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.
Annual downtown Belfast street party welcomes revelers
BELFAST — Although it may have taken place two days late, Our Town Belfast’s annual street party proved worth the wait Aug. 9.
Originally scheduled for Aug. 7 (or the next sunny day), the move came due to concerns over possible storms on the original date.
If organizers were waiting for a perfect summer day, the rain date brought clear and sunny skies.
The event, which involved closing parts of Church Street and High Street, brought… Read more
Intoxicated man leads Belfast police on 17 mile chase; speeds reach 90 mph, officers say
MONTVILLE — A Norridgewock man was arrested after allegedly leading Belfast Police on a 17 mile high speed chase from Belfast to Montville.
Tommy S. Hufford, 41, was arrested after finally pulling over in Montville. He has been charged with operating under the influence, eluding an officer, criminal speed (exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph or more), reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, refusing to submit to arrest or detention, and criminal threatening.
… Read more11th Annual Celtic Celebration rolls a cheese chase, heavy games on Belfast waterfront
BELFAST — With a salty breeze coming steadily from the bay, and amidst the sound of traditional Irish music, the 11th annual Celtic Celebration marked its final day July 16 in Belfast.
It was a weekend filled with music and festivities from the Boathouse all the way to Miller Street, which marks one boundary of Belfast Common.
A number of musicians performed traditional Celtic music throughout the event, with the main tent surrounded by an attentive… Read more
Arts in the Park takes over Belfast’s Steamboat Landing
BELFAST — Over 120 artists set up shop on Belfast’s waterfront for the 22nd annual Arts in the Park July 9 and 10.
This year’s event was held on Steamboat Landing, with a sea of white tent-tops stretching from the Boathouse to well beyond the area’s gazebo.
Hosted by the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, and the Belfast Parks and Recreation Department, event organizers said they had heard a lot of positive comments from vendors about the move.
… Read moreWaldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently recorded in Waldo County Superior Court.
Debra S. Porter, of Northport, and Anthony. L. Porter, of Providence, R.I., were married April 15, 2006, in Norwood, Mass. and divorced May 22.
Donna Morse, of Belmont, and Richard A. Morse, of Belmont, were married Nov. 19, 1991, in Belmont and divorced May 22.
Velma R. Flood, of Belfast, and Rick H. Flood Jr., of Belfast, were married Aug… Read more
Pavement Picassos: Belfast’s Chalk Walk leaves waterfront sidewalk brighter than ever
BELFAST — The sidewalk in Belfast’s Heritage Park got a colorful, albeit temporary, makeover Saturday thanks to the city’s first Chalk Walk. The event, which was hosted by Waterfall Arts, was supposed to take place a week earlier, but got rained out. Despite light rain at the start of the event on June 24, several artists were determined to work regardless of the weather.
Fortunately the early sprinkles didn’t translate into a day of rain, and the only water on scene was in… Read more
Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County breaks ground
SEARSPORT — Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County (HHWC) marked the official groundbreaking of its fourth build June 23.
With a group of more than 200 volunteers making the project possible, construction manager Jenness Robbins is charged with overseeing the building process.
Robbins has volunteered for the position in every one of the builds undertaken since the Waldo County affiliate was formed in 2009, according to affiliate executive director Meg… Read more
2,000 strong: Trek Across Maine rolls into Belfast
BELFAST — Nearly 2,000 participants in this year’s Trek Across Maine made their way through the streets of Belfast June 18, as their three-day, 180-mile journey came to a waterfront conclusion.
The event marks the single largest annual fundraising event for the American Lung Association nationwide, with over $1 million raised this year alone. The event has raised more than $24 million over its 30+ year history.
The path of the race is largely the same… Read more
Waldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently recorded in Waldo County Superior Court.
Tan V. Ton, of Belfast, and Twyen Nguyen, of Carslbad, Calif., were married July 12, 2013, in San Marcos, Calif. and divorced May 1.
Heather Diko, of Knox, and Matthew Diko, of Belfast, were married Feb. 20, 2004, in Warwick, R.I. and divorced April 25.
George Lee, of Belfast, and Martha Burke, of Portland, were married Aug. 11, 2013, in… Read more
Ukulele lovers take over Belfast’s Steamboat Landing
BELFAST — Celebrants of Belfast’s fourth annual Ukulele Festival took to the waterfront to enjoy a day of food, music and fun on June 2. (Listen to it live here: http://belfastcommunityradio.org/listen/wbfy-stream/)
At a cost of $5 per person, enthusiasts had two venues to choose from, including a main tent and the gazebo. Nine musical acts performed under the main tent for 30 minutes each, while… Read more
Waldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently recorded in Waldo County Superior Court.
Thomas J. Barry, of Kennebunk, and Lilah R. Giguere, of Palermo, were married Aug. 4, 2012, in Saco and divorced April 17.
Katherine M. Kenney, of Stockton Springs, and Jason C. Kenney, of Searsport, were married Aug. 3, 2013, in Stockton Springs and divorced April 3.
Angela M. Lizotte, of Winterport, and Stephen L. Lizotte, of Bangor, were married… Read more
Rockland City Manager Search Committee recommends one candidate for position
ROCKLAND – The Search Committee for a new Rockland city manager had recommended an individual to the Rockland City Council to fill the position. Although not yet identified, Rockland Mayor Will Clayton said May 15 that the name of the one individual will be made public as soon as the candidate's permission is obtained.
City councilors and the search committee met in executive session for over an hour Monday evening, May 15.
Following the meeting Mayor Clayton said the… Read more
Waldo County Criminal Docket closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from April 14-26.
Justin B. Canning, 32, of Belfast, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs in Belfast May 18, three years in prison with all but 30 days suspended, two years of probation and $400 fine.
Matthew McIver, 30, of Thorndike, operating while license suspended or revoked in Belfast March 27, 15 days in jail and $500 fine; violating condition of release in Belfast… Read more
Waldo County deed transfers
BELFAST — The Waldo County Registry of Deeds recorded the following deed transfers April 10-21.
Belfast
Herman Reynolds Trust to Michael Reynolds Trust.
United States of America - HUD to Joseph and Judith Mathieu.
Ward and Kathleen M. Carpenter to Patricia B. and William D. Raynard.
United States of America - HUD to Stephanie Lippman.
Brooks
… Read moreWaldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently recorded in Waldo County Superior Court.
Laura L. Dyer, of Belfast, and Paul M. Dyer, of Belfast, were married Nov. 20, 2015, in Belfast and divorced Feb. 27.
Matthew J. Johnson, of Belfast, and Krissy Lynn J. Johnson, of Belfast, were married Oct. 30, 2014, in Bangor and divorced Nov. 17.
Natalie Bowden, of Belfast, and Aaron Cunningham, of Belfast, were married Aug. 8, 2013, in Freedom… Read more
Belfast woman to serve three years for manslaughter
BELFAST — A Belfast woman was sentenced to spend the next three years in prison April 6, as a result of her role in the 2016 death of 19-year-old Christopher Wiley in a violent single vehicle accident.
Chelsea Larrabee, now 21, was convicted of four of the five charges brought against her for the May 14 crash, which also left two other passengers seriously injured. The charges included manslaughter, three counts of aggravated criminal operating under the influence, and… Read more
How Birds Respond When we Develop Their Habitat
An academic paper published in December by a Seattle-based researcher with ties to Maine sheds some interesting light on the fate of birds in developing suburban landscapes. John Marzluff, the lead scientist on the project, spent a number of years studying common ravens with researcher and author Bernd Heinrich in western Maine. In this recently published study, Marzluff color-banded individual birds from a range of species within the Seattle area. He and his team followed the birds and… Read more
Waldo County deed transfers
BELFAST — The following deed transfers were recorded in the Waldo County Registry of Deeds, March 13-24.
Belfast
R. Blaine Richardson and Laura E. Richardson to Robert E. and Jean M. Cole.
Judith R. Whitney to Judith R. Whitney Living Trust.
Sidney A. Toll to Sidney A. Toll Irrevocable Real Estate Trust.
City of Belfast to David J. and Deborah Berry.
Robin A. Kruger… Read more
Waldo County Grand Jury indictments: assault, burglary, manslaughter, theft
BELFAST — The Waldo County Grand Jury handed down seven indictments March 16. An indictment does not imply guilt.
Glenn Reed, 69, of Searsmont, unlawful sexual touching (three counts); assault; unlawful sexual contact.
Amanda M. Crain, 30, of Hudson, N.Y., unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.
Douglas L. Tibbetts, 50, burglary; theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
Michelle L. Sheaffer, 26, of Swanville,… Read more
Waldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently recorded in Waldo County Superior Court.
Amy H. Nickerson, of Searsmont, and Ryan A. Nickerson, of Corinna, were married Dec. 28, 2013, in Key West, Fla. and divorced Sept. 26.
Thomas L. Hardy, of Lincolnville, and Wesley W. Osterhout, of Farmington, were married Oct. 24, 2015, in Lincolnville and divorced Oct. 24.
Sara Babbidge, of Islesboro, and Bruce Babbidge, of Islesboro, were… Read more
Belfast Has Pride offers support to local LGBT community
BELFAST — Within three months of moving back to her hometown in March 2015, MaKayla Reed and South Carolinian wife Rachel Epperly knew they wanted to bring bigger city LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) pride to the smaller towns of Waldo County.
After moving to Belfast’s Main Street, the duo noted that events held during the June LGBT Pride Month tend to take place mostly in larger cities.
Growing up LGBT in a small town without… Read more
Hannaford’s and the aisle of misfit vegetables
ROCKLAND – The United Nations estimates between 20 to 40 percent of produce harvested each year is thrown away because it does not meet sizing standards for store shelves. Shoppers look for aesthetically pleasing produce. Enter Hannaford's and a company called Robinson Fresh, out of Minnesota.
Let's face it, when we shop we want produce that is well-formed and free of marks or scars. Outside appearance does not affect the nutritional vale of food. Produce will be passed over by… Read more
Belfast Regional Job Fair draws hundreds and is considered resounding success
BELFAST — The Belfast Regional Job Fair, hosted by Belfast’s Hutchinson Center March 7, where approximately 400 participants mingled with 45 area employers.
The event, which took several months to plan, was created with cooperation between multiple local organizations, including Workforce Solutions, the Maine Department of Labor, the Belfast Creative Coalition, the Belfast Arts Coalition, and the Belfast Chamber of Congress.
According to one member of the… Read more
Man arrested after being found covered in blood
BELFAST — A Swanville man has been arrested following a domestic assault in Belfast March 5.
Scott Moores, 37, was reported to authorities after he arrived at a Belfast residence “covered in blood,” according to a media report from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.
One of the residents notified police after Moores reportedly told them that he had been involved in a domestic incident.
Members of both the Belfast Police Department and the Waldo County Sheriff’s… Read more
Waldo County Criminal Docket closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Feb 10-23.
William D. Peaslee, 37, of Belfast, operating under the influence in Belmont Aug. 10, 48 hours in jail, license suspended for 150 days, and $500 fine; failing to stop, remain, or render aid in Belfast Sept. 28, five days in jail; violating condition of release in Belfast Sept. 28, five days in jail; failing to stop, remain, or provide information in Belfast Sept. 28, dismissed.
County mil rate, new vehicles and warden services approved at Knox Commissioners
ROCKLAND – Knox County Commissioners, at their regularly scheduled meeting on February, 14, set the county’s 2017 mil rate and interest rates for delinquent taxes. (Read the state’s valuation report here)
State valuations were completed Jan. 18 and finalized by Revenue Services; Knox County total assessment for 2017 was set at $7.4 billion ($7,433,688,000) up from $7,291,087,000… Read more
Waldo County Habitat for Humanity seeks applicants
BELFAST — Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County (HHWC) is currently seeking applications from individuals or families interested in becoming the owners of a yet to be built home.
The group partners with other Waldo County community organizations to build homes for qualified families or individuals in need of appropriate housing.
The 2017 home will be the fourth built by HHWC, according to Meg Klingelhofer, who was named director of the group in September.
There are a… Read more
Waldo County Criminal Docket closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Jan. 13-26.
Scott A. Hall, 29, of Belfast, violating conditions of release in Belfast June 3, 72 hours in jail.
Thomas Martin, 44, of Liberty, hunting from a stand or blind overlooking deer bait in Liberty Oct. 29, $200 fine.
Sherry L. Peek, 44, of Prospect, operating without a license in Belfast Nov. 12, $150 fine.
Angelo Forzetting… Read more
Searsport woman faces multiple charges following crash
BELFAST — A Searsport woman has been hit with a slew of charges following her Jan. 24 arrest.
Astin L. Merry, 31, first came to the attention of law enforcement when a concerned citizen called to report a single-vehicle crash on Belmont Avenue, according to Sergeant Matthew Cook, of the Belfast Police Department.
While en route to the scene, Belfast police learned that the operator of the crashed vehicle had left the scene after being picked up by a… Read more
Waldo County deed transfers
BELFAST — The following deed transfers were recorded at the Waldo County Registry of Deeds Dec. 29 - Jan. 13.
Belfast
National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped Inc. to Kiril Lozanov.
Robinson Hope Hooper to Alice M. King.
Merle Grass to Shellyann Wall and Joseph Marshall Lancaster III.
Michael J. Lewis to Joyce and Kenneth Dyer.
Old County Plantation LLC to… Read more