Crime/Public Safety

EPD Releases Update on 01/15 Crash Involving School Bus

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Police Department yesterday released an update on the January 15th crash involving a school bus and another vehicle.  An investigation shows the bus, carrying four teenage students, was northbound on the Bangor Road as a car driven by 26 yo Michael J. Sarran of SW Harbor was heading south.  As the bus crossed the oncoming lane of traffic to turn around at Cove Way, Sarran’s vehicle hit the passenger’s side of the bus near the rear wheels.  Sarran remains hospitalized with serious injuries from that crash.  The four students reported minor injuries.  The driver of the school bus, 57 yo Daniel A. Morse of Hancock, was issued a summons for Driving to Endanger and other traffic violations and was assigned a June 16th court date.  The road was closed for about two hours on the 15th while the Ellsworth Police Department reconstructed and investigated that incident.

Transportation Leaders Hold Press Conference on Work Zone Safety Legislation

(Augusta)  Maine state transportation officials and lawmakers yesterday joined members of the Associated General Contractors of Maine to voice support for legislation aimed at improving safety in highway work zones.  The gathering focused on LD 1457, a bill that would authorize a pilot program allowing automated speed enforcement in active highway work zones.  Officials  called it a “practical, focused step to slow drivers down and save lives.”  Two workers in Waterville were killed earlier this month when a driver reportedly ignored stop cones, then hit a tractor trailer, with the impact sending the men over a barrier onto the road below.

Rebuild of Custom House Wharf Planned

(Portland)  A rebuild of the Custom House Wharf in Portland is in the planning stages.  A massive fire a month ago destroyed 25 and 27 Custom House Wharf.  MaineBiz reports the cost to rebuild will likely be in the seven figure range.  Sources say specific plans and a timeline are still to be worked out.

Local Politics

Shah’s Campaign Gives Update on Signatures

(Augusta)  The campaign of Dr. Nirav Shah announced yesterday it has gathered enough signatures to qualify him a place on the ballot in a run for Governor of Maine this year.  It’s the first time the 48 yo Shah, who led the Maine CDC during the pandemic, has run for elective office.  Volunteers reportedly collected more than 3,000 signatures from voters in all 16 counties – that’s a thousand more than required.  NewsCenter Maine reports Shah is the first candidate of either major party to announce reaching that milestone.  The deadline for turning in signatures is March 16th.  Maine’s party primaries are set for June 9th.

Economy

Elver Fishing Lottery

(Augusta)  Twenty Maine residents now have a chance to join the state’s lucrative elver fishery.  The Department of Marine Resources opened this year’s lottery for the right to apply for an elver license this week.  The lottery will be available through 4:30 p.m. on February 20th, providing lottery winners the opportunity to apply for a license prior to the upcoming season.  The 2026 elver season begins at noon on March 22nd and runs through noon on June 7th.  For more information, contact Maine DMR.

Bangor Homes Slowest to Sell

(Bangor)  Homes in the Bangor market are the slowest to sell here in Maine.  That’s according to new research from home warranty experts Cinch Home Services.  MaineBiz reports CHS analyzed Zillow’s median days-to-pending data across U.S. metro areas, with rankings based on each metro’s average performance throughout 2025.  The report found homes in Bangor  took about 27 days to sell.  Lewiston was named ninth best metro area in the U.S. for quick home sales, with the typical property there going under contract in just nine days – significantly faster than Maine’s statewide average of 17 days.

Another Successful Year for Rockland’s Fill the Strand

(Rockland)  It was another successful year for AIO Food & Energy Assistance’s “Fill the Strand”  event.  Executive Director Alan Kearl said they collected more than 7400 pounds of food and more than $40K during the January 19th event, which is now in its sixth year.  AIO distributes more than 20K pounds of food each week, so Kearl says the resources collected will help them help others get through the worst of the winter in the next five weeks.  The event asks the community to fill each seat in the historic Strand Theatre in Rockland with food or funds to help those in need.

Acadia Sees Busiest Season Ever in 2025

(ANP)  Although most suspected as much, it’s now official.  Acadia National Park experienced its busiest visitation season ever in 2025, breaking the 2021 all-time record by about 10,000 visits. Park Management Assistant John Kelly said the fall season was notably busy as well, despite the longest government shutdown in history.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the new Acadia Gateway Center opened in September and will reopen for the 2026 season on May 20th.  The Island Explorer bus service this year will operate two routes between Trenton and MDI from the Center, with some bus service during Memorial Day weekend – a first for the park.  Something to look forward to as you’re shoveling all that snow.

Infrastructure

Ellsworth Gets New Sidewalk Snowplow

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth has added a new multi-use sidewalk snowplow to its fleet.  The City says the new unit isn’t just for snow, but will also be used throughout the year for maintaining and mowing trails, parks, and ballfields, aerating and overseeding turf, seasonal ground maintenance and more projects across the city.  They say while some may question the expense, clear sidewalks are a safety measure, and the purchase will help the city save money over time through its multiple uses.  

Human Interest

New Englander Becomes First  American Woman to Reach South Pole Solo

(Mass)  A Massachusetts native has become the first American woman to reach the South Pole solo and unsupported.  Boston dot com reports Monet Eliastam completed the 700-mile, 57 day journey across Antarctica, hauling 250 pounds of gear and sharing updates along the way.  The 36 year old trained by dragging two Jeep tires across beaches and through woods along the state’s North Shore the past three years.  Eliastam skied 10 to 15 hours each day in order to complete the journey, arriving at her goal this past Sunday.  To stay motivated, Eliastam said she wrote notes on the ceiling of her tent that she would then read each morning of the grueling journey.  During the trek, Eliastam faced intense winds and temperatures as low as 40 below zero.

Washington Academy Students Donate to Sarah’s House of Maine

(Machias)  Washington Academy students have made a habit of stopping by Sarah’s House of Maine.  And they don’t come empty handed!  They recently dropped off their latest Wish List donations of water, snacks, and cleaning supplies to make sure guests have everything they need.  The students gather and donate the supplies each year.  Sarah’s House of Maine is a “home away from home” for Maine cancer patients receiving treatment in the Bangor area.  They provide a comfortable and caring environment at no charge.  If you’d like to support them, visit sarahs house of maine dot org.

New Director at Stonington Public Library

(Stonington)  There’s a new director at the Stonington Public Library.  Ethan Yankura has been named by the Board of Trustees to lead the nonprofit.  A press release notes Yankura is a veteran nonprofit professional with an auto and aviation museum background.  He worked at the Owls Head Transportation Museum for nearly 20 years and also served at the General Henry Knox Museum in Thomaston.

National News

Federal Agents Begin Leaving Minneapolis

(MN)  Federal Agents began leaving Minneapolis yesterday after President Trump spoke by phone this week with Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.  Frey posted on X, “The President agreed the present situation can’t continue.”  The move follows the murder of 37 yo Alex Pretti, a VA nurse who was attempting to help a woman shoved by Customs and Border Patrol Agents.  While multiple videos show Pretti was holding only his phone Saturday when he was wrestled to the ground and shot in the back multiple times, the Trump Administration immediately placed blame on the victim, an accusation Minnesota’s attorney general called “flat-out insane”.  On Tuesday, CBP Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who has been accused of approving the brutal tactics, was demoted as Border Patrol commander and pulled from Minneapolis, replaced by White House Border Czar, Tom Homan.

Calls Mount for Removal of Noem, Miller

(USA)  Calls for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Miller continue to mount following the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis this month.  On Tuesday, Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who supported Noem’s confirmation, called for her to be “immediately fired.”  Both Noem and Miller have been quick to brand both victims as “domestic terrorists”, although extensive video evidence shows that to be patently false in both incidents.  Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt this week attempted to distance the President from Noem’s rhetoric, saying Trump wanted the investigation to “play out”.  Local authorities have been barred from both investigations, casting doubt on their validity and on any potential prosecution of the agents involved in either murder.

Pretti Shooting Renews Gun Debate

(Undated)  Saturday’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent has renewed debate over the Second Amendment and concealed carry laws, but not in typical fashion.  This time, the roles are reversed. While ABC News reports the right to bear arms has been a Republican rallying cry for decades, Trump Administration officials said Pretti, who had a conceal and carry license, did not have the right to be armed near a protest.  Multiple videos show at no time did Pretti pull or threaten agents with his gun. FBI Director Kash Patel declared people cannot bring a loaded firearm to any sort of protest.  But critics point out the hypocrisy in Trump’s support of Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot and killed two men who tried to take his gun during protests in Wisconsin.  Some January 6th rioters also were armed, and Republicans supported a Missouri couple who aimed their firearms at protesters following George Floyd’s murder.  

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