Crime/Public Safety

Update on Searsmont Explosion and Fire

(Searsmont)  The Department of Public Safety on Tuesday released the latest findings on the May 15th fire and explosion at the Robbins Lumber Mill in Searsmont that left a firefighter dead and several others seriously injured.  A preliminary investigation indicates the incident was accidental.  Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office and ATF Special Agents worked throughout the Memorial Day weekend  and began wrapping up the initial scene examination on Monday, although they say the investigation itself remains active and ongoing.  Crane operators lifted and moved the silo structure, which allowed those on the scene to access areas critical to the evidence recovery effort. The fire is believed to have originated in the base of the silo, then rapidly ignited material, resulting in an explosion within the silo, lifting it from its concrete base and causing it to topple over.  Flames then rapidly engulfed the surrounding area, causing extensive damage to multiple buildings.

(Searsmont)  Investigators on Tuesday released the findings from the initial scene examination at the Robbins Lumber Mill in Searsmont.  Preliminary findings indicate the May 15th fire that killed Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross and injured several others, originated in the base of the silo near an unloader mechanism.  Before fire suppression operations could be organized, the smoldering material ignited suspended particles, resulting in an explosion within the silo, lifting it from its concrete base and causing it to topple over, with flames then rapidly engulfing the surrounding buildings.  Over the weekend, crane operators lifted and moved the silo structure, which allowed those on the scene to access areas critical to the evidence recovery effort.  The initial investigation led the State Fire Marshal’s Office and ATF Special Agents to rule the blaze accidental.  They say the facility’s fire suppression mechanism, located near the top of the silo, failed to activate because temperatures at that elevation did not reach activation levels.  

(Searsmont)  Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and ATF Special Agents have wrapped up an initial investigation at the site of the May 15th fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber Mill in Searsmont, preliminarily ruling the blaze accidental.  Crane operators last week lifted and moved the silo structure, which was toppled by the explosion, giving investigators critical access to areas of evidence.  Crews worked diligently over the Memorial Day weekend, pausing at one point to honor Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross and to remember military members who gave their lives in service for the country. It’s believed the fire began at the base of the silo near an unloader mechanism, and smoldering debris quickly ignited, exploding inside the silo, and causing it to topple over, with the fire then spreading quickly to other buildings.  The investigation will remain open while follow-up analysis, testing, reports, and coordination continue. 

Tremont Firefighters Respond to Blaze Caused by Home Clean-Out

(Tremont)  Nothing wrong with spring cleaning and being organized – but members of the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department are warning – that comes with a caveat.  Eight crew members spent Monday morning extinguishing a fire that burned the contents inside a 20-yard roll-off container.  They say a resident of the home had spent much of the weekend filling the container with the typical contents of a garage and basement clean out.  Among the items discarded were several obsolete battery-operated power tools.  Combined with the moisture from Monday’s saturating rain, they say the tools likely ignited.  Members worked through the soaking rain to quickly tamp down the flames, saving a nearby two-bay garage. They then removed most of the contents of the container to prevent any rekindling.

(Tremont)  Spring cleaning is a great idea, but firefighters in Tremont warn homeowners to use extra caution when disposing of items like lithium batteries and marine flares.  Eight members of the department spent Monday morning putting out a fire that burned the contents of a 20-yard roll-off container.  They say a homeowner had spent much of the weekend cleaning out a garage and basement; but along with the usual items, discarded several obsolete battery-operated power tools.  Combined with moisture from the heavy downpour, firefighters say the batteries likely ignited, causing the blaze.  The container was located near a two-bay garage, but the fire was quickly tamped down and the contents of the container removed to prevent any rekindling.

Firefighters Battle Blaze in Piscataquis County Unorganized Territory

(UO)  Forest rangers spent Sunday fighting a fire in the Piscataquis County unorganized territory known as T4 R13 WELS.  The remote, heavily forested region deep in the North Woods near Chesuncook is primarily used for timber harvesting and wilderness recreation.  The fire was initially estimated to be approximately 10 acres burning in an old timber harvest.  Ranger Mitchel Stapleton on Tuesday said the Pine Stream Fire was about 25 acres and the threat of any further growth had been stopped.  Crews will monitor the fire over the next few days and extinguish any hot spots.  Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of that fire.

Glenburn Crash Leaves One Dead

(Glenburn)  A Tuesday morning crash in the Penobscot County town of Glenburn left one person dead and others with minor injuries.  The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened around 10:15 at the intersection of Hudson and Pushaw Roads.  A pickup with an empty trailer was reportedly traveling on Hudson when a small SUV turning left pulled in front of them.  A passenger in the SUV was killed, and the driver taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.  The two people in the truck suffered  minor injuries.  The crash is under investigation.  

Local Politics

Castine Select Board Approves New Street Names on MMA Campus

(Castine)  The Castine Select Board this month approved new names for streets on the campus of Maine Maritime Academy.  The names, which are a first, will help emergency first responders find places more quickly and efficiently.  They say, recently, the fire department has encountered confusion when responding to calls on campus.  The River Observer reports Assistant Fire Chief Jack Spratt has been working with MMA on the issue.  Names approved include Bowdoin Way on the waterfront, and Quarterdeck Lane, Mariners Row, and Seagrass Avenue on the upper part of campus. 

Ellsworth Registrar of Voters in Session

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth says the Registrar of Voters will be in session on Thursday June 4th, from 5 to 7 p.m. in preparation for the June 9th City of Ellsworth referendum and State of Maine Primary Election. Ellsworth and Fletchers Landing Township residents are encouraged to absentee vote, register to vote, and make name and/or address corrections to their current registrations during this time.  Absentee ballot requests must be received by the Municipal Clerk by the close of business that day unless special circumstances exist.  Sample ballots for both elections can be viewed at ellsworthmaine.gov.  

Petition to Remove Council Members

(Ellsworth)  Ellsworth City Council held a special meeting Tuesday night to address citizens’ concerns about the recent sanctioning of Council member Steve O’Halloran.  Current concerns about O’Halloran first surfaced in February, after Assistant City Manager Sarah Devlin learned multiple City employees said they felt threatened by O’Halloran, resulting in what they felt was a hostile work environment.. An in-depth investigation ensued, leading to a lengthy report and the resulting sanction.  As often happens on social media, rumors began, resulting in a petition calling for the recall of five City Council members who voted for the sanction.  Some of those  citizens showed up last night to demand Council members waive privilege and release the entire report, which Council argued went against confidentiality, could spark retaliation and prevent employees from coming forward in the future. O’Halloran made the point that taxpayers had paid for the investigation and were entitled to a full report.  But Councilor Carol Patterson-Martineau responded that argument was invalid, because many investigations paid for by taxpayers, both at the state and federal levels, were not fully released,  in order to protect confidentiality.  After discussion, Council voted unanimously, with O’Halloran abstaining, to keep the report confidential but to release a four page summary and the cost of the report.  

Houlton Regional Hospital Nurses Strike

(Houlton)  Houlton Regional Hospital nurses are on strike this week.  The strike began Tuesday and is scheduled to run through Saturday.  The Maine State Nurses Association said the action follows more than a year and a half of contract negotiations.  They say an agreement reached after the closure of the labor and delivery unit called for at least three registered nurses to be on duty in the emergency department at all times, in anticipation of obstetric emergencies, but that new hospital management has failed to uphold that agreement.  

Economy

Stonington Select Board Proposes Establishing Historic  Commercial District

(Stonington)  The Stonington Select Board is advancing a proposal to establish a Historic Commercial District.  The area would encompass 24 buildings in the downtown area.  The Penobscot Bay Press reports the town’s community and economic director is actively engaging property owners to discuss the designation, which would protect the area’s architectural heritage and provide tools for economic revitalization.  The board granted “soft approval” to move forward deliberately and carefully with discussions.

Education

Sumner Students Shine at Speech and Debate Tournament

(Sullivan)  When it comes to speech and debate skills, students at Sumner Memorial High School are hard to argue with.  Sumner was one of only seven Maine schools represented at the NCFL Grand National Speech & Debate Tournament in Washington, D.C. this past weekend.  The team – Reese Bryant, Emily Green, and Chris Delgado, under coach John Russell, competed with excellence and gained experience and skills they say will last a lifetime, in addition to getting to explore the historic sites of the nation’s capitol.  We’ll be cheering them on again at the NSDA National Tournament June 14-19 in Richmond, Virginia. 

Human Interest

Maine Preservation to Bring Historic Walking Tour to Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  Maine Preservation is bringing one of their historic walking tours to downtown Ellsworth on Thursday, June 11th.  In partnership with Heart of Ellsworth, the tour will shine a light on the community’s downtown district.  With the commercial district recently named on the National Register of Historic Places, the tour offers the opportunity to look a little closer at the buildings, stories, and downtown landscape that continue to shape Ellsworth today.  More information and tickets are available at mainepreservation.org, or you can check out Heart of Ellsworth on FB for a link.

Brooksville to Celebrate America’s 250th in August

(Brooksville)  The town of Brooksville, Maine is getting ready to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday, with a full day of activities – a parade, a 5K run, an antique car display and more.  The River Observer reports the community-wide event, planned for August 2nd and entitled Spirit of America Alive in Brooksville, will also feature local food trucks and family-friendly field events.  For a schedule, to register for the race, or to learn more, visit brooksvillemaine.org.

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