Crime/Public Safety

Fire Destroys Two Buildings in Van Buren

(Van Buren)  A structure fire in Van Buren destroyed two buildings on that town’s Main Street Saturday. Public Information Office Shannon Moss tells Downeast Digest, the owner of a structure at 58 Main Street heard crackling and discovered a fire that involved his pellet store.  Although the owner attempted to control the blaze with a fire extinguisher, officials say it continued to spread, completely destroying that building and an adjacent structure.  A firefighter was injured when he slipped on ice – he and the building owner, who suffered smoke inhalation, were treated at a local hospital.  

Local Politics

Supreme Court to Consider Birthright Citizenship Lawsuit

(New England)  The U.S.Supreme Court says it will consider a New England class action lawsuit challenging the President’s attempts to deny birthright citizenship.  The Portland Press Herald reports the case deals with an executive order by President Trump that would deny children born in the US of citizenship if their parents aren’t citizens.  The legal challenge was submitted last June in U.S.District Court in New Hampshire by several New England advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine.

Maine FOP Files Complaint Against Governor Mills

(Maine)  The Maine Fraternal Order of Police has filed a complaint against Governor Janet Mills, accusing her administration of bad-faith bargaining.  The suit by the state’s largest police union alleges the conflict happened during negotiations over new two-year contracts to replace deals that expired at the end of June.  The Portland Press Herald reports the complaint was submitted to the state labor relations board nearly two weeks after the state’s largest labor union, the Maine Service Employees Association, filed a similar complaint against the Mills administration.

Maine Human Rights Commission Expands Suit to Six School  Districts

(Augusta) The Maine Human Rights Commission has added a sixth school district in its legal battles over transgender student policies.  The board of MSAD 52 in Turner voted 5-4 to adopt a policy mirroring an executive order signed earlier this year by President Trump, which asserts Title IX requires schools to separate sports by “biological sex”.  NewsCenter Maine reports that prompted the Commission to add the district to its lawsuit over policies restricting transgender students.

Environment

Record-Breaking Cold

(Portland)  Record lows last Thursday into Friday not only dropped temperatures, but decades-old records, as well.  Portland reported a low of two degrees, with Augusta registering three degrees as of 7 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service.  Gusty winds made “feels-like” temperatures even more bitter.  The previous record low for this time of year was 7 degrees in Portland, 4 in Augusta.  Safety officials remind people to bundle up and dress in layers before going out.

Education

HCTC Hosts Luncheon

(Ellsworth)  Looking for a filling, warm lunch tomorrow?  You can’t beat the deliciousness cooked up by the culinary students of Hancock County Technical Center!  Wednesday’s menu includes hot and hearty roasted butternut squash soup, baked haddock, meatloaf, a curried chicken salad wrap, drinks, desserts, and more!  Serving begins at 12:15.  Get there early.  They’re busy for a reason!  On your way, drop a toy at the high school for the Friends of Rachel Christmas Toy Drive – they’re looking for art supplies, dolls and action figures, notebooks and sketch pads and more.  Find a wish list on the Ellsworth High School FB page.  Bon appetit!

Economy

Community Closet 207 Christmas Drive

(Ellsworth)  Of course, when shopping for our local nonprofits this time of year, we tend toward the toys and games, even warm clothing, that are on those wish lists for kids.  But our friend Sarah at Community Closet 207 tells us there’s a real need for something most of us take for granted – kids underwear and socks.  Yep, she tells Downeast Digest she’s received quite a few requests for such basics.  Take a look at what’s most needed on CC 207’s FB page, and thank you for considering a generous donation.

Bar Harbor Food Pantry Welcomes New Executive Director

(Bar Harbor)  A warm welcome to Emily Shubert Burke, who will begin working as the new Executive Director of the Bar Harbor Food Pantry on January 12th.  The Mount Desert Islander reports Burke brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit advancement, philanthropy, and community engagement.  She most recently served as Director of Philanthropy at the MDI Biological Laboratory.  The Pantry has experienced significant growth in both need and capacity the past two years.  In these trying economic times, the pantry’s commitment ensures the community remains well cared for.

Biggest Holiday Spenders Overlooked by Retailers

(NYTimes)  The group of shoppers most likely to overspend this holiday season is being overlooked by retailers.  A TD Bank report noted in the New York Times found 72% of Gen X-ers, ages 45 to 60 expect to go over their budgets.  Yet, the report found, retailers and marketers seem to be looking past them to millennials and Gen Z, especially as more shopping moves online.  Gen X-ers are still buying for aging parents, as well as for kids and grands, so overlooking them could be a costly mistake for retailers.  Some Gen X-ers lament the fact they’re receiving offers for “life-alert” bracelets when they’re still very much alive, healthy, and active.

Health

Jackson Lab Gets Funds to Create Digital Heart Model

(Bar Harbor)  Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor has been awarded more than $30M over three years to create digital heart models.  MaineBiz reports the goal of the project is to better predict the safety and effectiveness of drug treatments.  The lab is the first research institution in Maine to be awarded a grant from the health agency ARPA-H.  The money will support efforts to create digital heart models rooted in both mouse and human biology, reducing the need for early-stage clinical trials.

Human Interest

Maine Audubon Gains National Certification

(Maine)  Here’s an honor that’s strictly for the birds.  Maine Audubon has achieved Service Enterprise Certification, a national recognition awarded organizations that strategically leverage the skills and talents of volunteers at all levels of their work.  The certification places Maine Audubon among the top-performing non-profits in the country – organizations that don’t just use volunteers, but exhibit a culture of volunteerism, according to a news release.  

Wendell Gilley Museum Annual Open House

(SW Harbor)  Plan to head to the Wendell Gilley Museum in Southwest Harbor this Sunday for their annual Community Open House and Art Show.  The show will run from 1 to 4 p.m. and feature carvings, drawings, paintings, linocuts and more creative works created as part of a visit, class, or workshop with the museum – from grade-schoolers to grandparents.  

National News

Report Shows Trump Pardons Major Drug Traffickers

(WaPo)  Despite his strong anti-drug rhetoric, President Trump has granted clemency to about a hundred people accused of drug-related crimes during his time in office. That’s according to a Washington Post analysis. The Post, which is owned by Jeff Bezos, reports that on his first full day in office, the President  pardoned Silk Road founder Ros Ulbricht, who was convicted of creating the largest online black market of its time for illegal drugs and other illicit goods.  In the months since, the report shows, Trump has continued to grant clemency to others, including Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover and the former Honduran President, who had been sentenced to 45 years for running his country as a vast network that helped move at least 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S.  

Trump to Announce Tariff Relief for Farmers

(WaPo)  The President on Monday announced an $11B relief assistance package for farmers.  Farmers, a key segment of Trump’s supporters, have been hard hit by his tariff policies, particularly soybean farmers.  The President’s trade war has exacerbated the financial crunch of falling crop prices, as China has retaliated against US tariffs by halting all American soy purchases.  Most of the aid will go to the Agriculture Department’s new Farmer Bridge Assistance program.

Strong Quake Triggers Tsunami Warnings in Japan

(AP)  A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake rocked Japan late yesterday.  According to the Associated Press, the quake struck off northern Japan about 11:15 p.m. Monday, triggering a tsunami of up to 27 inches in Pacific coast communities, with warnings of potentially higher surges.  Local media reports say several people were injured,  Nuclear power plants in the region were conducting safety checks – so far, no problems have been detected.  A magnitude 9.0 quake in the same vicinity in 2011 killed nearly 20K people. 

Nordic Countries Beat Winter Blues

(AP)  It’s 4 o’clock in the afternoon, but the early darkness makes it feel hours later.  People in Nordic countries are no strangers to the long, dark winter hours we’re currently experiencing, but those who live in northern Europe and above the Arctic Circle have learned how to cope, physically and mentally.  The Associated Press reports maintaining sleep and social habits are key.  And since keeping up with exercise is also key, consider combatting the winter blues by asking a friend to join you on your workout.  Whatever you do, don’t hibernate all winter.  Light therapy can also help kickstart your circadian rhythm and increase serotonin in the brain. Finally, they say, prioritize a positive outlook.  We’ll help you get started with this reminder – the days start getting longer on December 22nd, less than two weeks from today.

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