Crime/Public Safety

Massive Winter Storm Heads Up East Coast

(Maine)  The massive winter storm that knocked out power to close to 800K across the south and canceled the most flights since COVID, headed up the east coast and arrived in Maine overnight.  Snowfall totals were expected to be a foot or more along the coast.  The storm was accompanied by bitter cold temperatures over the weekend, with thermometer readings dropping to well below zero with life-threatening wind chills.  Schools, businesses, and government offices announced closures as early as yesterday.  Officials are advising those who don’t have to go out to stay off the roads and let those dedicated plow drivers do their jobs as safely and efficiently as possible.  

Crews Battle Structure Fire on Spruce Street in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate a fire at a vacant residence on Spruce Street in Ellsworth yesterday.  The Ellsworth Fire Department responded to the blaze  shortly before 6 a.m.. The incident marks the second fire involving a vacant residence in the City within the past 11 days.  The first fire occurred January 14th on Water Street.  Investigators ruled that fire incendiary, or intentionally set, and it remains under active investigation.  Ellsworth Fire and Police, along with crews from other area fire departments assisted in putting out the Spruce Street fire under bitterly cold and icy conditions.   Anyone with information on either blaze is asked to call the Ellsworth Police Department or share anonymously through the State Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline.

BIA Plane Crash

(Bangor)  A plane carrying eight people crashed during takeoff from the Bangor International Airport last night.  Officials say the incident happened about 7:45 p.m. under snowy conditions.  Emergency crews were  on the scene and the airport was closed for a time.  No word on injuries or casualties as of late last night.  We’ll keep you updated on our social media pages.

ICE Protests

(Portland)  Even as temperatures dropped Friday, the number of protesters across Maine rose, after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials reported detaining over 100 people last week in a state with one of the lowest immigrant populations.  The very name, “Operation Catch of the Day,” angered Mainers, who said it reflected an air of mocking, rather than professional law enforcement set on rounding up true criminals. Agents, instead, are detaining American citizens, those here legally, even children as young as 5 years old in Minnesota. Hundreds turned out in Monument Square on Friday, with another large anti-ICE demonstration Saturday in Lewiston.  Unrest and demands for change continue to grow following the murder of a second  American citizen in Minneapolis Saturday.  

FMO Investigates Fatal Fire in Dexter

(Dexter)  The state fire marshal’s office is investigating a fatal house fire in Dexter.  The Dexter Fire Department was called to the single family residence on Grove Street around 5:30 Friday night and were told one of the home’s occupants had escaped, but another was unaccounted for.  Crews found the body of a deceased male on the second floor.  The victim was taken to the coroner’s office in Augusta for a formal identification.  Investigators have made a preliminary determination that the fire started in the kitchen and say it appears to be cooking-related.

Detainees Removed from Cumberland County Jail

(York)  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents moved multiple detainees from the Cumberland County Jail, and the Department of Homeland Security canceled its contract to hold prisoners there after Sheriff Kevin Joyce criticized the tactics of ICE agents. Joyce made the comments following agents’ detention of a corrections officer he said had been thoroughly vetted by his department and whose record was “squeaky clean”.  Such actions are in direct contradiction to the federal government’s claims that agents are out to arrest “drug dealers, violent offenders, and those with criminal records”  The U.S. Attorney’s office acknowledged the move to relocate detainees was a violation of judicial orders that certain inmates remain in Maine.

Local Politics

Funding Bill Includes Monies for Working Waterfronts

(Washington, DC)  Working waterfronts and other community projects in Maine are set to benefit from a package of appropriations bills that includes $7.6M for such improvements and infrastructure.  MaineBiz reports projects to receive funding include pier improvements and flood mitigation to address sea level rise and storm surge at the Stonington Commercial Fish Pier, monies to rebuild the town dock in Swan’s Island, the only public access for local fishermen, and money to to build a concrete and steel pier atop the existing breakwater at Henry Point in Jonesport.  

Economy

Deer Isle Housing Project Advancing on Schedule

(Deer Isle)  Homeport, the reimagining of the former Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle, is progressing on schedule and on budget.  The Penobscot Bay Press reports many from the community have toured a model apartment at the project to experience the look and feel of a completed, furnished unit.  The project will consist of 23 affordable and thoughtfully designed apartments for seniors and essential workers, two groups they say are vital to the vibrancy and sustainability of the island community.

Education

EEMS Students Compost Food

(Ellsworth)  Ellsworth Elementary Middle School says lunch there looks a little different these days.  Students are composting their food scraps and turning the day’s leftovers into soil for local farmers.  The school is collaborating with Green Ellsworth and joins several other businesses around the city in their Composting Pilot Project.  Chickadee Compost picks up their scraps and turns them into rich, healthy soil.  Ellsworth Elementary Middle School – making Ellsworth greener, one lunch at a time!

EHS Cheerleaders Advance Again

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth High School Cheerleaders are a step closer to a four-peat as state champions.  On Saturday, they won the 2026 PVC Class B Championship.  Regional championships are set for January 31st at Sanford High School, with the MPA Winter Cheerleading Championships set for February 7th at the Augusta Civic Center.

Health

BCW Offers Panel Discussion on Menopause

(MDI)  The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center is offering a panel discussion on menopause on January 27th.  A panel of experts from MDI Hospital will discuss what it looks like, common signs and symptoms, and the physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes experienced by many during this phase of life.  If you can’t attend the 5 p.m. presentation in person but would still like to participate via Teams, email info at beth wright cancer center dot org.

Human Interest

Maine Mourns Loss of Beloved Lobster Lady

(Maine)  Maine, and indeed the country, is mourning the loss of the state’s beloved lobster lady.  Virginia Oliver died last week in Rockland at the age of 105.  Up until three years ago, the centenarian remained active as a fisherman; a career she began when she was just 8 years old.  Carl Wilson, Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Marine Resources, said, “Virginia leaves behind a remarkable legacy of tireless passion for fishing that will serve as an inspiration to generations of Maine lobster harvesters.”  

MaineCF Weighs in on Community Safety

(Ellsworth)  The Maine Community Foundation weighed in, in a sense, this week, on current events happening in Maine.  The non-profit issued a statement saying it has worked 43 years to turn private, charitable contributions into efforts to build a better Maine.  The Foundation works with local and community groups across all 16 counties to promote just and fair access to opportunities for all people, including supporting organizations dedicated to protecting American rights such as the freedom to peacefully assemble and to live without fear of violence.  In light of recent events, they have called on all local, state and federal leaders and people to respect each other and work together peacefully.  Fundholders interested in making a grant in response to this issue, are encouraged to touch base with their staff contact who can provide them with options.

Aroma Joe’s Serves Up First Responders, Plow Drivers

(Undated)  And here’s some well-deserved warmth for our first responders and plow drivers – Aroma Joe’s is offering free coffee to all of you in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York!  

National News

Federal Agents Murder Second American Citizen

(Minneapolis)  Federal agents murdered a second American citizen in less than a month on Saturday – this time by Customs and Border Patrol Agents.  Immediately after the incident, the Trump Administration declared the victim, 37 yo Alex Petti, an ICU nurse, had attacked the agents and said the agents were acting “defensively”.  Multiple videos taken by bystanders show that to be untrue.  Those videos show Petti was helping a woman who had been shoved to the ground by the agents when he was pepper sprayed.  He then raised his hand, which held only his cell phone, and was thrown to the ground by at least seven CBP agents, one of whom pulled a gun from the back of Petti’s waistband and left.  It was then a first shot was heard, followed by at least nine shots to Petti’s back.  Petti had a conceal and carry license, but at no point had his hand on his gun.  As in the murder of Renee Good on January 7th, federal officials have barred local and state authorities from the crime scene and from access to evidence from the investigation, despite court orders to the contrary.

Governor Walz Calls for Fair Investigation

(MN)  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a press conference Saturday following the murder of an observer  – the second such killing in that state this month.  Walz said he had seen multiple videos of the murder of 37 yo Alex Pretti, a VA nurse, who was shot multiple times in the back by Border Patrol agents, calling it “sickening”,and refuting the federal government’s claim that agents acted defensively.  Walz demanded the state have oversight into the killing, saying the federal government could not  be trusted.  Major General Shawn Manke of the State National Guard said troops have been on standby in Minnesota for a week and the Guard is now collaborating with Hennepin County and will also provide more security at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis.  Videos show Guard units wearing reflective vests to distinguish themselves, distributing donuts, hot chocolate and coffee to protesters, in contrast to the violence shown by some federal agents.

Trump Withdraws Invitation to Carney, Threatens 100% Tariffs to Canada

(WaPo)  Canada’s Mark Carney drew a standing ovation in Davos last week for an address in which he said the US International order was “over”.   But the words caused U.S. President Donald Trump to retaliate with threats, including a threat to impose 100 percent tariffs on all Canadian goods if the country “makes a deal with China”.  That follows a claim by Trump just the week before that Prime Minister Mark Carney striking a trade deal with Beijing was “good and what he should be doing.”  Trump also withdrew his invitation to Canada to join his “Board of Peace”, an organization no other democratic country so far has even offered to join.  

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