Local News 2-24-26
Storm
(Undated) – Snowplows hit the roads of Downeast Maine overnight to get roads passable after yesterday’s blizzard. Little was open on Monday as schools, government offices, and even some stalwart stores like Mardens and Reny’s called it a day after snow and high winds started battering the area. There were some power outages – the biggest reported last evening was in the Brooklin area caused when a tree brought down lines affecting over a thousand customers. There were no significant outages as of early this morning. Schools plan to open today – many of them a couple hours late to give crews a chance to clean up.
Waterville Fatal Follow Up
(Waterville) – Police in Waterville say the person who died Sunday when a car slammed into the gas pump area of the Big Apple store on Main Street was filling her car with gas at the time. She’s identified as 37-year-old Michelle Bruce who was the Administrative Assistant at the Madison Elementary School. The school was in mourning after learning of the fatal crash. The 70-year-old driver from the Town of Strong was turning onto Main Street when his vehicle hit a car which left the road and struck a vehicle at the gas pump and the woman who was pumping gas.
Police Cadet Sues (BDN)
(Undated) – A former part time East Millinocket police officer who was training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy is suing the facility after he was kicked out of the program. A female cadet at the police academy accused David Peters of sexual misconduct in August 2024. The Bangor Daily News reports Peters’ suit says he was hit with pepper spray and told to search the female cadet who accused Peters of groping her, though she had called it incidental contact at first. The suit from Peters asks to expunge the incident from his record and for monetary damages.
Steuben Drug Bust-Shots Fired
(Steuben) – A drug bust in Washington County saw deputies come under gunfire late last week. The Bangor Daily News reports six people were arrested in Steuben after police checked warrants at a home on Augusta Drive. During a search deputies and drug agents seized 272-grams of cocaine, 4-point-3 grams of fentanyl and nearly $14-hundred dollars in cash. Two occupants, 42-year-old Corey Perry and 26-year-old Laura Anderson were arrested without incident. Four others, three of them from Boston, allegedly fired at deputies after fleeing the home. Two of the suspects from Boston have extensive criminal records.
R&D Grants (Ellsworth American)
(Hancock County) – High tech projects in Hancock County will bring in $4-and-a-half million dollars in funding. The Ellsworth American reports the money will be spread among Jackson Laboratory, MDI Bio-Lab, and the Brooklin Boat Yard. The money will help upgrade the boat yard to allow for composite boat building using 3-D printing while the Bio-Lab will use its funding from the Maine Technology Institute to work on therapeutic compounds from marine algae. Jackson lab will match the $2-million dollars it’s receiving with another 3-and-a-half million to renovate a building in Bar Harbor to create a Mouse Model Production Facility.
Yellow Flag – Lowell (Newscenter)
(Lowell) – Police have removed three guns from a Penobscot County home after a weekend family fight. Newscenter Maine reports deputies used the yellow flag law to seize the guns from 48-year-old William Smith of Lowell after the fight. He was charged with OUI after police pursued him Saturday night. Callers said Smith may have been armed and a witness found three guns at a home in Lowell. Officers filled out the paperwork to remove the guns. Smith posted bail on Sunday.
