talk on the phone, talk on the radio and remember where you left off," Hayward said.

The closing of Calais dispatch will also affect several fire departments in nearby communities who have been dispatched by Calais. The RCC will be taking them on as well.

"There are 50 separate organizations for police, fire and ambulance in Washington County and we'll be dispatching for 50 separate entities," Hayward said.

The elimination of Calais dispatch has also necessitated changes for the police department.

"Due to the fact that not having dispatch is going to affect the jail [local cells at Calais PD], we were going to have to make some kind of arrangement to have officers on call. Through talking to the guys and the union, we came up with a 12-hour schedule. We'd hire another patrolman so there'd be two officers on at all times so if we do have to transport a prisoner [to Machias] the town will still be covered. I was concerned about having a 45-minute to an hour spot open where there wouldn't be an officer around because they'd be transporting a prisoner. With that change, it's going to make it so there's always going to be an officer here," Randall said.

With the elimination of dispatch - four people lose their jobs.

Asked about the status of negotiating compensatory issues with dispatchers, Randall was quick to say, "I didn't do any negotiations. That was between the city manager and the union. They're still dealing with that. I know the union and the city are talking, other than that I'm out of the loop with that."

Randall said he's focusing on the transition and the officer part.

"There's other things we have to deal with -- statistics are a big part of us getting grants so I want to make sure I have policies in place so the officers are getting their incident cards in and we're keeping the numbers where we're supposed to be."

Click it or ticket starts May 24.

For you and your family, seat belts provide the best defense against impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers. In fact, wearing your seat belt is the single most effective crash protection available.

According to the National Highway& Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008 the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 13,250 lives. An additional 4,152 lives would have been saved if all unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants 5 and older involved in fatal crashes had worn their seat belts.

However, a seat belt can't save even one life if it's not used.

And that's where enforcement comes into play. High-visibility enforcement campaigns such as the annual Click It or Ticket mobilization are widely credited with increasing the national seat belt usage rate from 58 percent in 1994 to an observed rate of 84 percent today.

In spite of this dramatic increase, we can't afford to waiver on belt enforcement now. There are thousands more lives yet to be saved. And by any measure, the personal and societal costs of those lives, if lost to us, are far too great to bear.

To protect local lives, the Washington County Sheriff's Office will join together with law enforcement officers, highway safety officials and safety advocates across the country in support of the 2010 Click It or Ticket mobilization.

During the May 24–June 6, 2010, campaign, Washington County motorists can expect to receive tickets, not a warnings, if officers find them out on the roads unbuckled.

Moreover, motorists can also expect that Washington County Sheriff Deputies will be out in force — both day and night.

Because nighttime drivers are among those least likely to buckle up, nighttime enforcement has become a hallmark of the Click It or Ticket mobilization.

In fact, of those who died in nighttime crashes in 2008, nearly two-thirds [64-percent were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crashes] Teens and young adults, who neglect to buckle up in greater numbers than any other age demographic, are also at an increased risk of dying in a crash. Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for American youth, exceeding all crime- and disease-related causes.

There's no question about it: Seat belts save lives.

Spread the word to your family and friends to buckle up. You could save them the cost of a ticket. Even better: You could save a life. Remember: this May 24 to –June 6, 2010, it’s Click It or Ticket.

For more on the national seat belt mobilization, visit Click It or Ticket headquarters at "http://www.nhtsa.gov/">www.nhtsa.gov.

An unattended candle caused some minor damage to the parsonage next to the United Methodist Church early Tuesday afternoon.

Calais firefighters were dispatched to a "possible structure fire" at 839 Main Street shortly after 1 p.m.

Fire crews hung up a fan in the front doorway of the single story building next to the church on Hinckley Hill to air out some smoke.

ABOVE: Calais firefighters air out the building- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Calais Fire Chief Danny Carlow told WQDY NEWS the fire was a bedroom/office area.

"The minister was doing one of his prayer rituals and got called away and left the candle burning. The candle burned the container it was in. It was a combustible container and it just basically went up the wall to the ceiling but the sheetrock stopped it," Carlow said.

The chief said he was unsure of who reported the fire and speculated the minister must have come home and discovered what had happened.

"There's probably three or four-hundred dollars damage," Carlow said. 

A large bonfire in a gravel pit off the Stud Mill Road in Big Lake Township and what appeared to be a number of underage drinkers is what greeted law enforcement late Saturday. Somebody dimed out the drinkers.

Lt. Travis Willey of the Washington County Sheriff's Office told WQDY NEWS the "tip" was received Saturday afternoon.

"We were able to put an enforcement detail together to go out and address it with approximately 6 deputies and two forest rangers assisted from the Maine Forest Service because of the fire situation and because of the littering and the trespass issues," Willey said.

According to a Sheriff's Department press release, "Upon arriving at the gravel pit a very large group of individuals were observed congregating around a large bonfire. Approximately half of the group fled into the nearby woods on foot, several appearing to be under the age of 21. Deputies also noticed evidence of active drinking. The pit was secured and individuals were identified. The party was estimated to consist of approximately 100 people up the Sheriff's Office arrival."

Once juveniles (under 18 years of age), minors (between 18 and 20 years of age), and adults (21 years of age or greater) were identified deputies began to process alcohol violations.

"We had processed numerous underage juveniles and minors that had been drinking. We issued over 35 summonses for alcohol-related violations.

Parents were contacted for minors or any juveniles," the lieutenant said. But as police were processing the scene, some of the party-goers began throwing rocks at the deputies.

"There was a few rocks that were thrown -- one citizen's vehicle was hit and Dep. Shawn Donahue's cruiser was hit but it didn't sustain substantial damage," Willey said.

Besides the rock throwing, some of the perturbed partiers began setting fires in and around the gravel pit to distract deputies.

Luckily, these fires did not pose an immediate threat to persons or property.

A number of underage drinkers fled into the woods in an attempt to hide from police. But authorities remained on the scene for a significant amount of time because of the fires and processing the scene.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the pit party was a follow-up to a prom.

"Woodland High School had their prom. The word was that this was an after-party for that prom," Willey said.

With help from Maine Forest Service Forest Rangers, the Sheriff's Office was able to shut down the party safely. The pit where this underage drinking party occurred is not an authorized fire permit site, nor is it an authorized camping site.

ALL of the persons present at the party were considered to be trespassing.

In the process of shutting down the party, five vehicles were towed from the pit at the owner's expense.

Forest Ranger's Jeff Currier and Courtney Hammond extinguished the fires and cleaned up the area as a result of the party.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office does take a firm stance against underage drinking because of the severe health and safety problem that it causes.

"We will address it when we find it," Willey said.

"We do investigate all of these tips." If anyone has a tip about underage drinking parties going on they can call the WCSO at 1-800-432-7303. "You do not have to leave your name, you can remain anonymous."

Not all underage drinking parties are at gravel pits.

"If these parties move into a camp or a house, the landowner can be held responsible, especially if the landowner's present during one of these events, they would most likely be arrested and charged with furnishing a place for minors to possess or consume."

A word to the wise.

This is a story about three bears who wound up in a live trap in Calais late Monday night. 

David Townsend, Animal Control Officer for the city of Calais told WQDY  NEWS Tuesday that a live trap was set for marauding bears that have been dining at selected homes in parts of the city. 

Townsend said he received a complaint from Harrison Street and set up the live trap.

"They called me at 11 o'clock last [Monday] night and I had a mama bear and two cubs in the trap. Three there and one loose still," Townsend said.

Wardens came Tuesday morning to transport the captive bears to an undisclosed location in Hancock County.

Bears continue to be a problem around parts of the city.

People unwittingly leave garbage and bird feeders outside and the bears, ravenous for chow after their winter are only too glad help themselves.

The advice is for people to take their bird feeders in at night and put them back out in the morning. Garbage should be kept under cover or in a garage.

"They smell food, they're hungry and they're going to tear [things] apart to get to it," Townsend said.

"And stay away from the cubs," he added. 

There's still one cub running around out there and the warden said the animal will survive on his own.

"He's big enough," Townsend said.

A gas drive-off, a torched vehicle, assaults and burglaries dot the Weekly Report from MSP Troop J. Here are some of them:

Trooper Greg Burns received a report a $30.05 gas drive-off from the Whiting Store. The caller was unable to provide a vehicle description or any suspect information.

Trooper Staci Carpenter, Trooper Greg Burns and Trooper Michael Southard responded to a report of a possible domestic dispute in Jonesport. The female caller reported that she had driven past a residence in Jonesboro and it appeared as though a man and his girlfriend were fighting and he was dangling their child over a railing outside the residence. The complaint report was determined to be unfounded.

Sgt. Alden Bustard and Trooper Cliff Peterson responded to an assault complaint at a residence in Hancock. The caller alleged that a 53-year-old woman had assaulted him. The woman was summonsed for assault.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a harassment complaint from a Robbinston man who stated that his niece and her friend, both of Calais, were harassed at a camp in Robbinston by two males. One of the males was warned and the other one will be as soon as he is located.

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a theft complaint from a woman in Eastbrook. The caller reported that her black Chrysler Town & Country mini-van had been taken sometime during the night. The vehicle was later found in a gravel pit off the Cards Crossing Road in Franklin and it had been destroyed by fire. The State Fire Marshal's Office also responded. A suspect has been developed. The investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a burglary complaint in Wesley where several items were stolen from a residence. Evidence was collected and suspects are known.

Trooper Christopher Smith responded to Jonesport for a disorderly conduct complaint. It was reported that a 30-year-old man had started two separate fights with the complainant during the day. The caller wanted police to speak to the man about his conduct. During the course of the investigation, Trooper Smith determined there was an active arrest warrant out for the aggressor who was carted off on a failure to appear warrant out of Washington County.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled an assault complaint in East Machias where a 17-year-old reported being jumped by several juvenile males. Trooper Carpenter summonsed the three other males with assault.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a 33-year-old man for furnishing a place for a minor to consume liquor. This was a result of an earlier arrest for violation of probation and a warrant at Eastern Cutoff Road in Princeton.

Car/Moose crash: Trooper Barry Curtis investigated a car/moose crash on Route 9 in Beddington. A 22-year-old man was traveling west on Route 9 when a moose stepped into the road. The vehicle received minor damage and there were no injuries. The moose had to be dispatched.

Car/Moose crash: Trooper Kimberly Sawyer responded to a car/moose crash on Route 6 in Vanceboro. The 60-year-old driver was uninjured, but his vehicle was damaged.

Trooper Christopher Smith received a harassment complaint from a woman who lives in Sullivan. The caller reported that another woman is leaving harassing messages on her Facebook page. The investigation continues.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigate a camp burglary in Columbia. Game Warden Scott Osgood discovered the burglary while patrolling the area. The camp sustained extensive damage to all windows and the interior furnishings of the camp. The camp is owned by a couple from Harrington. It appears that the damage was caused by several minors in the area. Evidence was collected at the scene and the investigation continues.

Trooper Michael Southard and Trooper Staci Carpenter responded to a domestic dispute at a residence in Edmunds. The caller reported that her boyfriend was being assaulted by another man. The complaint was determined to be unfounded.

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a complaint from a Blue Hill man who reported that he was outside his father's residence and there appeared to be several subjects inside. The caller advised that the residence is supposed to be vacant. Trooper Peterson responded to find that several subjects had fled prior to his arrival. The caretaker's son, 16-years-old, was the only one still inside the residence and was summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a juvenile.

Off-duty officers from the Maine State Police, Calais Police and the Washington County Sheriff's Office worked a special joint detail Monday morning at the Dunkin' Donuts on North Street in Calais.

Dubbed "Tip-A-Police-Officer" this operation helps raise money for next month's American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Calais 

ABOVE-Trooper Kim Sawyer holding Cpl. Pooh of Calais PD and Trooper Jason Fowler. Cpl. Pooh scored a tip. WQDY NEWS PHOTO

Dunkin' Donuts LEO Tac Team- Front row: Offcr. Roy Wise and Chief David Randall of Calais PD, Trooper Kim Sawyer and Trooper Jason Fowler. Back row: MSP Sgt. Jeff Ingemi, Dep. Tom Chambers and Dep. Shawn Donahue- WQDY NEWS PHOTO

The Roosevelt Cottage, the summer home of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt will open to the public Saturday May 29.

The cottage is preserved as a memorial and museum to tell the story of FDR’s early years as a youth and young man before he became one of the most important Presidents in U.S. history.

The cottage is preserved with original furnishing and artifacts so visitors can see the cottage as it was at the time Roosevelt spent his summers on the island with his family.

The cottage will be open May 29 through October 11. Hours are 9-5 Eastern Time (10-6 Atlantic Time, seven days a week).

The park’s 2800 acres (1134 hectares) including trails, carriage roads, picnic areas, bogs, and viewing decks are open year round, however the trail markers and interpretative panels will be up for visitors by May 29.

Admission to the cottage and the park is free.

All visitors leaving Campobello Island and entering the United States will need to have a passport or passport card to cross the border into the US. For Border crossing information check the US and Canadian Border websites.

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/security-securite/admiss-eng.html

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Roosevelt Campobello International Park was established by Treaty signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and Prime Minister Lester Pearson in 1967 to honor the memory of Franklin Roosevelt and to recognize the special friendship between Canada and the United States and is jointly funded by both countries.

The Calais City Council voted Thursday night in favor of amending its Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Codes following a public hearing on each. 

Jim Porter, assistant to the city manager told the council "the purpose of the amendments is to support the creation of a new Marine Industrial Zoning district in the area adjacent to the St. Croix River and Route 1 located approximately 5 miles southeast of the city's center."

"Portions of Calais afford deep water year-round access to green commerce. Access is shared with the heavy industrial Bayside marine terminal in New Brunswick," Porter read. 

When it came to public comment on that issue there was only one -- from Calais resident Tom Webster.

"I support the changes to the plan. Really, looking back in time there aren't any changes -- Calais has always been a port. Way back in the sailing days it was traffic up and down the river. As a matter of fact, the slogan in Calais used to be 'where rail meets sail.' The St. Croix River to us is about all we have left as far as any way to get things out of here. I think it's a great opportunity to Calais, not only for the LNG facility, but the spin-off businesses as well," Webster said.

There were no other comments and the city council voted to accept the plan as presented.

Next was consideration of amendments to the Land Use Codes. That was a bit more complicated to explain.

Citing various chapters, Jim Porter said the changes involved definitions, zoning ordinance and the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance.

The public comment that followed was one of opposition.

Calais resident Gregory Dexter owns property in Red Beach and he told the council his property adjoins that of the proposed Calais LNG project.

"I am here to argue against changing the zoning from residential to commercial," Dexter stated.

Saying he was representing the "scenic interests," Dexter said he had made a large investment in his property and his wish to keep the area residential.

"The purpose of the zoning change as I understand it was really precipitated by Calais LNG.  I may be wrong but as far as I know there is no other plan to enhance that or use that area for a port. It's basically Calais LNG."

"I have not been able to establish that Calais LNG has a business case that makes any kind of sense. There is no justification for changing the zoning."

Dexter asserted there was a glut of natural gas and handed out copies of  related information to that effect to councilors and anyone else.

But a few minutes later when it was the council's turn they voted to change the zoning.

Later in the meeting under general public comment, resident Tom Webster added, "The financial status of Calais LNG, whether they have the backing is really no concern of the city because the process right now is probably costing them a lot of money dealing with FERC and all these other people. It's got to be heart-wrenching to sit back and watch these boards just sit there and do nothing."

During roundtable, Councilor Joseph Cassidy told Dexter he appreciated his "candid testimony."

"While this board disagreed with you, I think there's a lot of disingenuous arguments that are put out there but you stood up and you said the scenic interest is your interest and I appreciate your candor. That's a legitimate issue and thank you for bringing that to the table. I think if more of our debates were based in honesty this would be a better process," Councilor Cassidy said.

Councilor William Condon offered a comment on the proposed LNG project.

"It's come a long way so far and I think it's still has a long way to go. By no means is this going through right this second. There's a lot of work been done,  a lot of money spent, and if it does get the approval I think that they've shown that through their financial backing that they may go through with it but economic impacts do factor into that and it might be the project does get permitted but it may be a year before they start or two years or three years but we're just going to embrace it and hope for the best and hopefully we can land this thing here," Condon said.

Thursday night's Calais City Council meeting was held at the Unobskey College.

The scammers are back at it again hammering area residents and claiming to be from Machias Savings Bank in e-mails, texts and automated phone calls to home and cell phones.

It's not the bank.

MSB says it will never request any personal information such as account numbers, passwords, PINS, or Social Security Numbers through an unsecured e-mail or telephone call.

If you've responded to one of these calls, texts or e-mails, call the bank's customer service department.

The scammers are calling people who are and are not MSB customers. The pitch is that your ATM card has expired and the female voice can't pronounce "Machias."

For the next few weeks, radio listeners in Washington County may want to listen closely for a special public service announcement of the upcoming Relay for Life in Calais.

The announcement, entitled "A Common Enemy," is a single message spoken by seventeen people from Eastern Washington County. Each person speaks a portion of a sentence, and the various pieces are woven together as one cohesive message, that of solidarity against the common enemy: cancer.

If some of the voices in the announcement sound familiar, they should. Almost everyone will know at least one speaker by the sound of his or her voice alone.

With that in mind, the Relay for Life organizers have also announced a contest, challenging listeners to identify as many of the speakers as possible.

Entry boxes will be available at businesses around the area, and for a voluntary donation, local people can fill out an entry form guessing as many speakers as they can. The person or group guessing most correctly will win a prize package of local goods and services.

Listeners should guess only the names they are most certain of, because points must be subtracted for incorrect guesses.

If the scores are tied after all the guesses are in, the winner will be chosen by a drawing from the names of the tied frontrunners.

The winner will be announced June 11, the evening of the Relay for Life at Washington County Community College.

Several clues are recorded within the radio announcement itself. Each of the towns and careers listed in the message apply to at least one of the speakers.

For instance, since the announcement mentions lawyers, doctors, and teachers, the list of speakers will include at least one lawyer, one doctor, and one teacher. It is important to note that the person speaking may not have voiced his or her own town or career.

The radio announcement will air regularly on WQDY 92.7 FM, WALZ 95.3 FM and WCRQ 102.9 FM until June 11, the dates of the Relay for Life.

Entry boxes can be found at Machias Savings Bank in Calais, The First in Calais, St. Croix Federal Credit Union in Calais and Baileyville, Hardwicke's, Carmen's, Bangor Savings Bank in Calais, The WACO Diner, The Chowder House, WQDY-WCRQ Studios, Eastern Maine Electric, Curves, The Calais Advertiser, Treworgy Pharmacy, Calais Regional Medical Services, Dunkin' Donuts, Hairmasters, Lane Construction, Savings Bank of Maine.

St. Stephen RCMP are looking for the man who robbed the Riverside Grocery on Milltown Boulevard in St. Stephen late Monday night.

Police said a man armed with a weapon entered the store and demanded cash from an employee. He then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was physically injured.

The suspect is described as being of medium height, slim build and he was wearing dark colored clothing. His face was also disguised.

If you have any information regarding this armed robbery contact District 1 RCMP at 506-755-1132 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

The past week was an active one for the Maine State Police in Troop J. Here are some of the incidents they handled:

Trooper Greg Burns responded to a criminal mischief complaint in Trescott. The female caller reported that two of her husband's boats had been vandalized for the third time. Someone had written graffiti on the side of the boats. The investigation continues.

Trooper Barry Curtis worked a case of phone harassment in the town of Jonesport.One woman had been receiving phone calls from another woman from Houlton.

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a theft complaint from Surry. The male caller reported that approximately thirty dollars worth of change was stolen from his residence. There were no signs of forced entry and the residence had been secured. The investigation continues.

Trooper Barry Curtis worked a theft case in the town of Aurora. The caller, from Gilford, NH, discovered a generator missing from his camp after returning from Bangor. The investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy was on routine patrol when he observed a 42-year-old Deer Isle man fueling a vehicle at a gas station. Trooper Roy was aware the man is a habitual offender and had previously warned him that he had received reports of him driving. When the man saw the state police cruiser he fled. The man hid his vehicle behind a residence and fled on foot. Marine Patrol Officer Jody McMahan responded to the area and located the man at his residence a short time later and he was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Hancock County Jail. He was charged with operating after habitual offender revocation.

Trooper Daniel Ryan assisted the Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Deer Isle with an underage drinking party where several people were summonsed or arrested.

Trooper Staci Carpenter investigated a camp burglary on the Old Mill Road in Pembroke. The camp had been broken into and a chainsaw had been taken. The investigation continues.

Trooper Staci Carpenter responded to a domestic dispute at a residence in East Machias. The caller reported his 18-year-old son was out of control and throwing things around. The boy had left the residence prior to the trooper's arrival but was located and agreed to stay with a relative for the weekend. No further action was taken.

Trooper Greg Roy received a criminal trespassing complaint from a Lamoine man. The caller reported that his neighbors continually cross his land to get to their property. Two men were warned for criminal trespassing.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a theft complaint in Deer Isle where a green 2000 Honda 350 Rancher was reported stolen the previous night. A teletype was sent out. Investigation continues.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a criminal mischief complaint in Dedham where a sign was run over. There was no damage to the sign and it was found that there is an on-going neighborhood dispute.

Trooper Andrew Foss summonsed a man in Township 31 for criminal speed (87 in a 55).

Trooper Andrew Foss handled a theft complaint in Perry where about $13 was taken from a checking account. The investigation was reported to the bank which closed the account. Investigation continues.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated an assault that occurred in a gravel pit in Sullivan. Trooper Smith met with a man who reported that his daughter was assaulted. The girl, along with several juveniles, met at the pit for a fight and as a result the girl was assaulted by another girl.  The girl responsible was located and warned not to have further contact with the other. Neither the father nor his daughter wanted to pursue criminal charges.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a criminal mischief complaint in Tremont where graffiti was found on the town office. It appears that the graffiti was directed toward the selectmen. The incident was reported at 6:29 AM Saturday morning. Trooper Tom Pickering, the Troop J investigator, has been assigned to assist in the investigation as there are several leads. Anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area or wants to provide other information is asked to call the Maine State Police at 1-800-432-7381.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a burglary complaint in Verona where Island Automotive was broken into and inspection stickers were stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a burglary complaint in Cooper where a large amount of tools were stolen. Evidence was collected. The investigation continues.

Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a burglary complaint in Lubec where a safe was reported stolen. Evidence was collected and the investigation continues.

Trooper David Barnard responded to a hit-and-run crash on the Upper Dedham Road in Dedham. The vehicle was located later at a residence on Route 46 in Holden. A 49-year-old Dedham man was summonsed for leaving the scene of a property-damage accident.

Trooper Cliff Peterson summonsed a 17-year-old female of Blue Hill for criminal speeding on Route 172 in Surry. The girl was traveling 90 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. The girl was turned over to her parent's custody. 

Voters in three Charlotte County communities went to the polls Monday to decide two by-elections and a plebiscite.

According to unofficial results posted Monday night on the Elections New Brunswick Web site, the two seats on the St. Andrews Town Council went to Stanley M. Choptiany and Incumbent Mary L. Myers, respectively.

In unofficial results from St. George, Derek M. Hatt defeated Carolyn Marie Jackson for a single seat on the town council.

In Monday's plebiscite on Campobello Island, in unofficial results, voters said yes - 275 to 167 in favor of the parish of Campobello transitioning to a rural community from a local service district.

The Canadian government will contribute up to $50 million through public-private partnerships to support the implementation of the Maritime Radio Communications Initiative.

The Governments of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia will each contribute to construction and operational costs.

The three provinces currently operate three separate, incompatible emergency radio systems that are at or approaching the end of their useful operating lives.

The new system will be used across all three provinces by the hundreds of local fire, police, emergency medical, and search and rescue organizations, as well as federal and provincial departments and agencies.

This project is the first of its kind in Canada.

By pooling resources, and with additional support from the Government of Canada, the three provinces will partner with the private sector to deliver a system which would otherwise have been unaffordable. The result of this collaboration will be a first-rate emergency mobile radio system, which will help those who are responsible for public safety to do their jobs and improve emergency services for residents across the Maritime region.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe is coming out against a November referendum asking voters if they want a casino in western Maine.

They say Black Bear Entertainment's proposal for a casino resort in Oxford County is too restrictive.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Indian Township Tribal Governor William Nicholas told WQDY NEWS, "The current Oxford County casino proposal, basically limits and in that bill it stops any future gaming in the state of Maine, which means the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, anybody else, even private entity that would want to go after gaming if Oxford was approved would be restricted from being able to go after like we're doing."

"We're researching and still going after -- within the next year or so, for racino-style gambling here in Washington County, proposed for Calais. We're moving forward. We haven't gathered signatures or anything like that but we should not be restricted from doing that," Gov. Nicholas said.

"The misconception out there to the people of Washington County and others in the state is that Oxford is telling them we're added into their bill but we never asked to be added into their bill."

"At the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee in Augusta, when we were trying to get the competing measure through, I spoke on that and told them; one, we did not ask to be added in their bill and two, we're not seagulls -- we don't just go chasing after french fries that are thrown out of somebody's window. And nobody should be putting something within their bill without first conferring with the Passamaquoddy Tribe as a whole or with each reservation or nation that may involve."

"People in Washington County need to understand that if Oxford passes it is not opening up the door for the people of Washington County or the Passamaquoddy Tribe -- it's restricting us from being able to do it, therefore, we're voting no and we're going to be out there telling people to vote no," Gov. Nicholas told us.

In a separate telephone interview Wednesday, Pleasant Point Tribal Governor Rick Phillips-Doyle told WQDY NEWS, "The tribe here at Pleasant Point is also opposed to the Oxford proposal. It's a matter of fairness."

"I think that what we in Washington County are just as in need of economic stimulus as anywhere else and that's what the Tribe tried to do on the last two occasions of this issue. What Oxford seeks to do is get their facility and try to block everybody else from also benefitting, with their own type of facilities so we're against it," he said.

"We're included in the language of their proposal in getting one or two percent of net profit but that's just a drop in the bucket and won't go very far. We're not really looking to get anything out of that and so we're opposed," Phillips-Doyle said.

Maine voters in 2003 and again in 2007 rejected referendums from Maine's tribes seeking approval for a tribal casino.

Calais Police Chief David Randall said things are in great shape as the city prepares to transition from local to county dispatch.

"I would say that I am right on schedule with most things. We'll be doing interviews this month for administrative assistant and patrol. I've been working closely with Larry Hayward over at the Regional Communications Center and also Phil Harriman has given some insight on changing over dispatch because [Baileyville] they did it years ago.

When it's all said and done in Calais, Randall said "95-percent of the citizens won't notice a difference."

"The folks over at the RCC are committed to make this work and they want to work with us and that makes my life a lot easier."

Randall and Hayward will be guests May 19 on WQDY-WALZ's public affairs program "Streetbeat" to talk about the transition and what the Machias-based county dispatch does.

As the city transitions its dispatch service some people have wondered whether Randall might be making a transition of his own. There has been speculation he might be leaving the CPD.

"I haven't made up mind yet. I promised a lot of people that I was going to stay around and make sure the transition was done correctly and if there was any small glitches that popped up, I would be able to take care of them. I don't see any major problems that we're going to have with this but I also thought that chief's position in Baileyville probably was going to be another year before it was vacant," Randall said.

The chief said he's had many people from both communities - from Baileyville - they call me and say I should apply. Calais people ask me please don't apply and actually the officers have threatened me with "bodily injury" if I did leave. "That makes me feel good -- but I want to look at the total circumstance. The city of Calais has been good to me. Yes, I have a boss and yes, we have a council, but I feel personally that I work for the citizens of Calais. They've welcomed me here over the last 20 years and you hate to bail out when we're making a transition like this."

The chief believes things in Calais will work just fine after the change is made. "Everybody is scared of change so it's my job to ease everybody's concerns by doing the best job I can to make this as seamless as possible," Randall said.

The New Brunswick government has awarded about $4.7 million in contracts for phases 2 and 3 of a new Department of Transportation maintenence facility in St. Stephen.

Premier Shawn Graham made the announcement during a tour of the construction site. 

Phase 1 involved site preparation, construction of an access road and utilities. Fundy Contractors Ltd. of St. George won the contract, worth almost $2 million.

The St. Stephen highway division is responsible for more than 400 km of roads and the repair facility is responsible for a fleet of 120 vehicles. A future tender will be called for the new administration building after the design phase is completed.

A stand-off at a home on the North Lubec Road ended without further incident Sunday afternoon with the arrest of a Lubec couple on robbery charges.

Police arrested Nathaniel Myers, 27, and Jennifer Folsom, 27, when they finally surrendered after a brief stand-off.

State Trooper Jason Fowler told WQDY NEWS police received a call from Bracy Ashby Sunday morning reporting an armed robbery that had happened the night before at his home.

"He said that he was sleeping and awoke to Nathaniel Myers standing over him with what he believed to be black handgun demanding all his money. He stated that Myers allegedly took approximately $1,500.00 from him and also a prescription that belong to Ashby."

As to why Ashby didn't report the alleged robbery until Sunday morning, Fowler said it was "for particular reasons he had."

The whereabouts of Myers and Folsom weren't known Sunday morning except that they were traveling in a black Jeep SUV operating somewhere between Calais and the Bangor area.

Fowler said police began the search for the pair getting the "BOLO" [be on the lookout] to area police agencies for the vehicle.

Unfortunately, that info came a few minutes too late for Trooper Tim McCadden who had just let Folsom and Myers go after he'd pulled them over for criminal speed on the Charlotte Road. 

But because of the traffic stop, police now had the specific license plate and info about the pair.

State police, Washington County Sheriff's Office, US Border Patrol and Calais police were among the agencies watching for the pair. A wide net was cast to include Route 9, Route 1, Route 6 and anywhere in between. 

Fowler said it was shortly before noon, when an off-duty firefighter reported seeing the vehicle at Myers' home on Route 189 in Lubec. Police converged.

Fowler said Sheriff Donnie Smith and a Maine Marine Patrol officer were first to arrive at the home.

"No one was coming to the door." It was about noontime.

Myers and Folsom stayed inside the home as the ranks of law enforcement swelled outside.

"They could hear Myers inside but he refused to come to the door. Attempts to reach him were not going well," Fowler said.

The Maine State Police Tactical Team was notified because police believed there were firearms in the home. It was a stand-off at that point.

Then a family member arrived.

"Nathaniel Myers' grandfather showed up. I was able to put my cruiser a safe distance to use the intercom [loudspeaker] so he could convince his grandson to come out peacefully," Fowler said.

"One thing we never want -- we arrive with firepower but we really don't want to use it and the grandfather was able to get Myers and her to come out. They were taken into custody," Fowler said.

Police searched the home and found a BB gun that resembled a .45 caliber handgun and they also found the prescription bottle in the house with Ashby's name on it with the exact drug he said was taken from him at gunpoint.

As for the $1,500 Ashby claimed was taken, according to Fowler, Myers and Folsom said that "they didn't steal that much money - nowhere near that much money."

Fowler arrested Myers and Folsom for armed robbery. He said there may be other charges pending depending upon a review by the District Attorney. 

A camp well tampered with, property stolen, burglaries in Perry, robbery in Lubec and other various and sundry incidents kept Troop J busy last week. Here are some:

Trooper Andrew Foss handled a criminal mischief complaint in East Machias where a camp well was tampered with. A suspect is known and evidence has been collected. Investigation continues.

Trooper David Barnard stopped a vehicle on the Oak Point Road in Trenton for going 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. The operator, a 16 year old of Trenton was summonsed for criminal speed and operating without a license. His father was called and came to the scene; the boy was released to him.

Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a burglary in Hancock. The caretaker for property reported that the garage and vacant house on the property had been entered. Approximately 15 antique Ford automotive radiators were stolen from both structures. Trooper Smith continues to develop suspects and investigation is ongoing.

Trooper Greg Roy received a telephone harassment complaint from a Trenton resident. The man and his father had been receiving harassing telephone calls from another male individual over an unpaid bill. The caller was informed the monetary issue was civil and the other man was warned to stop calling.

Trooper Greg Roy received a theft complaint from an Orland woman. She stated that a Surry man stole some lumber from him over a month ago. It was determined the theft complaint was unfounded and the woman was warned to stop calling the man and harassing him.

Trooper Mike Southard arrested a 24-year-old Bar Harbor man for criminal speed. Austin was traveling south on Route 1 in Orland when the trooper got him on radar at 93 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. The man had his girlfriend and his 2 year old son in the car at the time.

Trooper Staci Carpenter received a report that two camps had been burglarized on the Cook Road South in Perry. Trooper Carpenter met with both victims and determined that there were various items taken from the camps ranging from alcohol, electronics, money and a .22 caliber Marlin rifle. Trooper Carpenter spoke with Deputy Tom Chambers from the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Officer Roy Wise from the Calais Police Department. The three agencies collected evidence, interviewed and arrested Christopher Gagne, 18, along with a male juvenile, for burglary and theft. Both subjects reside in the Hartland area. Gagne was transported to the Washington County Jail without incident and the juvenile was released to his parents.

Trooper Greg Roy received a theft complaint from Lamoine. The female caller was reporting that the neighborhood sign at the intersection of Wolf Run and Shore Road in Lamoine was stolen. The sign is a large wooden sign with dark green and gold paint. The sign appeared to have been broken off of the wooden posts. Investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy received seven reports of vandalism to mailboxes on Shore Road in Lamoine. Investigation continues. Trooper Mike Southard and Trooper Greg Roy responded to the Front Ridge Road in Orland for the report of a family fight. The residents had a verbal argument. No crime was committed and one of the parties volunteered to leave the residence.

Trooper Greg Roy received a complaint of criminal mischief from an Orland man. The man stated he noticed this morning that two of his tires were slashed. He had no idea who did it. Investigation continues.

Trooper Greg Roy received a traffic complaint on Route 1A in Dedham. The vehicle was stopped on Route 1A in Ellsworth. Sgt. Alden Bustard walked his K-9, Zach around the vehicle and he indicated to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. A usable amount of marijuana was found on the back seat and the passenger, a 22-year-old man from Jonesboro, admitted it was his. He was summonsed for possession of marijuana.

Trooper Andrew Foss handled a juvenile run away complaint in Township 21 where a female had reportedly run away from home. She was located later in the evening in Princeton and transported home by Trooper Foss.

Trooper Christopher Smith responded to US Highway 1 in Hancock for a suspicious incident. The female caller reported that someone entered her apartment while she was away. No items were taken from the apartment but the woman reported that food was taken and items were out of place. Trooper Smith confirmed with the woman that the doors were locked with indication of forced entry.

Trooper Mike Southard took a family fight call in Hancock. A man and a woman had a heated argument which led the man to report the incident to Orono RCC. The incident occurred over the man leaving the woman. The man will seek an escort to get his belongings when his work schedule permits.

Trooper Mike Southard received a criminal mischief/informational complaint in Sullivan. The female caller reported her mail box being shot. She found shell casings in the roadway and took them to her residence. She didn’t want an investigation into the incident but just wanted it reported. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi summonseda 45-year-old man in Machias for displaying a fictitious inspection sticker.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Osborn where the “LOW” sign was reported stolen from the Smokey the Bear Fire Danger Sign in front of the Fire Department. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler responded to a burglary complaint in Perry where a camp was broken into. A suspect is known and evidence was collected. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a 22-year-old man in East Machias as a result of a traffic stop for possession of a usable amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi assisted.

Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a harassment complaint in Blue Hill where a man reported being harassed by another. Investigation continues.

Trooper Daniel Ryan received a well-being check complaint where a resident of Sedgwick was reportedly seen at the Bucksport/Verona Bridge and had been talked out of jumping. Trooper Ryan located the man and transported him to Eastern Maine Medical Center for a mental health evaluation.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a theft complaint in Pembroke where oil was reported to have been stolen from an oil tank. Investigation continues.

Trooper David Barnard responded to a residence in Eastbrook for a burglary. Two occupants of the residence returned home and found someone was in their residence. A 21-year-old man from the Ellsworth area, was arrested for burglary, theft and a violation of conditions of release. Troopers Barry Curtis and Greg Mitchell also assisted.

Trooper Jason Fowler handled a robbery complaint in Lubec where a man reported being robbed at gun point by Nathaniel Myers, 27, the previous night. $1,500 was reportedly stolen along with other material. Nathaniel Myers and Jennifer Folsom, also 27, were arrested for armed robbery. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi, Trooper Tim McCadden, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Marine Patrol, Warden Service, Calais Police and Border Patrol assisted.

Trooper Christopher Smith and Trooper Barry Curtis observed a fight erupt at Basil’s Bar in Columbia Falls. Both troopers were conducting surveillance across the roadway when the incident occurred. All parties involved refused to pursue any criminal charges and or medical treatment. The bar owner warned two of the participants not to return to the establishment as they provoked the incident.