Police & Fire - Piscataquis Observer

Police & Fire

Maine’s top court rejects appeal from man convicted of killing girlfriend, toddler

Maine's highest court has denied another appeal of a Guilford man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend and the toddler she was babysitting. Jeffrey Cookson sought a new trial for the 1999 killings in Dexter based on a provision of Maine's DNA statute.

Eight train cars derail east of Brownville Junction

Eight rail cars on an Eastern Maine Railways train left the tracks in a remote area of Piscataquis County on Friday, Feb. 8, according to a spokesperson from J.D. Irving, the Canadian conglomerate that owns the rail company.

Greenville ambulance service deals with challenges

Greenville has long been considered a town on the edge of wilderness. Centuries ago the wild forests were logged and Moosehead Lake was instrumental in moving those logs from the forests to mills downstream of the lake’s outlets. The town, incorporated in 1836, prospered as a result of this industry. Homes and churches were built.

Group of snowmobilers rescued overnight on Sebec Lake

Four snowmobilers encountered thin ice on Sebec Lake early Saturday morning, Feb. 9. Shortly after midnight the four men encountered thin ice on the lake, Carignan and Smith escaped going in but Lynch and Taylor became completely submerged along with their snowmobiles. Both men managed to get out of the water and onto the ice. Taylor drove one of the two remaining snowmobiles to an unoccupied camp to find warmth.

Young hero in Guilford gets his wish

Piscataquis Community Elementary School kindergartener Abel Richardson thought he was attending a Winter Carnival kickoff assembly when he was called to the front of the cafeteria for a surprise presentation on Wednesday.

New D-F Police sergeant comes home to serve the community

The Dover-Foxcroft Police Department did not have to look very far to fill the sergeant vacancy with the hiring of retired Maine State Police corporal and town resident Matt Grant.

Man charged with OUI on snowmobile after allegedly hitting teen on Dexter lake

DEXTER -- A man was allegedly driving a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol early in the evening on Saturday, Jan. 19 when his machine struck a 16-year-old boy who was walking across a lake in Dexter.

Commissioners approve raises for part-time sheriff’s department officers

In an effort to help recruit and retain quality officers for several positions within the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office, the Piscataquis County Commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Robert Young to adjust hourly pay rates for part-time patrol deputies, dispatchers, and corrections officers during a Jan. 22 meeting.

Retired state trooper appointed as Dover-Foxcroft PD sergeant

A brief vacancy at sergeant in the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department created when Todd Lyford departed at the start of the new year to become the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy has been filled with the appointment of retired Maine State Police Cpl. Matt Grant. Grant was officially appointed by the selectmen during a Jan. 14 meeting for a term to expire on June 30.

Rash of snowmobile crashes prompts call for riders to slow down, use caution

Maine game wardens were busy responding to a number of serious snowmobile accidents last weekend, and with substantial snow in the forecast for the coming days, wardens say focusing on snowmobile safety makes a lot of sense as more sledders will be hitting the trails.

Rider travels eight miles with broken leg after moose causes snowmobile crash

A Maine snowmobiler drove his sled eight miles Friday night, Jan. 11 with a fractured leg after he was involved in a chain reaction snowmobile accident started by a moose, game wardens said.

Plans being finalized for Atkinson to join the Unorganized Territory

County officials are making preparations for Atkinson to join the Unorganized Territory (UT) on July 1 -- the community voted 187-19 (nearly 91 percent) at the November referendum to deorganize. Many of the plans for how municipal services will be provided by the county have been set, but a few are still to be finalized prior to the start of the 2019-20 fiscal year when Atkinson joins the UT.

Maine man and son rescued on Katahdin in whiteout conditions

A man from midcoast Maine and his son were rescued from Mount Katahdin on Sunday, Jan. 6 after blowing snow caused whiteout conditions along the Knife Edge Trail, according to park officials.

Police seek family of man discovered deceased in front of his home

The Dover-Foxcroft Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating family members of a Steadman’s Landing Road resident whose body was discovered on his front porch by a neighbor on New Year’s Day, after apparently being there for days.

Body of Dover-Foxcroft man discovered in front of his home

The body of a Steadman’s Landing Road resident was discovered on his front porch by a neighbor on New Year’s Day and had apparently been there for days, Dover-Foxcroft Police Chief Ryan Reardon said on Wednesday morning.

Grand jury indicts convicted murderer who escaped from Maine prison

A man with a history of escapes from state correctional facilities is one step closer to trial for his latest escape. The Penobscot County grand jury late last week indicted Arnold Nash, 65, for his September escape from Mountain View Correctional Facility in Charleston when he had just 14 months left on his sentence. An indictment is not a finding of guilt, but rather a determination that enough evidence exists to bring a case to trial.

D-F Police Sgt. Lyford hired as sheriff’s chief deputy

The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office did not have to look far to find the the department’s next chief deputy with the hiring of Dover-Foxcroft Police Department Sgt. Todd Lyford, who also has served as a police chief in Brownville and Milo. Sheriff-Elect and current Chief Deputy Bob Young made the announcement during the Dec. 18 meeting of the Piscataquis County Commissioners.

D-F officer graduates from Maine Criminal Justice Academy

Maine’s 62 newest police officers have graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, including Stephen Garib of Dover-Foxcroft Police Department. The officers spent 18 weeks in study and training and most will begin patrolling immediately, in time for Christmas and New Year’s Eve enforcement efforts.

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