AUGUSTA
Reality TV company to shoot pilot episode near Bangor
The Maine Film Office says Maine once again may serve as the backdrop for a reality TV series.
The office said Thursday that it has issued a production certificate to Engel Entertainment. The New-York based company currently produces Animal Planet’s “North Woods Law,” which features the Maine Warden Service enforcing the state’s fish and game laws.
The company is expected to start shooting a pilot episode near Bangor on Friday focused on a “very unique Maine family.” The office said that the series would air on ABC Family if the pilot episode is successful.
Engel Entertainment will provide work for three Maine residents and spend more than $170,000 during the shoot for the pilot episode.
BANGOR
Texas woman sentenced in Maine bath salts case
A Texas woman arrested in what law enforcement officials call one of the biggest bath salts busts in Maine history has been sentenced.
WABI-TV reported that Elizabeth Fuentes of Houston was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty this week in Penobscot County court to drug trafficking. More serious charges were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.
The 31-year-old Fuentes was one of four people arrested in Hermon in January when authorities seized 18 pounds of the synthetic hallucinogenic drug with a street value of more than $1.2 million.
Authorities said the drug was manufactured in China and imported to Maine and Texas.
Fuentes’ lawyer said his client played a minor role in the conspiracy.
AUGUSTA
Statue of ex-chief justice unveiled in his hometown
Former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Melville Weston Fuller has been immortalized in bronze in his Maine hometown.
A statue of Fuller was unveiled Wednesday in front of the Kennebec County Courthouse in Augusta.
The statue is a gift of retired attorney and Fuller descendant Robert Fuller. He said it cost about $40,000 and was sculpted by Forest Hart of Monroe.
Fuller, who was born in Augusta and sworn in to the bar inside the courthouse, was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Grover Cleveland in 1888. He spent 21 years as chief justice until he died in office July 4, 1910.
Current Maine Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Leigh Saufley called Fuller “an Augusta boy made good.”
AUBURN
Androscoggin jail guard sues over his suspension
An Androscoggin County Jail guard is suing the county and the sheriff for what he calls an unfair suspension following an altercation with an inmate.
Shane Thomas said in his lawsuit that as a result of the suspension, he continues to suffer professional and personal injuries, including lost wages and benefits, emotional distress and damage to his reputation.
According to the suit, Thomas became embroiled in a physical altercation with a belligerent maximum security inmate in November.
The inmate lodged a complaint, and after an investigation, the district attorney decided Thomas’ use of force was justified.
Despite being cleared, Thomas was suspended for three days. Sheriff Guy Desjardins told the Sun Journal that he stands by the suspension because Thomas broke jail rules by striking the inmate in the head.
LINCOLN, N.H.
State police arrest four after assault complaint
New Hampshire State Police have arrested four men following an assault complaint from a man found walking near an Interstate 93 exit in Lincoln.
WMUR-TV reported that police said the man told them Wednesday he had just escaped from a car after being assaulted and held against his will. He said a gun was fired.
Later, police pulled over a car on Route 3 in Franconia and arrested four people inside.
Police said the car was stolen from Maine and the driver, Daeshawn McDonald, was charged with receiving stolen property.
There were three passengers. Nicholas Hutchings was charged with being a fugitive from justice based on an arrest warrant in Maine. Dan Holmes was charged with possession of crack-cocaine, and Stephon David was charged with providing a false name.
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