Two Killed in Wrong-Way Crash on I-95 in Medway
Two people died Monday night in a head-on crash involving a wrong-way driver in a stolen car on I-95 in Medway.
State Police say 20-year-old Luis Mendoza of Indian Township was driving south in the northbound lanes at over 100 mph before hitting 67-year-old Sandra Lacombe of Medway in a construction zone near Exit 244.
WABI news reports both drivers died at the scene, and police later learned Mendoza’s car had been stolen from a Hannaford in Houlton.
The crash closed the highway for several hours and remains under investigation.
Hancock County Budget Review Off to Tense Start
Hancock County’s Budget Advisory Committee opened a review of next year’s budget amid pushback over a proposed 13.6% spending increase to $15.8 million.
Bucksport Council Chairman Paul Bissonnette voted against nearly every item, objecting to 6% raises for department heads and 4% cost-of-living increases, while other members cited economic pressures and underpaid positions.
The committee, which reviews department budgets line-by-line, will continue meeting Wednesdays at the Hancock County Courthouse ahead of a mid-December deadline according to the Ellsworth American.
Dennys River Volunteer Ambulance to Close After 60 Years
The Dennys River Volunteer Ambulance Service will close November 30 after 60 years, leaving Dennysville, Pembroke and three unorganized townships without clear EMS coverage.
Captain Wayne Seeley, who runs the service with his wife, says the 4-to-6 volunteer crew can’t provide 24-hour coverage and years of recruiting efforts failed.
The service runs 100 to 150 calls a year, and officials say Downeast EMS and other nearby agencies may have to split coverage.
Maryland Woman’s Civil Rights Suit Against Gouldsboro May Proceed
A federal judge ruled June 1st that Maryland resident Nia Lucas’s civil rights lawsuit against the Town of Gouldsboro, its police department, Chief Jim Malloy and former Sgt. Wayne Robbins may move forward.
Lucas, representing herself, alleges police refused to help her retrieve belongings from a Gouldsboro home she co-owned and threatened her with arrest, claims she says were motivated by racial and gender bias.
The town, which sought dismissal and declined comment on pending litigation, is now in a dispute over discovery with new scheduling deadlines due October 14 according to the Ellsworth American.
Baxter State Park Closes Katahdin Trails for Winter
Baxter State Park is closing trail access to Mount Katahdin for the winter season starting Tuesday, including all Katahdin and Traveler Ridge trails.
The Chimney Pond Trail will remain open through Thursday, October 15th, while campgrounds at Daicey Pond, Kidney Pond and Katahdin Stream close October 22nd.
The park will also begin accepting applications for winter camping and hiking starting Thursday.
Beaverstock Music Festival to Benefit Hunger Relief
A music festival called Beaverstock will take place Saturday, October 24 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Bad Beaver Farm in Ellsworth, featuring Chelsea Berry, The Gardeners, Amy Love and Bowen Swersey.
The BYOB event will have the Black Sheep food truck on site, with attendees encouraged to bring chairs.
According to the Ellsworth American, advance-only tickets are $40, with a portion supporting Healthy Acadia food initiatives for the food insecure.
Ellsworth Library Pumpkin Carving Ahead of Pumpkin Hike
The Ellsworth Public Library is hosting an afternoon pumpkin carving event to supply jack-o’-lanterns for Frenchman Bay Conservancy’s Pumpkin Hike on the Ellsworth Riverwalk Trail.
The Pumpkin Hike grand opening and lighting is Wednesday, October 28 from 5 to 7 p.m., with community-carved pumpkins lining the trail through Halloween weekend in partnership with the library and Heart of Ellsworth.
Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, vote for favorite pumpkins, and park at City Hall.
