Crime/Public Safety

Portland Cancels 207 Day

(Portland)  Portland is canceling its annual 207 Day, this year.  The tradition celebrating the state’s single area code was planned for February 7th, or 2/07.  Portland Downtown posted on FB “growing tensions in our city have created fear and uncertainty for many of our neighbors, friends, and businesses.”  Meanwhile, thousands nationwide continue to turn out to protest the ongoing terrorizing of citizens by ICE and CBP agents in Minneapolis and other areas of Minnesota.  Weekend protests in Maine included those in Portland, Bucksport, and elsewhere.

Maryland Man’s Body Recovered Near Bar Island

(ANP)  A 25-year-old-man died last week after he apparently became stuck on Bar Island off Bar Harbor.  An hours-long search began Wednesday night and ended Thursday morning when officials found the man’s body in the water near the island, which is only accessible at low tide.  Warning signs are visibly posted, cautioning of a 2-hour or less window for visitors to cross back and forth to the mainland on a sandbar.  Authorities were notified of the man’s predicament about 5 Wednesday night and instituted a search of the uninhabited island, using a K9, as temperatures dipped below zero, but they were unable to locate the victim.  The National Park Service is leading the investigation and said the man’s name would not be released until 72 hours after notification of next-of-kin.

Brunswick Break-in

(Brunswick)  A man who attempted to break into a residence in Brunswick Saturday morning apparently  chose the wrong home.  Authorities arrived at the Linnell Circle address about 6:40 to find 41 yo Timothy Miller suffering injuries to his face and body.  The homeowner, who apparently knew the alleged perp, awoke to find Miller in his home, armed with a baseball bat and a knife.  He fought back, injuring the suspect, who left and then attempted unsuccessfully to enter another home.   Miller was taken to a nearby hospital but faces multiple charges, including burglary, aggravated assault, and violating release conditions.

Local Politics

Maine Unclaimed Property Week

(Augusta)  Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed this week “Maine Unclaimed Property Week”.  Treasurer Joseph C. Perry said in a news release, unclaimed property consists of money and other financial assets considered lost or abandoned when an owner can’t be located within a specific period of time.  He says tens of millions of dollars go unclaimed each year, and the state is currently holding more than $395M in such assets.  Search the database at maine unclaimed property dot gov.

Economy

Finelli Pizzeria Celebrates 25 Years

(Ellsworth)  It’s an anniversary year for Finelli Pizzeria in Ellsworth.  2026 marks 25 years of serving up New York style pies in the Ellsworth community.  That’s a lot of cheese and tomato sauce!  This week’s “Where in the World …” winner will get a $25 gift card to Finelli’s. They say keep your eye on their social media pages for something fun in the spring to commemorate the anniversary.  And a big congratulations to last week’s winner, Emily Muise, who’s going to be enjoying some deliciousness with her $25 gift card  from Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth.

Section Eight Housing Available

(Ellsworth)  Are you or is someone you know in need of Section Eight housing?  The Mount Desert Island and  Ellsworth Housing Authorities are accepting applications for some programs and properties.  Income limits apply, and preference for placement is given to the elderly, families, veterans,and those with verifiable disabilities that meet certain qualifications.  For more information or an application, call Theresa at 288-4770, extension 127.   And we’ll post that information with this story on our website, downeast digest dot news.

New Community Food Resource Opens in Penobscot

(Penobscot)  A new community food resource has opened in Penobscot.  The River Observer reports Penobscot Provisions, located at the old firehouse on Bridges Point Road, is offering non-perishables to those in need.  Open 24 hours a day, the new resource is staffed entirely by volunteers and relies entirely on community donations.  Non-perishables, household supplies, and personal care items can be put in the cupboard on the back wall – they just ask that you check expiration dates.  Anyone wishing to help can contact organizer Heather Emanuelson.

Education

Sumner Speech and Debate Team Headed to Nationals

(Sullivan)  Six Sumner students came out shining at the school’s first ever Maine State Speech and Debate Championship in Skowhegan.  The team of Reese Bryant and Emily Green qualified in Duo Interpretation, and Chris Delgado qualified in Extemporaneous Speaking, the three qualifying to represent the state at the NCFL Grand National Tournament in Washington, DC in May.  And it wasn’t just the students – John Russell was honored as the 2026 Maine State Speech and Debate Coach of the Year.  We’ve shared more details, more honors, and what’s next for the team on our Nice & Easy Internet Radio social media pages.

Ellsworth HS Cheerleaders on Their Way to Four-Peat

(Ellsworth)  If this year’s Ellsworth High School Cheerleading Squad Seniors make it one more step, they’ll have a perfect record – state champs all four of their high school years.  The Eagles captured their fourth straight Class B North Regional title Saturday.  The Bucksport squad were runners up in Class C South.  The 20th annual Maine State Cheer Challenge is just a week away now – that’s Sunday, February 8th, at the Augusta Civic Center.

Ellsworth Community Raises Funds for Ninth Grader

(Ellsworth)  It’s uncertain which was more full last Thursday night – the hearts or stomachs of those who turned out for a spaghetti dinner to benefit Ellsworth High School 9th grader Layla Downs and her family.  Between the dinner and the raffles, the event raised more than $4900 for Layla’s medical expenses.  Local businesses donated prizes, including a brand-new Giant Brand Mountain Bike valued at $750.  Dinner was by donation, and the community packed the house at Ellsworth Elementary School.  Anyone still interested in donating can call EEMS.

Environment

Shaw Institute Internship Applications Closing Soon

(Blue Hill)  If you’re looking to gain hands-on experience in environmental research, science education, and community engagement, look no further than the Internship Program at the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill.  Share your passion for the environment and research and work alongside scientists and educators in tackling real-world environmental challenges.  Open to students and early-career professionals.  Deadline to apply is this Friday, February 6th.  Apply at Shaw Institute dot org.

Human Interest

Groundhog Day

(Undated)  It’s Groundhog Day – we’re all waiting anxiously for Punxsutawney Phill to emerge from his burrow in Pennsylvania to predict whether, if he sees his shadow, we’ll see six more weeks of winter or, if not, an early spring.  Phil, by no means, has the last word for everyone.  In Connecticut, the declaration comes from Scramble the Duck; in Texas, Bee Cave Bob the Armadillo is the seasons’ trusted source.  Here in Maine, we know there’s little hope of an early Spring, so we have Passy Pete, a Maine lobster who emerges from Penobscot Bay in Belfast, not on February 2nd, but on Labor Day.  Pete is presented with two scrolls, one predicting six more weeks of SUMMER, the other an early WINTER.  We do things a little differently here in Maine … and Mainers tend to like it that way.

Helen’s Restaurant Honors Former Ellsworth Clerk

(Ellsworth)  Don’t cook tonight, head over to Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth for a benefit Spaghetti Dinner in honor of the Grindle family, following the unexpected loss of former Ellsworth City Clerk, Heidi Grindle.  Just $10 per person from 5-7 this evening, with proceeds going directly to Heidi’s family.  Or you can drop off donations during the week.  Big thanks to Helen’s of Ellsworth for always supporting a good cause.

Hollywood Casino Donates Big to Sarah’s House of Maine

(Dedham)  A big shout out to Hollywood Casino for their $25k donation to Sarah’s House of Maine as part of their Elevated Campaign.  Sarah’s House offers a home away from home at no charge for cancer patients and their families being treated in Bangor.  To learn more about their campaign, visit sarahs house of maine dot org.

In National News Headlines*

• A five year old and his father abducted by ICE agents in Minneapolis last week and sent to a detention center in Texas are back home.  A federal judge ordered their release after the little boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, became ill while being held at the center.
• President Trump has proposed building a 250 foot tall arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.  Architects say it would dwarf the 100-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial, obstruct views, and distort the intent of surrounding memorials.
• In a move some call reminiscent of pre-WW II Germany, the Trump administration has begun buying up large industrial buildings in at least eight states to serve as mass detention centers.

• The House is expected to take up a measure today to reopen agencies after a second government shutdown under President Trump began Saturday morning.  
• Former CNN Journalist Don Lemon was released without bond over a charge he and others violated federal law when covering a demonstration at a Minneapolis church.  The judge found “no evidence” of criminal behavior, and Lemon and his attorney said they will fight the issue on First Amendment and Freedom of the Press constitutional grounds.
• Upsets in Texas this week, as Democrats flipped state Senate District Trump won by double digits 

and a seat in another district the President won by 17 points in 2024.  The wins in the runoff elections narrow a Republican majority in the U.S. House.  

*You’ll find much more detail on these and other national news stories on our our National News page.

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Penobscot Provisions