Hampden police are sorting out a rash of smashed mailboxes reported during the overnight hours on Monday near the public library on Route 1A.

Sgt. Dan Stewart said Monday evening that approximately a dozen homeowners called to report that their mailboxes had been damaged. Some people said they heard noises during the night, but didn’t think to call police, Stewart said.

“We’d rather have people call immediately so we can check something out immediately,” the sergeant said.

Many more mailboxes also were damaged that were not reported, in addition to a piece of furniture left outside one residence and a sign outside the library. Stewart said it was probably just “people doing stupid stuff,” but the Hampden Police Department will continue investigating.

The town of Hermon had a similar problem with mailbox vandalism last week. Penobscot County Sheriff deputies charged two juveniles in connection with those incidents.

A woman driving erratically Monday evening on Route 1A north from Ellsworth was issued summonses for drug possession and possession of paraphernalia after she was pulled over by a Holden police officer.

Other Route 1A drivers reported an erratic vehicle traveling north through Holden. Officer Chris Greeley pulled in behind the vehicle and eventually pulled the car over.

After speaking with the driver, Lori Melanson, 19, of Corinna, Greeley said he determined that prescription medications she was taking likely impaired her driving.

However, when the officer continued his conversation with Melanson and her passenger, the officer discovered a “good-sized amount” of marijuana and a pipe inside the car. Melanson said the drugs were hers. The passenger was not charged.

– Compiled by BDN reporter Eric Russell