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 Grand Jury indictments: drug offenses, OUI, arson, domestic violence
BELFAST — The Waldo County Grand Jury handed down 15 indictments Jan. 11. An indictment does not imply guilt.
Anthony J. Holden, 35, of Detroit, unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory; unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.
Monique L. Holden, 32, of Troy, unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory; unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.
Joshua W. Davis, 29, of Palermo, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
… Read moreBelfast Rotary Club marks another successful year of community service in Waldo County
BELFAST — The Belfast Area Rotary Club has concluded another year filled with philanthropic endeavors in Waldo County.
The group's final charitable event of the calendar year is the 100 Fund, which is an annual event designed to provide gifts to needy Waldo County children.
The 100 Fund is an annual charitable tradition that began 30 years before, and was so named based on the 100 children the group originally hoped to provide gifts to.
Despite the name, the members of the… Read more
Belfast Homeless Coalition seeks guidance from Knox County counterpart
BELFAST — The Belfast Homeless Coalition met for the fourth time Nov. 30, with members gearing up for their Dec. 1 meeting with Stephanie Primm, of the Hospitality House, in Rockport.
The group met in the Edward J. Reynold’s House, which was offered as a standing meeting place by Volunteers of America, the organization that owns the building.
While a large portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing and planning logistics, the… Read more
Waldo County Criminal Docket closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Nov. 18 - Dec. 1.
Michael Langley, 37, of Wiscasset, terrorizing in Unity Sept. 7, 2015, 75 days in jail; reckless conduct in Unity Sept. 7, 2015, dismissed.
Kayla L. McCauley, 21, of Monroe, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in Belfast Dec. 11, dismissed.
Kellie A. Howie, 22, of Swanville, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in Stockton Springs Dec. 14, dismissed.
Waldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently recorded in Waldo County Superior Court.
William J. Jamison, of Searsport, and Belinda S. Jamison, of Winterport, were married June 17, 2001, in Bangor and divorced Oct. 26.
Alice F. Dodge, of Belfast, and Brandon L. Dodge, of Belmont, were married Jan. 1, 2014, in Liberty and divorced Sept. 26.
Adela R. Hulbert, of Belfast, and William T. Hulbert, of Lincolnville, were married Nov. 8, 1991, in Belfast and divorced Sept. 26… Read more
Belfast’s Homeless Coalition talks logistics, gathers business, law enforcement, nonprofit support
BELFAST — The Belfast Homeless Coalition met again Nov. 17, to discuss the next steps in the process of helping Belfast’s homeless population. While the long term goal remains to open an actual shelter in Belfast, the group realizes a realistic time frame for getting a shelter up and running is more likely to be a couple of years rather than a matter of months. The focus in the immediate future remains establishing a warming center in Belfast for those in need of shelter this winter.
… Read moreWaldo County Criminal Docket closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Oct. 24 - Nov. 9.
Caleb Roy, 24, of Burnham, probation violation in Burnham July 28, 2015, 30 days in jail, probation partially revoked and continued.
Thomas E. O’Donovan, 67, of Rockland, failure to register a vehicle in Belfast Sept. 25, $100 fine.
Dean E. Willis, 70, of Whitman, Mass., operating under the influence in Belfast Sept. 3, license suspended for… Read more
Citizens meet again to address Belfast’s homeless issues
BELFAST — Concerned citizens met for a second time in an effort to address Belfast’s issue of homelessness. This meeting, which largely focused on increasing community awareness of the issue, took place at the Hutchinson Center Oct. 19.
One of several new faces at the night’s meeting included a student services coordinator, who attended the meeting, “to ensure youth are involved in the discussion,” she said.
One new addition to the group was James Gagne, of… Read more
Concerned citizens strategize on how to tackle homelessness in Belfast
BELFAST — A group of concerned citizens met at Belfast Library Oct. 5 to discuss the issue of homelessness in Belfast, and brainstorm ways to potentially address the problem before the temperatures drop to deadly lows.
The group of 11 brought varying backgrounds, including a local pastor, a case manager from the Knox County Homeless Coalition, two nurses from Waldo County General Hospital, and a manager from General Assistance all present at the group’s first gathering.
… Read moreWaldo County Criminal Docket closed cases
BELFAST — The following Unified Criminal Court cases were closed in Waldo County from Aug. 5-11.
Theodore H. Kekstadt, 45, of Wheeling, Ill., operating under the influence in Belmont April 21, 2015, 48 hours in jail, license suspended for 150 days and $500 fine.
Rodney L. Larrabee, 52, of Knox, operating under the influence in Knox May 1, dismissed; driving to endanger in Knox May 1, license suspended for 30 days and $575 fine.
Thomas O. Lavway, 39, of Berwick, failing to… Read more
Belfast man gets three years in prison for burglary
BELFAST — A Belfast man was sentenced to three years in prison with all but 90 days suspended in Waldo County’s Unified Criminal Court Aug. 8.
Derek D. Maxcy, 35, had been accused of burglarizing a private Belfast residence April 12, 2015, during which he stole the homeowner’s purse.
Maxcy was arrested Nov. 12, 2015, charged with burglary and theft by unauthorized… Read more
Meth lab operator sentenced to six years
BELFAST — A Belfast man has been sentenced to six years in prison, with all but two years suspended for his role in the operation of a meth lab.
Edward R. Mylen III, 36, was convicted of operating a meth laboratory in Belfast after his March 21 arrest, in addition to unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
Mylen was arrested along with coconspirator Michael Redding, 27… Read more
Man convicted of nine counts, relating to two incidents
BELFAST — A Madawaska man, who has also resided in Brooks, was convicted of nine of 12 charges in Waldo County’s Unified Criminal Court Aug. 8-9.
The charges originate from two separate incidents and three different law enforcement agencies, including the Maine State Police, Houlton Police, and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office.
Shawn M. Maxfield, 33, was sentenced Aug. 8 for a number of charges brought by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office… Read more
Ill advised fast-food run leads to arrest
BELFAST — A Belfast man was arrested July 27 for operating under the influence after reportedly attempting to walk through the Belfast McDonald’s drive-thru, leaving on foot and then coming back to the drive-thru driving a vehicle.
Danny L. Soucy, 27, was told by employees that the drive-thru was made expressly for use by vehicles, according to Belfast Police Detective Bryan Cunningham. The restaurant is located on Belmont Avenue.
A short time later, Soucy returned to the drive-… Read more
Early morning car fire leads to arrest of Searsport woman
BELFAST — A Searsport woman is facing several charges following the report of a car fire in the early hours of Friday, July 29.
Samantha E. Rancourt, 37, was arrested following investigation into reports of vehicular arson in the parking lot of Penobscot McCrum, according to Belfast Police Detective Bryan Cunningham.
Belfast Police received the report after an employee noticed that the tires of a coworker’s car were one fire. The two men were able to put out the flames with a… Read more
Belfast community gathers for Orlando vigil
BELFAST — Cars lined Front Street Tuesday evening as members of the Belfast community gathered at the Boathouse gazebo to honor the 49 victims of Sunday’s Orlando shooting massacre.
The vigil was especially poignant given that just days before the very same gazebo was surrounded by celebrants of Belfast’s first LGBTQ Pride festival, with many wearing their Belfast Has Pride t-shirts.
Hosted by Belfast Has Pride organizers Rachel Epperly… Read more
Book festival attracts bibliophiles to downtown Belfast
BELFAST — Overcast skies and chilly spring weather did little to deter the bibliophiles who descended on Belfast in celebration of this year's Belfast Bound Book Festival.
Evidence of the festival could be seen throughout downtown, with a tent at one corner of the Main Street intersection, a children's reading corner on another, and a tiny library stationed outside of Alexia's Pizza.
The event, hosted by Our Town Belfast, in partnership with the Belfast Free Library and the… Read more
Rockland City Councilor William Jillson resigns
ROCKLAND – William Jillson tendered his resignation from the Rockland City Council Monday, March 7, in a letter to Rockland City Clerk Start Sylvester. Jillson unseated then Rockland Mayor Frank Isganitis to win the seat in November 2015. Isganitis was running for reelection. His resignation comes just four months into his term.
In his letter he said his resignation was effective immediately. He sighted the following reasons.
“The city of Rockland has hired a manager under false… Read more
Cappy’s closes doors forever
CAMDEN — At 6 p.m. Sunday, February 28, Cappy’s Chowder House, which for 37 years has occupied the familiar corner of downtown Camden, said goodnight to its last patrons and locked the door. The bittersweet moment was marked by hugs and frowns as the employees gathered inside for a last hurrah as a staff.
As I sat at Cappy’s bar Sunday afternoon with a friend, Donald Monahan, we were enjoying lunch and a beer and trying to figure out which cups and cans would make the best souvenirs.… Read more
Loyal Biscuit makes a move in Rockland, acquires new building
ROCKLAND — Loyal Biscuit Company, which has stores in Camden, Rockland, Belfast and Waterville, announced it had acquired the building at 408 Main Street in Rockland and intends to move its store and offices to that location. Its Rockland store is currently at 422 Main Street.
“We are looking forward to better parking and more space,” said business owner Heidi Neal. “It’s a three story building and right now there are no plans… Read more
Waldo County Grand Jury indictments: assault, criminal mischief
BELFAST — The Waldo County Grand Jury handed down 14 indictments Jan. 12. Of the 14 indictments, a majority of the cases involve assault and criminal mischief. An indictment does not imply guilt.
Austin W. Ashmore, 18, of Orland, eluding an officer, criminal speed, driving to endanger, failure to stop for an officer, and violating conditions of release.
Scott R. Chapman, 44, of Norton, Mass., criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer,… Read more
Thomaston turns out for meeting on Route 1 rebuild
THOMASTON — Beginning in April 2016 through November 2018, The Maine Department of Transportation intends to reconstruct 2.1 miles of Route 1. On Monday evening, January 11, the town of Thomaston held a public information meeting to allow residents to talk about the proposed construction, specifically whether to allow night work to shorten the proposed time.
Watts Hall was filled with residents all ready to talk, but things got off to a slow start when it was announced that Ernest… Read more
Waldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently recorded at Waldo County Superior Court.
Connor S. Williams Noel, of Palermo, and Danielle L. Williams Noel, of Palermo, were married July 7, 2012, in Palermo and divorced Dec. 4.
Mark P. Weaver, of Waldo, and Allyn I. Eldridge, of Jackson, were married Oct. 2, 2004, in Belfast and divorced Nov. 10.
Shauna Butler Ripley, and Kean M. Ripley, of Windham, were married… Read more
Music in Rockland: A talk with Tom Ulichny
The guest Monday, December 20, on the Chris Wolf Show will be Tom Ulichny of the Midcoast Music Academy in Rockland. Ulichny will be discussing music in general, the Midcoast Music Academy, as well as showing us “live looping” and treating listeners to live performances of his songs.
In 2005, Tom Ulichny graduated magna cum laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a multi-instrumentalist at Berklee, Tom studied guitar, drums, and world percussion, followed by a semester in… Read more
Search for teen turns dangerous after Belfast resident discharges weapon
BELFAST — Belfast Chief of Police Michael McFadden said a fairly routine call turned into anything but when a resident chose to shoot his weapon in the vicinity of Belfast police, just after 6 p.m. Dec. 17.
Officer Eric Kelley responded to a report of a juvenile who had fled a local residential treatment program. McFadden said that certain details regarding the teen made the search more urgent, though he did not disclose what those details included.
Officer Kelley began… Read more
Knox County 2016 budget up 4 percent, mostly for courthouse repairs
ROCKLAND - In two unanimous votes, the Knox County Commissioners and the Knox County Budget Committee approved the 2016 budget in chambers at the Knox County Courthouse. The budget was approved at $10,140,851, representing a four percent increase over 2015.
Roger Moody, chairman of the Knox County Commission, said much of the increase was for exterior repair to the courthouse.
“The building was built in 1860,” said Moody. “We found over the last year that the brick façade is in… Read more
Revelers gather in Belfast for annual Christmas tree lighting
BELFAST — More than 100 people gathered in front of the post office Saturday evening, Dec. 5, to take part in the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Hosted by Our Town Belfast, they were treated to free cookies and cocoa while they waited for the large tree to be lit. The Belfast Area High School singers treated the crowd to caroling, with members standing on the post office… Read more
Christmas by the Sea: Saturday round-up
ROCKPORT/CAMDEN – Following Friday night’s parade and Harbor Park tree lighting with Santa Claus, Camden’s 29th annual Christmas by the Sea weekend got underway in earnest on Saturday, Dec. 5. It was (and still is) a day of events and fairs with Santa Claus returning after a good night’s sleep to arrive by boat in both Rockport and Camden harbors for more visits with the kids.
PenBayPilot’s day began at 8 a.m. with a visit to the Holly Berry Fair at the Rockport Opera House. Put on by… Read more
It’s Christmas by the Sea, on the Chris Wolf Show
ROCKLAND - It's that time of year. Thanksgiving has just passed and Christmas is coming up. No sign of snow yet, but the season is here with Christmas by the Sea in Camden this weekend.
Chris Wolf will host guest Karen Brace, Camden’s new Community Development Director, Friday, Dec. 4. She will talk about the happenings for this year’s Christmas by the Sea Celebration, Dec. 3-6. Organizersare planning several new activities this year for children and adults during the celebrations in… Read more
Paw print ornaments and mugs, personalized by pets
ROCKLAND — Susan Begin of Cre8tive-Events helps create unique Christmas ornaments and coffee mugs with the signature of a pet, and this week she is partnering with Loyal Biscuit in the Midcoast to help raise funds for the welfare of shelter animals.
"Today we're doing ornaments and coffee mugs, and it's for a fundraiser here at Loyal Biscuit in Rockland," she said… Read more