Maine: Reports of unleashed dogs biting visitors cause concern in Acadia

On Tuesday, August 13, Acadia National Park officials said there were three instances of dogs running off leash and biting visitors this week alone.

Author: Chloe Teboe

After multiple reports of visitors getting bitten by dogs, rangers at Acadia National Park are reminding the public about certain regulations that accompany bringing a furry friend to the area.

RELATED: What to do before and during a dog attack, according to trainers

According to a tweet sent out by the park on Tuesday, August 13, there were three instances of dogs running off leash and biting visitors this week alone.

Acadia National Park

✔@AcadiaNPS

Rangers report there were three instances of visitors being bitten by dogs running off leash in Acadia this week alone. Regulations require all pets to be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet (2 m). More at http://go.nps.gov/AcadiaPets 

As a result, rangers are reminding visitors that all pets that come to the park must be on a leash no longer than six feet. They also should not be left unattended, since hot summer sun can threaten the safety of animals — especially in cars. 

RELATED: 3 dogs found dead inside hot car in Jamestown, Rhode Island

As is typical with most public spots, pet owners must remove any waste from campground and picnic areas, parking lots, roads, and other developed places.

Acadia has designated pet-friendly areas, which include:

• 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads
• Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds
• Isle au Haut (for day hiking)

Officials say most lakes in the park are public water supplies, so pets and people may not swim in them.

Also off-limits are:

• Sand Beach and Echo Lake
• public buildings
• ranger-led programs
• Wild Gardens of Acadia
• Duck Harbor Campground

Service Animals are allowed to accompany their owners to all park locations.

To read a complete list of park trails that are closed to pets or that are not recommended for pets, click here.

Maine: Fatal accident on I-95 in Howland; 30-year old Ted MacArthur of Fort Fairfield, rest in peace.

State Police say the passenger was not wearing a seatbelt when he was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene.

Author: Dan Frye

HOWLAND, Maine — The Maine State Police say 30-year-old Ted MacArthur of Fort Fairfield died in a single-vehicle accident on I-95 south near exit 217 in Howland. The accident happened on Saturday at about 7:30 p.m.

Troopers say the driver, 30-year-old Leslie Greenlaw of Linneus, left the roadway and down the embankment hitting a culvert and rolled over.

MacArthur was not wearing a seatbelt was ejected from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Greenlaw was treated for non-life threatening injuries at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.

State Police Reconstruction team was called to the scene to assist and troopers continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

 

Maine: Bill banning sale of high-capacity gun magazines dies in committee

The Democratic-led Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted Friday against half a dozen gun control bills.

AUGUSTA, Maine — A committee vote Friday left Maine unlikely to move forward on legislation prohibiting the sale of high-capacity magazines, but lawmakers are still weighing other bills aimed at limiting access to firearms.

The Democratic-led Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted Friday against half a dozen gun control bills.

The bills received dozens of comments at public hearings last week from critics who warned of governmental overreach infringing on constitutional rights, and supporters who say Maine must address domestic violence homicides tied to firearms and rising rates of firearm suicide.

“I think it’s all about access, not taking away guns,” said Democratic Rep. Victoria Morales, a committee member. “Reducing access for those who are most vulnerable.”

The committee is set to consider five additional bills May 28. Committee Democratic House Chair Charlotte Warren said lawmakers need more time to go through such bills.

“We want to do it right,” she said.

Those bills include background checks for private firearm sales, 72-hour waiting periods for gun buyers, and criminalizing leaving unattended a loaded firearm that a child then inappropriately uses. Another bill would prevent the manufacture, import, sale, transfer and possession of 3D printed guns, with certain exceptions.

A Republican, meanwhile, proposes allowing the use of deadly force to prevent death or serious bodily injury to defend oneself, one’s home or another person.

Gun control efforts have long faced steep odds in the largely rural state, where hunters tout a long history of responsible gun ownership. The Democratic-led Legislature could still revive the bills, but such a move is seen as unlikely.

Voters in Maine, which allows licensed owners to carry guns in public as long as they are concealed, defeated a question on universal background checks backed by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2016, and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has said Maine should respect the people’s will on the issue.

Maine: Search for 63-year-old Portland woman Cathy Pride missing for a month continues. Have you seen Cathy?

Cathy Pride is a very private person who has been known to keep to herself but family and friends say it is very out of character for her to not be at her Munjoy Hill home.

Author: Beth McEvoy

The search for a 63-year-old woman who has been missing for a month continues in Portland. Police say Cathy Pride was last seen in mid-April and was reported missing by her family.

Pride is a very private person and has been known to keep to herself but this time it appears she has not been back to her home for several weeks, according to police. Family and friends are very concerned because they say this is out of character for Pride.

Pride has lived on Munjoy Hill for several years and has no vehicle, cell phone, credit cards and has not accessed her bank account since disappearing.

Pride is known to frequent Katie Made Bakery at 179 Congress Street and a Munjoy Hill yarn shop, both are near her home.

Pride is 5’04”, 200 lbs with gray hair and blue eyes. She wears eyeglasses and may be carrying a backpack.

Police are asking for anyone with information that might help find Pride to call the Portland Police Department at (207) 874-8575.

Senator Collins to Husson grads: ‘hyper-partisanship, insult, and accusation are poisoning our discourse’

Senator Collins issued two challenges to Husson University grads: stay in Maine, and restore civility and union to the country.

Author: Chris Costa

BANGOR, Maine — Senator Susan Collins delivered the commencement address at Husson University Saturday morning and called on students to rise above political hostility and restore civility.

Sen. Collins issued two challenges to the graduates: “please stay in Maine,” a plea to bolster Maine’s dwindling workforce; and to “restore community, civility, and union in our great country.”

Sen. Collins said, “we live in a time of ever-worsening divisiveness, a time in which the bonds that have characterized and strengthened our country are not just in danger of being lost, but far too often, deliberately discarded. From government to social media, or perhaps anti-social would be the more accurate term, to the 24/7 news cycle, hyper partisanship, insult and accusation are poisoning our discourse, turning us against one another and preventing us from coming together to solve real problems.”

RELATED: Woman charged with sending Sen. Collins threatening mail pleads not guilty

RELATED: Maine’s congressional delegation speaks out after release of Mueller report

Collins said these attitudes are weakening “our sense of community” and “undermining our willingness to listen and learn from one another. This modern day tribalism divides society into ‘us versus them’ and increasingly we isolate ourselves from those who are not just like ourselves, wanting to talk only to those who mirror our political viewpoints and listen to the same media sources that we do.”

WATCH THE FULL SPEECH HERE

The class entering Husson University this past fall was the largest in the University’s history.

“This polarization is contrary to the foundation of our society that values experience and expertise with centrality of fact, humility in the face of complexity, the need for study, and a respect for differing perspectives,” said Collins. “Those who seek compromise are vilified and even threatened.”

RELATED: Sen. Collins and staff getting abusive calls and correspondence

Sen. Collins received threats surrounding her decision to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

“I am counting on you graduates to lead the way,” she said.

Maine: Family injured, including an 11-year-old girl, after an animal attack in Lisbon

According to police, the attack happened around 6:30pm on Saturday on a walking path in Lisbon.

Author: Dan Frye

LISBON, Maine — According to Police, a family was injured after an animal attacked a family on Saturday evening on the Lisbon walking path near Androscoggin River.

The unknown animal is believed to be a dog or coyote of around 80 pounds.

The animal attacked an 11-year-old who suffered bite wounds to her leg.

The mom of the girl suffered a bite wound to her hand and piece of her finger when she attempted to pull her daughter away from the animal.

The dad suffered minor wounds to his hand when prying the animal’s mouth off his spouse’s hand.

The family dog was with them at the time of the attack was not bitten.

The family immediately fled the area and responded to St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston. All three are being treated for their wounds include rabies vaccine.

The Lisbon Police Department would like to warn anyone on or near the walking path to notify this agency immediately if you see any dog that is not with its’ owner, or coyote, in the area by calling 911 or 353-2500.

The police department will be conducting patrols on the walking path throughout the next several days as the investigation continues.

If anyone witnessed this attack or has further information as to the possible identity of the animal or its’ owner, you are asked to contact the Lisbon Police Department at 353-2500.

25 from Maine, N.Y. charged in sweeping Downeast drug bust

The investigation involved more than 30 Maine drug agents, troopers, deputies, the FBI, Border Patrol, Secret Service, U.S. marshals and more.

Author: Liam Nee

BANGOR, Maine — Fifteen people from Maine and 10 from New York were either arrested or charged this week as part of a major drug trafficking bust, involving a joint effort between 13 county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Maine U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency announced the arrests and charges Friday, which arose from an investigation into drugs being trafficked from New York City to Washington County and Hancock County in Maine.

Seven search warrants were executed Thursday, the U.S. attorney’s office said, resulting in the seizure of several firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun and large amounts of crack and fentanyl.

Arrested and charged Thursday by criminal complaint in federal court were the following 14 people with the charge or charges proceeding:

From Maine…

• Vestin Drisko, 40, of Beals Island; and Renita Honea, 57, of Jonesport, with distributing crack and heroin, and maintaining a drug-involved premises
• Chandra Hanscom, 44, of Cutler, with distributing heroin
• Cody Look, 30, of Cutler, with possession with intent to distribute crack
• Barry McCarthy, 43, of Columbia; and Ralph Sawtelle, 27, of Lubec, with maintaining a drug-involved premises
• Robert McKenna, 48, of Indian Township, with distributing crack
• William Smeal, 32, of Hancock, with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl

From New York…

• Jordy Collado, 18, of New York, New York, with possession with intent to distribute crack
• Miquel Angel Franco, 22, and Milo Danell Germany, 21, both of Bronx, New York, with possession with intent to distribute cocaine
• Cinque Grasette, 42, of New York, New York, with distributing crack and heroin
• Mujahedeen Hasan, 28, of Bronx, New York, with distributing crack
• Julian Lloyd, 24, of Bronx, New York, with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl

Kevin Leroy Barner, 53, of Bronx, New York, was arrested Thursday after having been charged by indictment March 28 with possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack.

RELATED: 2 New Yorkers charged with arson, selling heroin in Richmond

Additionally, charged Friday by criminal complaint in federal court were the following three people with the charge or charges proceeding:

• Christopher Cruz, 30, and Christopher Martinez, 29, both of Bronx, New York, with possession with intent to distribute crack
• Timothy Cates, 40, of Cutler, Maine, with maintaining a drug-involved premises

If convicted, Barner faces between five and 40 years in prison and up to a $5,000,000 fine.

Drisko, Honea, Hanscom, Look, McKenna, Smeal, Collado, Franco, Germany, Grasette, Hasan, Lloyd, Cruz and Martinez face up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for the drug trafficking charges.

Drisko, Honea, McCarthy, Sawtelle and Cates face up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for the maintaining a drug-involved premises charges.

Part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, the investigation included: the MDEA; Maine State Police; FBI; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Border Patrol; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Marshals Service; and Maine Marine Patrol.

The MDEA separately announced Friday that it had charged seven people — six from Maine and one from New York — with drug trafficking, as part of the aforementioned investigation involving more than 30 MDEA agents:

From Maine…

• Jessica Dana, 36, of Indian Township; and Rachel Dwyer, 46, of Lubec, with unlawful trafficking crack
• Amber Douglas, 24, of Lubec, with unlawful trafficking heroin
• Wayne Dube, 43, of Jonesport; William Gatcomb, 49, of Sullivan; and John Moholland, 50, of Princeton, with aggravated trafficking crack

From New York…

• Craig Price, 29, of New York, New York, with unlawful trafficking heroin/crack

Cates, who was also charged in federal court, was charged separately by Maine drug agents with unlawful possession of fentanyl.

South Portland man, Lawz Lepenn arrested after police seize over 550 grams of cocaine, $15,000 from apartment

Lawz Lepenn, 37, formerly of Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with possession and trafficking of drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm, and probation violence.

Author: Chloe Teboe

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — A man was arrested in South Portland Thursday night after the Southern Maine Regional SWAT team searched his apartment.

Around 8:30 p.m., agents entered the apartment at 113 MacArthur Circle in South Portland’s Redbank Village Apartments.

Their high risk search warrant was part of an ongoing drug investigation being conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

During their search, agents found and seized 554.8 grams of cocaine, 1.8 grams of cocaine base, several suboxone strips, a .25 caliber handgun and ammunition, and over $15,000 in cash.

As a result of the investigation and search, Lawz Lepenn, 37, formerly of Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with possession and trafficking of drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm, and probation violence.

Lepenn was previously convicted for aggravated attempted murder in Massachusetts.

Lepenn is being held at the Cumberland County Jail on a $15,000 bail for the new criminal charges. There is no bail on the probation charge.

Maine: Body of missing young man, Ryan Messer, 25, found by Maine Forest Service

The Maine Forest Service helicopter found the body of Ryan Messer, 25, of Hermon on May 2 at 3:24 p.m. in Carmel.

Author: Chloe Teboe

The body of the young man who went missing over two weeks ago was found on Thursday.

The Maine Forest Service helicopter found the body of Ryan Messer, 25, of Hermon on May 2 at 3:24 p.m. in Carmel.

The Maine Warden Service had a K9 team nearby and was able to respond. The Maine Association of Search and Rescue and Maine Search and Rescue Dogs also helped in the search.

Messer was last seen on Sunday, April 14 around 3:30 p.m. on Spruce Street in Hermon.

RELATED: Search on for missing Hermon man

RELATED: Missing man last seen in Hermon two weeks ago, officers say

His body will be taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.

This is an ongoing investigation.

This story will be updated as more information becomes made available.

Maine: non-tourism businesses suffering from delay in H-2B (migrant worker) visa release

Smokey’s Greater Shows, which operates at fairs and festivals across Maine, may not be able to set up carnival-style rides at as many events this year due to staffing shortages.

Author: Chris Costa

TOPSHAM, Maine — Maine’s non-tourism businesses are suffering from worker shortages and are blaming the delay in receiving H-2B visas.

The visas allow non-citizens to come to the United States to work on a temporary or seasonal basis.

“Normally we get our foreign laborers the H2 B visa program but […] there’s no guarantee when we’ll get our employees for the 2019 festival and fair season,” said Smokey’s Greater Shows owner Robby Driskill.

Driskill plans to host a job fair to try to attract people in Maine to work seasonally for his company touring Maine and New England. The event goes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 1 at the Topsham Fairgrounds. They plan to hold another on May 8 from 1:30-3:30 and from 4:30-6:30 at the fairgrounds.

RELATED: Bar Harbor businesses struggle to find season employees

He said people are concerned they would be replaced or laid off for workers from away who could be paid less. Driskill said he would not do that.

“I would hire them first and if I fall short I would make the adjustment with the foreign labor but at no time will I hire the foreign labor and then lay off the American workers,” Driskill wrote in a text message. “That seems to be a concern when people talk to me about the job fair.”

“This season could be in jeopardy of not having enough people operate the rides,” Driskill wrote.

He said that means they may not have as many rides available.

This story will be updated