Crime/Public Safety

MSP Investigate Fatal Turnpike Crash

(York)  Maine State Police are investigating a fatal crash that happened Monday on the turnpike in York.  A preliminary report indicates a tractor-trailer was stopped in the breakdown lane due to a mechanical malfunction.  The operator had reflective triangles in place, but a Toyota sedan driven by 81 yo Janice Goldsmith of Massachusetts stuck the rear of the semi.  Goldsmith was pronounced dead at the scene.  The cause of that crash remains under investigation.

Fires Flare Across State

(Maine)  Three fires, one fatal, kept firefighters busy across the state on Monday.  The first happened Monday morning shortly after 8 a.m. at a three-unit apartment building on Fort Hill Street in Fort Fairfield.  Two cats were lost in the blaze; all three human occupants of the units escaped safely.  Shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, first responders were called to a Ridge Road structure fire in Windsor that claimed the life of 77 yo Lorraine Knox.  Knox had reportedly been experiencing furnace issues and was using electric heaters to stay warm.  And shortly after 11:30 p.m., crews were called to a fire with a reported burn victim on Boatyard Lane in South Berwick that authorities suspect was caused by improper installation of a portable propane heater.  In that fire, which destroyed a homemade shelter made of lumber and tarps, 78 yo Steven Goodall survived but suffered second degree burns.  Authorities remind people to have heating systems inspected, keep space heaters at least three feet from anything flammable, ensure smoke alarms are working, and know their home’s escape plan.  

Dump Truck Snags Power Lines in Bar Harbor

(Bar Harbor)  A dump truck snagged power lines in Downtown Bar Harbor Monday afternoon, resulting in multiple road closures and power outages.  Safety officials tell Downeast Digest the incident happened near Cottage and Mount Desert Streets when the truck’s body was raised while leaving a construction site.  No injuries were reported from the incident. West Street and Holland Avenue remained closed Tuesday morning as crews continued working.  

Local Politics

Rockland City Council Enacts Immigration Ordinance

(Rockland)  The Town of Rockland has enacted an ordinance limiting City employees’ engagement with immigration officials.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports Council voted 4-1 in favor of the ordinance, with Councilor Kaitlin Callahan saying, “Let us send a clear, powerful message, once again … Rockland stands with all its residents.  We will protect our community and those who serve it and protect it…we will never be governed by fear – not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”  A last minute amendment clarifies no City employee will be limited in enforcing state and local criminal law, even at the scene of federal immigration enforcement operations.  The ordinance goes into effect in 30 days.

State Auditor Taking Heat Over Previous Anti-Abortion Vote

(Augusta)  State Auditor Matt Dunlap, who is running for Congress in Maine’s 2nd District, is reportedly taking heat over an anti-abortion vote from more than two decades ago.  The Portland Press Herald reports Dunlap as saying the 2003 vote he cast in the Maine Legislature, favoring a bill restricting abortion access does not represent his stance on the issue today.  Dunlap Monday pledged to “always fight for reproductive freedom.”

Waldo/Washington County Budget Hearings This Week

(Maine)  Both Waldo and Washington Counties will hold budget hearings this week – Washington County on Thursday, and Waldo County on Friday.  The Washington County Budget, as passed by the Committee last week, is set to increase from 18.48M to 19.49M.  While at least one Commissioner is reportedly proposing more extreme cuts, in order to get a Tax Anticipation Note, or TAN, for the next year, the bank is requesting the County show a sustainable budget, especially in light of past issues.

The Waldo County budget proposal is quite a bit steeper.  According to The Pen Bay Pilot, Waldo County is reporting that County’s 2026 Budget Committee is proposing an increase of 55.66%, excluding the jail budget, which is capped by legislation. The budget, including the jail, is proposing an increase from $12.8M to $17.4M.   The Corrections Division books more than a thousand prisoners a year at the 72-hour holding facility in Belfast, with some making bail, while others are transferred to the Somerset County Jail to serve their sentence.

Economy

Ellsworth PD Stuff the Cruiser

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Police Department’s Annual Stuff the Cruiser Event is coming up this Friday. Members of the Department will be at WalMart from 1 to 8, and they have lots of children’s wishes that need to be filled … 106 in total.  A few folks have stopped by the Department, picked up tags, and shopped for specific wishes from the kids – but officials tell us there are a lot of tags left.  You’ll find them in the lobby of the Department at 416 High Street, or join them, along with Special Children’s Friends, Friday at WalMart to make sure no child ends up disappointed this holiday season.  

Education

EEMS Awards First “Gold Wing” Honors

(Ellsworth)  Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School on Friday honored six students with their first “Gold Wing” Award.  Each of the recipients maintains an 85% or higher average in all subjects, earns all 3’s and 4’s in Habits of Work, and is recommended by a teacher from their grade level.  We’ve shared their names and photos on our FB pages and congratulate their parents and the outstanding work and character of these kiddos!

UMaine Credit Rating Upgraded

(Orono)  Strong student recruitment and retention efforts, internal collaboration, and cost containment are reported as factors contributing to an improved credit rating for the University of Maine System.  S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the university to AA- and revised its outlook from negative to stable for the first time since 2021.  MaineBiz reports the University’s research programs were also recognized.

Number of HomeSchoolers Jumps

(Maine)  Since the pandemic, the percentage of students being home-schooled in Maine has jumped from 3.6% to 6.4% .  The Portland Press Herald reports one in ten students were homeschooled last year in more than 50 school districts in Maine, largely in the central and northern portions of the state.  School disruption and a 2021 law removing religious and philosophical exemptions for required school vaccines have reportedly contributed to that growth; although some experts are expressing concerns about  whether all those who are homeschooling are qualified to provide the same level of education as certified teachers. 

Environment

Maine’s Loon Population Showing Healthy Growth

(Maine)  You may have seen the story of an ice skater who rescued a loon he found stuck on the ice on a pond in Oakland Sunday.  That’s not the only good news for Maine’s loon population.  Recent annual counts documented close to 3,200 adult birds and over 1400 chicks in the southern half of the state.  More than 1600 volunteers participated in this year’s count, which takes place each July. The results indicate more than double the number of loons as compared to the first count in 1983. Scientists say the growth is the result of conservation efforts that include a ban on lead fishing tackle.  Experts tell Downeast Digest healthy loon numbers signal clear water, sufficient fish, and good nesting habitat – indications of overall lake health.

Human Interest

Blue Hill Tree Lighting

(Blue Hill)  If you haven’t yet made it to one of our local tree lighting events, it’s not too late.  The Blue Hill Peninsula Chamber of Commerce invites you to Blue Hill to enjoy live music, hot chocolate, a visit by Santa, giveaways, crafts and more.  That’s coming up tomorrow evening, December 11th, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Blue Hill town hall.  

Infrastructure

Breeze Airways Adds Flight from Bangor to North Carolina

(Bangor)  Breeze Airways plans to add a flight from Bangor International Airport to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.  The flights will operate Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning May 6th, 2026.  The low-cost airline, founded by Jet Blue entrepreneur David Neeleman, offers affordable nonstop flights between more than 60 underserved secondary cities across the U.S. and recently expanded to international destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, according to the company’s website.  

National News

DOJ Allowed to Publicly Release Details of Sex Trafficking Case

(CBS News)  A judge on Tuesday ruled the US Department of Justice can publicly release investigative materials from a sex-trafficking case against Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime confidant of Jeffrey Epstein.  CBS  News reports the ruling, in the wake of the passage last month of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, means the records could be made public within 10 days.  The law requires the Justice Department provide Epstein-related records to the public in a searchable format by December 19th.

Trump Ban on Wind Power Projects Overturned

(CNBC)  A federal judge this week struck down President Donald  Trump’s sweeping ban on new wind power projects in the U.S.. The ruling is a major victory for the industry singled out by the Trump Administration on its first day, when the President halted permits for onshore and offshore wind projects.  Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, ruled the ban is “arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law.”  The state of Maine has significant onshore wind projects and is pioneering innovative floating offshore technology in the Gulf of Maine to balance energy needs with marine ecosystem protection.  Plans include future large projects like King Pine Wood.  An offshore wind research array is the first of its kind in the U.S., advancing technology for deeper waters.

GOP Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Ensure Shared Costs of Pregnancy

(Undated)  A Republican from Iowa, has introduced a bill that would require fathers to cover at least 50% of pregnancy-related medical expenses, including health insurance premiums. This initiative, proposed by Representative Ashley Hinson, seeks to reinforce the GOP’s pro-family stance amid Democratic criticism of the party’s commitment to supporting women who choose to keep their babies. Fox News reports under the Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act, costs associated with pregnancy, excluding abortion costs, be shared equally. Hinson, who is campaigning for a Senate seat, emphasizes the importance of providing resources and support to mothers, framing strong families as critical for national strength. 

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