Game wardens graduate, assigned

VASSALBORO — The Maine Warden Service graduated 10 new game wardens at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, including three from the area.

Graduates from the area included Harry Wiegman from Leeds, going to the Rangeley District; Taylor Valente from Gray-New Gloucester, going to Rockwood District; and Kyle Franklin from Durham, going to Estcourt Station District, the northern most point in Maine.

The new wardens completed an extensive 12-week advanced academy specifically for Maine’s game wardens. The Advanced Warden Academy followed the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program required of all full-time Maine police officers. The past 12 weeks prepared the new wardens by utilizing classroom, field and scenario-based training components.

Speaking before the graduating class were Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Chandler Woodcock, Game Warden Service Col. Joel Wilkinson, Chaplain Kate Braestrup, Warden Service Capt. Shon Theriault, class speaker Game Warden Harry Wiegman and keynote speaker Game Warden Lt. Adam Gormely.