Crime/Public Safety

Bus Driver Suspended

(Rockland)  The bus driver reportedly involved in the death of a Rockland student last week is alleged to have previously had his license suspended after being found guilty of operating under the influence.   WMTW reports 65 yo Jeffrey Colburn was convicted in June 2015 and prohibited from driving a school bus for 10 years.  But RSU 13 parents allege Colburn has been driving for the district since long before last June when he would have been cleared. Twelve yo Brayden Callahan was hit by the school bus last Friday and passed away the following day.  Colburn has been placed on leave. Rockland schools were open Monday and Tuesday, offering counseling services, but no classes were held.  

Reward Offered for Information on Illegal Deer Kills

(Cherryfield)  Operation Game Thief, working with the Maine Warden Service, is offering a one thousand dollar reward for information leading to a conviction in any of five deer shot and left in the Cherryfield area.  Since September, authorities have responded to five different deer shot and left to waste, including in Harrington, Deblois, Cherryfield, and Township 18 MD BPP.  Officials say there is no place in Maine for night hunting, exceeding bag limit, deer baiting or false registration.  Anyone with information is asked to call their local public safety dispatch center.

Sabattus Native is First Female Lewiston Police Chief

(Lewiston)  A Sabattus native is Lewiston’s first female Police Chief.  Lt. Carly Conley, who joined the Department in 2001, was sworn in Monday.  Conley replaces David St. Pierre, who retired in September and has since been nominated to become the U.S. Marshal for the District of Maine. Conley says she plans to host public listening sessions to build trust; the first set for December 10th.

Authorities Seek Man Who Fled Tuesday Morning  Crash Scene

(Clinton)  Maine State Police Tuesday were on the hunt for a man they say fled the scene of a crash on I-95 in Clinton.  The Clinton Fire Chief told WABI the car, a passenger style U-Haul van, drove over the median and into a tree.  One person, believed to be a passenger, was LifeFlighted to a hospital in Bangor with extreme head trauma.  Witnesses say the man who fled was wearing a black hoodie, carried a backpack and had injuries to his face.  State Police were encouraging drivers to use caution when traveling through the area and not to approach the man if spotted but to call 9-1-1.  

Local Politics

Union Files Labor Complaint Against Mills

(Augusta)  A local chapter of the Service Employees International Union is accusing the Mills Administration of bad faith bargaining in its executive branch contract negotiations.  The Maine Service Employees  Association says the administration is guilty of committing multiple violations of state labor law as they negotiate for successor two-year contracts that expired in June.  According to WMTW, MSEA represents some 10K workers in four State of Maine bargaining units – administrative services; operations, maintenance and support services; professional-technical services and supervisory services.

Environment

Natural Disaster Relief

(Maine)  Maine farmers impacted by the state’s lengthy drought can now apply for federal emergency loans.  The Portland Press Herald reports the U.S.Department of Agriculture declared the drought a natural disaster.  The Maine Emergency Management Agency says the loans may be used to restore or replace property, equipment and livestock.  Funds can also cover product costs, pay essential living expenses, and refinance debts, pending eligibility.  Farmers in Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Waldo, and Washington Counties have an application deadline of June 1st, 2026.  

Extra Cold Weather Could Impact State in December

(Maine)  Bundle up and make sure you have a good source of heat.  Weather experts say December could bring extra cold weather to Maine, thanks to sudden stratospheric warming above the North Pole.  They say that could disrupt the polar vortex.  The Portland Press Herald reports such warming events are uncommon in November – the last one occurred in the 1950s.  The event is expected from November 27 (that’s tomorrow) to December 1st and could become the earliest one on record, according to the NOAA Prediction Center.

Economy

Window Dressers Help Insulate Maine Homes

(Maine)  Baby, it’s cold outside.  And for some struggling homeowners, winter means it can be cold INSIDE, as well.  Window Dressers brings together community volunteers of all economic and social situations to help improve the warmth and comfort of interior spaces and lower heating costs, with low-cost, insulating window inserts that function as custom interior-mounted storm windows.  Window Dressers staff supplies and trains volunteers – those in need and those who simply choose to help, at local Community Builds.  They then install the inserts for those in need.  And what a difference it makes!  On a 29 degree day in Wells, a room with a window insert registered 70 degrees, while a similar nearby room without registered just 47 degrees.  Learn more about how you can volunteer and donate at window dressers dot org. 

Heating Assistance Delayed

(Presque Isle)  Heating assistance is behind this year, in no small part because of the government shutdown.  WAGM reports Aroostook County Action Program officials in Maine have, since July, completed more than 6,000 applications across Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties – but have not yet received the initial heating benefits that typically arrive by mid-November.  That’s more than 6K households waiting for help they’ve been unable to send  out.  ACAP officials say now that the shutdown is over, they ARE seeing light at the end of the tunnel. They hope funding will begin arriving within the next few weeks.  In the meantime, the agency is still accepting applications online or through in-person appointments.  

Infrastructure

Thanksgiving Travel

(Undated)  If you’re on the road today, you’re in good company – or at least, a LOT of company.  Triple A predicts a record number of people – nearly 82 million – will travel at least 50 miles from home between now and Monday, 73 million of them by car.  Others by bus, train, or cruise ship.  Air travel is expected to be up, too, by about 2% – or some 6 million people.  MaineBiz reports last year, Portland International Jetport broke its Thanksgiving travel record, with more than 64K passengers flying – up from just under 55K in 2023.

Maine DOT Gears Up for Winter

(Augusta)  The Maine Department of Transportation is gearing up for winter, with an army of 850 plow drivers ready to salt, sand and clear snow.  MDOT tells MaineBiz it has invested in equipment and technology to improve response to winter storms on the 8800 “lane miles” of roadway they service statewide.  The company’s 430 plow trucks use an average of 125K tons of rock salt each year.  

Human Interest

Verona Bistro Feeds Local Families

(Blue Hill)  Because we love to highlight the many good things happening in our communities, we came across this from Verona Wine and Bistro.  The eclectic restaurant specializing in small plates and from-scratch cooking on Main Street in Bucksport, prepared eight 25-plus pound turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables to be picked up today by families who are struggling with food insecurity.  And, yes, they even included pie.  We can’t wait to check them out after Thanksgiving, and hope you will, too!

Splendiferous Sweet Shoppe

(Searsport)  One of our favorite local shops is Splendiferous Sweet Shoppe on Main Street in Searsport.  If you haven’t been, you simply MUST stop by – the shop is positively magical, with an Alice in Wonderful theme, tea parties, all kinds of homemade sweets, cocoa bombs for those cold winter evenings … even an old bank vault into which the kids can walk and marvel at the surprises  inside.  Owners Meryem Rogan and Mom DeAnne have decorated the shop for Christmas, and their counters are full of the sweetest of gifts!  Another thing we especially love, they rarely post on FB without highlighting OTHER area businesses – even competitors.  They’re true champions of their customers and their community!  Stop by for a holiday treat or gift cards for that special someone on YOUR list!  

Noel Paul Stookey Pens Book

(Blue Hill)  Here’s a gift anyone would love to find under their tree this year, although it’s three chapters and a publisher away as of this story.  Blue Hill resident Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame is writing a book – a project almost a decade in the making.  The title, There is Love, refers to the subtitle of the trio’s popular “The Wedding Song”.  The 87 yo Stookey told the Bangor Daily News the book, produced with co-writer Jeanne Torrence Finley, goes beyond the folk trio’s political tomes to the spiritual experiences that have formed his life and that drew him and his family to Maine.  Keep your eye out – it’s sure to be a hit when IT hits bookstores.

News Break

(Sullivan)  Downeast Digest News will be taking a break this Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Our news is 100% “sponsored” by non-profit organizations.  We promote them, but we don’t charge them a penny.  You can check out past newscasts and sponsors we’ve highlighted at downeast digest dot news.  While on break, we’ll keep you updated on important stories on our social media pages; and we’ll be back sharing with you at 6 a.m. Monday morning on nice and easy radio dot com, where you’ll find music that will bring back memories through the songs you love – we’ve even thrown in some Christmas favorites. From all of us at downeast digest and nice and easy radio, have a wonderful, safe, holiday.  

National News

FBI Director Facing Scrutiny for Use of SWAT to Protect Girlfriend

(Washington, DC)  FBI Director Kash Patel is under scrutiny for allegedly using tax-payer funded resources inappropriately.  Specifically, Patel is accused of using a SWAT team from the bureau’s local field office to protect girlfriend and aspiring country singer Alexis Wilkins at an NRA event. The New York Times reports he also has used a government jet for recreation travel, including a golf trip to a private resort in Scotland with his buddies last summer.  The incidents come at a time of supposed deep cuts to the FBI’s budget, but a spokesperson for Patel said his spending on transportation was comparable to that of recent predecessors.  

Trump Sends Envoys to Russia

(Washington, DC)  President Trump Tuesday said he is sending his envoys to see Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainians after fine-tuning a plan to end the war.  Trump suggested he could eventually meet with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but only after further progress has been made in negotiations.

FBI Seeks Interviews with Kelly, Others

(Washington, DC)  The FBI yesterday said it wants to interview Democratic lawmakers, including Arizona Congressman Mark Kelly, who urged troops to defy illegal orders.  The proposed investigation is the result of a video made by Kelly and five other Congresspersons with extensive military and intelligence backgrounds.  In it, the six urge troops not to give in to orders that defy the American Constitution. In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump accused the six of “sedition …punishable by death”.  Meanwhile, a Pittsburgh congregation projected large photos of the Democratic veterans on the outside of its cathedral with the words, “This is what courage looks like.”.

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