Crime/Public Safety

Airport Officials Provide Updates on Sunday Night Plane Crash

(Bangor)  Officials with Bangor International Airport held a press conference Monday with updates on the Sunday night crash of a Bombardier CL600.  Authorities with the FAA initially said the plane was carrying three crew members and five passengers, seven of whom died and one who was seriously injured. BIA authorities then corrected that to say six people were on board, none of whom survived. Conditions at the time of the crash included light snow, a temperature of 2 degrees, with visibility about 3/4 of a mile.  BIA Director Jose Saavedra said at the time of the crash, commercial planes had been taking off and landing, with deicing operations occurring.  First responders were quickly on the crash scene, some in less than a minute.  The plane reportedly had to remain on the runway until officials from the FAA and the NTSB arrived Monday afternoon.  Saavedra said the airport is expected to remain closed until at least Noon on Wednesday. 

Authorities Suspend Search for Missing Orono Man

(Orono)  Authorities have suspended the search for a missing Orono man.  They say 19 yo Chance Lauer was last seen on January 19th near the Orchard Trail Apartments, where he lived.  His wallet was recovered from his room and his cell phone was turned off.  Campus trails were closed for a time while officials conducted a search in the area.  The walking trails have now been reopened.  Police did not say why the search was suspended.

Local Politics

Maine Delegation Reacts to Pretti Shooting

(Washington, DC)  Members of Maine’s Congressional delegation are calling for an honest investigation into the shooting of 37 yo Alex Pratti in Minneapolis Saturday by at least one Border Patrol agent.  Pratti was tackled by seven armed men and was ultimately shot in the back at least nine times as he lay on the ground.  The Portland Press Herald reports the second fatal shooting in Minneapolis comes as Maine is also experiencing increased activity by federal agents and as the Senate considers a proposal to fund various government agencies in order to avoid another government shutdown.  That includes funding for ICE, which experts say is already funded by more than a billion dollars in Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”  

Economy

Firm Acquires Jay Mill

(Jay)  Municipal WasteHub has acquired a construction and demolition disposal site at Jay Mill, the former Androscoggin Mill in that Franklin County town.  The Hampden based nonprofit that manages waste for 115 Maine towns and cities, will also get a wastewater treatment facility at the mill.  MaineBiz reports the acquisition will come at no cost to the waste contractor.

Tax Aid Help

(Ellsworth)  And don’t forget as you begin thinking about those tax returns, volunteers from AARP will be at the Ellsworth Public Library Tuesdays beginning February 3rd.  If you’d like help with your taxes and are eligible, you must register for an appointment at ellsworth dot lib cal dot com.

Education

Public Universities Start the Year Strong

(Maine)  Maine’s public universities are enjoying high marks when it comes to Spring enrollment.  MaineBiz reports the schools have begun the year with the largest spring enrollment in eight years, propelled by a 40% year-over-year increase in the number of UMaine at Presque Isle students learning via the YourPace degree and certificate programs.  UMPI is now the system’s third largest school, with close to 3K students enrolled – a nearly threefold increase from 2022.  Overall, Maine’s public universities are seeing growth in health care, engineering, and education programs.

UMaine School of Business Launches New Program

(Orono)  The University of Maine has launched a new Low-Residency Master of Business Administration program aimed at working professionals who want the flexibility of online learning without sacrificing in-person collaboration and networking.  The MBA track program combines online coursework with three required multi-day residencies held at the Maine Center in Portland’s Old Port.  Applications for the program are now being accepted through the university.

Environment

Winter Storm Fern Drifts Into Maine

(Maine)  Winter Storm Fern drifted into Maine Sunday night … and then decided she liked it here.  The storm dumped as much as a foot and a half in places, and continued dumping snow through Monday afternoon.  Single digit temperatures made being outside for any length of time a challenge;  although, thankfully, the snow was a light and fluffy one, making for easy shoveling.  As of yesterday afternoon, power outages were few in number.  With schools, businesses, and government offices closed for the most part, downtown streets were snow covered and deserted; but ski and sledding enthusiasts are giving Fern a big thumbs up. 

Human Interest

Where in the World … Winner

(Undated)  Congratulations to last week’s “Where in the World … “ winner, Shirley Day.  She, along with a lot of others guessed correctly that we were in London.  We’ve mailed Shirley her $25 Dunkin gift card, and hope she enjoys a lot of hot tea and coffee!  This week’s location is up on our social media pages.  Be sure to check it out.  This week’s winner will receive a $25 gift card to Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth – we can taste that pie now!

Plants Unlimited Employee Honored

(Trenton)  The Perennial Manager at Rockland and Trenton’s Plants Unlimited was honored recently as Maine’s Young Nursery Person of the Year.  Hannah Ward Howland received the award from the Maine Nursery and Landscaping Association at its annual meeting on January 21st in Augusta.  Hannah is a third generation nursery professional who colleagues say has built an impressive breadth of experience across the industry.  They say her infectious smile and positive attitude make her an absolute joy, even on the toughest days.  Congratulations, Hannah!  We’re guessing the plants love you, too!

More Accessible Viewing at Iconic Lighthouse

(ANP)  A new, more accessible viewing area has been added to the Bass Harbor Head Light in Acadia National Park.  The area allows for scenic views directly from the parking lot and provides a new perspective of the historic 1858 lighthouse.  It’s an especially welcome addition for visitors unable to navigate the steep, uneven stairs and rocky terrain that visitors must normally scramble down and across in order to get the best views.  The lighthouse sits on the southwest side of Mount Desert Island and remains an active, historic U.S. Coast Guard navigation aid.  

Shaw Institute Has the Perfect Valentine’s Night Out

(Blue Hill)  Oysters, wine, cheese, and a night out – add a touch of education and humor and you’ve got the perfect date for Valentine’s Day.  In addition to the (a-hem) aphrodisiacs on the menu, the Shaw Institute’s Executive Director, Dr. Charles Rolsky, will share an R-rated lecture on how critters find love in the natural world.  Learn about mating strategies, wacky habits, strange mate choices, and relationship drama in the animal kingdom.  From eating your mate’s head to acting out zany dances in order to attract a partner, you’ll hear the wildest love stories in nature.  Must be 21.  Tickets are limited to 30 people – get yours before they sell out at shaw institute dot org.  

Sports

Patriots to Return to Super Bowl

(Boston)  It’s been a long six years, but Patriots fans are rejoicing, as you know by now that New England is heading back to the Super Bowl.  The Pats scored a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos Sunday in the AFC Championship and will take on the Seattle Seahawks February 8th in Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California.   

National News

Bondi Attempts “Deal” with Minnesota

(Washington, DC)  Attorney General Pam Bondi Saturday attempted what some Minnesota officials are calling a bribe in exchange for pulling ICE and CBP officials out of that state.  Bondi said Minnesota should take three actions – turn over all of Minnesota’s records on Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Service programs, repeal the sanctuary policies that limit state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration probes, and allow the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice to access state voter rolls.  The demands come just hours after federal immigration officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis that multiple videos show was simply attempting to help a woman who had been shoved by officers.  Constitutional  experts call the demands an attempt at extortion and a major assault on Minnesota’s sovereignty.  

President Trump Sends Homan to Minnesota

(Washington, DC)  President Trump on Monday announced he is sending his border czar, Tom Homan, to Minnesota, amid outrage over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents.  ABC News reports Homan will be managing ICE operations there and coordinating with those investigating alleged fraud in the state.  The move bypasses the normal chain of command where Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino have been overseeing ICE operations.  Trump said Homan would now report directly to him.

Republican Drops Bid for Governor of Minnesota

(Minneapolis)   A Minneapolis attorney has dropped his bid for Minnesota Governor.  The Washington Post reports Republican Chris Madel said he was ending his campaign because of the national GOP’s “retribution” on his state, describing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations there as “an unmitigated disaster.”  In a video posted to his campaign’s social media channels, Madel said, “I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.”  Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison on Sunday called the Trump Administration’s version of the killing of 37 yo Alex Pretti “flat out insane”.  The Administration accused Pretti of domestic terrorism, a view directly contradicted by multiple cell phone videos of his encounter with CBP agents.  

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