Ranked Choice Results
(Augusta) – We now know who will be on November’s ballot in Maine’s Gubernatorial and 2nd Congressional District elections. The Secretary of State’s office took until a little after 2-AM to release the final ranked choice results. Republican front-runner Bobby Charles held onto the lead and edges out Ben Midgely for the primary win. Democrat Hannah Pingree came from 2nd place in the ranked choice eliminations and surpassed initial top vote getter Dr. Nirav Shah for the nomination. And former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap came from behind on ranked choice votes and knocked out Joseph Baldacci for the 2nd Congressional District nomination.
Ellsworth Fire
(Ellsworth) – Fire destroyed a home in Ellsworth early this morning. Firefighters from several communities responded to 30-Tamarac Road shortly after 1-o’clock this morning and found the single story house engulfed in flames. Dispatch records indicate at least one person was taken to the hospital. The occupant reported pet cats were trapped inside the house. The fire marshal’s office was called in to investigate the cause. The 9-1-1 caller said the fire started in the living room. Tax records show the home is owned by a South Portland couple.
Ellsworth Accident Closes Route 1
(Ellsworth) – Police in Ellsworth closed down the Bucksport Road and diverted traffic around the scene of a serious vehicle accident yesterday afternoon. 9-1-1 calls came in around 12:30 of a head on crash near Woodland Road and Hagan’s Elbow. State police closed down the road, for several hours while officers reconstructed the crash. No names or the extent of injuries were immediately available.
Planet Fitness
(Ellsworth) – A nationally known exercise gym plans to locate at the Maine Coast Mall in Ellsworth. The city’s Code Enforcement Officer tells Star 97.7 Planet Fitness has applied for a permit to locate in the center portion of the mall. Robert Grant says three current tenants will move out to make room, including the city’s Water Department. No word on when the gym plans to open.
Belfast Bust
(Belfast) – An 80-year old Waldo County man faces drug charges after a bust in Swanville. The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency reports to Star 97.7 Larry Metcalf is accused of giving out of state drug dealers rides to local homes to sell illegal drugs. Agents set up a stakeout at the Belfast bus station and observed a 21-year old Boston man get off the bus and into Metcalf’s vehicle. When they stopped that vehicle they seized 55 grams of Fentanyl and 250-grams of cocaine from Eduin Chala-Ramirez. He and Metcalf are charged with aggravated drug trafficking.
Sheriff Candidate on Ballot
(Augusta) – An independent candidate will be included on the ballot for Sheriff in Knox County following a hearing before the Secretary of State’s office. Albert Joy had gathered enough signatures, but Daniel Landers filed a written challenge saying the Joy did not meet statutory requirements for the office. After a hearing, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows determined that the challenge did not meet the burden of proof to disqualify Joy, who will go on the ballot.
SCAM Warning
(Belfast) – Police in Belfast have issued a warning about what they call the Gold Courier Scam. In a post on Facebook, they department says scammers contact their targets via phone, text or a computer pop-up message and impersonate tech support, bank fraud investigators or the FBI. They claim bank accounts are compromised and instruct victims to liquidate savings or take out cash to convert into gold bars, then send a courier to your home to collect the gold for safekeeping. Police advise anyone who is contacted or handed over assets to contact local law enforcement immediately.
Track closed
(Ellsworth) – The track and soccer field next to the Ellsworth Elementary / Middle School is closed to the public for much of the summer. Athletic Director Josh Frost advises that the track replacement project is under way and will last until mid-August. He’s asking the public to stay off the track and the grass infield until the project is completed and the facility reopens.
Acadia Signage
(Bar Harbor) – Some of the signs removed from Acadia National Park following a presidential order last fall will go back up. Maine Public reports the signs displayed information about climate change and indigenous history. A judge ordered the signs restored following a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration in February. Judge Angel Kelley ordered the removed displays to be put back up by July 3rd.
