Author: Sonnie Shepherd
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Friday, 04/03/26
Crime/Public Safety Child Abuse Prevention Month (Maine) One hundred seventy four children in Lincoln and Knox counties were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2024. It’s likely the numbers are similar or even higher in Hancock, Washington, and Penobscot Counties. In fact, research indicates nearly one in seven children in the U.S. experiences abuse…
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Thursday, 04/02/26
Crime/Public Safety New Hampshire Man Dies in Newport Crash (Newport) A New Hampshire man died Tuesday when his Chevy Volt was struck by a semi on I-95 in Newport. Public Safety Officials tell Downeast Digest, 33 yo Juan Guallpa was stopped in the northbound travel lane just after 11:30 p.m. when his car was struck…
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Wednesday, 04/01/26
Crime/Public Safety Surry Comprehensive Plan Benefitting Volunteer Fire Department (Surry) The Surry volunteer fire department responds to between 70 and 80 calls per year. The Weekly Packet reports when Surry adopted its Comprehensive Plan in 2024, it identified two major needs for the department – replacing aging equipment and improving access to reliable water sources…
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Tuesday, 03/31/26
Crime/Public Safety Rockland Burglary (Rockland) Crime always stinks. But a suspect in a Rockland burglary last week gave new meaning to the saying. The Pen Bay Pilot reports 60 yo Robert King, Jr. of Whitefield is accused of breaking into an apartment, stealing a safe, and dousing the residence in liquid skunk essence. The incident…
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03/30/26
Crime/Public Safety Trenton Fire Destroys Route Three Motel (Trenton) At least fourteen local fire departments responded to a massive blaze at the Open Hearth Motel on Route 3 in Trenton Saturday, with multiple other departments providing backup. According to the Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, crews were called to 1147 Bar Harbor Road just before 3…
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Friday, 03/27/26
Crime/Public Safety Thomaston Launches Weekly Calls to Seniors (Thomaston) Thomaston is the latest community to launch a program of weekly phone calls to seniors. The Pen Bay Pilot reports a number of senior residents in the community live alone, with families often living too far away to swing by. Police have always checked on a…
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Thursday, 03/26/26
Crime/Public Safety Washington County Sheriff’s Office Member Retires (Machias) Luther Choate devoted more than half a century to a career in law enforcement. Choate began his career January 1st, 1974, and worked for eight different sheriffs, but told current Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis, who has decided not to run for re-election, he would retire…
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Wednesday, 03/25/26
Crime/Public Safety Town of Prospect Gets New Tanker (Prospect) The Waldo County Town of Prospect has acquired some pretty impressive new safety equipment. The town has purchased a 1997 custom pumper/tanker. They say the truck can hold 2500 gallons of water and is equipped with a powerful pump and an eight-person cab. Kudos to Chief…
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Tuesday, 03/24/26
Crime/Public Safety Orland Selectmen Prepared to Sign Bucksport Ambulance Contract (Orland) Orland selectmen said they would sign a proposed new ambulance contract with neighboring Bucksport. The three-year contract would more than double the current fee, but select board members say they currently have no other option. Under the current agreement, Orland pays $63K to Bucksport…
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Monday, 03/23/26
Crime/Public Safety Bucksport Man Dies in Rollover Crash (Penobscot) A Bucksport man died Saturday after he was ejected from his vehicle during a rollover crash in Penobscot. According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, the incident happened about 7:45 p.m. on Front Ridge Road. They say 35 yo Zachary McKechnie was traveling toward Orland when…
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Downeast Digest~ Sonnie Shepherd 