Classic Hits Radio - Calais, Maine/St. Stephen, New Brunswick/Machias, Maine

Monday, February 08, 2010

Gas drive-off misunderstanding, juveniles and O-T-C cough medicine, fraudulent e-mails, a Facebook face-off and threatening text messages from an ex-wife's new boyfriend are among the incidents handled by Maine State Police Troop J in the past week.

February 1:

Trooper Andy Foss summonsed a 34-year-old man for a traffic infraction of operating after suspension in Perry.

February 2:

Trooper Greg Roy arrested a 45-year-old Orland man as the result of a traffic stop on an ATV on Route 1 Orland. The man was charged with operating under the influence, violation of conditions of release and operating after habitual offender revocation. He was transported to the Hancock County jail where an intoxylizer test was administered.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a mailbox vandalism complaint from a woman in Penobscot. The investigation revealed that an unidentified vehicle hit her mailbox sometime during the previous night.

Trooper Kimberly Sawyer summonsed a 44-year-old Indian Township woman for operating with an expired license 90 days [It expired 1/24/09] after a traffic stop in Princeton.

February 3:

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a report from the Big Apple in Orland of a gas drive off of $58.50. The description of the vehicle was a gold extended cab truck and the male appeared to be wearing a maroon Ellsworth jacket. A basketball game was being held in Bucksport against Ellsworth. Bucksport Police Department assisted in locating a similar vehicle in the high school parking lot. The registered owner stated he had attempted to use his credit card at the pump and assumed the transaction had gone through. He thought the machine was out of paper when it did not print a receipt. This was clearly a misunderstanding and the man returned to the store to make good on the bill.

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a report from the Ellsworth Police Department of two juveniles being treated at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital emergency room for an overdose. Investigation revealed that both juveniles had been consuming over the counter cough medicine containing dextromethorphan, commonly known as DMX. The cough medicine was taken in combination with other pills. One of the juveniles had researched how to take this combination on the website Wikipedia, in order to obtain hallucinogenic effects. The Hancock County District Attorney's Office was consulted. No charges can be brought, since all of the medication was over the counter.

February 4:

Trooper Miles Carpenter assisted the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Milbridge with a well-being check on a suicidal subject.

Trooper Jessica Shorey arrested a 26-year-old man in Sullivan in reference to a domestic incident that was investigated by Ellsworth PD. Trooper Miles Carpenter assisted.

Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed an 18-year-old man in Alexander for a traffic infraction of operating after suspension.

Trooper Jason Fowler and Trooper Andy Foss responded to Crawford and assisted the Washington County Sheriff's Department with a report of a suicidal subject.

Trooper Jason Fowler and Trooper Andy Foss assisted Baileyville Police by arresting a 41-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman in Princeton for shoplifting and violation of bail.

Trooper Greg Roy investigated a fraud complaint from a man who received a fraudulent email from PayPal requesting his social security number and other personal information. The man provided the information and later learned the email was a fraud. He has not noticed any theft or effect on his identification yet.

February 5:

Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to theft complaint in Milbridge where copper pipes were reported stolen from a residence.

Trooper Miles Carpenter and Sgt. Jeff Ingemi responded to Addison to check the well-being a woman after it was reported that she was at a residence where several intoxicated subjects were giving her problems. Upon arrival she stated there were issues earlier in the night but she was all set by that time.

Trooper Jessica Shorey assisted the Gouldsboro Police Department with a vehicle off the road where the operator was reported to be under the influence of alcohol. Gouldsboro Police arrested a 50-year-old woman for operating under the influence of alcohol.

Trooper Jessica Shorey and Trooper Barry Curtis responded to Mariaville for a report of a suicidal subject. The male was transported to EMMC by Trooper Curtis for a mental health evaluation.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a burglary complaint in Amherst where coins were reported stolen. Evidence was gathered. Investigation continues.

February 6:

Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to Steuben for a criminal mischief complaint where a vehicle had its tires slashed and a windshield smashed. Evidence was gathered and suspects are known. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a harassment complaint in Franklin where one woman reported being harassed on Facebook by another woman. It was found that the two were harassing each other and both were warned for harassment. This appears to stem from them both dating the same man.

Trooper Andy Foss responded to East Machias to a man's residence after the fire department had responded there for a fire and found him burning things in a pot inside the house with a door open. Trooper Foss did a well being check and found that the man does suffer from mental health issues but was not a danger to himself.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a criminal threatening / telephone harassment complaint from a man from Trenton. The man complained of receiving threatening text messages from his ex-wife's new boyfriend. The investigation revealed that the man was the respondent in several harassment type complaints handled recently by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. The incident described by the man was found to not be criminal in nature.

February 7:

Trooper Jason Fowler and Trooper Andy Foss assisted Washington County Sheriff's Office with a vehicle off the road in Wesley.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Friday, February 05, 2010

The former police chief at Pleasant Point is facing some legal troubles.

Joseph M. Barnes, 41, of Perry, was indicted Thursday.

Assistant Attorney General Leeanne Robbins told WQDY NEWS Friday the regional grand jury sitting at Hancock County returned an indictment against Barnes.

"One count of theft by unauthorized taking and one count of misuse of entrusted property. These were funds from the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point taken between the dates of April 2007 through May 2008," Robbins said.

According to court documents, Count 1 alleges "from on or about April 2, 2007 to on or about May 9, 2008," that Barnes allegedly committed theft "by obtaining or exercising unauthorized control over the property of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point, such property consisting of money with an aggregate value in excess of $10,000."

The second count alleges that during the same period of time, Barnes allegedly misused entrusted property, "in that he dealt with the property of the government, specifically, money of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point, in a manner which he knew to be a violation of his duty which involved a substantial risk of loss to the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasnt Point."

Robbins said an arraignment will be scheduled for Barnes to answer the charges in Washington County Superior Court in Machias.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative announced some good economic news for its members in Eastern and Northern Maine this week.

The cost of electricity supply will drop on all electricity used beginning April 1st when a new Standard Offer supply contract will begin.

The first year of the new three-year contract, awarded to New Brunswick Power of Fredericton, New Brunswick, will lower the cost of electricity supply for Cooperative members from the existing rate of 9.15 cents per kilowatt hour to 7.354 cents per kilowatt-hour. The decrease will bring a savings of 1.796 cents per kilowatt-hour on electricity used beginning April 1, 2010.

The new rate will result in a decrease of approximately 10-percent in the total residential electric bill and a 19-percent decrease in the standard offer supply portion of the bill.

For a family using an average of 600 kilowatt-hours per month, the change will bring savings of $10.78 per month or $129.36 per year. A business using an average 2000 kilowatt-hours per month will save $35.92 per month or $431.04 per year. Actual savings will vary depending upon the kilowatt hours used.

There will be a slight change in the standard offer supply rate in years two and three. In year two of the contract, the price per kilowatt-hour for supply will be 7.637 cents and in year three, the price will be 7.859 cents.

"We are very glad that our members will see a rate decrease," said Co-op CEO Scott Hallowell. "A reduction in costs to individuals and businesses should be helpful, particularly during the current economic times."

One advantage of the three-year contract is that Co-op members will be better able to predict their electric costs for three years instead of just one. "In these days of fluctuating oil and fuel prices, we're striving to provide as much rate stability as possible," Hallowell said.

The Standard Offer rate is selected through a competitive bid process.

Following the deregulation of Maine's electric market, utilities like Eastern Maine Electric provide delivery service for the electricity sold to its customers by another company, known as the Standard Offer Provider.

The delivery utilities are responsible for the power lines and perform the metering and billing functions for both delivery service and electricity supply. The electricity supply billings, however, are forwarded to the Standard Offer Supplier.

Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit consumer-owned utility serving approximately 12,600 members in a 3,000 square mile area in rural Washington, Penobscot, and Aroostook Counties.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Grand Manan Adventure will be the name of a new, 82-car ferry to link Grand Manan with the mainland.

The announcement was made Tuesday by Premier Shawn Graham, Transportation Minister Denis Landry and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet along with staff from the Department of Transportation.

The provincial government has invested $65 million (U.S.) for the vessel. The tender was awarded to Eastern Shipbuilding Inc.

Last March, Grand Manan residents were invited to participate in a contest to name the new ship. A panel of local residents reviewed the entries and made the selection.

Deborah Avery suggested "Grand Manan Adventure."

For her winning entry, Avery and three guests will be invited on the maiden voyage of the ferry when it arrives in May 2011. She will also receive certificates and a plaque.

Graham noted that $45 million is being invested from the 2010-11 capital budget for construction of the ferry.

Currently two ferries operate between Blacks Harbour and Grand Manan. The MV Grand Manan, built in 1965, is nearing the end of its service life and operates from late June to September. The MS Grand Manan V, built in 1990, operates all year.

The new ferry will operate year-round, and the MS Grand Manan V will become the summer ferry. As a result, the daily vehicle capacity in the summer will increase to 1,000 from 630; and the daily vehicle capacity in the winter will increase to 640 from 480.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Two Maine men were sentenced last week on federal drug charges.

According to United States Attorney Paula D. Silsby, Richard Russell, 49, of Lincoln and Troy Littlefield, 44, of Oakfield were sentenced January 29 in U.S. District Court in Bangor.

Russell was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, 8 years supervised release, a special assessment of $100, and ordered to forfeit $180,480.

Littlefield was sentenced to 72 months imprisonment, 4 years supervised release, a special assessment of $100 and ordered to forfeit $85,725.

Court records reveal that between January 2002 and June 2005, Russell conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and oxycodone. Russell was regularly "fronted" cocaine by his co-conspirators, which he would sell to various customers in the Lincoln, Maine area.

Russell obtained the cocaine from his brother, then sold it and collected the proceeds, which eventually would be delivered to Russell's supplier in Florida.

Between June 2005 and November 2005, Littlefield conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. In the fall of 2005, two of the co-conspirators met two suppliers from Massachusetts through another co-conspirator.

The suppliers were prepared to supply multi-ounce quantities of cocaine to the co-conspirators.

Littlefield was regularly "fronted" cocaine by the two co-conspirators, sold the cocaine, collected payment for it, and returned the proceeds to one of the co-conspirators, who would use the cash to buy more cocaine from the two Massachusetts suppliers.

Russell and Littlefield were prosecuted in connection with a two and a half year investigation into drug trafficking by Michael Mayer and others in the Lee/Lincoln area of Maine.

United States Attorney Silsby praised the investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Monday, February 01, 2010

The Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) at Washington County Community College is hosting a free Winter Family Fun Day at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Baring on Saturday, February 6th.

The event is a result of collaboration among the Outdoor Adventure Center, the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, and Friends of the Moosehorn in an effort to promote winter recreational activities in the area. "We coordinated a similar event last year at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge and were pleased to have a great turnout," says OAC director Scott Fraser. "We're looking forward to another fun event and despite the recent loss of some of our snow; we'll have plenty of activities for everyone. It's a great way for folks to get out and enjoy the beauty of winter in the Refuge," he says.

Registration for the day is from 9-10 am on Saturday morning. There will be three workshops offered simultaneously over two time slots during the day. The first workshop time slot is from 10 AM to noon. Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for a cross-country skiing workshop, a snowshoeing workshop, or a guided winter ecology ski/snowshoe hike.

Lunch will be provided around noon time by the Friends of the Moosehorn. Soup, chili, and other foods are being donated by Bernadini's Restaurant and H&R Block in Calais. After lunch from 1-3 pm, participants can again choose one of the three workshops that will be offered for a second time. Cross country ski equipment and snowshoes will be available for those who do not own their own equipment.

More information and workshop descriptions are available at the Outdoor Adventure Center website at http://www.wccc.me.edu/oac or by calling the OAC at 454-1060.

This free event is open to the public. All events will begin at the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Building. Directions from Calais: Travel south on the Charlotte Road for 2.5 miles, take a right on the Headquarters Road, take the next the next right.

WCCC's OAC will be offering a Learn-to-Climb Program, Ice Fishing Derby, and Ski Tuning Workshop in February and the date for the 5th annual Downeast Adventure Race has been set for Saturday, May 1st. Please visit http://www.wccc.me.edu/oac for more information.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Another busy week for Maine State Police Troop J. Here are some of the incidents they covered:

January 25:

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a harassment complaint from Holden. The caller complained of being followed on a public way by a 19-year-old woman. Trooper Mitchell explained to the caller that being followed on a public way was not harassment and he provided her with information on the protection order process.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received an on-going child custody complaint from a Sullivan couple. Tpr. Mitchell explained the female that she would need to contact her attorney and the court to address the issue. Trooper Christopher Smith conducted a well being check at the request of the same woman. The woman requested the check on her son, who is in the custody of her ex-husband. Trooper Smith located the child with the ex-husband and confirmed that he was not in any danger.

Trooper Christopher Smith received a theft of registration plates from Rt. 9 in Amherst. The caller reported that the registration plates ME PC 8500 LZ were removed from her Ford truck since June 2009 as it was being repaired at a local garage in Amherst. The caller already inquired with the garage about the plates and they are not aware of where they might be. The plates were entered in a nationwide system.

Trooper Dan Ryan received a complaint in Stonington where a woman reported that a 45-year-old man was harassing her. Trooper Ryan found that the man had violated his conditional release by having contact with the woman. It was found that the man was in the Houlton area but was not located. Trooper Ryan intends on applying for an arrest warrant in the case.

Trooper Jessica Shorey assisted Hancock Sheriff's Office with a serious accident in Trenton.

Trooper Jessica Shorey responded to a vehicle off the road in Hancock. Upon arrival she found that the vehicle had caught fire and Lyle Gibson, 51, was found deceased in the vehicle. This case was turned over to CID III and the Fire Marshall's Office. Sgt. Tim Varney, Trooper Christopher Smith and Trooper David Barnard also responded to the scene and provided assistance.

January 26:

Troopers Greg Mitchell and Christopher Smith responded to a residence in Franklin. The caller reported an altercation with a 39-year-old man of Birch Harbor who threatened another man with a knife. The man struck back with a sword during the altercation. Despite being wounded, the 39-year-old fled the scene prior to the arrival of the Troopers. The following day he was located at his grandparent's residence in Birch Harbor. Troopers David Barnard, Thomas Pickering, Christopher Smith, Barry Curtis, Sgt. Timothy Varney, Police Officer James Malloy, Police Chief Glenn Grant assisted with the man's arrest. He was charged with violation of conditional release, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and criminal trespass.

Trooper Christopher Smith arrested a 20-year-old man from Hancock for violation of conditions of release. He was in violation by being a passenger with another male, who he is prohibited from having contact with.

Trooper Andy Foss handled a theft complaint in Machiasport where a laptop computer was reported stolen from the Fort Obrien Elementary School. Investigation continues.

Troopers Jason Fowler, Andy Foss, Tim McCadden, Warden Alan Curtis, Warden Richards and Indian Township PD responded to Princeton for a report of a burglary in progress. A search of the residence found no one inside. Investigation continues.

January 28:

An 18-year-old man was arrested on a warrant requested by Trooper Greg Mitchell. The investigation revealed the man to be one of four respondents who attempted a home invasion in Orland on December 12, 2009. The charges are as follows:
Attempted Burglary (offender armed with a firearm) Class- B
Attempted Burglary (residence) Class- C
Terrorizing Class- D
Terrorizing (with weapon) Class- C
Aggravated Criminal Mischief- Class C

Trooper Greg Roy arrested a 51-year-old mna from Orland on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Ellsworth District Court for failure to pay fines on a charge of operating after suspension.

Trooper Greg Mitchell received a criminal mischief complaint from a man from Deer Isle. He reported that he believed sugar or something like that has been put into his gas tank sometime last month. It has cost him over $1,000 in repairs.

January 29:

Trooper Miles Carpenter and Sgt. Jeff Ingemi responded to Harrington for a threatening complaint where a woman reported that she heard that a 17-year-old man had threatened to burn down a house. It was found that her son got in a fight with the other man and during this altercation threatened to burn down a house. The seventeen year old was unable to be located.

Trooper Andy Foss conducted a well-being check in Meddybemps where a local resident was concerned for a man who lives in a vehicle with his wife. It was found that they were okay at this time. A referral to Adult Protective Services was also made.

Trooper Andy Foss responded to a report of a family fight in Perry involving a woman and her daughter. It was found that this was verbal in nature and the parties were separated for the night. Pleasant Point Police and Eastport Police also assisted.

Trooper Cliff Peterson, Sgt. Alden Bustard and Lt. Chris Coleman responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident on Route 9 in Township 28. The investigation disclosed that a Tan 2002 Kia being operated by Wayne Rice, 75, of Pembroke was traveling west on Route 9. Rice lost control of the vehicle on a curve near the Township 22 town line. The vehicle traveled into the eastbound lane and was struck by a Black 2009 GMC Yukon being operated by Holly Hubley, 45, of Tantallon, Nova Scotia. Mr. Rice's wife, Lorraine Rice, 74, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Mr. Rice was transported by Lifeflight to EMMC with life threatening injuries and later died. Hubley and her passenger, Trevor Graney, 35, of Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, were transported by ambulance to EMMC to be treated for minor injuries. The accident investigation continues.

Trooper Cliff Peterson received a theft complaint from a Sullivan man. The man reported the several items had been taken from his garage while he has been in the hospital. The man reported that his vehicle, a boat motor and air compressor had been taken.

January 30:

Troopers Michael Southard and Miles Carpenter responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in Jonesport. The caller reported that a 19-year-old man was intoxicated and out of control. As a result, he was charged with disorderly conduct, refusing to submit to arrest and possession of liquor by a minor.

January 31:

Sgt. Jeff Ingemi summonsed a 20-year-old man in Marshfield for illegal possession of liquor by a minor after finding him in possession of liquor as a passenger during a vehicle stop. Trooper Miles Carpenter assisted.

Trooper Dan Ryan handled a theft complaint in Deer Isle where a cell phone was reported stolen. Investigation continues.

Trooper Jessica Shorey arrested a 31-year-old man in Ellsworth for operating under the influence of alcohol. Trooper Dan Ryan also assisted.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Calais, like many other communities across the state, is bracing for what will most likely be a difficult if not dire budget process over the next several months.

In the future -- and if it clears all of the regulatory hurdles -- the Calais LNG project brings promises of jobs and investment to the city.

But at present, city officials know they're in for a bumpy ride facing an uncertain fiscal future due to the lousy economy.

Recently, the Calais police eliminated their K-9 program and moved shifts around to lessen overtime. Another possible cut in the department is the elimination of local police dispatchers, shifting those duties to the county.

Some wonder whether potential cuts to city services might affect potential projects in the city such as Calais LNG.

In the case of Calais LNG, the project has a way to go as they work through the federal and state permitting process.

In a telephone interview Friday, Calais LNG project manager Ian Emery told WQDY NEWS that some of their resource reports talk about the safety and security planning and part of that is involving city resources -- the police department.

"At some point in the process we will be getting together with the city to take a look at the extra resources that would be required to support the facility," Emery said.

Nothing will happen fast enough with Calais LNG to make a dent in the city's economy this year

"This project is nearly a billion dollar project and if you go into our resource reports you can see the numbers that have been put together to estimate the property taxes that would be generated from this facility. It's somewhere between three and four million dollars a year -- that's a lot of money -- and that's what a project like this can do for a city that's struggling to make its budget," Emery said.

"And that's what we need in Maine. We need new development and we need support from our leaders, our governor all the way down to our local officials to get behind this kind of project that's self-funded. It's not depending on federal stimulus dollars, it's not depending on tax credits to make the business model work, it's all private investment," Emery added.

How quickly the federal and state permitting process will be no one knows

"We're going to move as quickly as the regulators move, that's the reality of it. As soon as we can get our permits in hand the next step is construction. That could happen as soon as our state and federal agencies make a decision on our permits," Emery said.

Art Gelber, development director for Calais LNG said from Houston, "what we really need now is a good, rapid state process that doesn't get burdened down in regulatory slowness."

"We need supporters in Calais to communicate with the DEP and urge them to not put Calais LNG through the drawn-out regulatory process that the Board of Environmental Protection has you go through --- and the same thing with FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]," Gelber said.

"FERC's getting interventions from the opposition and Ian is going to be working in the community to help bring intervention from some of the supporters so that it's not all just negative people who are making their voices heard at both FERC and Maine," he added.

As the permitting process plays out the Calais budget process looms

City Manager Diane Barnes told WQDY NEWS Friday the budget cuts that they're looking at are so "huge" at this point.

"We're looking at all departments -- we don't know where it's going to end up but it could very well be a cut in services and personnel. I feel that outside of dispatch, if you reduce your police and your fire departments, that could have an impact on the Calais LNG project in the future as far as what they're looking for -- for protection," she said.

"I think that before the council makes a decision on what they're going to do with the dispatch, they're going to consider everything including the Calais LNG project that everybody is working so hard to get in this area," Barnes said.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Friday, January 29, 2010

Some historic buildings downeast will be getting some much needed help thanks to the Maine Community Foundation's Belvedere Fund for Historic Preservation, in partnership with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission's New Century Grant Program.

Recently 13 grants totaling $155,500 to support the preservation or restoration of historic buildings in Maine.

Grants were awarded to these projects in Washington County:

Lubec Landmarks, which will use the funds to stabilize and preserve McCurdy's Herring Smokehouse.

The Centre Street Congregational Church, Machias, for repair of the church's clock.

The City of Calais, for roof repairs on the Saint Croix #1 Fire House.

The Eastport Public Library Association, for repairs to the masonry of the Peavey Memorial Library.

Friends of Liberty Hall, Machiasport, towards the completion of exterior renovations on Liberty Hall.

Henry D. Moore Parish House and Library, Steuben, for re-plastering and painting.

Quoddy Tides Foundation, Eastport, towards the continued renovation of the Tides Institute & Museum of Art.

Sewall Memorial Congregational Church, Robbinston, for repair of the church's stained glass windows.

The Belvedere Historic Preservation Grant Program focuses on the preservation and reuse of historic buildings that serve as civic, cultural, or economic hubs for communities.

The next application deadline is September 15, 2010.

For more information, guidelines, and an application, please visit www.mainecf.org.

A statewide organization, the Maine Community Foundation partners with donors and nonprofits to strengthen Maine communities. For more information, visit www.mainecf.org or call (877) 700-6800.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Friday, January 29, 2010

According to Steve McCausland of the Maine Department of Public Safety, there were several outrageous speeding incidents this month.

Speeding cars continue to be a problem along Route 26 between Auburn and Oxford, mostly from skiers returning home on Sunday afternoons.

Trooper Nathaniel Jamo cited three motorists this past Sunday traveling in excess of 80 mph along the road and all of the drivers were returning from ski country. Route 26 is a 55 mph zone for most of that stretch. Jamo said most times there are passengers in the vehicles who are sleeping after a busy weekend on the slopes, and drivers are aggressively passing and speeding along the road. The speed enforcement efforts will continue through the winter.

A Canadian driver was cited after passing a marked State Police cruiser in Bangor. Trooper Darren Vittum says the New Brunswick driver was traveling at 93 mph in the 55 mph zone of Interstate 95 in Bangor. This took place during a snow storm and the driver said he saw the cruiser, but decided to pass it anyway.

A 16-year-old driver from Skowhegan was cited after being clocked on the Interstate 95 at 110 mph. Detective Mike Mitchell said there were three other teenagers in the car and some had been drinking. All of the teens' parents were called and the driver's parents came to the scene to retrieve their son and drive the car home.

The speeder of the month was a 44-year-old Bangor man who was arrested after being clocked at 120 mph. Lt. Gary Wright pulled over the SUV on Interstate 95 near Carmel after the Porsche Cayenne Turbo passed him in the southbound lane. Wright, who was driving his unmarked detective's car, was able to catch up with the SUV after it slowed down for a tractor trailer truck in the passing lane. Roger Miller Jr. was charged with criminal speeding and operating after suspension of his driver's license.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Calais City Council voted Thursday night to send a letter to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection officials requesting that applications filed by Calais LNG be expedited.

According to a draft letter to be sent to DEP Commissioner David P. Littell, "The City of Calais has received formal notice that Calais LNG will be filing various state environmental permit applications with the Department on or about January 27, 2010."

"The Calais City Council wishes to convey its continuing strong support for this project and to encourage the Department to accept and retain jurisdiction over the applications rather than having the applications be sent to the Board of Environmental Protection. We believe that Department review of the applications is merited given, among other things, the very broad public support for the project here in Calais," the letter read.

At Thursday night's council meeting, City Manager Diane Barnes said the intent of the letter is that the city council is requesting the DEP commissioner that they take jurisdiction over this process.

[LEFT-Calais City Manager Diane Barnes explains letter to council- WQDY NEWS PHOTO]

"As far as timing goes, it might provide this project to go through the process a little timlier than if it went to the BEP board," Barnes said.

City Councilor Bill Condon agreed.

[RIGHT- City Councilor Bill Condon - WQDY NEWS PHOTO]

"It's the difference between six months if it goes the way this letter wants to go as opposed to being two years plus if it goes the other route. I think they're talking about the windmill projects -- how fast those got moved through and expedited, they went through the six month process, so I think it can happen if the governor wants it to happen and give us that to go through the six month process. I think we should endorse it," Condon said.

There was unanimous support and a vote to send the letter.

The Calais City Council has always supported any and all LNG terminals proposed for Washington County.

[LEFT- Mayor Vinton Cassidy listens as Councilor Bill Condon comments on letter -WQDY NEWS PHOTO]

Following the meeting, WQDY NEWS asked Mayor Vinton Cassidy about the city's continued support for these types of projects and the continued opposition from New Brunswick.

"We've had opposition from New Brunswick ever since this whole project started, we understand that. We also understand that they have the LNG in Saint John, New Brunswick and they want to ship it through our state. I'm not really worried about all that. Things are going really well for Calais LNG and I've said before, this decision will be made in Washington," Cassidy said.

"Everything that I've seen that has been sent to me from [Senator] Olympia Snowe and [Senator] Susan Collins is it looks like we have the right to innocent passage through there [Head Harbour Passage]. They always have and again we go back over this whole thing of their ships in and out. I'm sure in the end that'll all be resolved. It's now getting through all these other processes with the state and the DEP and the EPA and whoever's all involved."

"The other thing I don't understand is both federal and state government are crying they need to have more employment, more jobs and just that all these things get caught up in this red tape. It seems to me, somebody could expedite a lot of these projects a lot faster than they do."

As for the opposition across the border, Cassidy reiterated, "I'm not really too concerned about the comments from New Brunswick. They've always been there, they always will be and we'll wave to them as we come through with our first tanker," Cassidy said.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

ST. STEPHEN - The waiting continues on sentencing for the mother of a child murdered at birth.

Sarah Marie Russell, 20, of St. Stephen appeared in St. Stephen Provincial court Monday, Jan. 25, expecting to be sentenced for her role in the Jan. 17, 2009, death of her infant son.

After hearing arguments from both sides as to what that sentence should be, Provincial Court Judge David C. Walker delayed sentencing to Feb. 2.

Dressed casually in jeans and a winter jacket, Russell reaffirmed her guilty plea at the start of the proceedings.

Both Crown lawyer James McAvity and defence attorney Randy Wilson reminded people in the courtroom that it was not Russell who killed the infant; that it was the child's father, Rodney Stuart Miller, who committed the murder. Miller pleaded guilty last October to a charge of first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence.

"It is a crime of omission rather than commission," McAvity said.
Russell had failed to seek help that would have prevented the crime, he said.

"It is a highly unique case," Wilson said.

Wilson spent much time searching for similar cases to base a request for a sentence on.

"Miss Russell did not commit any overt criminal act prior to the negligence having been committed," said Wilson, who likened the case to a motor-vehicle accident.

In some accidents, he said, the person consumes alcohol prior to driving, and thereby causes an accident, while other accidents just happen. He argued that in this case Russell did not do anything to cause the death, but that she had not done enough to stop it.

While McAvity agreed the failure to act was at issue, he discounted the connections between this case and motor-vehicle accidents.

"You are not dealing with an average person," Wilson said of Russell, who followed a modified course of study in school, and finished extremely low in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IQ test.

Russell believes that regardless of the situation everything will work out, her defence counsel said.

"She engages in magical thinking."

Wilson argued for a light sentence for Russell, a first-time offender, who he said was displaying a great deal of grief over the loss of her child. Wilson once again reminded the court it was not Russell who had murdered the newborn, and that there was no agreement between Miller and Russell to end the child's life.

Wilson said Russell was used to Miller's threats, as he frequently threatened to kill several people, but never acted on those threats. Russell did not process that Miller would act on his threat to kill this child after it was born, Wilson said.

In his arguments, McAvity reminded the court of Russell's knowledge of Miller's past violence toward children, including an older child that the couple had. The court was told in an earlier session about an incident that resulted in the older child being placed in care.

"She knew well before this child was born that harm would come to it," McAvity said.
Wilson argued for a maximum sentence of two years less a day, which would keep her out of a federal institution.

"Jail is no place for a person like Sarah," Wilson said.

McAvity argued for a sentence that would include a penitentiary sentence not to exceed five years.

- THE SAINT CROIX COURIER -

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Shrinking revenues in the current and next budget cycle have already impacted the Calais Police Department.

There may be more on the way.

Specific cuts are not set in stone as the city's police department works through the process of their 2010-2011 budget, but Chief David Randall knows he'll have to make cuts to lower his budget from somewhere.

[Calais Police Chief David Randall - WQDY NEWS PHOTO]

In a statement recently posted on the department's Web site, Randall asks for public input with regards to possible cuts;

The Calais Police Department is in the process of working on the 2010-2011 budget. As many people know the State of Maine has drastically cut how much money they give local communities as well city revenues are down. This means that the city is going to either make drastic cuts or raise taxes and I have been told that the latter will not be the case. This puts the burden on my shoulder to find a way to lower my budget. One of the items that may very well be on the chopping block this year is the Calais Police Dispatch Communications Center. The Calais Police Department has a 24 hour 7 day a week dispatch center employing 4 dispatchers and they are a very important part of the Calais Police Department, Calais Fire and Rescue and many other city departments and surround agencies, however cuts need to be made. Before I go forward with this possible cut I am asking anyone who has a comment, concern or idea to how to help the budget to please send me a message or post something so I have some type of feed back to bring to the City Manager, Public Safety Committee and City Council. I do not take this part of my job lightly and I have been looking from input from anyone on this critical situation. So please post or send me your thoughts and ideas, Chief David Randall wrote.

The Calais Police web site is http://home.myfairpoint.net/spdklz/index.html

[Calais dispatcher Deborah Kelly - WQDY NEWS PHOTO]

Asked about the above on Monday, Randall told WQDY NEWS he put that on the Web site so he could get some feedback from the citizens --- good or bad --- so he could take it back to the city manager and the public safety committee and the council.

"I think everybody knows what the budgets look like now with the State decreasing how much they're giving the towns and the cities. Just a week or two ago, we ended up cutting our K-9 program. Also, the union stepped up and helped us eliminate some overtime. But next year, we're really looking at a bigger cut from what I've been told and the council and the city manager want me to look at every possible way to save money, whether it's a good way or a bad way," Randall said.

"Over many years I've always said that dispatch is one of the most important parts of the Calais Police Department. They do a lot of services that maybe some people don't know and it would be tough if we got rid of them. There are ways to do it -- I do think service, in some cases, would be interrupted," the chief said.

If Calais PD dispatch is eliminated, the county would be doing the dispatching.

"We'd have to be dispatched by the RCC [Regional Communications Center in Machias] who do a great job and who always want to help us out when they can but they're also pretty busy with a bunch of other stuff," Randall said. "We don't know what's going to happen yet. Obviously the city council is going to have the final say on what happens but I have to put some numbers together."

The chief recalled a situation several years ago when a plan was floated to eliminate Calais police dispatch and the public didn't like it.

"I guess I just want some input, that's why I put that on the Web site," he added.

If needed, sometimes Calais police dispatchers fill in by dispatching the city's fire department and city ambulance service. And likewise, they've also dispatched some area fire departments on calls in those outside communities -- usually when Calais fire personnel are out on a run.

But most of the time they're working the frequencies for the city of Calais.

"They specifically dispatch for us, they pass on information to the highway department, they do dispatch for the fire department if the fire crews have gone on an ambulance call or a fire call and there's other communities -- we're not hired to dispatch for other communities --- such as when the deputy had the accident, they were involved in that. They dispatch for more than just the city of Calais," the chief said.

"They do a great job and I would really hate to lose them. It's not just the money issue with dispatch right now. I haven't been officially told, but there is the possibility I'll be losing one dispatcher in February and another one is talking about leaving in June or July. So, obviously the council is going to take that into consideration as well, instead of having to lay people off that are working, maybe eliminate positions."

[Calais PD dispatcher Angelia Fader-Day - WQDY NEWS PHOTO]

"We've always had a hard time finding qualified dispatchers. We set the bar pretty high and my dispatchers right now are right there -- some of the best dispatchers in the state of Maine, if you ask me," Randall said.

Different options are being considered

Possible options might include; eliminating dispatch or running with maybe three dispatchers and having the RCC dispatch sometimes.

There's also the jail at the police station

"We're going to end up transporting prisoners to Machias and that can be quite a few people," Randall noted.

The chief is still crunching the numbers.

"I didn't mean to start a panic with that on the Web page, I just basically want some comment and feelings from the community. I've always said I've been trying to be transparent and I want the community to be involved. If they don't tell me what they like or dislike, I don't know. I'm just going to put that out there hoping that maybe somebody's got an idea of a way to save money. If they do, I'm willing to listen to it."

"I'm learning more and more --- this job is about thinking outside the box -- so that's kind of what I'm doing right now," Randall said.

- Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -