Crime/Public Safety

High Speed Pursuit in Clinton Leads to Arrest

(Clinton)  A driver topped speeds in excess of 100 mph Tuesday night during a high speed chase in Clinton. Officers were reportedly investigating a report of two missing juveniles when they saw three males running from a yard and entering a Toyota sedan. The driver, later identified as 21 yo Jamez Leggett, drove around the cruiser, whose lights were activated, and sped away through a 35 mph zone. Officers ended the chase out of caution, but  later discovered the suspect’s vehicle had crashed into a guardrail and struck heavy equipment in a construction zone in Benton.  The occupants then fled the scene on foot.  A police K9 tracked the suspect, who was apprehended in Winslow and transported for medical evaluation, then booked into the Kennebec County Jail, where he was later released on bail. Leggett faces multiple charges, including Eluding an Officer and Driving to Endanger.

Waldo County Shooting

(Knox)  Few details released yet, but Maine State Police say a Thursday afternoon shooting in the Waldo County town of Knox appears to be an isolated incident.  The Department of Public Safety said the shooting occurred around 4:30 yesterday afternoon.  At last report, officials did not believe the public was in any danger.  We’ll update you as more details become available.

Eddington Fire

(Eddington)  An apartment building fire in Eddington yesterday had officials urging drivers to avoid the area of Route 9 and Route 178 while crews battled the blaze. NewsCenter Maine reports the fire broke out at the six-unit building at 32 Riverside Drive just before Noon.  Fire officials say the blaze began in a first floor unit, which sustained significant damage.  Two other units had minor damage.  Several cats died in the blaze, but multiple other pets were rescued.  There were no human injuries. The building owner is working with the Red Cross to make sure tenants are cared for.  The cause of that blaze remains under investigation.   

Local Politics

Washington County Press Conference

(Machias)  Washington County Commissioners and other officials held a press conference Thursday afternoon in Machias to continue clarifying issues on the upcoming bond issue.  Commissioners David Burns and Courtney Hammond, members of the current Budget Committee, and Senator Marianne Moore, some of whom had initially been against the proposed bond, have all now taken the stance that the bond is necessary and supporting it the only responsible position to take.  Officials reiterated the fact that the tax increase requested is only on the county portion of residents’ taxes and that in most cases amounted to an increase of less than $10 a month.  A small crowd asked tough questions, but most agreed it would be devastating for the county should the bond not pass on November 4th.  You can watch the full press conference on my FB page.  

Secretary of State Switches Ballot Courier Following Discrepancy

(Augusta)  The Office of Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says it has changed companies for ballot deliveries, following an incident in which 250 absentee ballots intended for Ellsworth City Hall ended up in an Amazon box shipped to a woman in Newburgh.  That box was damaged when delivered, and officials are still investigating the incident.  The ballots were supposed to be delivered via UPS.  Vital Delivery, a different courier, will be used for the remainder of the delivery process, according to Maine Public.  Republicans have criticized Bellows over the incident, with the Secretary saying in an interview that the election integrity safeguards are working and that Maine’s elections remain safe and secure.

Voter Registration Acknowledgement Notices

(Augusta)  Some folks are finding themselves a bit confused at receiving a voter registration acknowledgement notice in the mail.  The Portland Press Herald reports the forms are legitimate and are routinely sent out by local election officials to confirm voter registrations or changes to them.  A note is included saying, “We have recently received your voter registration,” then indicating whether it was accepted, rejected or marked incomplete.  Cities and towns reportedly send such notices to anyone who registers to vote for the first time or who updates their registration without providing proper proof of address.  Anyone receiving a V-R-A-N is advised to contact their city or town clerk’s office to confirm all their information is correct and, if necessary, provide proof of residency.   Earlier this month, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ordered a conservative group, Common Sense for Maine, to stop sending mailings that included voter registration cards prefilled to register the intended enrollee as a Republican.

Economy

New Brunswick Training Hub to Boost Maine’s Aerospace and Shipbuilding Workforce

(Brunswick)  Two new workforce training and testing facilities at Brunswick Landing aim to fast-track labor and research development for the state’s shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense industries.  MaineBiz reports The Maritime Industrial Workforce Training Center is part of the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine.  According to a press release, the Center will train hundreds of tradespeople yearly.  Offerings at the site include a paid apprenticeship program co-led by Bath Iron Works.  A SpaceTech facility includes a lab supporting aerospace and adjacent sectors.  Open Houses for both facilities were scheduled for this morning.

Multiple Contractors File Liens in Connection with Asticou Hotel Renovations

(MDI)  Contractors who worked on a massive renovation of the Asticou Hotel on Mount Desert Island have filed a lawsuit against Kennebunk hotelier Tim Harrington’s company, Asticou Hospitality, LLC.  The Bangor Daily News reports eleven contractors from seven different counties in Maine have filed 13 liens, accusing the company of stiffing them out of $14M in materials and services. The BDN says representatives of Harrington did not immediately respond to messages yesterday seeking comment about the liens.

Education

UMaine Unveils Plans for New Basketball Facility

(Orono)  The University of Maine Orono this week unveiled plans for a new 2,660 seat basketball facility.  NewsCenter Maine reports Morse Arena was made possible by a ten million dollar gift from UMaine grads Philip and Susan Morse and is part of a larger investment from the Harold Alfond Foundation to fund UMS TRANSFORMS, an Athletics Facilities initiative.  Morse Arena will serve as the home court for men’s and women’s basketball teams and will also host youth and community events.  Construction is set to begin after the 2025 fall semester, with the building expected to open for the 2027-28 basketball season.

Maine Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Year Honored

(Augusta)  Maine’s Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Year were honored this week in Augusta.  WABI reports Heather Perry of Gorham and Jon Doty of Old Town received the awards from the Maine School Superintendents Association. The two were recognized for their work in increasing the educators’ workforce and welcoming career change. 

Environment

Earthquake Rattles Monhegan 

(Monhegan)  An earthquake rattled Monhegan early Sunday.  Most residents likely slept through the magnitude 2 tremblor, which the US Geological Survey reports struck at 3:13 a.m. about 1.8 miles north of the island.  The agency has recorded more than 150 earthquakes in the state since 1997.   They say earthquakes tend to happen in clusters.  A cluster of six quakes east of Cadillac Mountain on MDI were recorded between September 22 and December 29 in 2022, the strongest of which registered a magnitude 4.2.

Health

Lyme Disease Cases Surge, Surpassing 2024 Records

(Maine)  The ongoing drought in Maine did little to dry up cases of Lyme disease across the state.  The Portland Press Herald reports cases in Maine this year have already surpassed the record set in 2024.  Griffin Dill, who manages the UMaine Cooperative Extension’s Tick Lab, said at the drought’s worst in August and September, deer ticks were in their larval stage, which means they were lower to the ground and could better retain moisture that remains in the ground.  As of October 14th, the state had recorded 3,516 cases of lyme, surpassing last year’s 3,218 cases recorded for all of 2024. 

Poll Shows Rising Healthcare Costs a Concern for Many Americans

(AP)  A new AP-NORC poll shows most US adults are worried about healthcare becoming more expensive as they make decisions about next year’s coverage and a government shutdown keeps future health care costs in limbo.  The poll found about 6 in 10 Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about an increase in healthcare costs, with some 4 in 10 “extremely” or “very” worried about not being able to pay for needed medications.  Federal policies have left millions at risk of skyrocketing health insurance premiums or losing coverage altogether as open enrollment for Medicare beneficiaries approaches in November.

Infrastructure

Ellsworth Road Work

(Ellsworth)  If you’re out and about in Ellsworth this morning, you’ll notice crews working on State Street near the Courthouse, beginning about 8 a.m. While the City says there won’t be lane closures, they do ask that you use caution in the area and say you may want to seek an alternate route.  

MDOT Expects Comprehensive Repair on Trenton Bridge

(Trenton)  A loose or broken joint on the Trenton Bridge on Monday meant a 90 minute one-lane closure that slowed traffic and frayed nerves.  Maine Department of Transportation officials are currently working on what steps will next be needed for a more comprehensive repair.  They say that project will happen during overnights, but no date for the work has been set.

Sullivan Paving

(Sullivan)  A heads up if you live or travel through Sullivan.  The town tells Downeast Digest paving will begin today on Taunton Drive.  Expect delays in that area.

Human Interest

Ellsworth American Celebrates 175 Years

(Ellsworth)  Don’t forget to join The Ellsworth American tomorrow afternoon at 3 as they celebrate 175 years of local journalism.  The celebration happens at Fogtown Brewing in Ellsworth and includes the release of the First Amendment Pilsner.

Do Good Wisconsin Launches Snow Angel Program

(Wisconsin)  Here’s a heavenly idea out of Wisconsin as winter approaches.  A nonprofit known as Do Good Wisconsin is introducing the Snow Angel Program, designed to help identify and assist neighbors who may need a little help clearing the white stuff.  The elderly, disabled, or those with health issues can receive a yard sign at no cost, indicating “A Snow Angel is Needed Here”.  Then neighbors can step up and help shovel those cares away.  A great example of kindness in a world that can definitely use that kind of support these days.

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