Crime/Public Safety

Slippery Roads Lead to Numerous Accidents

(Maine)  Many Mainers woke up to slippery streets, closures, and delays yesterday, as icy rain coated roads and other infrastructure, leading to numerous accidents.  Schools, including those in Ellsworth and RSU 24 in the Sullivan area, were closed, with government offices opening late.  The timing and conditions had folks recalling the ice storm of 1998.  Between January 5th and 9th that year, a storm dumped up to three inches of freezing rain across the northeast.  The weight of the ice downed trees and toppled hundreds of utility poles, leaving nearly a million people without power, some for more than a month.   

Local Politics

Former State Senator Enters Race for Governor

(Augusta)  A former State Senator is the latest to throw his hat in the ring to become Maine’s next Governor.  Former GOP State Senate Leader Garrett Mason announced his candidacy on YouTube Wednesday morning.  The now 40-yo launched a campaign to succeed Governor Paul LePage in 2018, but lost the Republican primary to Shawn Moody.  Moody, who ultimately lost to Democrat Janet Mills, had also planned a run for Governor this round, but announced Saturday he was suspending his campaign for health reasons.  Maine’s primary is set for June 9th.

Economy

MSM Housing Improvement Program

(Cherryfield)  Homeowners in Washington and Eastern Hancock County can now apply to receive housing repairs from Maine Seacoast Mission’s Housing Improvement Program.  The Mission says the program helps make homes warm, safe, and accessible.  Eligible homeowners must live within a 45-minute drive of the Mission’s Downeast Campus in Cherryfield.  Find more information and a link to apply at seacoast mission dot org.

Tractor Supply Eyes Bucksport Location

(Bucksport)  Tractor Supply is hoping to open a nearly 22K square foot store on U.S. Route One in Bucksport.  The River Observer reports the proposed location is just north of a strip mall that includes a Subway, U.S. Cellular, and Family Dollar stores.  Tractor Supply officials have submitted an application to the Bucksport Planning Board.  The company currently has stores in Belfast, Ellsworth, Holden and Bangor.

Good Shepherd Food Bank Taps New CFO

(Auburn)  Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine’s largest hunger relief organization, has tapped Camilo Echanique as Chief Financial Officer.  MaineBiz reports Echanique brings nearly two decades of experience in leadership, financial management and strategy to the nonprofit.  The new CFO was born in Ecuador, but moved to New England as a child.  He holds a bachelors in mathematics and economics from the University of Connecticut.  Good Shepherd distributes food to more than 600 partner organizations across Maine, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, healthcare centers, and senior programs.  

US SBA Offers Disaster Loans

(Undated)  Good news for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations impacted by last May’s prolonged cold temperatures. The U.S.Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to those who sustained economic losses caused by moisture and prolonged colder-than-normal temperatures last May.  The disaster declaration covers most counties in Maine, including Hancock, Knox, Waldo, and Washington.  In addition, farmers impacted by last year’s drought can take advantage of an up to 90% cost-sharing opportunity for installation of drilled wells and water storage ponds throughout Maine.  Funding is limited to water sources for cropland. Apply through the Farmers Drought Relief Fund at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

Education

Brookside Restaurant Serving Lunch Today

(Ellsworth)  With all the shoveling, snow-blowing and de-icing the past few weeks, you’ve earned a good hot lunch!  The Brookside Restaurant at Hancock County Technical Center in Ellsworth was closed yesterday, due to Ellsworth schools being closed.  But they’re open today, serving up white chicken chilli, Brookside burgers, split pea soup with ham and more from Noon until 1:15.  These young chefs can cook, and everything on the menu is just eight bucks or less.

MSM to Offer “Discover STEM” to Washington County Students

(Cherryfield) Studies show U.S. elementary students receive less than 20 minutes of science per day … with the national average just about 30 minutes a day by the time they reach eighth grade. To help fill the gap, Maine Seacoast Mission is partnering with the MDI Biological Laboratory and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust to offer Washington County Discover STEM.  The new, multi-site science enrichment program will be offered to roughly100 students through the Mission’s EdGE after-school programs in Milbridge, Harrington, and Addison. Led by Dr. Elisabeth Marnik, MDI Bio Lab’s Director of Science Education and Outreach, Discover STEM will provide equipment, materials, and educator time, and will introduce students to basic concepts in biological research through hands-on activities and experiments.  Learn more at seacoast mission dot org.

Environment

IHT Awarded $250K for Trail Accessibility

(Deer Isle)  Island Heritage Trust has been awarded a quarter million dollar grant to make some of its most popular hiking trails accessible to those in wheelchairs.  Penobscot Bay Press reports the money comes from the Maine Trails Program, a $30M initiative created by the state legislature.  The program was approved by voters in a 2024 statewide referendum.  The nonprofit land trust will use the money to overhaul trails at its Lily Pond and Barred Island Preserves on Deer Isle.  

Health

New Dietary Guidelines Released

(AP)  New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration on Wednesday do little to “eat away” at what Americans already know, but often find hard to do.  The new guidelines recommend eating more whole foods and less added sugar and urge people to consume more fresh vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products.  Under the “new” guidelines, consumers are advised to avoid “packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat foods that are salty or sweet, such as chips, cookies, and candy”.  The Associated Press reports such products make up more than half the calories consumed in the U.S. diet, even though they’ve been linked to chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Infrastructure

Citylogix Shares Data on Ellsworth Streets, Sidewalks

(Ellsworth)  (Ellsworth)  An analysis contracted by the City of Ellsworth has identified the city’s roads and sidewalks most in need of repair.  The data from Citylogix shows the state of city-owned streets and sidewalks, offers maintenance suggestions and estimated costs, and will reportedly help the city “compare roads objectively and prioritize investments”.  The Ellsworth American has shared the findings, and we’ve shared their article with you on our social media pages.

Human Interest

Better Milbridge Makes Full Match Challenge Goal

(Milbridge)  Congratulations to Better Milbridge, a local non-profit dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities through free family events for all ages, regardless of economic circumstances.  The organization challenged folks to make a donation by year’s end for a guaranteed match by a generous donor.  As usual, Downeast Mainers rose to the occasion and helped Better Milbridge reach their goal.  Activities in 2025 included Easter at the Farm, a Family Kite Flying Day, a Halloween Farm Spooktacular, and implementing a Student Assistance Food Pantry at Coastal Washington County Tech.  Thanks to you, plans are underway for another full slate of activities in 2026.  Follow Better Milbridge on FB to keep up.

National News

CPB Board Votes to Dissolve Organization

(Undated)  In a blow to public media, leaders of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting this week voted to dissolve the organization.  The private nonprofit previously funneled federal funding to PBS, NPR, and hundreds of other public television and radio stations across the country.  The move follows a decision by Congress last summer to cut more than a billion dollars from the CPB, federal funding that made up about 12% of the annual budget of Maine’s public broadcasting network.  Critics see it as another step in the slippery slide down the slope of censorship and control over the media.  

Denmark in “Full Crisis Mode” Over Greenland

(Denmark)  President Trump’s continued assertions that the United States needs Greenland for “national security purposes” has Denmark’s leaders in full crisis mode.  Denmark, which is responsible for Greenland’s defense, has condemned the President’s ongoing rhetoric, particularly following what many see as an illegal invasion of oil-rich Venezuela by the U.S. and Trump’s refusal to rule out military action in acquiring mineral-rich Greenland.  Denmark’s Prime Minister warned yesterday any actions against Greenland by the US would challenge NATO and international principles and that attacking another NATO country would end alliances.  NATO, of course, created after WWII to guarantee the freedom and security of its members.  Article 5 of the treaty states “an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.”  

Trump Warns Republicans, “I Could Be Impeached”

(Washington, DC)  With high stakes elections looming, President Donald Trump this week warned Republicans they must win the 2026 Congressional midterms or else he will get impeached by Democrats. The Associated Press reports ahead of the November elections, which could stall his agenda and expose him to congressional investigations, Trump prodded allies who narrowly control the House to put aside their differences and push his policies on gender, healthcare, and government control to an American electorate angry about the rising cost of living.

ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Woman in Minneapolis

(Minneapolis)  An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Wednesday shot and killed a 37 yo woman during operations in Minneapolis.  ABC News reports the victim was a U.S. citizen who was an observer and who Minneapolis City Council member Jason Chavez said was “watching out for our immigrant neighbors”.  ICE agents allege the woman was attempting to run over law enforcement officers and that the officer fired defensively, but video posted on social media appears to show the woman attempting to drive away as agents opened fire. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the incident an “act of defensive terrorism.”  But Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged citizens to remain calm and not to give the Administration an excuse to send in troops.  He also told ICE to “…get the [expletive] out of Minneapolis,” adding “We do not want you here.  Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some sort of safety, and you are doing the opposite.”

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