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| --Changes Coming When Calais Police Dispatch Is Closed |   |
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
 The Calais City Council made a recent decision to close the local police dispatch center and turn those duties over to the Washington County Regional Communications Center in Machias.Information is now posted on the "Events and Information page on the Calais police department's Web site -- www.http://home.myfairpoint.net/spdklz/ -- It is also posted below. TO: All Calais Residents Effective July 1, 2010, the Calais Police Department Dispatch center will be closing. This means that, although you will still call the same phone number, all non-emergency calls requesting an officer will be handled by Washington County Regional Communications Center (RCC) in Machias. The phone number for police dispatch will be 454-2751. If you have an emergency, please call 911. Business hours for the Calais Police Department will be from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday (closed holidays and weekends). We ask that you plan your visits to the department accordingly. During these hours, the administrator will be glad to help you with fingerprinting, accident reports, permits, and general police business. Officers will still be on duty 24 hrs daily, but the building will be closed to the public from 4pm to 8 am. A call box will be installed outside the front door, should you arrive at the station after office hours and have an emergency. The box will dial 911 and put you into direct contact with the RCC. They will dispatch an officer to respond to your emergency. Your new "Safe Haven" locations are: the U.S. Ports of Entry at Ferry Point; Milltown ME; and the new Customs Building at International Avenue. If you are in immediate danger, you can flee to these locations for help. The phone system will be revamped to allow you to leave messages. If your situation is not time-sensitive, you can leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. The business phone number will be 454-2752. Again, if you have an emergency, call 911. It is our desire to make this transition as seamless as possible and we are trying to anticipate any problem areas that may arise. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, but the change is necessary and we ask for your patience as we move through the process. Thursday, March 11, 2010 The over and out for the Calais police dispatch came in a 5-1 city council vote March 11. On January 14, the department elimated their K-9 program --- both cuts were made because of budget problems plaguing the city. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --RCMP Probe Animal Cruelty Case In St. George, NB | |
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
 RCMP are asking for the public's help as they investigate a case of animal cruelty in St. George, New Brunswick.Police said they received a report on March 23 that a dog had been tied to a tree out in a blueberry field and left for wild animals. The RCMP responded to that report immediately only to find the dog's remains. They described the deceased animal as being black in color with a white chest and feet, weighing approximately 60 pounds. The dog appeared to be a Collie/Lab mix. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the dog's owner or the incident itself to contact the St. George RCMP detachment at [506]-755-1130 or NB Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS [8477]. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Weekly Report From Troop J Maine State Police | |
| Monday, March 29, 2010
Eluding an officer, fraud, breaking in to call 911 and driving into the ocean are among the incidents covered by Troop J Maine State Police over the past week. Here are some: Trooper Staci Carpenter visited several elementary schools in the Washington County area last week. Trooper Michael Southard responded to a report of a vehicle off the road on the Pumpkinville Road in Sullivan where the operator had left the scene on foot. Several witnesses were able to provide a description of the operator. A short time later, a subject matching the description of the operator approached Trooper Southard on a Yamaha motorcycle. He ordered the operator to pull to the side of the road but the operator accelerated and began traveling south on the Pumpkinville Road and onto Route 1. Trooper Southard pursued the motorcycle which continued traveling south on Route 1 at speeds of nearly 100 MPH. The operator then pulled into a parking area and gave up without further incident. The 39-year-old operator from Sullivan was placed under arrest for eluding, operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor and criminal speeding and was transported to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital where a blood test was obtained. Next came a ride to the Hancock County Jail. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received an attempted fraud complaint from a woman in Princeton. Someone had called the woman claiming it was her bank and that she had overdrawn her account and wanted her bank account numbers. It was unknown who the caller was. Trooper Greg Mitchell received an identity theft complaint from a Stonington woman. The caller received a call from collection agency that advised her that she was overdue for over $7,400.00 medical bills that had occurred in Bangor. She believed the charges were caused by fraud because her wallet was stolen about ten years ago. After the theft, she had issues with identity theft to the point where someone tried to get a home loan in her name. Trooper Mitchell provided the caller with an identity theft information packet so the investigation could proceed. Trooper Miles Carpenter assisted the Animal Control Officer in Addison with serving a summons for loose dogs. Trooper Greg Burns investigated a harassment complaint in Edmunds. The male caller reported that another man came to his residence and accused him of stealing his identity and using it to obtain medical services at the clinic in East Machias. The other man was warned for criminal trespassing and harassment. Trooper Cliff Peterson responded to a single vehicle accident in Lamoine. A 23-year-old woman from Ellsworth was operating her 1998 Subaru Legacy on the Lamoine Beach Road in Lamoine. The driver was unfamiliar with the area and failed to stop at the end of the beach road, crossed the beach and drove into the ocean. Both the driver and her passenger, also 23, were able to escape from the vehicle through an open window and swam to shore. The driver was placed under arrest for operating under the influence and was transported to the Hancock County Jail where an intoxilyzer test was administered. Trooper Cliff Peterson and Trooper Greg Roy conducted a speaking engagement for the children at the YMCA in Ellsworth in reference to Child Abuse Awareness Week. Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to a report of a camp burglary on Green Lake in Dedham. The camp is owned by a Connecticut man and had been broken into sometime in the last month. A small, color television was taken from the camp. The investigation continues. Trooper David Barnard responded to a family fight on the Tunk Lake Road in Sullivan. The female caller had been drinking and called police. She said she was assaulted by a male. The assault was unfounded and the argument was caused because the male doesn't want the female drinking in the house. The Gouldsboro Police Department assisted with the complaint. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi, Trooper Barry Curtis and Trooper Miles Carpenter assisted the Washington County Sheriff's Office with a hit-and-run accident in East Machias where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a family fight complaint in Lubec involving a male and female. This was found to be verbal only in nature. Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi also responded. Trooper Cliff Peterson investigated a criminal mischief complaint in Orland. The proprietor of a storage place reported that one of her customers had rented one of their storage units and was delinquent in his payments. The caller had put a business lock on the storage unit. A friend of customer called and asked if they could get their belongings out of it but were told that they could not get their belongings until the payments were made. Then it was discovered that the lock had been cut from the storage unit and the belongings had been removed. Trooper Peterson spoke with the customer's friend who denied cutting the lock. The investigation continues. Trooper Greg Roy summonsed a 55-year-old woman of Blue Hill for operating without a drivers license in Blue Hill. Her license had expired in September 2007. Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a burglary complaint in Sedgwick where a gas-powered leaf blower was stolen from a shed. A suspect is known. Investigation continues. Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a family fight complaint in Jonesboro involving a man and woman. This was found to be verbal only in nature. Trooper Jason Fowler responded to a vehicle reportedly parked partially in the roadway of the South Princeton Road in Baileyville. The vehicle was towed and later reported stolen out of Baileyville. The theft is being handled by the Baileyville Police Department. Trooper Jason Fowler responded to a burglary complaint in Robbinston where a gun was reported stolen. The gun has been entered into NCIC. A suspect is known and evidence was collected. Investigation continues. Trooper Jason Fowler assisted the Baileyville Police Department with processing two recovered stolen motor vehicles for evidence. Trooper Greg Mitchell received an informational complaint from a woman from Deer Isle. The woman reported that she was having an on-going landlord/tenant issue with the people renting her property. Trooper David Barnard responded to a single vehicle crash on Leaches Point Road in Orland. The 29-year-old operator of Orland was arrested for operating under the influence. Trooper David Barnard stopped a vehicle on Route 102A in Tremont. The 18-year-old operator of Bucksport, was arrested and charged for operating without a license and unlawful possession of Schedule Y drug. Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Hancock where money was stolen from a residence. Investigation continues. Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Mariaville where plates were taken from a vehicle by the owner's son. A teletype was sent out to area agencies. Investigation continues. Trooper Jason Fowler assisted the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Machias Police Department as a Drug Recognition Expert after they arrested a man in East Machias for operating under the influence of drugs. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a harassment complaint from a Danforth woman that a man had harassed her. The caller was unable to provide a physical address or phone number for the man. She did not want to write a statement at this time and wanted the trooper to check the area. Trooper Sawyer searched the area and was unable to locate the man. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a burglary complaint that was occurring at the Lamoine Town Office. The investigation revealed that a 17-year-old man of Hancock had been driving on the Douglas Highway in Lamoine and had several other minors with him. The driver pulled to the side of the road where his vehicle stalled and would not start. Another 17-year-old from Northeast Harbor was with the driver. The Northeast Harbor teen got out of the vehicle and ran up the road to the Lamoine Town Office and smashed the front door window with a rock. The teen then entered the town office and used the phone to called 911 and asked for an ambulance for a female who was having breathing difficulties. When questioned by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office dispatcher, the teen refused to give his name. The investigation revealed that the teen was in possession of a working cellular phone and there were two other working cellular phones in the vehicle. The driver and the Northeast Harbor teen were found to have been consuming alcohol. The driver was charged for operating under the influence. The other teen was charged with illegal possession of alcohol and criminal mischief. Trooper Mitchell was assisted by Sgt. Timothy Varney, Trooper Christopher Smith, Officer Shawn Willey and MDEA Agent Corey Bagley. Trooper David Barnard responded to the South Road in Lamoine for a family argument about a 17-year-old daughter drinking. She was summonsed for possession of liquor by a juvenile. Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a single vehicle roll-over on the Pinkham Flats Road in Lamoine. A 17-year-old male lost control of his Saturn car as he negotiated the S-turn while approaching Douglas Highway. The teen did not have any injuries and was arrested for operating without a license. A report will be sent to the Secretary of State to address the zero tolerance alcohol violation. Trooper Barry Curtis investigated a crash on Main Street in Jonesport. A 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck operated by a 20-year-old Machias man had crashed into a telephone pole. Both the driver and his unknown passenger fled the scene. Charges are pending for the driver. Trooper Christopher Smith assisted. Trooper Greg Burns responded to a burglary complaint at a residence in Dennysville. The residence is vacant and the caller believed the burglary had occurred some time since last fall. An antique pair of German binoculars had been taken. A gun safe had also been damaged but had not been opened. The investigation continues. Trooper Greg Roy responded to a trespassing complaint at a residence on Golden Lane in Deer Isle. The caller reported that a 30-year-old Deer Isle man was in her yard and was refusing to leave. The investigation disclosed that he had gone to the residence with his girlfriend but had not been asked to leave. The girlfriend had stopped at the residence to visit her children while he waited outside. The man was summonsed for possession of a useable amount of marijuana as a result of the investigation and was given a ride to a nearby residence. Trooper Cliff Peterson received a report of a vehicle operating erratically on Route 15 in Deer Isle. The trooper located the vehicle and arrested the 62-year-old operator of Deer Isle for operating under the influence. He was transported to the Hancock County Jail where an intoxilyzer test was administered. Trooper David Barnard responded to a residence in Hancock where the caller had a prescription stolen from his mailbox. Trooper David Barnard stopped a vehicle on Route 200 in Eastbrook for speeding. The 21-year-old operator of Lamoine, was summonsed for operating without a license and criminal speed: 82 in a 45 zone. Trooper Barry Curtis responded to the Basin Road in Addison for a domestic assault/attempted arson incident. The female caller reported that a 50-year-old man had poured gas throughout the house and was getting ready to burn it down. Police arrested him without incident. Further investigation revealed that he had poured approximately 5 gallons of gasoline throughout his house and was preparing to ignite it. A loaded 20-gauge shotgun was also found prepared within the residence. The man will be charged with attempted arson, criminal restraint, terrorizing, and domestic assault. Sgt. Timothy Varney, Trooper Christopher Smith and the Washington County Sheriff's Office Deputies Lt. Travis Willey, Sgt. Tim Tabbutt, and Dep. Brandon Parker all assisted in the investigation. The Addison and Columbia Falls Fire Departments also assisted with the incident. Trooper Christopher Smith arrested a 19-year-old man for criminal trespass. The man forced entry into the residence of a man located on Dyers Bay Road in Steuben. The man who was intoxicated had been out in the cold for several hours after leaving a party nearby. Trooper Christopher Smith responded to Pleasant View Lane apartments in Columbia Falls for the late report of a noise complaint. The female caller reported that the incident had occurred the night before. Tpr. Smith spoke with the owner of the offending apartment and warned him about his actions. A woman called the State Police Monday morning and reported a person in a car parked on the side of Route 1A in Dedham. According to the caller, the occupant of the car was pointing a rifle out the window. Det. Jay Pelletier and Sgt. Timothy Varney located the vehicle. They discovered that the vehicle actually contained a go-cart. The go-cart's muffler was pointing out the window and it was confused for a rifle. The car was broken down and waiting for a wrecker. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Speeders, Sleepers and Troopers | |
| Monday, March 29, 2010
More speeders and other From the Maine Department of Public Safety --- you can't make this stuff up. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Calais Police Make Drug-Related Arrest Overnight | |
| Friday, March 26, 2010
Calais Police arrested local man on drug-related charges overnight. Sgt. Chris Donahue told WQDY NEWS Friday, "At approximately midnight this morning [Friday] there was a search warrant executed on 2 Garfield Street. This is as a result of a month-long investigation." According to Donahue, Kyle Hall, 22, of Calais was arrested for unlawful trafficking in Schedule Z drugs. Deputy Shawn Donahue and Deputy Tom Chambers and his K-9 partner Liberty also assisted. Drugs and paraphernalia were allegedly taken from the scene. "[It was] a month-long so it shows how much time and effort has to go into this. It just shows what can happen when we work together and we have community members that are willing to stand up and help and come forward with information." "Schedule Z drugs includes several drugs one of them being marijuana," Donahue said. Hall has been released on bail and with a May 4 court date in Calais. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Calais Lady Blue Devils Grace The City Council Meeting | |
| Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Calais Lady Blue Devils had their day in Augusta last month as they took home a gold ball. And they had their day in the City of Calais on Friday March 12. The city council's attempt to recognize the team ahead of Calais Lady Blue Devil Day on Fri. March 12 didn't happen due to an apparent "communication breakdown" as Mayor Vinton Cassidy put it. At Thursday night's [March 25] meeting, the team and Coach Dana Redding came to Calais City Hall to collect another plaque -- and admiration of everyone present.  [WQDY NEWS PHOTO] "We're really proud of you," Cassidy told the team. "Every time you folks go and represent the city, you're ambassadors for us." - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Pratt Wins "AAA Top Shop" Award -- Again | |
| Thursday, March 25, 2010
For the third year in a row, Pratt Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick has been recognized by AAA Northern New England and awarded the distinction of Maine Approved Auto Repair Facility of the Year in the dealer division. The facility of the year award is presented by AAA Northern New England honoring one dealership and one Independent repair facility in each of the three Northern New England states. Scoring is derived from an annual customer satisfaction rating based on AAA's service evaluation card responses. Pratt Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick scored the highest AAA rating of all the participating dealers in Maine for the third year in a row. AAAs Approved Auto Repair program recognizes outstanding service facilities throughout Northern New England which have met the organization's strict criteria for technician certification and customer satisfaction, including a 12-month/12,000 mile warranty, a written estimate and AAA-mediated repair dispute arbitration. Tom Giasson, Manager of AAA Northern New England Approved Automotive Programs, congratulated owner Ian Pratt and the entire staff for achieving an overall rating of 99-percent from their customers with 100-percent of them saying they would return for service and recommend Pratt Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick in Calais to others. "This award recognizes the best of the best," said Giasson. "We hold all of our facilities to the highest standards in the industry. Finishing number one is no easy task and doing it three years consecutively is outstanding." Locally-owned since 1996, Pratt Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick owner Ian Pratt told WQDY NEWS Thursday that he couldn't be more pleased with his staff. "Our guys just do a great job at taking care of people. That's the whole reason we're here -- we want to be the repair facility, the provider of all automotive services whether people are buying a car or selling a car or servicing a car after the sale," Pratt said. Pratt Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick in Calais employees 20 people. "It's been a real tough couple of years for the automotive industry and all the travails and problems that a lot of the auto makers have had. There's been a lot of my colleagues that have lost their businesses in this time," Pratt said. "We've been real fortunate here. We've actually grown in the last couple of years. We added four new service bays and we've added more technicians. We actually have the largest repair and service staff that we've ever had, right now." "While others are cutting -- we're still growing," Pratt said. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services. Operating 17 offices throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, AAA Northern New England is a not-for-profit, fully tax-paying corporation and serves as an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA Northern New England can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Several Charges Laid In Connection With Alleged Abduction | |
| Thursday, March 25, 2010
Codiac Regional RCMP have laid several charges against 62-year-old Romeo Jacques Cormier in connection with the alleged abduction of Donna O'Rielly last month. The Moncton man appeared in Moncton Provincial Court Thursday afternoon where he faced several charges including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, robbery, assault with a weapon and death threats. He was remanded into custody until his next court appearance. Cormier was arrested by Codiac Regional RCMP on Wednesday at approximately 2:00pm at a residence on Sixth Avenue in Moncton. Cormier's arrest was made two hours after 54-year-old Donna O'Rielly had been found alive. The Moncton woman had been missing since leaving work on February 26. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Former Councilor & Calais Police Chief Elected To Baileyville Town Council [But Chief Declines] | |
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| --RCMP: Man Arrested In Connection With Disappearance Of Donna O'Rielly | |
| Wednesday, March 24, 2010
RCMP say 54-year-old Donna O'Reilly was found alive Wednesday in Moncton. Codaic Regional RCMP have arrested a 62-year-old Moncton man in connection with the alleged abduction of Donna O'Rielly. Investigators are speaking to O'Reilly to learn what happened to her since Feb. 26. Police said the suspect is expected to appear in Moncton Provincial Court Thursday. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --NB Won't Proceed With Sale Of NB Power To Hydro Quebec | |
| Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Government of New Brunswick will not proceed with an energy agreement with Hydro-Quebec, Premier Shawn Graham announced Wednesday. "Over the past several weeks, as we worked to take the energy agreement and turn it into a full legal document, a number of issues emerged," Graham said. "Hydro-Quebec asked for changes to the agreement that would have unacceptably taken away some of the value and increased some of the risks for New Brunswickers." Graham said that, during the process of moving from an agreement-in-principle to a legal contract, Hydro-Quebec proposed further changes that were not in the best interests of New Brunswick. "I believe the original agreement provided good value to New Brunswick in both direct benefits and reduced risks," said Graham. "I believe the amended agreement from January also provided good value for New Brunswick in terms of benefits and reduced risks. However, with Hydro-Quebec's proposed changes, I do not believe New Brunswick receives enough in direct benefits and reduced risks to provide a deal worth signing. The reality is that, when Hydro-Quebec did its due diligence, it found that there were more risks than it was willing to take on. This change in the position of Hydro-Quebec meant that the terms of our agreement-in-principle could not be met. Our government could not accept that." The government will now look at other alternatives to address the challenges facing NB Power and the electricity situation in New Brunswick, and in doing so, it will look for input from New Brunswickers. "I think it is pretty clear to everyone that, even if you are doing the right thing, or the necessary thing, there is a right way and a wrong way of going about it," Graham said. "People were not upset with us for taking on the electricity issue; they were angry with us because they wanted to be part of the solution and our process did not let them in. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --SAINT CROIX COURIER: St. Stephen Mayor Nervous About Festival Security Costs | |
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| --MSP Troop J Weekly Report | |
| Monday, March 22, 2010
Harassment by phone and Facebook, fraud, threats, a fake crime and a fake name are among the varied incidents handled by Troop J over the past week. Here are some of them: Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a theft complaint in Castine where firewood was reported stolen. Investigation continues. Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a theft complaint in Brooklin where prescription medications were stolen from a purse. Investigation continues. Trooper Andrew Foss gave a woman a trespass notice to stay off of the property of a man in Machiasport at the man's request. Trooper Andrew Foss responded to Lubec for a report of an intoxicated male inside a residence. The man was issued a warning for trespassing on the property. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a harassment complaint from a woman who advised that three other people (two from Baileyville, one from Princeton) were harassing her on Facebook. They were all warned for harassment. Sgt. Timothy Varney summonsed an 18-year-old Harrison man for possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop on Route 1A in Ellsworth. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a fraud complaint from South Thomaston. The caller was a student at the Maine Maritime Academy and had discovered fraudulent charges on his Key Bank account statement. The charges were made in Germany and were for the sum of a couple hundred dollars (exact amount not noted). Trooper Greg Mitchell received a domestic violence complaint from the Blue Hill Hospital Staff. The call was made after a female was being treated for injuries that appeared to be related to domestic violence. Trooper Mitchell met with the woman in the Blue Hill Hospital emergency room but she declined to make any sort of statement. Trooper Gregory Roy summonsed a 19-year-old Ellsworth man for possession of a useable amount of marijuana and possession of alcohol by a minor as the result of a traffic stop in Gouldsboro. Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a burglary that occurred on US Highway 1 in Sullivan. The caretaker for the property discovered that a large barn had been broken into over the winter and several tools were missing. Some of the tools missing included a black table saw, black handle sledge hammer, old anvil on a wooden stand, and a gas-powered Echo gas trimmer. Trooper David Barnard received a complaint from the Surry School. The caller reported teenagers were going to the school after hours and were climbing onto the school roof. She requested area law enforcement keep this in mind when they are in the area of the school. Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a 51-year-old man from New Brunswick, Canada for criminal speed on Route 9 in Amherst. He was doing 93 in a 55. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer summonsed a 67-year-old Calais woman for operating without a license after a traffic stop on Route 9, Township 31. Her license had expired Nov. 12, 2008. Trooper Miles Carpenter and Trooper Andrew Foss responded to Machiasport for a report of a family fight involving a 57-year-old woman and a man. It was found that the incident was verbal only in nature. However, the woman was arrested for operating under the influence. Trooper Jessica Shorey and her K-9 assisted Troop D with a drug search during a traffic stop in Stockton Springs. A small amount of marijuana and some Ritalin pills were located during the search. Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a harassment complaint in Sullivan where one man reported that another man was leaving harassing messages on his answering machine. A message was left for the man not to harass the caller. Trooper Jessica Shorey and Trooper David Barnard responded to a family fight complaint in Hancock involving a woman and man. This was found to be verbal only in nature. Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a juvenile for leaving the scene of a property damage accident which occurred in Danforth on March 8th. Trooper Gregory Roy assisted the Ellsworth Police Department with a large fight outside Chummy's Bar on Water Street Trooper Gregory Roy received a credit card fraud complaint from a woman in Brooklin. The caller reported that another woman had charged approximately $11,500.00 on her eighty-seven year old mother's credit card. The investigation continues. Trooper Daniel Ryan handled a theft complaint in Dedham where it was reported that a man from Presque Isle had not paid for a room he stayed in at the Lucerne Inn. Investigation continues. Trooper Jason Fowler responded to Lubec for a report of an attempted suicide where a man ingested toilet bowl cleaner and cut himself. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital prior to the trooper's arrival. No crimes were committed. Trooper Cliff Peterson and Trooper Gregory Roy responded to a well-being check in Brooklin. The caller reported that his son had recently left Acadia Hospital without permission. The caller reported that his son has not been taking his medication and his mental health is deteriorating. The son was transported to EMMC for an evaluation. Trooper Staci Carpenter investigated a complaint of criminal threatening with a firearm in Crawford. A man from Pembroke reported that he and his brother had been threatened by their former employer. The investigation disclosed that the caller had previously left a wood lot off Route 9 after a disagreement with his employer over pay issues. The caller returned with his brother and blocked the road leading to the woodlot. The employer brandished a handgun because he was concerned for his safety and told the two men to leave which they did. No charges have been filed at this time. Trooper Daniel Ryan received a report of a stolen ATV in Penobscot. Reported stolen was a green 2002 Prairie ATV. Investigation continues. Trooper Jessica Shorey assisted the Holden Police Department with a K-9 track for a suspect involved in a criminal mischief complaint. Trooper Jason Fowler responded to Princeton for a report of an attempted burglary. It appears that the caller was having mental health issues. The family was notified of this. Indian Township Police Department assisted. Trooper Jason Fowler assisted the Maine Warden Service with an ATV crash in Princeton which occurred in a parking lot. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a threatening complaint from a man from Dedham. The caller advised that he received a telephone message left by an unknown male. The male threatened to kill him and his family. The male did not use the names of anyone. He has not had any problems with anyone and was really surprised by the message. His family did post their telephone number on internet networking sites (Facebook). The caller came up as "private" on the Caller ID. Trooper Greg Mitchell received an assault complaint from the staff of the Lucerne Inn in Dedham. A woman of Alton claimed to have been assaulted by an unknown assailant while going to her motel room. Troopers Jared Stedman and Kyle Willette (Troop E) responded to the scene to assist Mitchell. Detective Jennifer Fiske also responded to the scene after concerns of an alleged sexual assault developed. The investigation revealed that the woman had made several false statements to the investigation officers and denied any sort of sexual assault occurred but insisted that she had been pushed down. The woman's allegations were found to not have any merit. The investigation later revealed that woman was using a false name also. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a burglary complaint from Lamoine. The caller reported a neighboring storage building was broken into. The owner of the building was found to be a non-resident so the exact amount or type of items missing is pending. Trooper David Barnard received a complaint of a man threatening people with a gun on Remick Road in Otis. A man called 911 and reported the incident as the victim but left the scene before law enforcement arrived. Another man of Otis was assaulted by a man from Ellsworth. The victims were not sure if they wanted to press charges; the incident is still under investigation. Several Troopers from Troop J and E, several Hancock County Deputies and the Maine Warden Service responded to the complaint. Trooper Miles Carpenter handled a theft complaint in Lubec where a shotgun was reported stolen. A suspect is known and the investigation continues. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Day Of Collection For Hunger - Borderless Giving | |
| Friday, March 19, 2010
This Friday March 26, a 12-hour food drive and fundraiser will be held on both sides of the border. Students from New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) in St. Andrews, St. Stephen's University (SSU) in St. Stephen and Washington County Community College (WCCC) in Calais are teaming-up to collect food and monetary donations to help the local food banks and domestic violence transition houses. The drive will be held from 8 AM to 8 PM US -- 9 AM to 9 PM Canadian time. Students will collect donations door-to-door and drop-off locations have been established in Calais at Eastern Maine Electric Co-op, Bell's IGA, WCCC and the Classic Hits-Border 102.9 WQDY/WCRQ studios. Sobeys, SSU and NBCC - St. Andrews will be drop-off locations in Charlotte County. This cooperative community service event is the first of the alliance of the three schools, known as CHEP - Cross-border Higher Education Partnership. CHEP is a partnership of the neighboring education institutions with a commitment to providing high-quality learning opportunities, cross-institutional credit recognition, and collaborative student life experiences. For more information or to make a monetary donation over the phone, please contact Angela at (207) 214-5386, Fran at (207) 214-5389 or April at (207) 214-5396. To learn more about NBCC, SSU and WCCC, please visit their websites at www.nbcc.ca, www.ssu.ca, and www.wccc.me.edu. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Calais Regional Medical Services Selected For Grant | |
| Friday, March 19, 2010
Calais Regional Medical Services (CRMS), a department of Calais Regional Hospital has been selected to take part in a grant to assist physicians and patients with asthma treatment and control. 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. For this reason, CRMS readily joined forces with Medical Care Development (MCD) of Augusta in their application for a grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute that will enable the CRMS physician offices to put into practice proven evidence-based methods for asthma care and control. This project was one of thirteen nationwide selected for grant funding. CRMS has 4000 patients in the practice ranging in age from newborn to 104. The patients are overseen by four physicians, two nurse practitioners, and a physician assistant. Of those patients in the practice about 10-percent have a diagnosis of asthma. Founded in 1966, Medical Care Development has a long and successful history of developing and demonstrating improved health through the creative application of best practices in a range of areas, including chronic disease self management, clinical office systems and practice improvement, and communication. "Typically, CRMS resources are focused on treatment when issues arise for those patients with asthma," explained Cammi Deschene, CRH Director of Practice Management. "The grant will provide the resources to assist us in putting some focus on asthma management for the patients, families and providers dealing with this chronic disease." The grant will fund Maine's Asthma Practice Improvement Project whose goal is to improve the care of those with asthma by working with rural medical practices in a learning collaborative model. Key focus areas of the project will be to provide medical education based on national guidelines, increase relationships between providers and their local community, and assure that asthma care is well understood by patients and families. "MCD is very excited to have the opportunity to offer quality improvement resources and coaching to our healthcare and community partners in Calais," said Elizabeth Foley, Clinical Improvement Specialist with MCD. "Maine has many rural hospitals and community health centers, all of whom are eager, as is CRMS, to offer the best care to their patients with asthma. We look forward to our collaborative work in Calais and sharing those lessons learned from the Asthma Practice Improvement Project with partners throughout the state." - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --BEP Will Assume Jurisdiction Over Calais LNG Proposal | |
| Thursday, March 18, 2010
Maine's Board of Environmental Protection will assume jurisdiction over the application by Calais LNG to construct a Liquefied Natural Gas terminal in Calais, Maine. Local LNG supporters including the Calais City Council had urged the Department of Environmental Protection to assume jurisdiction for the project. As WQDY NEWS reported Jan. 28, the city council voted to send a letter to DEP Commissioner David P. Littell. "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. 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. "As far as timing goes, it might provide this project to go through the process a little timelier than if it went to the BEP board," Barnes said. But following a March 18 vote, the BEP will be assuming jurisdiction. A public hearing on the project is anticipated this summer. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --CALAIS ADVERTISER: Underage Drinking In Calais | |
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| --Campobello Residents Decide Their Future May 10 | |
| Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Residents of Campobello will decide through a plebiscite on May 10 if they want to become a rural community or remain a local service district. Local Government Minister Chris Collins announced the plebiscite Wednesday in the legislative assembly. "It will be for the island residents to decide their future," said Collins. In the spring of 2009, 50 local residents petitioned the minister to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a rural community. The department has completed the feasibility study in co-operation with the local governance committee. As part of the public consultation process, 330 Campobello residents, who are qualified to vote, participated in a survey which found that 90 per cent were in favor of both establishing a rural community and holding a pledbiscite. Unlike a local service district, a rural community includes an elected council that has decision-making authority over certain areas. The study proposed a rural community encompassing the entire island and an elected council composed of a mayor and four councilors. A copy of the summary of the feasibility study will be mailed in the coming days to all area residents qualified to vote to help them make an informed decision. Collins urges all eligible voters to review the available information and participate in the plebiscite. "The creation of a rural community will only go ahead if a majority of voters who participate in the plebiscite agree with the proposal. We need strong and viable communities to play a key role in our province in order to achieve our self-sufficiency goals," Collins said. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --SAINT CROIX COURIER: Province Musing Campobello Ferry Plan | |
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| --BDN: Calais Research Center Closes, Lays Off Work Force | |
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| --Troop J Weekly Report | |
| Wednesday, March 17, 2010
From the files of Troop J Maine State Police: Trooper Dan Ryan responded to a burglary complaint in Penobscot where several power tools were stolen. Trooper Dan Ryan responded to a burglary complaint in Penobscot where a chainsaw and a generator were reported stolen. Trooper Andrew Foss handled the theft of a street sign in Charlotte. A suspect is known. Trooper Jason Fowler responded to Danforth for a report of a hit-and-run accident that occurred during the night. Two vehicles that had been parked had been reported to be hit by another vehicle during the night. Trooper Fowler located what turned out to be an ATV involved in leaving the scene. A suspect is known. The Maine Warden Service is assisting in this investigation. Trooper Dan Ryan received a violation of conditional release complaint in Stonington where a woman reported receiving calls from her ex-husband. This has been going on for a couple of weeks and a warrant has been requested through the District Attorney's Office since the ex-husband has not been able to be located. It is believed that he is in the Houlton area. He also has a warrant for his arrest for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. Trooper Dan Ryan handled an assault complaint in Deer Isle where one man reported being head-butted by another. The caller just wanted this reported but did not wish to pursue charges. Trooper Dan Ryan handled a phone harassment complaint in Stonington where an 18-year-old man reported that his mother was calling and harassing him. The mother has not been located. Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to a family fight complaint in Franklin where a a 24-year-old man and a 21-year-old female got into a verbal argument. It was found that no assaults had occurred and they were separated for the day. Trooper Miles Carpenter assisted the Bangor Police Department by attempting to locate a man in Mariaville. Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to a criminal mischief complaint in Sorrento where a club house at a golf course had damage due to an attempted burglary. Evidence was gathered. Trooper Jason Fowler responded to a burglary complaint in Roque Bluffs where a residence had been broken into and alcohol was reported stolen. Evidence was collected. Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a suspicious complaint in Franklin. The caller arrived back to his truck from clamming and found that his tires were flattened. The caller did not have permission to park on the property. Investigation continues. Marine Patrol Officer Mike Pinkham was notified that the man was clamming without a license. Trooper Christopher Smith warned a Hancock man for telephone harassment. Trooper Christopher Smith responded to a suspicious complaint on the Eastbrook Road in Franklin. The caller reported that a juvenile male was looking in the windows of his residence. The caler provided a description of the male who had left the area. Trooper Smith patrolled the area but did not locate the juvenile male. Trooper Christopher Smith assisted a woman by transporting her from Sullivan to Ellsworth. The woman left her husband and was scared that he was going to find her. No further action was taken. Trooper Barry Curtis arrested a 49-year-old man for the theft of a trailer in the town of Harrington. He was also on probation and was held at the Washington County Jail. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer received a possible fraud (by email) complaint from a woman in Alexander. A person, possibly from the UK, wanted to make reservations for 4 days at a restaurant in Baileyville. The person wanted to email the caller a credit card number, have her take out $2000 for a deposit/payment and $8000 to send back to their logistic/transport agent. The caller sent back an email telling the person that she could not comply with this request and that she can only accept payment when services are rendered. Investigation continues. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer responded to a family fight in Danforth. The caller reported that she had a verbal fight with her boyfriend and he ripped the phone out. She called from the Knight's store and was worried about her mother being inside the home with the boyfriend. When Trooper Sawyer arrived, the caller was back in the home and she stated that she just wanted the boyfriend out of the home. No evidence of a physical assault had occurred. Trooper Sawyer brought the boyfriend to a friend's home and served a criminal/harassment notice. Indian Township Police Department Sgt. Newell and Officer Townsend assisted. Trooper Greg Burns summonsed a 34-year-old East Machias man for illegal attachment of registration plates as the result of a traffic stop in East Machias. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer responded to a one-car accident on Center Street in Baring. The vehicle had struck a pole and a transformer. The 27-year-old driver was found at his parent's home on Center Street. Trooper Sawyer conducted field sobriety tests and as a result the driver was arrested for OUI. He was taken to the Calais Police Department for the intoxilyzer. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer visited the Charlotte Elementary School in Charlotte. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a suspicious complaint from a woman in Castine. The caller reported that she received two harassing phone calls from an unknown male caller. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a trespass complaint from an Orland woman. The caller advised that she asked her nephew to leave but he refused. The caller wanted the man removed from her residence and asked not to return. Trooper Mitchell located the man in a bedroom playing video games and he left the residence without incident. Sgt. Timothy Varney and Marine Patrol Officer Thomas Reardon assisted with the incident. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a burglary complaint from Tremont. The caller reported that she was not at her residence but her neighbor called her and reported that three people had entered her apartment and they were currently removing property. The caller reported that the person who broke into her apartment was a former boyfriend from Portland. A short time later, the former boyfriend and two others from Saco were located on Route 3 in Trenton by Marine Patrol Officer Colin MacDonald. The investigation revealed the former boyfriend had entered the apartment without permission and stole a large number of DVD's and some clothing. The other two assisted with the burglary. The former boyfriend was arrested for burglary (Class B) and a violation of bail. The accomplices were also arrested - one for burglary (Class B), violation of bail and possession of drug paraphernalia. The other for burglary (Class B), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a usable amount of marijuana. Trooper David Barnard and Ellsworth Police Officer Paul Gamble assisted in the investigation. Troopers Greg Roy and Cliff Peterson responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a residence on Powers Drive in Orland. The complainant reported that a man was intoxicated and was inside the residence. It was determined that the man had permission to be in the residence. No further action was taken. Trooper Cliff Peterson received a complaint from a woman in Franklin reporting that she heard gunshots being fired from outside a neighbor's residence. Trooper located a 19-year-old man and other minors who had been drinking. The 19-year-old was placed under arrest for furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol and was transported to the Hancock County Jail. Trooper Greg Burns assisted the Baileyville Police Department with an underage drinking party which was located at a residence across the road from the police department. Twelve subjects were summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a minor. The two homeowners, 20 and 21, were arrested for furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol. Trooper Cliff Peterson arrested a 26-year-old Mount Desert man for operating under the influence and criminal speed (98 MPH in a 55 MPH zone) in Trenton. He was transported to the Hancock County Jail where an intoxilyzer test was administered. Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Amherst where it was reported that items were stolen from a vehicle. Trooper Jessica Shorey and her K-9 assisted the Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Dedham with a search for a subject that had fled from a vehicle. The track led to an area where the suspect had been picked up by a vehicle. Trooper Dan Ryan also assisted. Trooper Andrew Foss assisted the Machias Police Department with a traffic stop where several items of drug paraphernalia were located in a vehicle occupied by subjects from the Lewiston area. Trooper Jason Fowler assisted the Baileyville Police Department with a report of a fight in progress. Trooper Greg Burns investigated an unattended death off the Gardner's Lake Road in East Machias. A 63-year-old man appeared to have been cutting wood with a chain saw on a private camp lot when he cut the lower part of his right leg. Trooper Staci Carpenter responded to a burglary complaint at a residence in Steuben. The copper piping had been stripped from the residence. The interior walls of the residence were also damaged to gain access to the piping. The investigation continues. Trooper Greg Roy received a theft complaint from Castine. The caller reported that a number of tools had been taken from his garage sometime in the last two weeks. The investigation continues pending further contact with the complainant. Trooper Cliff Peterson and Trooper Michael Southard responded to a trespassing complaint at a residence in Blue Hill. The caller reported that a 29-year-old man has been staying at her residence off and on for the last two years. He has been abusive towards the complainant and she has asked him to leave but he refused. He was placed under arrest for criminal trespassing and was transported to the Hancock County Jail without incident. Trooper Dan Ryan handled a harassment complaint in Blue Hill where a woman reported getting unwanted calls from her ex-husband. The man was warned for harassment. Trooper Andrew Foss arrested a 30-year-old man in Machiasport for operating under the influence of alcohol after Prison Guards from the Bucks Harbor Prison located the man stuck on the side of a road in a vehicle. Trooper Jason Fowler and Trooper Andrew Foss assisted the Calais Police Department with a burglary investigation where the suspects were located in Pleasant Point. Trooper Dan Ryan handled a theft complaint in Deer Isle where money and prescription medications were reported to have been stolen from a purse. Trooper Andrew Foss received a complaint of a gas drive off in Whiting. A suspect is known. Trooper Andrew Foss received a harassment complaint in Jonesboro where a woman reported that a 48-year-old man has been harassing her. Trooper Foss had warned the man not to contact the woman March 1st after a similar incident. Trooper Foss then arrested him for telephone harassment and harassment. Trooper Jason Fowler handled a well-being complaint in Pembroke where it was reported that a woman may be driving in an unstable mental state of mind. Troopers Andrew Foss and Jason Fowler responded to Pembroke for a report of an assault. It was reported that a woman had gone to a neighbor's residence and had possibly been assaulted by her son. Dispatchers were unable to speak with the woman because she would not speak with them. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Body Of Missing New Hampshire Woman Found | |
| Sunday, March 14, 2010
Maine State Police say the body of a missing New Hampshire woman was found Saturday afternoon in Clinton, a short distance from where her abandoned car was found along Interstate 95 in December. According to Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland, the body of Sarah Rogers, 29, of Barrington, NH was found in a wooded area, near power lines, within a half mile from where her car was located. The body was found by nearby residents who were looking on their property for any signs of the missing woman. The body was located off the southbound lane of the interstate, near the Mutton Lane overpass. There were no signs of foul play, but the cause of death will await an autopsy scheduled for Monday at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Augusta. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --East Machias Man Dead After Tragic Woods Accident | |
| Friday, March 12, 2010
An East Machias man has died from injuries he suffered while working in the woods. Maine State Trooper Greg Burns told WQDY NEWS Friday that Maine Game Warden Joe McBrine had received a phone call from a concerned citizen off the Gardner's Lake Road who called to report a vehicle had been parked at the end of a camp road overnight and it was still there Friday morning. "There's frost in the windows, it's out of place," Burns related. The caller did not know who owned the vehicle or the camps. Burns said McBrine went to the scene and discovered Brian "Butch" Whitney, 63, of East Machias, deceased from an injury sustained by a chainsaw cut to the leg. "It's considered an accidental death -- not an industrial accident because it's not a commercial operation. He had cut a tree, he was doing some small work with a chainsaw around it. It appears that the chainsaw kicked back and struck [Whitney] in the lower leg," Burns said. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Big Surprise In Baileyville For Underage Drinkers | |
| Friday, March 12, 2010
Some underage drinkers in Baileyville got a big surprise early Thursday. When it was over, two people had been arrested and a dozen others received summonses. It was about ten minutes after midnight Thursday when an alert rookie Baileyville police officer heard some noises and investigated. Police Chief Phil Harriman told WQDY NEWS in a telephone interview Friday that Officer Cody Fenderson was outside the police station when he heard noise coming from a residence at 45 Washington Street which is diagonally out the door from the station, "about 300 feet or so." "As he walked across to investigate the situation two individuals exited the residence. One of those was carrying a bottle of alcohol," Harriman said. Fenderson determined the person carrying said alcohol was under 21. "It became quite obvious that there was a party going on inside the residence," said the chief. "The people soon realized that there were cops outside their door and so they turned off the lights and locked the door," Harriman said. Other law enforcement agencies responded including Calais, Indian Township, US Border Patrol, Maine State Police and the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Harriman said he was contacted and advised of the situation. "Based on what knowledge we had I didn't believe at that point that we had probable cause to enter the residence. The worst case scenario of what we would have to do is go and locate the owners the following day and charge them with providing a place for minors to consume," the chief explained. "Within about an hour and fifty minutes or so -- at about two o'clock, two people ran from the residence. They were located in the woods out behind the residence. Those two people were both underage, they were drinking," Harriman told us. Things reached a point where there was probable cause. "We were able to enter the residence and we found several more individuals inside that had been drinking and were underage." "Charged with furnishing a place for minors to consume was Shanna Russell,age 20, of 45 Washington St. She was renting along with another female, Rebecca Leavitt, 21. She was also arrested and charged with furnishing a place for minors to consume. They were bailed from the police station and they have a court date of May 4," Harriman said. Ages of those other underage drinkers ranged from 18 to 20. "There were no juvenile drinkers -- but still underage drinkers." A total of twelve people excluding the two arrests were summonsed for either possession of liquor by a minor by consumption or actually possession of liquor by a minor, Harriman said. It's all thanks to one alert rookie -- Officer Cody Fenderson. "He did a fantastic job with this," Harriman said. "The officers that backed him up thought he did a fantastic job. I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out." Nobody was hurt and a party was broken up." "Information that we received in the investigation was that they had come to Baileyville because they knew we no longer had 24-hour coverage." "Hopefully, we sent a message --- don't come to Baileyville and have your parties," Harriman warned. The underage drinkers came from all over --- as far away as Bethlehem, N.H. and the rest were from Calais, Alexander, Lubec, Solon, Bridgton, Skowhegan, Buxton, Milbridge, Anson and Sanford. They also have May 4 court dates. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Over And Out For Calais Dispatch, Says City Council Vote | |
| Thursday, March 11, 2010
It'll be over and out for the Calais police dispatch effective July 1. The Calais City Council made it official Thursday night in a 5-1 vote. In the face of shrinking revenue sharing and other budget problems in the city, cuts are being made to some services rather than having to raise taxes. So far, the police department has eliminated their K-9 program and now its local dispatch will be going in several months.  [Calais Dispatcher Angie Fader Day -- WQDY NEWS PHOTO] Effective July 1, dispatching services in Calais will be handled by the Washington County Regional Communications Center [RCC] in Machias but there are numerous logistics to be ironed out between now and then. Chief David Randall told the city council about an emergency call box that would be installed at the station. "You're going to push a button -- it's going to ring to the RCC. It's going to be like a speakerphone." [$1,294.96] The chief said five surveillance cameras would be installed at the police department inside and out. [$4,947.20] As for an emergency "safe haven" once dispatch is gone, Randall said US Customs and Border Protection at the three bridges in Calais will be available. "David Lumbert is Port Director. I talked to him about having an emergency safe haven so instead of having one, we'll have three. He checked with his supervisors -- they said that it was fine with them. We just need to stress that this is for an emergency situation, it's not to report that your neighbor's cat is running loose or anything like that. It's an emergency. Seriously, if someone is following and you feel you're in danger go there then," Randall said. The police department's phone system will be re-programmed. [Voice mail set up $640.00]and the radio system [$19,948]. The chief also talked about establishing two extra shifts from the end of June through the end of August so there would be three officers on. "I was concerned about the citizens' safety and the officer's safety. If you have two guys on and there's a bar fight -- you arrest two people that leaves one officer to handle all the other bars in case there's a situation," Randall said.  [Vacancies at the cell block at Calais PD -- WQDY NEWS PHOTO] Randall also suggested training part-time officers for jail shifts for special events such as the International Festival. "Sometimes Festival is busy. I don't know if it's the spirit or the spirits but we seem to have a lot of visitors there at times." Randall said he had also spoke with Bob Gross, the administrator of the Washington County Jail. "I found out that they had a couple of extra vans over there and asked if maybe we could borrow one over here -- that way if we arrested more than two people we could use the van. He hasn't gotten back to me on that yet." "Maybe if they come and cover some emergency calls for us and us covering some emergency calls for them. Not dog complaints, not phone harassment complaints, but actual complaints. Instead of theirs and ours -- maybe we need to work together. It's come to the time where it seems like Augusta keeps on working against us and instead of us trying to rely on them maybe it's time for us to work together," Randall said. "We could run vehicle, registration checks and driver's license checks. I talked to most of the agencies around and they're actually interested in maybe doing a group grant so we could all have this capability which would help the RCC minimize the radio traffic they would have to deal with," Randall said. "It's going to be different. If you have an emergency -- dial 911. If you go to the PD there's a box -- push the button and you'll be able to talk to somebody. Tell them about the voice mail system. Tell them about "safe haven," and we need to tell them about the business hours." "If we do start working with Baileyville and it's an emergency and a Baileyville officer shows up at somebody's doorstep -- don't freak out -- they're there to help. Relax, we're from the government, we're here to help," Randall said. Mayor Vinton Cassidy mentioned a meeting he had this week with Chris Gardner, chairman of the Washington County Commissioners about Calais getting out of the dispatch biz. "I'm quite sure this is workable. The other thing that I talked to him a little bit is that our fiscal year starts July 1. Theirs is January 1 so they'll be about six months into theirs before this even takes place and he also understands that that'll give them six months work their bugs out as well so I'm sure in the end it'll be fine." The mayor said Calais is not alone -- other communities are doing this as well. "Every community in the state is running into the problems we're running into with budget cuts from the state to us so this is not a unique situation. This is happening all over the state," said Mayor Cassidy. The discussion ended and the mayor asked for a motion. Councilor Joseph Cassidy responded, "I make the motion that we take an official stance to disband Calais dispatch and join the RCC at the county level." "Effective July 1," the mayor added. Councilor Chris Bernardini followed with a quick second. In addition to Councilor Cassidy and Bernardini, Councilors Bill Condon, Joyce Maker and Marianne Moore voted to in favor of disbanding Calais dispatch. Only Councilor Michael Milburn voted against the plan. Milburn preceded Randall as the city's police chief for 15 years. At the end of the meeting during public comment, Chief Randall said, "We've got a long way to go. Am I happy the dispatch is gone? No, I'm not. I'm not. I've got a job to do and we're going to do it the best way we can. It's not going to be the perfect circumstance but the way things are nowadays we're going to do the best we can to move forward and make it work. My guys and the union and everybody in the city has really been helping us out because we're the ones right now that are going through the problem." In a telephone interview Thursday night, County Commissioner Chairman Chris Gardner gave WQDY NEWS his reaction to the Calais City Council's decision. He said it came up during their Thursday meeting in Machias. "The Commissioners are committed to making sure that we provide the service needed and adequate for the county. Unfortunately, as much as we're trying to hold the line on costs, we think there may be some cost implications that will be borne across the county and all we can do is try to mitigate and do the best we can." "We appreciate that the decision was a tough one made by the Calais City Council and we're going to stand at the ready to make sure that we can provide the service necessary for everyone across the county," Gardner said. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Jail & Fine For Father & Son | |
| Thursday, March 11, 2010
A father and son from Dedham have been charged after making up a story that a state trooper stole money from one of them following his arrest. According to Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland, a jury in Hancock County found Steven and Tyler Harmon guilty last week of unsworn falsification and making a false public report. Both were sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $750 each. The investigation was completed by the State Police Internal Affairs Division after the two filed the accusation against Sgt. Alden Bustard. Tyler, who is 20, had been arrested by Bustard on an outstanding theft warrant and was taken to the county jail. Investigators found the father had talked to his son over a recorded telephone line from the jail and cooked up the scheme accusing the trooper of stealing $380. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Machias Hopsital Receives Full State License | |
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| --20 Traffic Stops By Calais PD During 4-Hour Detail | |
| Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Some motorists are hopefully wiser now about the speed limit on Calais streets following a roving radar detail looking for speeders. They didn't have to look very far. Sgt. Chris Donahue told WQDY NEWS police were at it from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. "The Calais Police Department conducted a laser radar detail with some grant money. On the four hours we did radar on Washington Street, Lincoln Street, Calais Avenue, Garfield Street and Route 1. We conducted 20 vehicle stops -- 19 warnings were issued along with 1 summons," Donahue said. The speed limit on the side streets is 25 --- the section of Route 1 they happened to be working is 35 MPH. Police said the speeds ranged "anywhere from 10 miles an hour over to 16 miles an hour over [the posted speed]." "We actually had two units out and then the radar was being operated independently from the cruisers," Donahue said. The department has a new Laser Radar Unit. It's hand-held so officers can stand in inconspicuous areas and track traffic. The unit was purchased by means of a grant. [See full story March 1, 2010] According to Patrolman Bob Fitzsimmons, one motorist left the Calais Skate Park when they set up the radar. "He got his speed up to 41 MPH [25 MPH zone] between the skatepark [on Calais Avenue]and the time he had to slow down at the stop sign at Lincoln Street. When I pulled him over I asked him why he was going that fast and he says, I don't know -- it's just a habit." "Hopefully, we can break the habit," Fitzsimmons told us. "We had a concerned citizen call up to let us know that there was a man standing across the street behind a telephone pole dressed in dark clothes and had binoculars --- I was happy to inform her that it wasn't that strange, it was our sergeant was standing over there with the laser radar unit," Fitzsimmons explained. "He should be okay -- but we'll keep an eye on him." - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Mayor Tells FERC "City Desperately Needs" Calais LNG Project | |
| Tuesday, March 09, 2010
In a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Calais' mayor urges the agency "in the strongest possible terms to complete its review of this project and grant its approval subject to the Commission's safety and environmental concerns having been met by the applicant." "The City desperately needs this project," Mayor Vinton Cassidy wrote." "Our population has been declining for the past two decades due to the shortage of jobs in the region. The unemployment rate in Washington County has been reported at 13-percent, but is higher now and increasing daily." "The region's major employer, DOMTAR, shut down last summer for several months. While operating currently, we are concerned that having closed once, they may do so again." "The comments herein are mine personally and are sincerely from the heart," he wrote. The Calais City Council has previously voiced their support for the Calais LNG project and others in Washington County. Cassidy teaches American National Government at Washington County Community College in Calais. He has also served three terms in the Maine Senate and is in his 7th term as mayor. Cassidy said he has heard "overwhelming support" for the project. "The few who oppose, most of whom are Canadian, do so on grounds unrelated to legitimate safety, environmental, or other aesthetic concerns." "I have heard concerns about the St. Croix River's ability to accommodate LNG vessels. I must note that ships not much smaller that LNG ships have been going in and out of the Bayside terminal on the Canadian side without incident for many years. Some do not even board a pilot. Some carry hazardous cargoes such as fertilizer." "In the past, oil tankers came right into downtown Calais and other ships called there as well. Navigation on the St. Croix is nothing new, and with the safety measures and navigation aids that will come with the LNG trade, will be safer in the future than now or in the past," Cassidy wrote. Other recent letters to federal regulators expressing support for the Calais LNG project have come from state legislators; Rep. Anne C. Perry; Rep. David C. Burns and Rep. Diane Tilton as well as from local business owners and members of the public. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Troop J Weekly Report | |
| Monday, March 08, 2010
Here are some of the incidents handled by state police Troop J over the past week: Trooper Greg Mitchell received a suspicious complaint from a man in Sedgwick. The caller reported that his 15-year-old daughter had had been messaging a guy she thought was 17-year-old but he since learned from other people on the internet that the guy was actually 39. The daughter had since stopped messaging the guy. It did not appear that a crime had been committed. Trooper Greg Mitchell responded to an address in Tremont for an aggravated criminal mischief complaint. The caller was the caretaker for a seasonal residence. She discovered that seven windows on the back of the building had been broken with rocks. The investigation continues. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a vandalism complaint from Brooksville. The investigation revealed that a vehicle intentionally driven on the Brooksville Grange lawn causing damage. Trooper Greg Roy received a burglary complaint from Penobscot. Several power tools were stolen in the night from the caller's garage. Troopers Greg Roy and Cliff Peterson responded to Deer Isle for a family fight. The argument was over child custody issues. DHHS was notified and they stated it is an ongoing issue. Troopers Greg Roy, Cliff Peterson and Sgt. Alden Bustard arrested a 29-year-old man on an outstanding warrant for aggravated trafficking on the Bucksport Rd in Ellsworth. Trooper Jessica Shorey handled a DHHS referral of an assault which occurred in Sullivan on February 20th where it was reported that 17-year-old was assaulted by his father. The investigation revealed that there was no criminal intent and the family refused to cooperate with the investigation. Trooper Andy Foss and Sgt. Jeff Ingemi responded to Jonesboro for a report that a man was intoxicated and suicidal. The man was located at a junkyard and was determined not to be suicidal at that time. Sgt. Tim Varney summonsed a 25-year-old Ellsworth man for speeding 30 MPH over on Rt. 179 in Ellsworth, (87 mph in a 45 zone). Trooper Dan Ryan handled a criminal mischief complaint in Stonington where a woman had her tires slashed on her vehicle. Investigation continues. Trooper Miles Carpenter received an identity theft complaint in Edmunds where a woman was advised by the IRS that someone was using her Social Security information. Trooper Greg Mitchell received a complaint from Trenton. The caller reported that his ex-wife attempted to hit him with her car. The results of the investigation were inconclusive. Due to the domestic nature of the incident, Trooper Mitchell's report has been forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review and recommendations. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer served a trespass notice to a Calais man at a request from his landlord, of Kennebunkport. The property is located on Rte 1 in Robbinston. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer responded to a home alarm at a residence in Robbinston. The owner believed he must have accidentally set off the alarm. Trooper Greg Mitchell and Sgt. Timothy Varney responded to the Cross Road in Orland for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed that the property had been foreclosed on no crime had been committed. Trooper Kimberly Sawyer responded to the Princeton Irving after a woman called stating that she had left her purse in a car while she went inside and the car had taken off before she came back out. She believes it was a silver car, but doesn't know who was driving. She stated they were from Indian Twp. Indian Township police was unable to locate the vehicle before the trooper's arriveal. Trooper Sawyer made a request to the manager of the Princeton Irving Manager to check the video to see if a plate could be seen on the silver vehicle. Trooper Christopher Smith investigated a criminal trespass incident at a residence in Franklin. Further investigation continues. Trooper Christopher Smith responded to a residence in Tremont for a suspicious incident. The caller arrived home to find an interior door had separated off of one of the two hinges. After further examination and a search of the residence, Trooper Smith and the homeowner determined that the antique door's hinge pin had worked its way loose over time. Sgt. Bustard was working on an aircraft speed enforcement detail on I-95 in Carmel when he received a report of a vehicle operating erratically from a passing motorist. Sgt. Bustard caught up to the vehicle as it turned into the Hampden rest area. Pilot Wayne Ireland also monitored the vehicle from the aircraft. The 69-year-old driver from Augusta was placed under arrest for OUI. Trooper Darren Vittum transported the man to the Penobscot County jail where an intoxilyzer test was administered. Sgt. Alden Bustard summonsed a 38-year-old Newburgh man for criminal speeding on I-95 in Carmel. The man was traveling 110 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. Trooper Cliff Peterson received a theft complaint from Sullivan. The caller reported that her 17-year-old son has been staying with his father. Her son's wallet had been taken from his room. The investigation continues. Trooper Barry Curtis handled a family fight in Steuben and the female was removed from the residence. Trooper Jessica Shorey assisted Ellsworth PD with attempting to locate a subject with warrants for his arrest. Missing person Charles Fagonde, 73, of Jonesboro was found deceased on a woods road in Jonesboro. He was reported missing by his family on February 28th and had been missing since February 26th. It had been reported that he was last seen in Columbia Falls and was headed to Brewer. He was located by a man cutting trees in a wooded area. Fagonde's body was found next to his vehicle and appeared to have died from natural causes. Several area Troopers, Detectives, Deputies, Wardens, Marine Patrol Officers, Forest Rangers and Border Patrol Agents assisted with the search efforts. Trooper Cliff Peterson and Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to a domestic dispute at a residence in Dedham. The male caller reported that he and his girlfriend had been arguing as they were driving home from the Brewer area. The caller alleged that his girlfriend smashed the windows out of his vehicle before leaving in his grandfather's pickup. The investigation continues pending further contact with the girlfriend. Trooper Greg Roy received an assault complaint from a supervisor of the US Census Bureau. She stated that one of her census workers was assaulted during a home visit. The worker reported a male on the Bagaduce Road in Brooksville grabbed her wrist and pushed her when she attempted to leave a bag of information on his door. A 53-year-old man was summonsed for assault. Trooper Greg Roy stopped a 17-year-old for speeding on Route 1 in Orland. The trooper detected the odor of intoxicants and the driver was taken to the Bucksport police department for an intoxilyzer test. The girl was summonsed for operating without a license and released into the custody of her grandmother. Sgt. Jeff Ingemi arrested a 25-year-old man in Marshfield for violation of conditional release after finding him walking down the Marshfield Flats Road intoxicated. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Mayday Call Under Investigation | |
| Sunday, March 07, 2010
The Coast Guard is seeking the public's assistance with a search and rescue case that occurred Saturday in East Penobscot Bay between Vinalhaven and Deer Isle, Maine. The Coast Guard is asking the public for help identifying the fishing vessel Steven Bowden, the vessel's homeport or its reported owner, Elwood Patton. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a Mayday call from the vessel shortly before noon from an adult male stating his name was Elwood Patton and his vessel was sinking between Vinalhaven and Deer Isle. The man subsequently reported that his vessel had completely sunk and he was in the water. Although communications were intermittent for more than 50 minutes, sector watchstanders were unable to acquire a vessel description. The sector dispatched a 25-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Rockland as well as two HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and a Falcon jet from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. A Maine Marine Patrol boat, a Knox County Sheriff's aircraft and Good Samaritans on two vessels also joined the search. During the search crews saturated the area but did not see any signs of anyone in the water, a sunken vessel, debris or any oil or fuel sheens indicating the last position of a sunken vessel. Due to the numerous search assets involved during the six-hour search, the Coast Guard expended more than 120 personnel hours and $176,000 on this mission. Sector Northern New England command center staff searched all Coast Guard information systems for records pertaining to the subject vessel and its owner, but was unable to find any record relating to either the vessel or its owner. The state and local agencies involved also searched their information systems including the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, but also came up empty-handed. "We received a Mayday call in which a mariner reported that his boat was sinking and he was in immediate distress," said Lt. Bryan Hollis, the command duty officer at the sector command center in Portland, Maine. "It is Coast Guard policy to respond immediately to this type of distress call. We ran more than 670 search and rescue cases last year, but this one seems different and has us concerned. We either have a vessel that sank resulting in the loss of its owner, neither of which we were able to find, or we have a hoax case. Neither of these situations is acceptable to the Coast Guard." Hoax distress calls placed to the Coast Guard are classified as a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of $250,000. "In addition to the prison time and fine, false distress calls made to the Coast Guard needlessly place the lives of our crews and the lives of the boating public in danger and waste hundreds of thousands in tax dollars,” said Capt. James McPherson, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. Anyone with information regarding this Search and Rescue case is encouraged to call USCG Sector Northern New England at (207) 741-5465. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Over $10,155 Raised In Tenth Annual WCCC Polar Bear Dip | |
Friday, March 05, 2010
The Washington County Community College annual Polar Bear Dip raised over $10,155. The event benefits the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor.  [Sunny skies and a bone-chilling wind made for whitecaps on Passamaquoddy Bay off Split Rock at Pleasant Point --WQDY NEWS PHOTO]. Seventy-four dippers participated in Friday's event and dozens more were in attendance. The air and water temperatures were in the 30s with brutal wind gusts of almost 30 m.p.h. were bone-chilling. The 2010 Polar Bear Dip was dedicated to Wayne and Lorraine Rice of Pembroke who were long time supporters of WCCC, the Polar Bear Dip and the Ronald McDonald House. Wayne and Lorraine passed away this January as a result of a car accident on Route 9. Wayne and Lorraine’s daughter, Janice Rice, accepted a plaque dedicating the dip to her parents and thanked all the dippers for their support of the Ronald McDonald House. Rice was one of the founders of the Polar Bear Dip as a student at WCCC in 2000. Wayne and Lorraine had stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor while Wayne was receiving medical treatment at Eastern Maine Medical Center. Pledges in memory of Wayne and Lorraine totaled $3,875. Sherry Cox and Sherry Pulk of Eastport were two of the highest paid dippers raising $835 as first time dippers. "We are dipping in memory of my Aunt Lorraine and my Uncle Wayne. This is a great cause and benefits a lot of people in our area," Cox explained. The crew from Down East Credit Union dipped for their 6th year, raising $1,477. They knew of many people who have used the services of the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor and dip year after year because of their strong support for the cause. Students from Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle came in full-force with 16 dippers and pledges exceeding $2000. WCCC culinary students, under the leadership of Chef Marie Emerson, warmed dippers and spectators up with a buffet of healthy calcium-rich foods made from original recipes. "This is a competition, explained Emerson, the chef of the dish that is voted most popular will represent WCCC at the Blaine House Cook-Off for Governor Baldacci that will be held later this month."  [CHARGE! In they go ----- WQDY NEWS PHOTO]  [And out they come! -- WQDY NEWS PHOTO] Charlie Collins, Interim President of WCCC, thanked the crowd for their participation and recognized the Passamaquoddy Tribal Government and Public Works, Passamaquoddy Fire and Rescue, William Tracy, Richard Ramsey and the WCCC Building Construction Program, WCCC Student Senate and the entire WCCC campus for their support. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --State Police: Missing Man Found Dead | |
| Wednesday, March 03, 2010
State Police say the body of a Jonesboro man missing since last Friday was found Wednesday afternoon about a mile from his residence. The body of 74-year-old Charles "Leckie" Fagonde was found laying next to his car, which was stuck along a woods road off from the Bagley Road in Jonesboro. The body was found about 3 p.m. by two workers who were cutting trees nearby. Troopers said it appears Fagonde's car had become stuck in mud along the trail. A representative from the State Medical Examiner's Office was called to the scene, but there is no initial indication of foul play. State Police, the Warden Service, Forest Rangers and the Maine Marine Patrol had been alerted to the man's disappearance and several volunteers had searched for Fagonde along roads in Washington and Hancock counties. State Police say Fagonde had been seen in Jonesport during the day on Friday and the State Police plane had flown over the area Wednesday afternoon searching for Fagonde's car, prior to the discovery of his body. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --A Calais City Council Consensus: Dump Local Dispatch | |
| Wednesday, March 03, 2010
They couldn't take an official vote but a consensus of the Calais City Council during a Tuesday evening budget workshop showed five out of the six councilors favor eliminating the local police dispatch. The dissenting opinion came from Councilor Michael Milburn, the city's former police chief. There had been some concern over other issues that revolve around the dispatch such as keeping the jail at the police station somewhat operational. City Manager Diane Barnes found it could be done if some changes were made according to a Department of Corrections Inspector Ralph Nichols.  [City Manager Diane Barnes --WQDY NEWS PHOTO] As for county issues to be considered if Calais dispatch is eliminated, Barnes asked Washington County Manager Betsy Fitzgerald whether the RCC was ready to handle the calls. "She said outside of staffing and equipment issues, yes." "[Fitzgerald] says that the RCC anticipates an additional 4000 calls if Calais comes on," Barnes said. She added that Fitzgerald said the county would be looking for additional help. "She said they're working at 90-percent right now and they anticipate an additional 30-percent volume of calls if Calais went on," Barnes said. The city manager said Fitzgerald told her the total number of calls handled by the RCC in 2009 was "about 11,600 calls." Other considerations if dispatch were eliminated included possible installation of an exterior box linked to the RCC to handle after hour walk-ins in the event an officer isn't at the PD and the city may have to bargain the impacts of doing away with dispatch during the middle of a contract year. The logistics of what will need to happen if it's eliminated are many and it would need to be in place by July 1. Mayor Vinton Cassidy asked the council for a consensus on the future of dispatch. Councilor Chris Bernardini: "I hate to say it but dispatch is a duplication of service. We have the county that will do the dispatch for us. People are just going to have to learn different ways to get to the people they need to get to. If there's an emergency, they can't call 454-2751 -- they have to call 911, that's all there is to it. That's what E-911 was set up for. I hate to see dispatch go but I hate to pay the county the money that we're paying and also have the same service here, so I guess that I have finally made my mind up that I think that we need to do away with dispatch." Councilor Bill Condon: "I've been hashing it over and I'm sitting on the fence. I agree with Chris." Moving on to the fire department, Condon said he was "crunching some numbers the other day, the number of hours people are there versus the number of employees we have there I still think that there's room to do away with a full-time firefighter there and operate with volunteers." Councilor Joyce Maker said she agreed with Councilor Bernardini: "To have one less officer in town really scares me. I think that the only approach that's before us is what you [Bernardini] said and that's what the citizens that called my house also said." Councilor Marianne Moore: All along I've said that I thought that the dispatch was a duplication of something that we're already paying for and I had different questions and different concerns and I felt much better after hearing back from Betsy Fitzgerald to know that they were ready to handle the calls. That was my concern --would they be able to handle the volume --- were they even anticipating it? So I was very pleased to see that they are already anticipating the 4000 additional calls and that they were going to hire additional people. I think they will probably use us as an excuse to say that they required additional people. They're going to say we're already at 90-percent capacity now we're taking on Calais' calls when in fact it would blend right in to what they're currently doing." Councilor Michael Milburn and the city's former police chief: "Having worked there I think you're making a mistake, I really do. They do a lot more than just answer the phone and dispatch an officer. I think we're going to lose a lot of information, the effectiveness of the police department is going to go down and we depend upon them a lot along with the citizens. I think it would be a mistake to get rid of it." Councilor Joseph Cassidy: "I'm less concerned about things like having a presence all the time. I think we can do things like call boxes or a buzzer into the folks that are down there full time. It's the gaps in service that concern me. I'm a little bit more comfortable if this jail can stay open in some fashion but I still think that there's times that it's problematic for us. I think I'm falling in line with what I'm hearing from many of you. I've also received the calls this week running more in favor of closing dispatch." After all the councilors had spoken, Councilor Condon decided he was wasn't on the fence anymore. He also favored closing the local dispatch. Now that it's really out in the open what the city council thinks, the city manager and police chief now have a direction in which to proceed. Following the workshop, a couple of Calais residents who spoke in favor of keeping the dispatch during the Feb. 25 city council meeting were not happy at the turn of events, albeit a consensus, not a vote. Joan Demmons told WQDY NEWS, "I know their decision isn't actually made yet however I don't think that they truly understand the extent that the dispatch does for us. I think that at this point the only way they will understand is if sometime they need that assistance that they're not going to get and heaven forbid something happens that they do." Brenda Dempsey told WQDY NEWS she thought the public would have been allowed to speak. As far as the consensus, Dempsey said, "Big mistake, great big one." Reached for comment after the city council's consensus, Chris Gardner, chairman of the Washington County Commissioners told WQDY NEWS in a telephone interview, "I know there was some discussion as to what the county's position was and our ability to take it. We certainly would avail ourselves to do what we could in the circumstance as we must but I really am hoping that the people of Calais and the city councilors have considered their options fully because this will have a very noticeable impact on services both at the Calais level and the county level and we, as the commissioners will have to be discussing this at great length at our next meeting which is coming up next week. We certainly believe there are going to be ramifications that need to be figured out here." The next regularly scheduled Calais City Council meeting is March 11. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Juneau Seeking Liberal Nomination For Charlotte-Campobello Riding | |
| Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Annabelle Juneau has announced her intention to seek the Liberal Nomination on March 13 to represent the constituency of Charlotte-Campobello in the next provincial election. Juneau, the grand-daughter of Guy R. Day and graduate of St. Stephen High School has 34 years of experience with the Federal government, most recently the Canada Border Services Agency from 1996-2009. She has also been a business owner and volunteered with the Charlotte County Cancer Society, NB Kidney Foundation and Aquaculture Fair. Juneau says she is currently discussing issues with residents around the riding of Charlotte-Campobello. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Slow Down On Calais Streets--They Have LASER Radar | |
| Monday, March 01, 2010
Want to speed on the streets on the Calais? Be forewarned because police in the border city have a new tool to deal with speeders. It's a Laser Radar Unit. Patrolman Bob Fitzsimmons told WQDY NEWS the unit is hand-held so officers can stand in inconspicuous areas and track traffic. "It has a laser sight on the top so you can pick a particular vehicle coming at you, aim it the same way you would through a rifle scope and activate the trigger. It picks up the target vehicle -- gives you the speed of the vehicle and the feet that the vehicle is from you," Fitzsimmons said. The new laser radar unit has been used at accident scenes to help police do their measurements.  [Patrolman Bob Fitzsimmons and the new Laser Radar Unit -- WQDY NEWS PHOTO] "It's very precise and it's a great addition to the PD," he added. "Just this past month alone, in the short month of February, we had 218 contacts with vehicles around town whether it be summonses or written warnings -- that's high. We're just trying to get folks to slow down in school zones in the morning and the afternoon." Fitzsimmons said he stood on Garfield Street last week. "I targeted some vehicles coming down the road and stepped out and had them pull over and showed them their speed and they weren't aware of how fast they were going so it's good to bring some attention to them," Fitzsimmons said. Motorists may panic if they see someone on the side of the road in a police uniform step out with the unit in hand. "We're not pointing a gun -- it's just our new laser radar unit." "No, not a bit and even the ones in our patrol vehicles -- they have an on-off switch and we don't turn it on until we want to activate it -- and by the time their radar detector picks that up -- we've already got them so it's too late. But I do enjoy seeing those in the windows when I walk up and have a chat with them. No municipal tax dollars were harmed during the purchase of the radar unit. The city was able to acquire the equipment by means of a grant. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Another Calais City Council Budget Workshop Tues. March 2 At 6 PM | |
| Monday, March 01, 2010
Local dispatch in Calais hangs in the balance as city officials grapple with that issue and others in the face of a budget shortfall next year. No dispatch decision was made at last Thursday night's regular city council meeting and no vote can legally be made Tuesday night in the budget workshop. There are a number of ramifications the city will still need to figure out if they eliminate local dispatch. At Thursday night's meeting, police chief David Randall told the city council, "the biggest issue that I see for security is the times when we can't use the jail -- which it appears we're not going to be able to use it at all because we're going to have to have somebody on call and if an officer arrests somebody -- he's done. He's tied up, he can't go to any other calls," Randall explained. The city police department has already lost their K-9 program, eliminating dispatch is on the table and there may be even more cuts waiting in the wings. "I could probably cut back a patrolman. I wouldn't be happy about it," Randall said. Councilor Joe Cassidy asked Randall if a patrolman was laid off what ramifications would there be for public safety. "We can still cover the shifts. It's going to happen. It wouldn't be good -- it would be hard, it would be more work on everybody and that's what happens when you start laying people off --- morale goes --- and once morale goes, standby. I think morale is pretty, well, pretty good at the moment."  [Poster marking National Public Safety Telecommunications Week in April hangs on the wall by Calais police dispatch. It's not known whether dispatchers at Calais PD will still be around to mark the occasion -- WQDY NEWS PHOTO] City Councilor Michael Milburn was the city's police chief for fifteen years and he told fellow councilors last Thursday night, "You've got to understand what you're going to lose if you're going to do away with dispatch. You're going to lose the effectiveness of your police department, you're going to lose familiarity of the surroundings, the streets, the people, that the dispatchers are quite familiar with. Many grants that are written depend upon the dispatchers to give statistical information to write the grants." In the event that dispatch is done away with, various scenarios have been outlined by city officials [in previous budget workshops and also in a recent on-air interview on WQDY's public affairs program "Streetbeat"] that in lieu of a police dispatcher, calls could simply be directed to the fire department. But during the Feb. 26 budget workshop, Milburn asked fire chief Dan Carlow if there was always somebody in the fire department 24-7? "Not any more," Carlow said. "Before we took over the ambulance there was. But since we've taken over the ambulance the fire drivers who used to give the station 24-7 now respond at night with the ambulance. They're part of the ambulance crew. So now we depend quite often on the dispatchers as being the only person in the station at night," Carlow said. Some councilors have stated that having a local police dispatcher is a "duplication" of services that is already provided by the Washington County Regional Communications Center [RCC] in Machias. If Calais decides to dump its dispatch, the RCC will be doing the job instead. Following last Thursday night's council meeting, council members had a lot of new information to chew on. If dispatch has to go there is much to be done and the process will need to be started soon. The Calais city council has scheduled another budget workshop for Tuesday March 2 at 6 PM. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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| --Weekly Report From Troop J Maine State Police | |
| Monday, March 01, 2010
Family fights, 114 in a 45, running from police and then running in front of a cruiser and using a back-hoe on a residence following an assault are but some of the incidents handled over the past week by Troop J. Here are some: Trooper Jason Fowler summonsed a 39-year-old woman for harassment by telephone for harassing a woman in Baileyville via telephone. Trooper Cliff Peterson received a complaint alleging harassment from an Otis woman. The caller stated that her elderly mother had been receiving harassing calls from someone. The trooper located the responsible party at a residence in Surry and warned her for telephone harassment. Trooper Cliff Peterson arrested a 25-year-old Surry man on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Hancock County on forgery and theft charges. Trooper Staci Carpenter responded to a burglary complaint in Columbia. The female caller reported that she had been in Florida for the last two months. When she returned to the area, she discovered that her neighbor's residence had been broken into. The investigation continues pending contact with the homeowner. Trooper Dan Ryan responded to a family fight complaint in Sedgwick involving a 30-year-old man who was subsequently arrested for obstructing the report of a crime or injury for hanging up the phone when the other party tried to call the police for help. Trooper Shorey, Trooper Smith and Marine Patrol Officer Rustin Ames also responded. Trooper Jessica Shorey responded to a burglary complaint in Otis where 2 flat screen TV's and videos were stolen. A suspect is known. Trooper Miles Carpenter and Trooper Andy Foss responded to a family fight complaint in Jonesport involving 15-year-old who was reported to be out of control. Once the Troopers arrived, the juvenile was no longer out of control. The troopers spoke with the juvenile about his behavior and then left the scene when the boy went to sleep for the night. The family decided to handle things as a family issue rather than a criminal matter. Trooper Jason Fowler and Trooper Andy Foss responded to Princeton for a report of a domestic assault. A female reported that a 33-year-old man had assaulted her. The man was arrested for domestic assault and domestic aggravated criminal mischief for using a back-hoe to tear apart some of the residence. He was also charged with possession of a usable amount of marijuana. Sgt. Alden Bustard, Trooper Greg Roy and Trooper Cliff Peterson responded to a domestic dispute at a residence on the Front Ridge Road in Penobscot. The caller's son and his wife had been arguing. Two other men became involved in the argument which escalated into a pushing and shoving match. The parties were separated and one of the males was given a ride to a friend's residence in Bucksport. Trooper Cliff Peterson investigated a theft complaint in Dedham. The caller reported that a number of power tools had been taken from a residence under construction next to the golf course. The theft had occurred sometime between the evening of 02-22-10 and the morning of 02-23-10. The investigation continues. Trooper David Barnard responded to the Mitchell Road in Tremont for a family fight between two females. One of the women was warned not to have contact with the other. Trooper Dan Ryan warned a man for trespassing in Stonington at the request of his mother. The man was intoxicated and having family issues. Trooper Dan Ryan handled a harassment complaint in Brooklin where a woman reported that she received a letter in the mail from a man who currently has a protection order against her. The man was warned for harassment by Trooper Ryan. Trooper Andy Foss handled a report of a theft in Marshfield where a passport and concealed weapons permit were reported stolen from a vehicle. It is unknown where the theft occurred and may have occurred in New York during the past two weeks. Trooper Barry Curtis worked a case in the town of Addison. A woman reported that she was receiving harassing phone calls. Sgt. Alden Bustard arrested a 19-year-old Steuben men for operating under the influence as the result of a traffic stop in Steuben. The man was also summonsed for illegal transportation of liquor by a minor. A 19-year-old passenger in the vehicle was also summonsed for illegal possession of liquor by a minor. The driver was transported to the Washington County jail where an intoxylizer test was administered. Trooper Michael Southard was involved in a high speed pursuit which began on Route 1 in Harrington and continued through Addison village and onto Route 187 in Addison. Trooper Southard lost sight of the vehicle as it made a right turn onto a side road off Route 187. The vehicle was located next to a residence on Merchant Lane a short time later. The operator had fled on foot. Sgt. Bustard and canine "Zack" responded to the scene and began a track from the vehicle. The track led through a wooded area and back towards Route 187. The operator ran across Route 187 in front of Trooper Barry Curtis who was also patrolling the area in search of the operator. The operator gave up after running into a driveway and was taken into custody without further incident. The 24-year-old operator from Beals was charged with operating under the influence, eluding, criminal speeding and driving to endanger. Washington County Sheriff's Office also assisted at the scene. Trooper David Barnard and Sgt. Tim Varney responded to a family fight in Hancock. A man and his girlfriend were arguing about money and the girlfriend's 17-year-old sister living with them. Trooper Greg Roy arrested a 30-year-old Franklin man for criminal speeding and driving to endanger in Franklin. The man was traveling 114 mph in a posted 45 mph zone and was transported to the Hancock County jail without incident. Trooper Greg Roy was patrolling the Hancock area when he observed a male subject on the roof of Tideway Market at approximately 2300 hrs. It was determined that the subject was repairing shingles on the roof. Trooper Barry Curtis and Sgt. Alden Bustard worked a case in the town of Jonesport. A man was asked to leave a residence after an argument. Trooper Greg Mitchell received an assault complaint from an Ellsworth man. The incident revealed that the man and a co-worker went to an Orland residence to repossess a pick-up truck. The incident escalated until the resident pushed the man and was issued a summons for assault by Tpr. Greg Mitchell. Trooper Michael Southard and Trooper Greg Burns assisted Washington County Sgt. Randy Perry with a domestic dispute at a residence on the Kansas Road in Milbridge. - Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News Director -
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Check this week's specials at your Calais IGA