Crime/Public Safety

Schools Conduct Adults-Only Safety Drill

(Camden)  Tomorrow afternoon, the public schools in Camden and Rockport will be conducting a joint emergency drill.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports the drill will begin at the high school and will include an offsite reunification at the Pitch on Route 90 in Warren.  The drill will be adults only, involving staff playing the roles of students and parents, working with emergency personnel to practice how the district would reunify parents and students should they need to evacuate one or all the schools in a true emergency.  The public is advised not to panic, as there will be sirens, fire, police, and emergency vehicles involved.

Meddybemps Fatal Fire

(Meddybemps)  The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fatal house fire in Meddybemps that happened shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday.  Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Downeast Digest when firefighters arrived, they found the Main Street home fully engulfed and feared the homeowner was still inside.  More than half a dozen departments battled the blaze under heavy snow conditions, ultimately locating the body of the homeowner.  The victim was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine an exact cause of death.

Local Politics

Libby to Rally Conservatives

(Auburn)  Republican Maine State Representative Laurel Libby has announced she won’t seek re-election in 2026.  Instead, the lawmaker who made waves when she publicly posted about a transgender high school student, identifying the juvenile on her FB page, plans to “work to mobilize grassroots Mainers” in supporting conservative policies and candidates.  WMTW reports supporters had hoped Libby might be their representative in the run for Maine’s next Governor.  A three-term lawmaker, Libby’s current term ends on December 1 next year.

Economy

Jackson Lab Childcare Center Seeks New Operator

(Bar Harbor)  The operator who opened an on-site childcare center at Jackson Lab’s Bar Harbor facility plans to close the center, less than two years after it opened.  MaineBiz reports the lab opened the $4.5M facility in 2024.  It was operated by the Ellsworth-based Down East Family YMCA, whose board of directors reportedly made the decision to close the operation, citing a combination of declining enrollment and staffing challenges.  Jackson officials say they will begin looking for a new operator for the center and that they’re committed to supporting families during the transition .

Portland International Jetport Looks for New Food Concessionaire

(Portland)  Portland is looking for a new food concession operator to oversee dining operations at the Portland International Jetport.  MaineBiz reports officials are vetting three proposals and expect to finalize a decision in December.  The new concessionaire will be responsible for all the food and drink spaces at Maine’s largest airport, which grossed around $10.6M for the fiscal year that ended on June 30th.  

Environment

Heat Pumps Don’t Always Deliver

(Maine)  Heat pumps are helping to cut fossil fuel use in Maine, delivering warm air in the winter and cool relief in the summer.  But a 2024 Efficiency Maine evaluation found the average heat pump performance in Maine homes fell short of program models, delivering about 40% less heating energy than expected..  That could be due to improper use and lack of weatherization, reports the Portland Press Herald.  The report found about half of all heat pumps are shut off by homeowners when temperatures drop to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 70% shut off rate at 1 degree, indicating dissatisfaction with heat production at those temperatures.

Oil Spill in Kenduskeag Stream

(Bangor)  Some 75 gallons of heating oil spilled into the Kenduskeag Stream in downtown Bangor yesterday morning.  The Bangor Daily News reports a Maine Department of Environmental Protection employee said oil slicks were visible and the smell noticeable as crews worked to clean up the mess.  Sources say an oil company was delivering fuel to a building around 5 a.m. Monday when the driver hit a concrete abutment, damaging the oil release and causing the spill.  Clean Harbors, a company that responds to environmental emergencies, was working on the clean up.  

Health

Dye-Free Chips to Hit Stores Next Month

(Undated)  We’re calling it Dye Hard. Doritos and Cheetos will have a new look beginning next month, as PepsiCo rolls out versions of the chips without artificial colors or dyes, meaning they won’t have that familiar bright color.  The move is in response to the federal government’s push to rid the nation’s food supply of synthetic food dyes.  The company promises the flavors won’t change, and you’ll still have the option of purchasing the brightly colored versions WITH those food dyes.  CBS News reports some doctors say the health risks of those dyes pale in comparison with the risks of added salt, sugar, and fat in processed foods.

Northern Light Health to Partner with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

(Brewer)  Northern Light Health has entered into a partnership with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in hopes of expanding what they say will be affordable, high-quality coverage.  HPHC is a nonprofit that serves the New England region.  The group says the partnership is an opportunity to bring its Maine’s Choice Plus plan to businesses and people across the state.  The plan is a tiered network offering members access to providers at low cost that can be distributed by Northern Light Health providers. You can learn more about NHPC and its plans at harvard pilgrim dot org.

Music and Memory

(WaPo)  You’re doing something this morning that could guard against dementia.  The Washington Post reports a new study indicates people who listened to music most days slashed their risk by 39% compared to those who didn’t listen.  The study says your favorite songs appear to activate parts of the brain.  Other things the study found helpful in reducing the risk of dementia – trying a plant-based diet, exercising regularly, and drinking less alcohol.  

Human Interest

Ellsworth Christmas for Kids Silent Auction

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth Christmas for Kids Silent Auction is underway at Ellsworth City Hall.  But get in there quickly.  You only have until a week from Wednesday, November 26th, to browse and bid on a wonderful selection of items donated by our generous community.  Every bid helps make the season brighter for local kids!  Don’t forget, they’re open 7 to 6 Monday through Thursday but closed Fridays.  

Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport

(Jonesport)  Where would we be without libraries?  If you live in Jonesport, the Peabody Memorial Library is THE source for books, periodicals, and librarians skilled in helping you find what you need.  Follow them on social media so you don’t miss any of their exciting offerings – including a visit with Santa coming up on December 6th from 1 to 3 p.m.   Have your picture taken, enjoy crafts, refreshments, and a special surprise from Jolly Old St. Nick.  That’s Saturday, December 6th at the Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport..

Bar Harbor Leaf/Grass Drop Off

(Bar Harbor)  Bar Harbor residents can still drop off leaves and grass at the Hulls Cove Public Works Facility.  The site will accept yard debris until 2 p.m. on Wednesday December 3rd and will close for the season on December 31st.  The drop is restricted to individual residents.  Commercial operators, landscapers, businesses and non-residents have not been allowed to drop off such materials since mid November, and the town says that restriction remains in place.

Injured Harrington Teacher Welcomed Home

(Harrington)  The town of Harrington turned out this weekend to welcome home a beloved teacher after a falling tree limb broke his neck in May, almost costing Jeff Chick his life.  NewsCenter Maine reports the Harrington Elementary School teacher, an educator in Machias and Harrington for 40-plus years,  was on life support for a time, his family bracing for the worst.  But they say after two months, Chick began to recover.  The accident left him paralyzed, but he still has some mobility in his hands and one of his arms … and, he says, his sense of humor.  Chick says he’s ready to be back in school, teaching.  Donations to help with his recovery can be made through a Go Fund Me page.  

National News

Trump Purchases Disclosed

(Reuters)  President Donald Trump bought at least $82M in corporate municipal bonds from late August to early October, including new investments in sectors benefiting from his policies.  Reuters reports the financial disclosures were made public on Saturday.  According to the filings, the maximum total value of the bond purchases exceeded $337M and spanned several industries, including sectors that benefitted or are benefitting from his administration’s policy changes, such as financial deregulation.

Trump Reverses Course on Epstein Files

(Washington, DC)  President Trump has reversed course on the release of the Epstein files, now saying Republicans should support a measure to release more files related to the late sex offender, a move he has, until now, sharply opposed.  The Washington Post reports the change comes as support grows among key House lawmakers.  While Trump is mentioned in numerous emails from Epstein, the President is focused on Democrats who are also reportedly named.

FAA Restrictions Lifted

(WaPo)  The Federal Aviation Administration yesterday lifted the  restrictions on flights mandated during the government shutdown.  The Trump Administration had ordered airlines to cut flights by up to ten percent due to safety concerns, as some TSA agents and Air Traffic Controllers called off work because they weren’t being paid.  The reductions in numbers of flights caused thousands of cancellations and delays.  

Republicans Pursue Plans to Replace Obamacare

(Washington, DC)  Republicans are pursuing a plan to replace Obamacare, which they hope to present alongside legislation with Democrats’ plans to extend ACA subsidies.  But while their plan claims to be cheaper for consumers, many economists are panning it.  They say such short-term health plans have actually proven more costly in states that have now banned them, warning of the drawbacks.  One source reports the cheaper policies left patients facing bills of tens of thousands of dollars. Ken Swindle, an attorney for one patient said “People think they’re getting comprehensive medical coverage, but they’re not; and they often don’t realize it until it’s too late.”  One of Swindle’s clients was reportedly left with bills of more than $100K for a knee replacement.  

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