Crime/Public Safety

Blue Hill Man Arrested for Domestic Assault

(Blue Hill)  A Blue Hill man faces domestic assault charges after a January 3rd incident in Blue Hill.  The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence there and arrested 21 yo Mackay Cousins. Cousins was taken to the Hancock County Jail without incident.  If you or someone you know is facing domestic abuse, reach out to Next Step Domestic Violence at their 24/7 helpline.  You’ll find the number with this story on our website and at next step d v project dot org.  (1-800-315-5579)

Local Politics

Bucksport Approves Traffic Cameras

(Bucksport)  Smile the next time you drive through Bucksport.  Councilors last month approved installation of cameras with license-plate-reading technology on the town’s traffic light.  The River Observer reports the cameras will be used for investigative purposes only, taking photos of the plates as vehicles drive by, with no personally identifying information.  Images will be stored for a maximum of 21 days.  The cameras are funded by a grant awarded to the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency through Homeland Security, with maintenance funded through a yearly grant administered by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.  

Economy

More Vets Move Into Stable Housing

(Maine)  Good news from the Maine Homeless Resource Guide.  The Department of Veterans Affairs announced last month it permanently housed nearly 52K veterans across the country during fiscal year 2025.  That’s the largest number in the past seven years and includes 236 people in Maine – up from 206 the previous year.  If you know of a Veteran who is homeless or at-risk, you can reach out for help at the number we’ll post with this story on our website, downeast digest dot news. (1-877-424-3838)

Inflation Rates in Maine

(Maine)  Inflation charted at 2.7% nationally in November; slightly higher across the Northeast at 3.1%.  The Portland Press Herald and Maine Public researched comparisons to see how prices in Maine have changed over the last year.  The cost of a dozen large eggs was down by about 50%; costs of a gallon of milk, used vehicles, and a gallon of regular gas, also down.  Conversely, costs were up for a pound of ground beef, new vehicles, heating oil, and electric bills – expect an average rise of between $12 and $16 on those this month.  The median home sold for $399K in November – that’s the first sub $400K median since last March. 

Education

Ellsworth School Board Meets

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth School Board’s upcoming meeting is set for a week from today, January 13th, beginning at 6 p.m. at Ellsworth City Hall.  Among items on the agenda are a discussion of the 2026-27 school department calendar and consideration and hiring of an Assistant Special Education Director.  Also on the agenda, Cohort 3 Child Development Services’ transition to School Administrative Services for the 26-27 school year.  The transition shifts responsibilities for preschool special ed from state level intervention to local SAUs, a change for delivering Free Appropriate Public Education for young children with disabilities.  The meeting will be livestreamed at the link found on the EEMS FB page.   

Environment

Brooksville Denied Grant for Dredging Project

(Brooksville)  The town of Brooksville has been denied an $890K Catalyst grant that would have largely funded a long-planned dredging project in Betsy’s Cove in Bucks Harbor.  According to the Penobscot Bay Press, at a meeting last month, the Brooksville Harbor Committee voted unanimously to pursue alternate sources of funding in order to keep the project moving. Harbor Committee Chair Mark Shaughnessy said he was told the grant was denied in part because the town wasn’t completely ready to go with guaranteed funding for its share – something Shaughnessy tried to explain had to be voted on.  A recent study by the US Army Corps of Engineers estimated local lobstermen alone would realize annual savings of nearly $600K with the project’s completion.  In addition to seeking alternate funding, the committee plans to reapply for a Catalyst grant.

Isle-au-Haut Tick Study

(Isle-au-Haut)  A study being carried out on Isle-au-Hut aims to reduce the tick population by treating deer and mice with tick-killing compounds.  The study, the first of its kind, began in 2023 and is set for completion in 2028, according to Island Ad-vantages.  Funded by a Centers for Disease Control grant,  researchers hope the study, if successful, could be implemented as a community-wide control method throughout the country.  Chuck Lubelczyk, the vector ecologist managing the project, said the ultimate goal is to find products homeowners can use around their homes to be able to treat the disease promoting pests.  

Health

Direct Primary Care Clinics Open in Response to Skyrocketing Premiums

(Maine)  With Congress last month denying the extension of ACA tax credits, which expired January 1st, many are already seeing premiums skyrocket.  The Maine Monitor reports as a result, more people are turning to direct primary care clinics, which continue opening around the state. The clinics, such as Apotheosis Health in Bangor, operate on a subscription-based model that allow people to forgo health insurance for traditional primary care.  Patients pay a monthly fee to join a doctor’s office, rather than buying traditional insurance, but may need additional coverage for catastrophic emergencies, specialists, and other care.  Apotheosis reportedly charges $90 a month; and since July, has grown from 50 to 200 patients.  Some say while such clinics are an alternative to traditional healthcare insurance, the cost is still out of reach for many.

Infrastructure

Ellsworth Traffic Advisory

(Ellsworth)  A quick reminder that something big is coming through Ellsworth tonight!  An oversized load transport is scheduled to come through the area beginning at 8 p.m..  Maine State Police will be on the scene, but say be prepared for reduced speeds, brief traffic delays, and possible rolling road closures, as the transport from Bay Crane NE rolls through.  Local areas impacted include I-395 to US Route One, Route 179 (North Street), Route 200 (Cave Hill Road) and Sugar Hill Road to Eastbrook Road.  Find more details on our social media pages.

Human Interest

Grant Funding Supports Collaboration at Castine Museum

(Castine)  The Wilson Museum in Castine enjoyed a good deal of successful grant funding in 2025.  The Penobscot Bay Press reports the year brought in three grants totaling more than $103K to support the museum’s commitment to decolonization through collaboration with Indigenous Nations, communities, and knowledge keepers.  Among projects, an outdoor exhibit of biographies by a Penobscot Nation tribal historian and portraits by Passamaquoddy artist Norma Randi Marshall is set to open this summer for the Semiquincentennial.  The Wilson Museum continues to work on repatriation and the return of burial belongings, sacred items, and items of cultural significance to various tribal nations.

Maine Events Set for 2026

(Undated)  If you’re the type who likes to plan ahead, get your calendar out.  According to the Portland Press Herald, several big events are already on the schedule for this year, including many activities planned for the country’s 250th, especially around the Fourth of July.  If you’re sweet on Maine Maple Sunday weekend, like we are, that’s March 21st and 22nd at farms and sugarhouses across the state.  The Maine International Film Festival rolls out July 10-19 in Waterville.  The Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland is July 29th through August 2nd.  And the Blue Hill Fair runs September 3 – 7 – look for a full schedule of fair events this summer.

National News

Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in US Court

(New York City)  Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges yesterday in a New York courtroom.  The Associated Press reports Maduro told the judge, “I’m innocent.  I am not guilty.  I am a decent man, the president of my country.”  Maduro was making his first appearance in an American courtroom on the narco-terrorism charges the Trump administration used to justify invading Venezuela, capturing Maduro, and bringing him to New York.  Maduro’s next court date is set for March 17th.

U.S. Eyes Venezuela’s Oil

(AP)  Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC, is home to some of the world’s richest oil reserves.  U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday the U.S. would not govern Venezuela day-to-day, other than enforcing an existing “oil quarantine” on the country.  That statement walked back President Trump’s comment that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela temporarily.  The Associated Press reports Trump’s plan to seize and revitalize the country’s oil industry faces major hurdles, as the industry is in disrepair after years of neglect.  Some analysts say Venezuela could double or triple its current production of some 1.1 million barrels a day, although American oil companies will likely look for a stable regime before being willing to invest heavily in upgrades.

U.N Security Council Meeting

(AP)  The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting regarding the invasion of Venezuela by the Trump Administration.  Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he remains “deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected” and worries that the U.S. ‘s raid could set a precedent for how future relations between and among states are conducted.  According to the Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz defended the military action as a justified “surgical law enforcement operation.”  

Schumer Warns of Dangerous Precedent

(AP)  Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer yesterday warned Trump’s action in Venezuela is only the beginning of a dangerous approach to foreign policy, as the President continues to publicly signal U.S. interests in Greenland and other countries.  Schumer said whenever the U.S. gets involved in regime change, “American families pay the price in blood and treasure,” adding, “The American people did not sign up for another round of endless wars.”  Business Today reports Trump on Monday issued threats of aggression and tariffs on a number of countries – including Mexico, Cuba, and India.  Trump also repeated his claim that Washington needs Greenland for “national security”, prompting a terse response from the Prime Minister of Denmark, who called on Trump to “stop the threats”, and Greenland’s Prime Minister adding,”That’s enough”.

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