Crime/Public Safety

Authorities Arrest Suspect in Murder of Maine Philanthropist

(Baltimore)  Authorities in Maryland have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of Maine philanthropist Robert Fuller, Jr.  Fuller, Jr. was shot and killed at a senior living facility in Potomac, Maryland on February 14th.  22 yo Maurquise Emillo James was taken into custody Tuesday during a traffic stop.  He faces charges including attempted murder, felony assault and firearms charges in the killing of the 87 yo.  Fuller, Jr. practiced law in central Maine for 35 years and was widely known for his generous support of local nonprofit institutions.

Ellsworth City Hall to Upgrade Security

(Ellsworth) Look for upgraded security measures at Ellsworth City Hall, following a reported increase in threatening interactions with members of the public, including accusatory emails and phone calls, which the City says it is tracking. According to The Ellsworth American, City Council approved the safety measures 6-1 this month, with Councilor Steve O’Halloran voting against the move, saying the City’s plans were vague and that he felt they were a push to “not allow Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth to have a say at meetings at City Hall.”  

Local Politics

Proposed Bill Would Require More Transparency in School Hirings

(Augusta)  Schools do a pretty thorough job of investigating before hiring new employees, especially as they’ll be working directly with young people.  But critical information isn’t always available to districts.  The Portland Press Herald reports LD 2192, a bill before the legislature would change that by requiring applicants for school positions in Maine to disclose all investigations to which they were subject under previous employers and others for a host of alleged misconduct charges.  Those include the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, abuse, harassment, and sexual exploitation, even if the allegations were found to be false or unsubstantiated.  Several people testified on behalf of the bill at a public hearing this week in Augusta.

South Portland Women Sue Over Treatment by ICE

(South Portland)  A pair of South Portland women is suing federal immigration officials, alleging their First Amendment rights to observe Immigrant and Customs Enforcement Agents was threatened when told they would be placed in a database for “domestic terrorists”.  Despite the insistence by the Department of Homeland Security that it does not maintain such a database, videos taken by Elinor Hilton and Colleen Fagan reportedly show ICE officers repeatedly referring to such a watch list.  The videos, accessed by the Portland Press Herald, were taken by Fagan in January after she was pulled over and began recording officers who were questioning another woman in a car.  When asked why the agents were taking down her information, one agent is heard saying, “Because we have a nice little database, and now you’re considered a “domestic terrorist”.  

Polls Show Platner with Growing Lead Over Mills

(Augusta)  A new independent poll shows political newcomer and Sullivan oyster farmer Graham Platner holding a commanding lead in Maine’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.  The University of New Hampshire poll shows Platner with a 38-point lead over Governor Janet Mills.  The winner of the primary will go up against long-running Republican Senator Susan Collins.  The poll also showed Democrat Nirav Shah and Republican Bobby Charles ahead in their parties’ primaries for Governor.  

Bill Would Cap Hospital Payments from Private Insurers

(Augusta)  A proposed bill to cap hospital payments from private insurers at 200% of Medicare reimbursement rates has sparked division between advocates and hospital executives.  According to the Portland Press Herald, supporters claim the measure would curb Maine’s exorbitant hospital costs and make healthcare more affordable.  Hospital leaders say it would force service cuts and even closures, in order to make up for lost revenue because Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates often don’t cover the actual cost of hospital services.  Hospitals make up the difference by charging private insurance companies more.  A public hearing on the bill has not yet been set.  The United States is the only developed, high-income country in the world without a system of universal healthcare.

Legislature Considers Climate Superfund Act

(Maine)  Vermont and New York passed them in 2024.  Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are each considering them this year.  Now Maine lawmakers are weighing a climate superfund act that would fine major fossil fuel companies for past damage.  The laws come as states grapple with how to pay to fix roads, piers, and other infrastructure damaged by severe storms, which are increasing as the climate changes.  Maine’s climate superfund bill, LD 1870, advanced out of committee last month.  According to The Maine Monitor, it would impose fines on companies that contributed more than a billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 1995 and 2024.  The monies would go toward a range of climate resilience and mitigation projects across the state.  Opponents argue the legislation would punish companies by fining them retroactively for activities that were lawful at the time.

Economy 

Former Mill Sites Receive Economic Boost

(East Millinocket)  Three former mill sites in Maine will share $12M for redevelopment and revitalization.  The East Millinocket Paper Mill will receive $5M to support ongoing stabilization and rehab of the former Great Northern site.  Lincoln Technology Park will use its $4M for infrastructure upgrades and future industrial use.  And Maine MILL in Lewiston will use $3M to redevelop the former Camden Yarns Mill into a permanent museum home.  According to a press release, the funds, secured by Senator Susan Collins as part of the FY 2026 budget, will transform long-vacant sites into productive economic spaces.  

Breeze Airways Adds New Destinations from Portland

(Portland)  Beginning in July, Breeze Airways will add additional flights from Portland International Jetport to Ohio – Akron-Canton and Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky, and to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.  The airline will also expand its existing nonstop route to Columbus to four weekly flights.  Flights are limited to certain days each week – check the airline’s website for specific days and availability. 

Former Serendib Owners Purchase State Street Grocery

(Ellsworth)  After nearly three decades of owning the State Street Grocery in Ellsworth, Roger Whitmore decided it was time to sell.  The new owners will be familiar faces.  In a deal closed this week, Whitmore sold the store to former Serendib owners Sanjeeva and Menemsha Abeyasekera, who closed their restaurant in December.  Whitmore told the Ellsworth American that while his customers are sad about his retirement, it was time for him to relax and enjoy life.  And for Serendib fans whose palates fell when the restaurant closed, the new owners say they plan to turn the convenience store into a food stop, serving grab-and-go and made-to-order items … that, yes, will contain many Indian and Sri Lankan foods.  They plan to open the first week of April, once renovations are complete.

Environment

Loaves and Fishes Transitions to Solar

(Ellsworth)  You may have noticed some new “overhead” at The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Ellsworth.  The pantry  is transitioning to solar energy independence.  Between a grant from Versant Power and concessions from Sundog Solar, the pantry reports it is able to install solar panels that will generate 104% of the facility’s electricity, allowing Loaves and Fishes to divert funds from electric bills to food purchases and programming.  

100th Newscast

(Brewer)  This week, we’re celebrating our 100th newscast here on Nice & Easy Internet Radio and the stations of Maine Internet Radio.  Every day this week, we’re giving you a code word on our newscasts.  Just go to our Nice & Easy Internet Radio Facebook page and MESSAGE us the code word with your name.  Each day, we’ll draw a winner who will receive a $15 gift card to Dunkin – Breakfast on us to thank you for your support.  Congratulations to yesterday’s winner – Lynne Dyer of Old Town, and thanks to everyone who entered! Today’s code word is “Digest”.  Every day we do what you likely don’t have TIME to do, but want to stay informed – perusing DOZENS of sources and summarizing the most important local, national and world news for you.  And don’t forget to “like” and “share” the post pinned at the top of my FB page before Saturday for a chance to win $50 to your favorite local small business and a $50 donation to the local charity of your choice.

ECMI Announces New Director

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Community Music Institute has brought a bit of Broadway to Ellsworth.  Peter van Reesema has been named ECMI’s new Director.  van Reesema is a seasoned musician and conductor who previously directed the orchestra for Hamilton in New York City and now brings his experience, vision, and passion for community-based music education to Ellsworth.  He recently relocated to Downeast Maine with his wife in order to be closer to family and says he envisions ECMI becoming “a hub for conversation and creativity,” with expanded student-led programming, more instruments and genres, group classes, summer camps, and the continued presence of world-class artists who mentor and inspire students.  Welcome, Peter and family!

National News

New Hampshire’s Governor Says “No” to Detention Center

(New Hampshire)  Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte announced this week New Hampshire would not be the site of a planned Department of Homeland Security facility to house immigrants.  In a social media post, Ayotte said she had had “productive discussions” with Secretary Kristi Noem during a recent trip to Washington.  The Governor originally appeared to be in favor of the project, but New Hampshire residents pushed back strongly with phone calls and by lining roads and holding posters in protest of what many have come to call detention centers, some even comparing them to concentration camps.

Trump Makes False and Misleading Claims in SOTU

(AP)  The Associated Press reports in Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address, the President presented a frequently distorted account of reality in the country.  Trump claimed his Presidency was a “turnaround for the ages” and cited a myriad of achievements that they say don’t pass scrutiny – including on inflation, immigration, tariffs, and matters of war and peace.  On the economy, Trump claimed he inherited a nation in crisis with a stagnant economy.  But while facts show voters were unhappy with the economy in 2024, it was far from stagnant.  The GDP rose 2.8% in 2024 after adjusting for inflation – a stronger pace of growth than the $2.2% achieved last year during the start of Trump’s second term.  He also claimed incomes were rising, but after-tax incomes rose just 0.9% last year, down from 2.2% in Biden’s last year in office.

© 2026 Downeast Digest. All rights reserved.