Crime/Public Safety

Ellsworth Woman Faces Multiple Charges Following Traffic Stop

(Ellsworth)  An Ellsworth woman faces multiple charges following a traffic stop Monday on the Bangor Road.  The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department tells Downeast Digest 31 yo Miranda Berry was arrested shortly before 11:30 that night and charged with Criminal Speed, Criminal OUI, and Operating Without a License.  Berry was taken to the Hancock County Jail without incident.

Honda Recall

(AP)  Honda is recalling more than 256K Accord Hybrids, due to a software error that could lead to a sudden loss of drive power.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the recall covers certain Honda Accord Hybrids between model years 2023 and 2025.  Letters are expected to go out on January 5th, but a spokesperson for American Honda confirmed yesterday that the improved software is available now.  The Associated Press reports Honda dealers will reprogram the software free of charge.  

Local Politics

Federal Rule Restricting Tight Market for Maine’s Transportation Industry

(Portland)  A new federal rule is putting pressure on Maine’s already hurting transportation industry.  The emergency order limits CDL eligibility to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and noncitizens holding one of three specific visas.  The Portland Press Herald reports officials at Greater Portland Metro say more than 10% of their drivers are at risk of losing their CDLs as a result of the restrictions.

House Minority Leader Hints at Run for Higher Office

(Winter Harbor)  Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham is hinting at a run for higher office.  The Winter Harbor lobsterman did not indicate which office he was considering; but when reached by a Portland Press Herald reporter this week, said he would make an announcement soon.  

Group Tables Vote on New Requirements for Libraries

(Augusta)  The Maine Library Commission this week voted unanimously to postpone a vote on adopting a new agreement that would force the state’s smallest libraries to hire directors and expand their hours, in order to continue accessing the state’s inter-library loan service, including e-books and internet service.  According to The Maine Monitor, commissioners opted to seek a legal opinion on the matter, in order to avoid “punishing” rural libraries.  They plan to take up the agreement again in January.

Economy

State Files Liens Against Service Agency

(Ellsworth)  Liens filed last month in Hancock and Washington Counties show a social service agency that serves the two counties owes Maine DHHS more than $4M. Downeast Community Partners was once THE resource for those in need – supplying hundreds of families with warm clothes and toys at Christmas, running a Head Start Program, and raising some $90K annually for the THAW warmth fund. But the group faced financial problems and a leadership upheaval and this year decided to turn over operations to its  Aroostook County counterpart.   The Bangor Daily News reports the liens are against properties at DCP’s  Ellsworth headquarters on the Bucksport Road, a childcare facility on Avery Lane, an adult daycare center in Blue Hill, and now-sold offices in Machias.  

City of Ellsworth Signs New Lease Agreement with Moore Community Center

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth on Tuesday signed new lease agreements for the Moore Community Center on State Street, marking an important milestone … for the community and for the three organizations that call the building home – the Downeast Family Y, Friends in Action, and the Ellsworth Community Music Institute.  City Manager Charlie Pearce said each organization’s lease reflects the amount of space used, with rental payments going directly to the City to help offset the costs of maintaining the facility.  In addition to the current tenants, rental space is available for short-term use.  

Medicare Premiums to Go Up in 2026

(The Hill)  Seniors, many of whom are already struggling, will likely see their Medicare Part B premiums rise by as much as 10 percent next year.  That’s according to a notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  The Hill reports that translates to monthly actuarial rates of between $400 and $585 dollars per month.  The jump is almost twice the percentage increase seen in 2025, with the deductible for all part B enrollees next year at $283.

Health

Beth C. Wright Online Dessert Auction

(Ellsworth) Here’s a sweet idea to celebrate the holiday season and help patients and families facing cancer.  All this week, Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center in Ellsworth is hosting its popular Online Dessert Auction, a much-loved fundraiser that offers the chance to take home pies, cakes, desserts – something for every sweet tooth.  And it’s for a sweet cause.  The Center’s resources are offered at no cost to those facing cancer, ensuring no one travels the journey alone.  For a link or QR code to view available desserts and participate in the auction, visit Beth C. Wright on FB. 

Rural Hospitals Could Receive Some Financial Relief

(Maine)  The state of Maine could receive more than $700M from a new federal rural health fund.  But whether that money would be enough to keep rural hospitals from closing or cutting services in the face of looming Medicaid cutbacks, remains to be seen.  KFF, a national health policy think tank, has projected Maine would receive $707M from the Rural Health Transformation Fund over the next five years, proportionally receiving more than most states at $1,020 per rural resident compared to the national average of $588.  According to the Portland Press Herald, funding would go toward technology and medical equipment improvement, telehealth, and more.  Awards are expected to be announced by the end of the year, with funding to begin in 2026.  

Technology

Major Tech Outage

(Undated)  A major Cloudflare outage on Tuesday disrupted ChatGPT, X, and other internet services.  The San Francisco-based company reported on its status page early yesterday it had identified an issue impacting multiple customers nationwide, including here in Maine.  There were reports of widespread “500” errors, as well as other failures.  Cloudflare said in its efforts to remediate the issue, it had to temporarily disable certain services for users in the United Kingdom.

A T & T Customers Get 5G Speed Boost

(Undated)  A T & T customers who own 5G capable phones or who subscribe to the company’s Internet Air home internet may already be seeing a boost in terms of internet speed.  CNET reports A T  & T announced this week it has improved performance across its network in the continental U.S. by activating wireless spectrum – the frequencies used for data transmission, which it acquired in a $23B purchase from EchoStar in September.

Human Interest

The Messenger Animal Rescue

(Harington)  When Harrington Animal Control Officer Sarah Strout rescued an old dog from a property with animal welfare issues, she had no idea how it would change her life.  When the state took over the case, “Max” was transferred to Strout, who nicknamed him “The Messenger”, as his story set in motion events that led to the fulfillment of a lifelong dream of saving countless animals.  For several years, the rescue operated out of Strout’s basement.  But now, a new shelter is nearing completion, allowing Sarah and her team to care for even more animals.  You’ll see their collection boxes for returnables at numerous businesses.  You can also donate through links on The Messenger FB page.  Watch for a soft opening of the new shelter very soon, with a Grand Opening planned for later next Spring.  

Ellsworth Firefighters Pie Sale

(Ellsworth)  Members of Ellsworth Professional Firefighters Local 3402 know a lot about fires, including how to fire up the community with their Thanksgiving Pie Sale.  Pies will be available at Shaw’s in Ellsworth from 9 a.m. this Saturday until they’re gone, and we’re guessing they’ll go fast.  Don’t let this opportunity go up in flames!   Funds raised will benefit Christmas for Kids and a local family.

Dog License Deadline

(Maine)  One doggone deadline will be here before you know it!  All dogs 6 months and older must have a license, with the deadline for 2026 Dog Licenses coming up this December 31st.  Register your dog online through maine dot gov or in person at your local municipality.  You’ll need a State of Maine rabies certificate, a spay/neuter certificate, and your veterinarian’s name and phone number, if not already on file.  The cost is $6 per year for pups that are “fixed”, $11 for unaltered furkids.  Per state law, a dog re-licensed after January 31 is subject to a $25 late fee.

National News

Trump Promises $2,000 Tariff Checks; Economists Skeptical

(Washington, DC)  President Donald Trump continues to push his promise of $2K dividend checks to many Americans; the result, he says, of monies earned through tariffs.  On Tuesday, Trump said he would first pay down some of the country’s debt ;but he was vague on details about that and about the roll out of the checks, saying only they could be sent out mid year or at the end of 2026.  Economists are skeptical, according to the Associated Press.  A Yale economist calculated Trump’s tariffs will bring in between 2 and 3 hundred billion dollars a year in revenue.  If $2K checks went to all Americans, including children, the cost would be nearly $600 billion.  Even Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared blindsided on ABC’s “This Week”, saying the rebate might take the form of tax cuts.

Education Department Could Be Dismantled

(Washington, DC)  The Education Department under Secretary Linda McMahon planned to announce Tuesday it would move parts of the agency to other federal departments, effectively dismantling the Department of Education.  The Washington Post reports the Office of Civil Rights and Special Education Departments were not expected to be impacted by the changes.  The President signed an Executive Order in March, seeking to eliminate the Department, which would take an act of Congress. But sources say McMahon has worked to dismantle it from within.  

Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince Over Journalist’s Murder

(Washington, DC)  President Trump on Tuesday defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of Washington Post opinion columnist Jamal Khashoggi, saying only “things happen” and that he did not hold the Saudi leader responsible for the 2018 killing, despite a U.S. intelligence report assessing the opposite.  Trump continued to insist bin Salman knew nothing of the brutal murder, as he welcomed the prince to the White House for his first visit to Washington since Khashoggi was dismembered in a Saudi consulate in Turkey. 

Former Treasury Secretary Parts Ways With Harvard Over Epstein Emails 

(Undated)  Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers is stepping back from public life after emails showing deeper ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.  Business Insider reports revelatory correspondence shows Summers sought advice from Epstein and made sexist remarks about women.  Senator Elizabeth Warren urged Harvard to sever ties with Summers over his friendship with the late Epstein, who reportedly engaged in trafficking underage girls.

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