Nov. 5, 2013 Elections: Municipal and state referendums, ordinance changes, candidates
Voters go to the polls Nov. 5 to consider five statewide ballot questions, and various individual municipal warrant articles. Following are election previews and recent issue stories for Knox and Waldo counties, as well as a rundown of the bond issues voters across the state are being asked to decide.
View a list of polling places and town contacts here: Knox County, Waldo County
As polls close election night, results will be posted on PenBayPilot.com as they are reported for Knox and Waldo counties. Stay tuned.
Waldo County Criminal Docket, closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Oct. 6-12.
Nicholas Milliken, 29, of Brooks, violating a protection from abuse order in Belfast Aug. 23, 2015, dismissed.
Jamie M. Freeman, 31, of Brooks, unlawful possession of a scheduled drug in Brooks June 29, 2016, $400 fine; unlawful furnishing of a scheduled drug in Brooks June 15, 2016, dismissed; violating conditions of release in Brooks June 29, 2016, dismissed… Read more
Colburn Shoe Store celebrates its 185th with their biggest fans
BELFAST — Colburn Shoe Store celebrated its 185th anniversary Oct. 14, drawing a crowd of more than 300 to Belfast’s United Farmers Market, on Spring Street.
The sound of excited chatter could be heard as soon as you walked through the door, often greeted by the store’s current owner Colby Horne, or his father, Brian Horne.
Both were handing out free tickets for a chance to win a number of prizes, including: a $185 gift certificate to Colburn, a 50/50… Read more
UPDATE: Police identify Brooks man killed in single-vehicle crash
Belfast Police have released the identity of the man killed in a single vehicle accident on East Waldo Road Oct. 8.
Jerry Saucier, 45, of Brooks, was found deceased inside the burned remains of his vehicle, which caught fire after leaving the roadway and striking a tree, according to Chief Michael McFadden.
Saucier’s name had been withheld by law enforcement pending notification of family.
The cause of death has yet to be determined, and the cause of the crash remains… Read more
Waldo County Criminal Docket, closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Sept. 21 - Oct. 5.
Daniel R. Kesmetis, 34, of Augusta, probation violation in Augusta April 3, 2015, nine months in jail, probation partially revoked and continued; violating conditions of release in Belfast June 10, 10 days in jail. .
William W. Burrows, 23, of Lincolnville, probation violation in Knox June 25, 2015, 30 days in jail, probation partially revoked and… Read more
Belfast Police beat
BELFAST — The Belfast Police Department reported the following activity Sept. 15 - Oct. 5. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Sept. 15
David Stillman, 52, of Belfast, was arrested for criminal trespass on Court Street.
Sept. 28
Enzo Pollono, 75, of Lincolnville, was issued summonses for speeding 50 mph in a 25 mph zone and failure to provide proof of insurance on Lincolnville… Read more
Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County holds dedication ceremony, ribbon cutting for fourth home
SEARSPORT— Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County celebrated the completion of its fourth build, a home located in Searsport, with a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting Oct. 2.
The future residents of the home, Brandi Brown and daughters Dilyla and Dayzi, were on hand to thank the gathered crowd of volunteers and supporters, and to celebrate their new house.
The build began July 10, with an array of community members and volunteers offering their… Read more
Woman to serve six months for $14k Sweet Frog theft
BELFAST — A Belmont woman was sentenced to two years in prison with all but six months suspended for theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in Waldo County Criminal Unified Court Sept. 26.
Kari M. Drake, 39, was sentenced for the theft of over $14,000 from Sweet Frog last year, while she was acting as the Belfast location’s general manager. She will also serve two… Read more
Waldo County Criminal Docket closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Sept. 22-28.
Jade E. Cummings, 23, of Northport, probation violation in Swanville April 16, 2015, probation partially revoked and continued.
Benjamin R. Young, 26, of Swanville, probation violation in Searsmont Jun 4, 2015, nine months in jail, probation partially revoked and continued.
Matthew A. Cox, 36, of Stockton Springs, criminal attempt in… Read more
Jaws of Life required to free driver after Belfast two-vehicle crash
BELFAST — The Jaws of Life were required to free the driver of a Dodge Caliber SUV involved in a two-vehicle crash on Head of Tide Road (Route 7) Sept. 29, according to Sergeant Daniel Fitzpatrick, of the Belfast Police Department.
The woman was traveling south and had started a left hand turn onto Route 137 when she was struck by an oncoming Ford F-150, owned by Lucas Tree Service.
After the impact, the SUV struck a curb before cartwheeling onto… Read more
UPDATE: Police release identities of those involved in fatal Belfast crash
Belfast Police have identified those involved in a two-vehicle accident Sept. 30. The crash, which occurred on Route 3, left three injured and one woman dead.
Ashley Hall, 26, of Belfast, was found deceased at the scene. She was riding in the passenger seat of a Mazda B2300 pickup truck, according to the police report. Hall’s father, Philip Hall Sr., 47, of Swanville, had been the driver. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, police said.
… Read moreWaldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently recorded in Waldo County Superior Court.
Melissa D. Sylvester, of Freedom, and David A. Sylvester, of Freedom, were married Oct. 2, 2010, in Camden and divorced Aug. 30.
Stephanie A. Taliaferro, of Troy, and Paul E. Talliaferro, of Troy, were married April 8, 2015, in Troy and divorced Sept. 5.
Samwell Waithaka, of Searsport, and Virginia S. Wilson, of Belfast, were married March 28, 2010, in Searsmont and divorced Sept.… Read more
Waldo County Criminal Docket closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Sept. 12-21.
Christy Neummann, 43, of Belfast, operating under the influences in Belfast Aug. 19, 2016, 45 days in jail, license suspended for 150 days, and $500 fine; endangering the welfare of a child in Belfast Aug. 19, 2016, 45 days in jail; violating conditions of release in Belfast Aug. 19, 2016, 45 days in jail.
Kenneth W. Ryan Jr., 42, of Waldo, burglary (two counts) in Searsport Aug… Read more
Intoxicated drive-thru customer sentenced to jail
BELFAST — A Belfast woman was sentenced to spend 45 days in jail in Waldo County Unified Court Sept. 12, as a result of an ill-fated trip to Belfast’s Dairy Queen drive-thru.
Christy Neumann, 43, was charged with operating under the influence, endangering the welfare of a child, and violating conditions of release following the Aug. 19, 2016, incident.
Neumann was convicted of all three charges and ordered to spend 45 days in jail for each count, to be… Read more
Man indicted on seven counts related to Belfast high speed chase
BELFAST — A Township man was indicted on multiple counts by a Waldo County Grand Jury Sept. 13, stemming from a high speed chase with Belfast Police.
Tommy Hufford, 41, was indicted on charges including: eluding an officer, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal operating under the influence, criminal speeding, driving to endanger, refusing to submit to arrest, and criminal threatening.
Hufford was arrested July 20, after leading Belfast… Read more
Waldo County Grand Jury, indictments: eluding an officer, criminal threatening, drug trafficking
BELFAST — The Waldo County Grand Jury handed down the following indictments Sept. 13. An indictment does not imply guilt.
Luke A. Ambrose, 36, of Hampden, was indicted for domestic violence assault in Winterport Feb. 20.
Bennie Coutu, 38, of Unity, was indicted for domestic violence assault in Unity Sept. 7.
Matthew J. Cowette, 32, of Unity, was indicted for theft by unauthorized taking or transfer (two counts) in Unity July 17; burglary… Read more
Grove Cemetery tour offers glimpse of Belfast’s earliest residents, history
BELFAST — A group of at least 50 people gathered in Grove Cemetery Sept. 16 to explore through the grounds, and visit dozens of notable graves.
The tour of the Waldo Avenue grounds was led by Megan Pinette, who is a trustee of the Belfast Cemetery and president of the Belfast Historical Society. Pinette is also responsible for choosing the graves visited during each year’s tour.
With too many people to fit in the chapel at once, Pinette said the group was… Read more
Waldo County Criminal Docket, closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Sept. 1-14.
Alexander A. Cruz, 21, of Bloomfield, Conn., aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs in Belfast Sept. 12, 2016, eight years in prison with all but four years suspended, four years of probation, and $400 fine; illegal importation of scheduled drugs (two counts) in Belfast Sept. 12, 2016, both dismissed; unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs in Belfast Sept. 12, 2016,… Read more
Aztec Two-Step at The Strand
Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman, the legendary folk-rock duo Aztec Two-Step, return to Rex’s home state with their renowned show “Classic Duos.” They’ll perform plenty of ATS fan favorites from their storied 46-year career, plus their renditions of Simon & Garfunkel and Everly Brothers classics, Saturday, Sept. 23 at The Strand Theater in Rockland.
The story of Aztec Two-Step is intertwined with the history of folk-rock music in America, originating from a chance meeting at… Read more
Waldo County Superior Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Waldo County Superior Court June 9 - Sept. 8.
David A. Hyatt, 78, of Winterport, probation violation in Winterport June 15, 2006, eight months in jail, probation partially revoked and continued.
Mitchell Dicenzo, 28, of Calais, aggravated criminal trespass in Belfast June 1, 2014, 30 days in jail; assault in Belfast June 1, 2014, seven days in jail.
Shawn N. Perito, 24, of Brooks, probation… Read more
Searsmont sex offender to serve six-plus years after probation revoked
BELFAST — A Searsmont man had his probation fully revoked in Waldo County Superior Court Aug. 29, following multiple probation violations over the past several years.
Glenn Reed, 69, has a history of sexually motivated crimes, stretching back to 1983, when he was convicted of rape by the same court.
While Reed has successfully completed probation in the past, his later probation terms included restrictive conditions his earlier probation did not,… Read more
Passy Pete predicts six more weeks of summer
BELFAST — An enthusiastic crowd gathered in Heritage Park Sept. 4 to see how much longer Passagassawakeag Pete, nicknamed Passy Pete, predicts summer will last.
This year’s prediction was the same as the previous two: Six more weeks of summer. It was a prediction welcomed with cheers and applause from a crowd happy to put off winter for a little longer.
This is the third annual event, which sees a lobster pulled from a lobster trap just off the… Read more
Have a big lie or little fib? Knox County Liar’s Club might be for you
UNION – Every Tuesday morning at the Come Spring Café, 1422 Heald Highway (Route 17) in Union, the Knox County Liars Club will meet for breakfast.
Fred Peabody is the club's senior member and he said he had no idea how long the club has existed.
"I've been a member since 1989,” he said. "I don't know how long it's been on before that."
Peabody said he had been laid up from surgery and Ed Barker, who used to run Barker's Garage there in Union, invited him to join and… Read more
Searsport man arrested for OUI, found asleep behind the wheel
BELFAST — A Searsport man was charged with multiple offenses after being discovered unconscious behind the wheel of his truck on Rolerson Road Aug. 26.
Jason A. Kilby, 36, was charged with operating under the influence, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, operating after suspension, and violating conditions of release, as a result of the incident.
Kilby was reported to Belfast Police after a concerned citizen noticed a vehicle pulled into a… Read more
Waldo County deed transfers
BELFAST — The following deed transfers were recorded in the Waldo County Registry of Deeds Aug. 14-25.
Belfast
Phyllip Stevens to Walter A. Hodgdon.
Norma H. Dutch Living Trust to Jeffrey J. Dutch.
Norman H. Dutch EST to Norma H. Dutch Living Trust.
Steven A. Russell to Melody A. Russell.
Melody A. Russell to Owen P. and Nancy J. Falvey, and Keith R. Wry.
… Read moreCardboard boats race on Belfast Harbor, and S.S. Banana sinks like a charm
BELFAST — While this year’s batch of Cardboard Boat Race competitors was considerably smaller than in years past, there was no shortage of spirited spectators ready to cheer them on.
The annual event, which is part of Harbor Fest, took place in the waters off of Belfast’s Boathouse Aug. 20, with three handmade boats ready to compete.
With the boats arriving… Read more
Touch-A-Truck takes bomb truck, robot to Harbor Fest
BELFAST — While Harbor Fest offered a variety of children’s activities on Steamboat Landing, there was one event that required more space than was available.
Instead, the Touch-A-Truck event was held in Heritage Park and featured an impressive array of vehicles typically unstudied by the general public.
Parked closed enough together to fit roughly a dozen different… Read more
A world of boats at annual Belfast Harbor Fest
BELFAST — Though the 10th annual Harbor Fest officially began the evening of Aug. 18, the full festivities didn’t start until the next morning, when a variety of vendors took over Steamboat Landing.
It was a day that felt both warm and cool, depending on the cloud coverage, though the humidity was steady throughout.
The first major activity of the day was the the 17th annual Come Boating!… Read more
17th Annual Come Boating! Belfast regatta celebrates in calm waters
BELFAST — There was a gray, cool start to the 10th annual Belfast Harbor Fest’s weekend activities, Aug. 19, although it proved to be no hindrance to the upbeat crowds in attendance.
The first major event of the day was Come Boating!’s 17th annual Rowing Regatta, which took place in the calm waters of Belfast Bay. They were far different waters than the choppy waves that met… Read more
Belfast bans single-use plastic bags, Styrofoam takeout containers
BELFAST — The Belfast City Council voted to enact an ordinance completely banning the use of single use plastic bags, as well as Styrofoam food and drink containers at its Aug. 15 meeting.
A group of citizens first raised the issue with the city nearly a year earlier, with city council members hashing out the details for well over six months, according to Mayor Walter Ash Jr.
While one member of the Council, John Arrison, missed the meeting, the remaining… Read more
Belfast goats on the lam, take two
BELFAST — Belfast Police responded to the scene of their second goat caper this year, when they were called to Belfast’s Rail Trail to collect two escapee goats Aug. 14.
Sergeant Daniel Fitzpatrick said he had just left jury duty selection, when the report came in, and knew the goats in question right away.
Fitzpatrick corralled the same goats during an April escape down the same trail.
The duo, named Louis and Mowgli, live at a… Read more