Boston native convicted of murdering Maine man
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Jurors have found a Boston native guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of a man in Bangor, Maine.
The jury deliberated about two hours Monday before finding F Daly guilty of killing 51-year-old Israel Lewis, whose body was found in a boarding home in January 2018.
Daly was charged after Lewis’ body was discovered three days after the shooting by his ex-girlfriend. Lewis was shot in the head and chest.
Prosecutors said Daly confessed to his former girlfriend and that a gun hidden in his home matched bullet casings left at the scene.
Daly’s attorneys contended there was no physical evidence or surveillance video connecting him to the crime. The defense also attacked his former girlfriend’s credibility.
Daly, who doesn’t have a first name, chose not to testify.
Biddeford Pool to be closed to clam digging for 3 months
BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) — Maine officials say a 90-acre tidal cove will be closed to clam digging for a three-month period due to high levels of bacteria and fecal contamination.
The Portland Press Herald reports the Biddeford Pool’s water quality has been declining in recent years, resulting in the creation of a seasonal closure in August and September 2018.
But the Department of Marine Resources says this will be the first time Biddeford Pool will be closed for a three-month period.
The agency is currently overseeing a shoreline survey of the cove to find failing septic systems near the shore.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection says it will do genomic sampling to find whether humans or animals are responsible for the bacteria.
Crab shell sighing proves to be ‘threat’ on Maine’s coast
SCHOODIC POINT, Maine (AP) — An invasive aquatic species is continuing to be take hold along the Maine coast, potentially becoming “a ticking time bomb” for fishermen.
Acadia National Park officials say a molted shell of an Asian shore crab was found along the shore near Schoodic Point on Sept. 19.
Park officials say this is among the first confirmed reports of the species at the park.
Brian Beal, a professor of marine ecology at University of Maine at Machias, says an increase in the population of the species would be a “threat” and likely hurt populations of marine worms, mussels, clams and other species.
The Bangor Daily News reports the economic implications of the species is high. Harvesting along the coast last year brought in $51 million for Maine fishermen.
Fryeburg Fair ready to dedicate new livestock barn
FRYEBURG, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest agricultural fair is ready to dedicate a new livestock barn.
The 120-by-240 building that’s open for the first time at the Fryeburg Fair is housing 400 sheep and more than 80 cattle during this year’s event.
The structure, the largest building on the historic fairgrounds, is being formally dedicated Tuesday.
It replaces a sheep barn and cattle shed that were destroyed by a fire in the summer of 2018. More than 20 departments responded to the blaze, caused by an electrical malfunction.
The Fryeburg Fair began on Sunday and continues through this coming weekend. It’s Maine’s largest agricultural fair, and it’s also the last fair of the season.
Pollard named new director of substance abuse, mental health
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Dr. Jessica Pollard has been named new director for Maine’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.
Pollard began her job Monday. She joins the Department of Health and Human Services from the Yale University School of Medicine, where she was an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry since 2013.
In Maine, she was director of the Aware Program at The Acadia Hospital in Bangor before founding a private mental health practice in Bangor. She also taught at Husson University and was a practicum supervisor for the University of Maine at Orono and University of New England.
She’s also chair of the Mental Health Section of the American Public Health Association.
She succeeds Sheldon Wheeler, who transitioned to a position within the Department’s Office for Family Independence.
Gas prices drop slightly in northern New England
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Gas prices have gone down a bit in northern New England.
The latest GasBuddy price reports show New Hampshire’s prices dropped 1.6 cents per gallon in the last week, to $2.46. Vermont’s went down slightly, to $2.63 per gallon. Maine’s price also fell slightly, to $2.54 per gallon.
The national average is $2.64 per gallon. That’s up 7 cents from a month ago, and 22.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.
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