Crime/Public Safety

Local Fire Departments Make Safety a Priority

(Maine)  In a typical winter, the news is filled with stories of house and structure fires, sometimes accidental or caused by an electrical malfunction; but often, due to improper use of a wood stove, an electric or kerosene heater, a candle left burning.  The Ellsworth Fire Department alone responded to more than 2300 incidents in 2025.  To make sure they’re always prepared, fire department crews participate in thousands of hours of training each year.  In Hancock County, Departments recently participated in the Hancock County Firefighter Academy, refreshing their skills in CPR, hazmat training, and working out in heavy gear under all kinds of conditions.  And so we say a huge thanks to our local fire departments in Ellsworth, Trenton, Bar Harbor, Hancock, Machias, and elsewhere across Downeast Maine.  Thanks for always being prepared … and for always being there when needed.  

Bellows Pauses Issuance of Undercover Plates

(Augusta)  In response to the threats of ICE agents descending on the state of Maine, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has paused the issuance of new, confidential “undercover” license plates to federal agencies, specifically following a request from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  Bellows cited reported abuses of power by federal agents in Minneapolis and other parts of the country.

No Bids In Penobscot County Loan Request

(Bangor)  It’s back to the drawing board for Penobscot County after they received no bids on a $23M loan to fund the county in 2026 by the set deadline.  The Bangor Daily News reports the loan is needed in order for the county to operate until municipalities pay their share of the county tax.  The county runs on a calendar year, which ends in December, while the majority of municipalities run on afiscal years and decide their budgets in June.  The difference has caused similar headaches in other counties.  

Skowhegan Homicide Arrest

(Skowhegan)  The search for the alleged killer of a Skowhegan woman took authorities across three states, but police Saturday located and arrested 55 year old Dane Burke in Dunbarton, New Hampshire.  The investigation began last Wednesday when officers responding to a 9-1-1 call found the body of 46 yo Nichole Jackson at her residence on West Front Street.  An autopsy determined her death was a homicide caused by blunt force and sharp force trauma.  Burke, Jackson’s boyfriend, was identified as a suspect.  His vehicle was located Saturday morning in Lowell, Massachusetts, setting off a pursuit by law enforcement that ended when Burke later crashed his vehicle in New Hampshire.  Burke is charged with murder and will be returned to Maine once released from a hospital, where he was taken due to minor injuries from the crash.

Operation Safe Drive Inspects Hundreds of Commercial Vehicles

(Maine)  Get a little nervous when near those large trucks on the highway? Sometimes, authorities say, there’s good reason, but they’re working to prevent reasons for concern.  Operation Safe Drive is a nationwide initiative designed to educate and to target unsafe driving behaviors that contribute to crashes involving large trucks and buses.  Maine State Police recently participated in the three-day enforcement action, inspecting 390 trucks, resulting in 80 trucks being put out of service for imminent safety risks to the public.  Officers with Troop K say the most dangerous truck had 37 violations, including bald tires and missing brakes.

Ellsworth Bus Crash

(Ellsworth)  Authorities continue to investigate a Thursday evening crash between a car and an Ellsworth school bus.  The Ellsworth Police Department tells Downeast Digest the crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on the Bangor Road near Cove Way.  The driver of the car was taken to a hospital with extensive injuries.  The driver of the school bus and the four teenage students who were on the bus were treated on the scene  for minor injuries.  Police closed the road for about two hours.  The crash remains under investigation.

Local Politics

Deer Isle Voters Approve Land Grant

(Deer Isle)  In a logical and perhaps right-thing-to-do move, voters in Deer Isle this month allowed a resident there to stay on a property that turned out to be town-owned.  The Penobscot Bay Press reports back in 2002, Kelly Judkins purchased a just-under-an-acre parcel of land and subsequently put up a prefabricated home on the Gravel Pit Drive lot, complete with a well, septic system, and outbuildings.  Turns out, due to an improperly drawn map, part of that land actually belongs to Deer Isle.  At a special town meeting, Town Manager Jim Fisher said they could demand Kelly move the house, well, and septic, sell her the land, or convey .41 acres of town-owned property at no cost to her because it was, after all, the town’s error.  The voters at the special town meeting unanimously approved the latter.  

Economy

Canada Secures Edge in Global Lobster Market

(Maine)  A trade deal between Canada and China could mean Maine is about to lose its competitive edge in China’s growing lobster market.  The Portland Press Herald reports the two countries on Friday announced an agreement-in-principle that essentially gives Chinese electric carmakers access to Canada in exchange for the Maritimes’ access to China’s vast seafood market.  The deal will eliminate a 25% punitive tariff on Canadian lobster exports to China, while America’s 10% tariff remains.

Environment

Weather Wrecks Havoc for Travelers

(Maine)  A sudden temperature drop and icing on the roads made travel in Downeast Maine next to impossible Saturday night.  Cars were seen struggling to get up the hill by Rooster Brother in Ellsworth, and Hancock Alert posted a rare “difficult travel” warning shortly after 5:40 p.m.  Multiple crashes were reported, including one that claimed the life of a 19 year old woman from Connecticut near an I-295 north on ramp in Falmouth.  Kudos to the plow and other crews out last night – an additional 3 to 6 inches of snow was expected to impact the region overnight.

Education

Ellsworth Cheerleaders Score Big Again

(Ellsworth)  Nobody does it better. Congratulations once again to those amazing Ellsworth High School cheerleaders and their coaches.  On Saturday, they competed in the Big East Championship at Old Town High School, and they once again brought home the gold.  Hermon finished as runners up. The Ellsworth squad is now one step closer to claiming their fourth consecutive Class B state championship. The Class B North Regionals are set for January 31st.  

Family Commits $500K to Innovative Carpentry Program

(Deer Isle)  A half million dollar gift from a local family will create and fund a K-12 pre-apprenticeship and adult ed program to help learners in Deer Isle-Stonington, Brooklin, and Sedgwick  discover interests in the building trade.  The Penobscot Bay Press reports the family of Michael Hewes, a local cabinetmaker and contractor who built many homes on the island and the Blue Hill Peninsula, made the gift official earlier this month at a CSD 13 board meeting.  Hewes passed away unexpectedly last July due to health complications. Superintendent Tara McKechnie said the five year commitment in memory of the late Hewes funds a learning pathway for the building trades that includes age-appropriate learning opportunities, talks by tradespeople, and integrating carpentry concepts into existing math, science, and other curricula.  

Human Interest

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

(Undated)  With the overnight snowfall, it’s a good day for a holiday from school and work for many.  But the day is about much more than just a break from work. It’s a celebration of Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born January 15th, 1929.  King advanced civil rights for people of color, emphasizing non-violent resistance and is best known for his “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC in August of 1963.  In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  He was assassinated April 4, 1968, but his legacy of equal rights continues to this day.

Jessica Meir to Join ISS as Crew Commander

(Caribou)  Caribou’s Jessica Meir is no stranger to the International Space Station.  She served on Expeditions in 2019 and 2020, participating in the first all-woman space walks.  On February 15th, Meir heads back to the ISS, this time as Crew Commander.  She’ll be on the mission slightly longer this time – about eight months.  Meir says her focus will shift from mainly working on her own preparation to using her wealth of experience to support the entire crew and mission.  She says she’s proud to represent the entire country – and Aroostook County, Maine, in her ongoing exploration of space.

Addison Buoy Tree

(Addison)  The country’s tallest buoy tree is standing tall once again in Point Park in Addison, Maine.  Scores of volunteers contributed buoys, time, and effort to build the tree, which was dedicated shortly before Christmas, honoring the hard-working men and women of the fishing industry.  But just weeks after the dedication, a strong storm brought 70 mph winds off the coast, toppling the tree, in spite of it being anchored.  The Downeast Cowboy reports, once again, local people have come together to raise the fallen tree like a wave of honor for those who make their living from the sea.  The tree will be up for at least a couple of months – be sure you stop by to enjoy it.

Infrastructure

United to Add Two Non-Stop Flights to West Coast

(Portland)  This summer, Mainers will be able to fly nonstop to Los Angeles and San Francisco.  United Airlines will begin operating the weekly Saturday flights from Portland International Jetport on June 27th.  United also plans to offer Saturday service to Houston and daily flights to Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Newark, and Washington during the busy summer travel season.

National News

Nobel Prize Transfer Attempt Backfires

(Undated)  Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado last week attempted to give her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to President Donald Trump.  But the effort to curry Trump’s favor sparked immediate reaction from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which confirmed a prize cannot be transferred to another person.  Machado’s actions were in response to the Trump Administration’s illegal invasion of Venezuela, in which the U.S. arrested President Nicholas Maduro, and transferred him to the United States for trial.  The endeavor by Machado to transfer her award has prompted numerous memes on social media, including an AI generated photo of a young ballplayer transferring his Little League trophy to the President.

European Countries Continue to Send Troops to Greenland

(Greenland)  Troops from multiple European countries, including France, Germany, the U.K., Sweden, and others have begun sending symbolic numbers of troops to Greenland in response to President Donald Trump’s ongoing resolution to take control of the country, an independent territory ruled by Denmark.  The Associated Press reports the troop movements were intended to portray unity among Europeans and send a signal to Trump that an American takeover of Greenland would be a violation of the NATO Treaty.  They counter Trump’s claims of the need for national security by saying the organization is highly capable of safeguarding the security of the Arctic region from Russian and Chinese interest.

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