Crime/Public Safety

MSP to Take Over Capitol Police Duties

(Augusta)  Officers with the Maine Capitol Police are feeling anxious after being told by state officials last week the agency will be taken over by the Maine State Police.  The Portland Press Herald says about a dozen officers who protect state lawmakers and visitors make up the law enforcement agency that oversees security at the Statehouse in Augusta. In an email to staff Wednesday, Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuk told officers a “complete transition” could take years, as troopers start filling vacant Capitol Police positions. Sauschuk wrote the change was being made in order to improve resource allocation, operational efficiency and crisis response.

Environment

Maine One of Five States with Most Lynx

(Sullivan)  This summer, our house in the woods of Sullivan was frequented by visits from a young bear. One day, while checking my Ring camera from the previous night, I was surprised to see a Canada lynx!.  Turns out it was a rare sighting, as lynx are certainly elusive.  Maine is one of only five lower-48 states where the big-pawed cats are found, along with Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Minnesota, though the Pine Tree State  is home to the largest population of the five. What makes a state suitable for lynx?  Experts say it’s all about deep snow, forests, and plenty of snowshoe hares.  Between 1999 and 2011, a report in “Animals Around the Globe” says researchers captured and monitored 85 lynx in Maine – the only state in the Northeast with a resident breeding population of the big cats.  Keep your eyes out.

Economy

Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Community Closet 207 for Christmas Cheer

(Ellsworth)  Elves that looked suspiciously like members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, along with dozens of volunteers, were busy Friday turning the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth into Santa’s workshop. HCSO this year teamed with Sarah Bowden’s Community Closet 207 and Community Compass to fill a huge room with new books, dolls, blankets, stuffed toys, legos, games, warm clothing, and everything else on the wish lists of those in need this Christmas.  By Friday afternoon, the hundreds of items had been organized and were ready for families to come by and “shop” for the items written on their wish lists, turning a potentially sad yuletide into a magical Christmas morning for area families.  Good people doing great things in Downeast Maine.

Ellsworth Police Department Teams with Special Children’s Friends to Fulfill Christmas Wishes

(Ellsworth)  Members of the Ellsworth Police Department braved the bitter cold Friday to warm the hearts of families in need this holiday.  Deputy Chief Shawn Willey told Downeast Digest, this year they teamed with Special Children’s Friends to fulfill the wishes of 106 children. Some of the requests were for simple things we take for granted – warm coats, hats, mittens, even shirts and jeans.  But every child will also get toys or games to ensure those Christmas morning smiles.  Willey said someone even donated more than 200 rolls of wrapping paper to help make those gifts under the tree look as festive as the downtown Ellsworth storefronts. Officers were outside the Ellsworth Wal-Mart from 1 to 8 Friday; even though before 7 p.m., every wish had been granted by generous shoppers.  Good people doing great things in Downeast Maine.

Camden Snow Bowl Opens with Improvements

(Camden)  Skiers and snowboarders who arrived for the first of a two-day soft opening at the Camden Snow Bowl Sunday had plenty of praise for a smooth entry into the winter recreation season.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports drivers arriving with all their gear, quickly transitioned to a new parking and traffic flow, engineered to pack vehicles more efficiently into the busy lot.  Upgrades this year include improvements to snow making machines, installation of a surface lift on the tubing hill, and a new ticketing and rental building to house rental equipment.  Preparations are underway for the 35th Annual US National Toboggan Championships at the Snow Bowl February 6-8, with more than 200 teams already signed up.  

New England’s Shrimp Fishery to Shut Down

(Portland)  New England’s shrimp fishery will shut down for the long haul, due to years of decline.  The Associated Press reports regulators last week voted to extend a shutdown preventing fishermen from catching shrimp, a historic industry that has recently fallen victim to warming oceans.  New England fishermen, especially those from Maine, once caught millions of pounds of the small, pink delicacies in the winter, but the business has been under a fishing moratorium since 2014.  The fishery will be shut down for at least another three years. Maine’s catch of shrimp tanked in 2013, after fishermen caught less than 600K pounds, netting less than one-eighth of the previous year’s catch.

MDOL Offers Support to Shuttered Subway Employees

(Maine)  Employees of multiple Subway restaurants that were abruptly shuttered last week are encouraged to contact the Maine Department of Labor for support.  Laid off workers are urged to apply for unemployment insurance online, via phone, or in person.  Employees who are owed wages should contact the Bureau of Labor Standards.  More than a dozen Subway restaurants owned by MTF Subs, including restaurants in Machias, Blue Hill, and Bucksport, were affected.  The Ellsworth store, which is under a separate franchise, was not affected and remains open.

Lack of Affordable Housing Thwarts Hiring in Island Towns

(Stonington)  A lack of affordable year-round housing continues to put a damper on efforts to hire workers.  MaineBiz reports nowhere is that more evident than in the Hancock County towns of Deer Isle and Stonington.  The shortfall there leaves one in seven positions unfilled.  While some development is underway, a report from the Interlocal Housing Task Force concludes it’s not enough.  Island Workforce Housing and HomePort have projects underway, but the report cites an “ongoing and urgent workforce need”.  Among other remedies, the report recommends developing manufactured, mobile and R-V neighborhoods, exploring rehab programs and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and converting seasonal rentals to year-round housing.

UMaine Orono Cuts

(Orono)  The University of Maine recently asked all its colleges and other divisions to shave their budgets by seven percent, in order to address an $18M budget shortfall projected for the coming fiscal year.  According to The Maine Monitor, a spokesperson for the University System said UMaine is aiming to reduce expenses by that amount across the university in order to generate savings and close the budget gap.

Human Interest

Addison Celebrates with Country’s Tallest Buoy Tree

(Addison)  Addison is a small, close-knit town that had its share of tragedy this year with the loss of four beloved area fishermen.  But Saturday night was all about celebrating lives well lived, with the lighting of the country’s tallest buoy tree. Kelly, the Downeast Cowboy, who worked diligently to see that the project came together, told Downeast Digest as late as Friday, a buoy tree in Boothbay surpassed Addison’s goal of one thousand buoys; so volunteers rushed out to secure more from Milbridge, Steuben, and other local towns – collecting an additional 60 buoys to keep the goal intact.  In all, at least 1,060 buoys make up the 23-foot tree, topped by a locally-created lobster claw.  The tree will remain in Addison Point Park until at least the end of January, honoring and remembering Tyler Michaud, Chester and Aaron Barrett, Jaxson Marston, Alton Wallace and all the hard-working men and women who add to the livelihood and community that make Downeast Maine … the way life should be.

Where in the World?

(Maine)  Maine is a big state, with lots to see, do, and explore!  And exploring is one of our favorite activities.  This week, Downeast Digest is starting a new feature, “Where in the World is Sonnie?”  Each week, we’ll take a picture of a place we’ve visited and post it on our website, downeast digest dot news.  Head to  our website and click on the link to find out how to submit your guess.  Each Saturday, we’ll draw a winner from all the correct guesses.  This week’s winner will receive a $25 gift card for Harmon’s Car Wash, to help you keep your vehicle salt and sand free.  Here’s a hint about this week’s location for our listeners.  We are at a municipal building in a town very close to one of the most popular attractions that  “lights up” the holidays.  Good luck!  And if you’re a business interested in getting multiple mentions on Nice & Easy Internet Radio in exchange for providing a gift card, don’t hesitate to reach out, as well.  

Infrastructure

Ellsworth Road Work

(Ellsworth)  Don’t forget road work begins on the Bucksport Road near McMullen Lane and on Bridge Hill near Pleasant Street in Ellsworth today and tomorrow – possibly continuing into Wednesday. Motorists may experience shifting lanes in those areas and are asked to kindly give public works crews a wide berth as they replace underground valves.

National News

“Person of Interest” Detained in Brown University Shooting

(Rhode Island)  Authorities in Rhode Island Sunday say they have taken into custody a suspect they’re calling a “person of interest” in the December 13th shooting at Brown University that left two people dead and nine wounded.  A gunman opened fire inside a campus engineering building Saturday before fleeing toward downtown Providence, setting off a massive manhunt.  No names have been released, but University President Christina Paxson told the Washington Post all the victims are students.  One remained in critical condition, while the others were in stable condition as of yesterday afternoon.  

Indiana Republicans Take Bold Stand Against Gerrymandering

(AP))  Members of both political parties are applauding Indiana Republican legislators for standing firm against the President’s push toward gerrymandering.  Indiana adopted new U.S. House districts four years ago, opting for maps considered “fair” in reflecting the state’s communities.  Recently, Governor Mike Braun, under pressure from President Trump, tried to redraw the lines to help Republicans gain more power.  The new map would have helped the heavily conservative state win all nine congressional seats. But Indiana State Senators rejected it. One source called the attempt to redraw districts to benefit one party “a fundamental undermining of a key democratic condition.”  

Hanukkah Shooting in Australia

(Sydney, Aus)  A child is one of at least 16 people killed in an attack by gunmen in Australia over the weekend.  The Associated Press reports hundreds had gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah when two gunmen opened fire.  Besides those killed, at least 38 people were wounded in the terrorist attack authorities say targeted the Jewish community.  It is the deadliest shooting in nearly three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.

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