Don’t Let Halloween Turn into a Horror Story

Be responsible and remember Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

Halloween is a much-loved fall tradition that is enjoyed by people of all ages. But irresponsible celebrating can quickly spoil all of the fun. That is why the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and the Washington County Sheriff's Office is reminding everyone that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

“With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, we want to remind revelers to be responsible by not taking the party to the roadways, putting themselves, trick-or-treaters and other motorists at risk,” said Lauren Stewart, Director, MeBHS.

Nation-wide, Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to drunk drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, 58 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 pm Oct. 31 to 5:59 am Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, which is illegal in every state. For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

“One foolish decision can turn a fun Halloween into a real-life horror story,” said Stewart. “There are simple precautions partygoers can take such as designating a sober driver in advance or taking a taxi.”

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and the Washington County Sheriff's Office also recommends these simple tips:

1. Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
2. Before drinking, please designate a sober driver;
3. If you’re impaired, and haven't designated a sober driver, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation where available so you are sure to get home safely;
4. If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, call your local law enforcement immediately.

Another “scary” issue on Halloween is pedestrian safety. “Motorists should be aware that young children and adults will be out on Halloween night,” said Stewart “We hope that they will be wearing bright and reflective clothing and carrying a flashlight when walking in the dark. However, that may not always be the case.”

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and the Washington County Sheriff's Office recommends these tips for trick-or-treaters and all pedestrians:

• Wear bright colors or reflective clothing, and carry a flashlight;
• Always walk facing traffic;
• Stay on sidewalks and cross walks where available, and cross at intersections;
• Cross when it is clear. Keep looking for cars as you cross;
• Do not let kids play near traffic or cross the street by themselves. Kids are small, and drivers may not see them if they run into the street;

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and the Washington County Sheriff's Office hopes that this Halloween will be a safe one for everyone.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Washington County Sheriff's Office

(www.wcsheriffsoffice.com)

Posted by Chessie Johnson at 1:39 PM

Tractor Accident in Holmes Falls

On 9-24-2009 at approximately 1030 hours the Washington County Sheriffs Office received a report of a serious tractor accident in the area of Holmes Falls on the Machias River in Northfield. Upon responding an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office found that a John Deer Farm tractor had been traveling south along the Bear Brook Road. Upon crossing the bridge at Holmes Falls the male operator lost control of the tractor. The tractor struck the side of the bridge and rolled into the Machias River. Upon impact the driver was entrapped under the tractor and was killed. The operator of the tractor was identified as Mr. Johnathan Brock 21 years old from Addison, Maine. Mr. Brock was working for Cherryfield Foods Inc., who is the owner of the equipment. The investigation suggests that speed might be a factor in the accident. Agencies that assisted the Sheriff’s Office included the Maine Marine Patrol, the Maine Warden Service, Maine State Police, the Maine Forest Service, Columbia Fire Department, and Pleasant River Ambulance. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.

Large Scale Marijuana Growing Operation

The Washington County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force/MDEA, joined by Federal Border Patrol, the Maine State Police, the Maine Warden Service, The Maine Forest Service, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are conducting an investigation of a large-scale marijuana growing operation in the area of Horse Lake in Township #37.The investigation remains active and no additional information will be forthcoming before Wednesday afternoon (9-23). The Point of Contact for all media calls on this event will be forwarded to Sheriff Donnie Smith 255-4422 or MDEA Commander Darrell Crandall at 557-0510.

Sheriff’s Deputies responded to this incident in a support role for the operation.

Security issues were actively addressed by all departments until early evening where

the scene(s) were secured until daylight could permit further ground operations.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Steuben Fatal Vehicle Crash

The Washington County Sheriff's Office covered a double fatal vehicle crash on Us-rt# 1 in Steuben on the evening of August 25, 2009. Details of the crash are: At 9:34 pm on August 25, 2009 the Washington County Regional Communication Center in Machias received multiple 9-1-1 calls of a serious 2 vehicle traffic crash in the Town of Steuben on Us-rt# 1. Sergeant Randy Perry arrived at the 2 vehicle crash at the intersection of Us-rt#1 and the East Side Road in Steuben. Two sets of JAWS were used from Steuben Fire and Cherryfield Fire Departments to extricate the victims.

Zachary Dean, 17 yoa from Columbia Falls, Maine was driving a 2001, Chevy, Cavalier on the East Side Road in Steuben at a high rate of speed headed for the intersection of Us-rt#1. Mr Dean did not stop for the Stop sign at the intersection of Us-rt#1 and the East Side Road and drove into the path of Brooke Burgess, 31 yoa, from Steuben, Maine operating a 2003, Jeep, Liberty. Zachary Dean and one of his passengers Morgan Parritt, 15 yoa, from Steuben died as a result of the crash.

Another 12 yoa female passenger in Mr Deans vehicle was injured in the crash and is being treated for injuries.

Brooke Burgess was traveling with her husband and daughter at the time of the crash and did not receive injuries.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the following agencies; The Maine State Police; Hancock County Sheriff's Office; Machias Police Department: Steuben Fire Department; Cherryfield Fire Department; Cherryfield Ambulance Service; Milbridge Ambulance Service; Pleasant River Ambulance Service; County Ambulance Service;

Mr. Tibbetts, a retired State Trooper, former Washington County Sheriff and a former State Representative charged

On 8-13-2009 at approximately 2039 hours the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of Reckless Conduct with a Firearm in Township 19 MD.

After an investigation by Sgt. Randy Perry of the Washington County Sheriff's Office he found that an armed confrontation had taken place on a dead end road on the Barrens in Columbia.

Mr. Kevin Merritt, Mrs. Melinda Church, and her two children ages four and seven, were riding along that road when Mr. Joseph Tibbetts stopped them.

A brief face-to-face exchange followed. During the exchange between the parties Mr. Tibbetts was reported to have displayed a firearm.

The couple and their children left the area and called 911.

The investigation progressed over the next few days.

On 8-17-2009 an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Tibbetts, Date of birth, 07/09/1948, of Columbia, Maine.

Mr. Tibbetts ,a retired State Trooper, former Washington County Sheriff and a former State Representative was charged with Criminal Threatening with a Dangerous Weapon Class C and Threatening Display of a Weapon Class D.

On the afternoon of 8-17-2009 Mr. Tibbetts was placed under arrest by Sgt. Randy Perry of the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Trooper Miles Carpenter of the Maine State Police.

He was arrested without incident and transported to the Washington County Jail where he was released on $5,000.00 unsecured cash bail.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Washington County

Sheriff's Office

On or about 7-16-2009 at approximately 1300 hours Lt. Travis Willey and Sgt. Randy Perry were conducting a criminal investigation in the Columbia Falls area. The investigation involved a stolen outboard motor from the Jonesport area that was recovered last week at Mr. Vance Merritt’s residence in Columbia Falls. Lt. Willey and Sgt. Perry went to Mr. Merritt’s residence to interview him in reference to that matter.

Upon arriving at the Merritt residence the investigation progressed and turned from a stolen property investigation to a drug investigation. As a result of that investigation Mr. Merritt was placed in custody for Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule Drugs, class B. Special Agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and other Washington County Deputies then responded to the scene to assist. A drug search warrant was then obtained and executed on Mr. Merritt’s property.

As a result of the arrest and search warrant an undisclosed amount of Canadian Oxycontin, 16 firearms, and approximately $16,000 in cash monies were seized. Mr. Merritt cooperated with the investigation and is currently cooperating with other ongoing criminal investigations.

Mr. Vance Merritt (DOB 5-31-1937) currently lives on the Tibbettstown Road in Columbia Falls.

The street value of the drugs are about $2,400.00.

Mr. Merritt's bail was set at $50,000.00.

Also in unrelated case Raymond Brown Jr. D.O. B 02/18/1973, of Wilson Beach Campobello Island NB.,was arrested by the Washington County Drug Task Force/ Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and charged with , Acquiring Drugs By Deception.

Mr. Browns bail was set at $1,000.00

Both at be held at the Washington County Jail.