Crime/Public Safety

Tractor Trailer Crash

(Clinton)  A tractor-trailer driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries early Thursday morning when his rig crashed on I-95 Northbound.  Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Downeast Digest a passerby called the Bangor RCC shortly before 4 a.m. yesterday  The crash occurred near the town of Clinton.  The driver was taken to a hospital in Waterville.  The passing lane was blocked for some time while the truck, which was carrying grocery goods, was removed from the median.  The incident remains under investigation.

NTSB Releases Report on Standish School Bus Fatality

(Undated)  The National Transportation Safety Board yesterday released a report on the December 16th school bus incident that claimed the life of a five year old Standish boy. Investigators determined the boy, Simon Gonzalez, was approaching the bus from behind after a 7-year-old had boarded when the doors began to close and Gonzalez’s arm became pinned in the doors.  The report says the bus traveled about 280 feet before the Edna Libby Elementary School student fell and was run over.  As of yesterday, no criminal charges had been filed in that crash.

Proposal Seeks to Rename Section of Route 3

(Trenton)  A proposal to go before the Maine legislature will seek to rename the Trenton section of Route 3 the Deputy Luke Gross Memorial Highway.  On Thursday, Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane, Lt. Dakota Dupuis, and retired Lt. Chris Thornton attended a public meeting in support of LD2033 before the Maine Transportation Committee.  The three spoke in support of the effort, sharing reflections on Gross’s service, character, and his lasting impact on law enforcement and the community.  Gross was struck and killed in September 2021 while responding to a car crash on Route 3.

Local Politics

Political Tensions as Maine Legislature Resumes

(Augusta)  As predicted, the Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Legislature got off to a tense start this week. Election-year politics took center stage, overshadowing efforts to address issues top-most in the minds of voters – namely, polling suggests, the high cost of living.  While Democrats unveiled a slate of proposals aimed at improving affordability, Republicans reportedly hammered away at the need for accountability in a case of alleged healthcare fraud.  As an example of tensions to come, Republican Laurel Libby attempted to address the chamber at the end of the session, but was ruled out of order, an action she was quick to then post on her social media, claiming House Speaker Ryan Fectau was “bound and determined” to prevent her from speaking on the House floor.  

Governor Mills Allows Bills to Become Law

(Augusta)  Meanwhile, Governor Janet Mills this week allowed 52 bills to become law without her signature, while seven others were recalled by lawmakers.  The Portland Press Herald reports the Governor also vetoed changes to Maine’s right-to-repair law.  Of the dozens of bills she allowed to become law, one limits the ability of state and local law enforcement to help federal immigration authorities investigate, detain and search individuals solely for immigration purposes.  In an op-ed last month, the Governor accused President Trump of “weaponizing” ICE in his second term.

Castine Residents to Vote on Round School Lease

(Castine)  Castine residents will vote on whether to renew a lease for the Community Childhood Learning Place, also known as the Round School, on January 13th.  The Penobscot Bay Press reports rumors had circulated via email that the Select Board had other uses in mind for the facility.  Chairman Dan Leader on Monday soundly refuted the accusation the Board had discussed using the building for anything other than the learning center, which provides education and care for children from 3 months to 11 years old.  The town vote will take place Tuesday, with polls open 8 to 8 at Emerson Hall.  The Select Board also set the date for its first budget meeting on January 15th at 7:30 a.m., also at Emerson.  

Verona Island Votes on Animal Shelter Agreement

(Verona Island)  The Verona Island Select Board has voted to accept a proposal from the Bucksport Animal Shelter to accept stray animals.  The River Observer reports the vote comes after the board received word their current arrangement with an Ellsworth shelter would be ending.  The town will pay a $5K flat fee annually.  Maine law states municipalities must have a contract with an animal shelter in order to accept strays.  Verona Island previously contracted with the Small Animal Clinic in Ellsworth, but received word that agreement would not be renewed. The town is also looking at contracting with Bucksport’s Animal Control Officer, a measure that must be approved by that Town’s Council.

Economy

Rural Manufacturing Focus of Tax Credits Program

(Brunswick)  A Brunswick-based investment firm has secured $90M in federal tax credits focused on spurring manufacturing growth in rural communities nationwide.  MaineBiz reports CEI Capital Management, a subsidiary of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. plans to deploy the New Markets Tax Credits to attract private investment in domestic manufacturers that are creating quality jobs in Maine and beyond.  A company spokesperson said good jobs are essential to rural communities, as they provide economic stability that allows workers and families to remain and build their futures locally.  

MaineCF Opens Funding Applications for Land for Communities Grant Program

(Ellsworth)  Interested parties can now apply for Maine Community Foundation’s “Land for Communities” Grant Program.  The grant supports community land projects that increase relationships to land for underserved geographies and populations in Maine.  Examples are land returns, such as returning space to Wabanaki or Wabanak-led organizations, and land for food – hunting, fishing, wild harvesting, working waterfronts, etc.  Entities may apply for up to a maximum of $50K toward the purchase of land that meets MCF criteria.  Deadline for the current round of funding is March 16th.  Learn more at  maine c f dot org.  

Environment

Hawaii Snowfall

(Hawaii)  Believe it or not, Hawaii this week had more snow on the ground than did many folks in the Midwest.  Meteorologists say the snow was atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii, which rises nearly 14K feet above sea level and typically sees snow one or two times a year.  

Human Interest

Ms. Rachel to Help Donate Books to NYC Kids

(NYC)  Taking a page from Dolly Parton’s book, Maine-born children’s television educator Ms. Rachel is partnering with the new mayor of New York City to help donate a book to every baby born in the metropolis.  The effort, which Mayor Zohran Mamdani is championing as the Baby Box program, aims to provide all newborn families with a basket containing essential items and information on child resources.  The program is modeled after similar successful programs in Finland and Scotland, with initial funding proposed by increasing taxes on the wealthy.  Ms. Rachel said she simply wants to do something kind for the city she loves and for every family welcoming a new child.

MSM to Welcome New Downeast Director

(Cherryfield)  Beginning next week, there will be a new face at the helm of Maine Seacoast Mission’s Downeast campus in Cherryfield.  Monica Olivares will take the helm as the new Downeast Director on January 14th.  Olivares most recently served as Program Manager for Sunrise Opportunities Prevention Council and brings a history of collaboration and dedication to the Mission.  Her past work experience includes program leadership, financial management, staff development and working to address the community needs of Washington County.  

Changes at Jones, Kuriloff & Sargent

(Ellsworth)  Some big changes at the Ellsworth law firm of Jones, Kuriloff, & Sargent as we enter the new year… and the team there says it’s all good.  After practicing law for 40 years in Ellsworth, Jeffrey W. Jones has become Of Counsel to the firm and retired.  Catherine Haynes Fenton and Timothy W. Stanley have joined Rebecca Sargent as partners, and as of January 1st, the firm is now rebranded as JKS, LLC.  Members of the firm are known for supporting local causes such as the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry,  Downeast Horizons, and local animal rescues.

National News

GoFundMe Raises Hundreds of Thousands for Family of Woman Killed in Minneapolis

(Minneapolis)  A GoFundMe supporting the family of Renee Nicole Good, the 37 yo wife and mother gunned down by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Wednesday, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. ABC 6 News in Rochester, Minnesota, reports Good was a U.S. citizen born in Colorado.  Her record appears to show nothing involving law enforcement beyond a traffic ticket.  Good’s ex-husband said she was not known as an activist, but had dropped her six year old at school and was driving home when she and her wife encountered the group of heavily armed ICE agents, who videos show attempted to forcefully open her vehicle door as she turned to go the other way.  He described his ex-wife as a “devoted Christian who took part in youth mission trips to Northern Ireland when she was younger” and who hosted a podcast with her second husband, who died in 2023.  

Senate Advances Bill to Block Further Military Action in Venezuela

(WaPo)  The U.S. Senate yesterday advanced a bill to block further military action in Venezuela, following the stunning raid by U.S. forces to capture that country’s President, Nicolas Maduro, and bring him to trial in the United States.  The Washington Post reports the bill is largely symbolic, but foreshadows a rare assertion of Congress’s role in using lethal force.  The vote was 52-47, with five Republicans joining all Democrats.  The timing for a final vote was not immediately clear.  The measure would mark the first time in the current administration Congress has voted to constrain the President’s expansive use of the military in conducting foreign policy.

White House Announces Withdrawal from International Bodies

(WaPo)  In a move that will no doubt further isolate the United States, the Trump Administration has announced it will withdraw from dozens of international organizations.  According to the Washington Post, the US plans to withdraw from 66 bodies, entities associated with everything from climate change to migration policies, 31 of which are associated with the United Nations.  In a statement, the White House said all funding to the organizations would be withdrawn because they “operate contrary to U.S. national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty.”  

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