Crime/Public Safety

Connecticut Man Removed from Trenton Motel

(Trenton)  A Connecticut man was apparently doing anything but “showing the love” at a Trenton motel on Valentine’s Day.  The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department tells Downeast Digest deputies were called to the location shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday on a trespassing complaint.  After further investigation, 37 yo Jaysen Tyrseck was removed from the location and charged with Criminal Trespass and Refusing to Submit to Arrest or Detention.  

Authorities Investigate Gunfire at CMP Substations

(Maine)  Multiple law enforcement agencies were called to investigate a series of shots fired at Central Maine Power substations on Sunday.  At about 12:15 a.m., gunfire was reported at the Coopers Mill Substation in Windsor.  Then at 4:00 that morning, shots were reported at the substation on Benton Avenue in Winslow.  At 4:15, officers from the Augusta Police Department  were called to the substation on Capital Street.  At each location, officers found evidence of gunfire and damage to installations. Later that morning, 54 yo Thomas Welch of Fairfield turned himself in to the Fairfield Police Department.  Welch faces multiple charges, including Aggravated Criminal Mischief.  He was taken to the Kennebec County Jail.  An investigation is ongoing.  

Trenton Structure Fire

(Trenton)  A structure fire in Trenton Saturday is being blamed on a bathroom ceiling fan.  Crews from Trenton and Ellsworth were called to a home at 49 Goose Cove Road about 1:40 that afternoon after residents saw smoke coming from the ceiling.  The occupants and their pets were able to safely evacuate before crews arrived.  The blaze extended into the roof and rafters, but crews were able to contain it there.  No injuries were reported.  Crews from Hancock, Lamoine, and Mount Desert also assisted, along with Versant Power and Northern Light Ambulance.   

Longtime Lamoine Fire Chief Dies

(Lamoine) First responders across the state are mourning the loss of longtime Lamoine Fire Chief George “Skip” Smith, who passed away this weekend following a lengthy illness.  Smith served the department as chief for the past 49 years, was the longest continuing employee of the Town of Lamoine and one of the longest serving chiefs in the state, having joined the Department as a teenager.  Funeral arrangements, when made, will be posted on the Town of Lamoine FB page.

Washington County Sheriff to Retire

(Machias)  Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis says he won’t run for re-election when his term ends this December.  Curtis was elected Sheriff in 2014 and has overseen the construction of a new public safety building using ARPA funds, but also faced reductions in funding for his department  amid a county budget crisis.  Chief Deputy Michael Crabtree will run for the position and is so far unopposed.

Maine Sheriffs’ Association Participates in Flag Sojourn 250

(Maine)  The Maine Sheriffs’ Association is proudly participating in Flag Sojourn 250, a ceremonial flag observance in commemoration of America’s 250th birthday.  The historic flag is currently touring all 50 states, with sheriffs’ offices across the country taking part in honoring its symbolism.  The public is invited to attend the event this morning at 11 at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Lubec.  Following its nationwide journey, the flag will be respectfully secured and memorialized in Washington, DC this July.  

Local Politics

President’s Day Standout

(Ellsworth)  An enthusiastic group of protestors lined State Street in Ellsworth in front of Shaw’s Grocery yesterday to participate in the President’s Day Standout.  Peaceful protest has become the norm in pushing back against what resistors say is a move toward facism by the current administration.

Economy

Wild Blueberry Creation Offers Emergency Funding

(Augusta)  Maine’s Wild Blueberry Commission has created a new program, offering more than a million dollars in emergency funding.  The Bangor Daily News reports the funding is designed to keep growers in business following devastating crop losses in 2025.  The season was one of the most challenging in decades, with a summer of extreme drought that led to more than $28M in lost revenue.  Applications for the new Industry Emergency Viability Grant program fall short of what is needed, but the Commission says it continues to advocate for the USDA to release additional funding assistance.

No-Go for 2026 Bucksport Bay Festival

(Bucksport)  It’s a no-go for the 2026 Bucksport Bay Festival.  The Town of Bucksport has been the sponsor of the event the past three years, but said it was no longer able to do so.  Officials reached out to other groups to see if they could take over the fundraising and organizing, but none of those contacted felt they had enough time to pull the event together for this year.  According to the town website, the festival attracts between 3 and 5 thousand people to the town each year.

Aroma Joe’s Construction Continues in Bucksport

(Bucksport)  Construction of a new Aroma Joe’s on Route One in Bucksport is moving ahead, but with a slight change.  The building will be a few feet larger than initially proposed in order to accommodate office space.  Handicap parking spaces have been moved to better meet federal requirements, and slight changes were made to the storm water retention system.  The River Observer reports the drive-through lane will hold 12 to 15 cars at a time, with a drive through window … and a small window near the front entrance for food delivery services such as DoorDash and GrubHub.  Officials hope to open sometime in mid-to-late summer.

Lubec Heating Aid Fund Nearly Out of Money

(Lubec)  Like several other towns, Lubec manages a fuel fund to help local seniors heat their homes.  With this winter’s weeks of  long, bitter cold, Town Administrator Suzette Francis told the Select Board the fund is running out of money.  Last year, the fund made 52 deliveries to area seniors.  As of this weekend, the fund had just $4500, which Francis said was the lowest ever seen. The Bangor Daily News reports the program is funded entirely through donations and is generally available from September to May. Those funds don’t stretch as far as they used to for a variety of reasons, not the least of which, the average cost of heating oil that is currently just over $3.50 a gallon.  Francis said demand is up and donations inconsistent.  Anyone wishing to contribute can contact the Town Office or a Selectman.

Greenhead Lobster Secures Permit for Aquaculture Business

(Stonington)  Greenhead Lobster has taken a major step in its plan to develop a viable aquaculture business as a supplement to its traditional lobster business.  The company hopes to re-use lobster pounds to cultivate oysters in Stonington. Island Ad-Vantages reports Greenhead, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Stonington, has received approval of two aquaculture leases there.  The company is reportedly the largest family-owned lobster wholesaler and processor in Maine.

Education

Surry Votes to Retain School Choice

(Surry)  Members of the Surry School Board have voted unanimously to maintain school choice.  The Weekly Packet reports the vote came after weighing a proposal from George Stevens Academy that would have required the town to commit to sending its high school students to a single school.  Students from Surry currently attend several area high schools, including GSA, Ellsworth and Bucksport. Officials with George Stevens say the recent departure of their head of school is an opportunity to rethink and revise policies there.

Human Interest

100th Newscast on Nice and Easy

(Brewer)  This Monday, we’ll air our 100th newscast on Nice and Easy Internet Radio.  We want to thank those of you who have supported us these past few months.  One lucky winner will receive a gift valued at $100 – a $50 gift card to the local small business of your choice; plus, we’ll donate $50 to the local nonprofit of your choice.  All you have to do to enter is visit my FB page – “like” the post you see pinned to the top of the page, and “share” it with your friends.  We’ll draw a winner on February 28th from everyone who participates.  Here at Downeast Digest News, we feel local news is definitely important.  We also know you care about the critical events happening in our country and in our world.  So every day, we peruse multiple local news sources – newspapers and TV stations; plus major publications such as the NY Times, the Washington Post, and Fox News coverage.  We then summarize the key stories and bring them to you on the stations of Maine Internet Radio.  We’ll have another opportunity to win coming up next week.  Thanks for listening, and thanks for the support that has truly kept us going!

National News

Government Shutdown

(AP)  Lawmakers and the White House as of Monday were offering no signs of compromise in their battle over oversight of federal immigration officers.  The standoff has led to yet another government shutdown and a pause in funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The Associated Press reports the shutdown began Saturday after congressional Democrats and the Trump team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September.  Democrats are demanding changes on how immigration operations are conducted, after the fatal shootings of US citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by agents in Minneapolis.  ICE and CBP are still able to operate through funds secured in the President’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”, which was passed last year.

Rhode Island Shooting

(Pawtucket, RI)  Two people, including a suspect, are dead following a shooting Monday at a hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.  Authorities say the tragedy occurred about 2 p.m. at an indoor ice skating rink and appeared to be a family dispute involving a man and a woman.  Three other people were injured and taken to a hospital.  Arena video contains the sound of at least 14 shots, which appear to be  coming from the stands.  The violence leaves Rhode Islanders shaken, coming just two months after a gunman opened fire at Brown University, killing two students and injuring nine others.  

Passport Changes

(Undated)  The State Department has ordered certain nonprofit public libraries to stop processing passport applications.  Librarians say the long-running service has operated smoothly and served local needs for decades.  According to the Associated Press, a State Department spokesperson said federal law “clearly prohibits non-governmental organizations from collecting passport application fees”;  but gave no explanation as to how many libraries were affected nor why the issue is just now surfacing.

© 2026 Downeast Digest.  All rights reserved.