Crime/Public Safety

FBI Investigates Border Incident

(Lubec)  The FBI is investigating a Sunday incident in which a person allegedly ran the border and assaulted a US Customs and Border Protection officer in Lubec.  The Bangor Daily News was the first to report the story and issued an update Thursday.  They say an officer reportedly pursued a vehicle that failed to stop at the port of entry into the U.S.  After finally stopping about two miles in, in the area of County Road, the person fought with officials, was disarmed, and then temporarily placed in custody.  Witnesses said at least one gunshot was heard, but it’s unclear whether anyone was actually shot. In the days since, the incident has reportedly been “shrouded in secrecy”, according to the paper.  The alleged assault happened around 6:40 p.m, just hours before border personnel in New Hampshire shot a person who reportedly first fired shots at them early Sunday morning.  

Local Politics

Maine Ethics Commission to Continue to Investigate Democrats

(Augusta)  The Maine Ethics Commission on Wednesday voted to continue investigating whether the state Democratic Party failed to file campaign finance reports as part of its efforts to defeat a voter ID referendum last November.  But Maine Public reports the commission disagreed with a complaint that the party should have created a separate ballot question committee, due to its heavy involvement in the campaign.  Voters overwhelmingly rejected Question 1, which would have required voters to show a photo ID at the polls and placed limits on absentee voting.  A complaint filed two weeks after the election alleges the Democratic committee failed to clearly disclose its spending in its campaign finance reports with the Maine Ethics Committee.

Economy

Four Hancock County Entities Receive MTI Funding

(Brooklin)  Brooklin Boat Yard is one of four Hancock County entities to receive funding from the Maine Technology Institute, designed to drive growth in Maine’s innovation economy.  The boatyard will receive $1.5M to build a new 7500 square foot service-and-technology building that will allow the company to take on more projects and hire ten additional employees.  MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor was also awarded funds.  The lab will use its $960K to build a new animal husbandry and lab space to test new therapeutic compounds made from marine algae.  Bold Coast Seafood in Gouldsboro and The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor also received funding. The winners were chosen from 113 applicants seeking $127M in funding.  

(Gouldsboro)  Gouldsboro, Brooklin, Bar Harbor, and MDI.  The Maine Technology Institute has awarded organizations in these four Hancock County towns funding to be used to drive growth in Maine’s innovation economy.  According to The Rising Tide, MTI received 113 applications and delivered a total of 25 awards to Maine innovators.  Bold Coast Seafood in Gouldsboro received $1.25M to expand its capacity to process and sell Jonah crabs, a common bycatch of lobster fishing.  The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor won $2M to renovate an existing building on its campus to create a state-of-the-art model that will be used to breed mice for infectious disease research.  The Brooklin Boat Yard and MDI Biological Laboratory rounded out the recipients in Hancock County.  

Businesses Partner to Help Stem Hunger in Hancock County

(Ellsworth)  A plan to help stem hunger is brewing at Chloe’s Cafe in Ellsworth, along with their fresh, hot coffee.  During the month of March, Chloe’s will donate 10% of every regular coffee purchased to the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.  And First National Bank is cashing in on the action, as well.  They’ll match all donations up to $1K, doubling the community’s contributions.  The bottom line?  Bottoms up – all March long at Chloe’s Cafe on Water Street in Ellsworth!

Ellsworth American to Launch New History-Focused Newspaper

(Ellsworth)  Don’t know much about history?  A new weekly newspaper will soon help you out with that.  The Ellsworth American is launching “The Bangor Historian”.  The publication will feature articles about the people and places that have made the Bangor region the place it is today.  Photographs, maps, drawings, and other visuals will accompany stories and help to bring them to life.  Publisher Chris Crocket says the eight-page paper will be distributed weekly to some 26K households via direct mail.  Look for the first edition to arrive in your mailbox in early April, no sign-up required.  Content will also be available online at bangor historian dot com.

Education

EPL Presents Series Designed to Spark Discussion

(Ellsworth)  Should free speech be limited?  Where does book banning fit in – or does it?  How do those on the front lines manage complex private lives while battling civil rights issues?  And where do other cultures fit into our nation – especially in the food we eat!  The Ellsworth Public Library is launching a series of free film screenings designed to be discussion driving and thought provoking.  Join them March 21st during Women’s History Month for “The Inquisitor”, the story of civil rights icon Barbara Jordan.  Then on April 25th, celebrate National Library Week with a screening of “The Librarians” – a look at the conflict surrounding book banning.  And on May 23rd, come along to five international grocery stores in the US, and meet the communities they serve as they celebrate global food traditions over a shared meal. More information coming soon at ellsworth library dot net.

Environment

Shaw Institute Featured in National Publication

(Blue Hill)  The Shaw Institute in Blue Hill received some well-deserved recognition this week.  Dr. Charles Rolsky, Executive Director and Lead Scientist at the Institute, was quoted in an article in the national environmental publication One Clear Drop.  The publication notes diversion programs for soft plastics like plastic bags, wrap, shrink wrap and the like, difficult to recycle through conventional means, keeps such items from the waste stream.  The Shaw Institute, one of the first in the nation to pilot the Clear Drop Soft Plastic Compactor, achieved 94% diversion of laboratory-generated soft plastics.  The Institute’s work on environmental issues, including the effects of PFAS,  is regularly published in leading scientific journals and covered by international media.

Brooksville to Ask Voters to Approve Bond for Dredging

(Brooksville)  Brooksville officials will take the question of dredging to voters next week at their March 3rd Annual Town Meeting.  At issue, a bond for up to $500K to underpin a three-phase project to dredge Betsy’s Cove and reconstruct the town’s landing pier and boat ramp.  The ongoing challenge for Brooksville is the tide, over which the town has no control.  According to Rising Tide Media, in spite of having 52 miles of coastline, there is no all-tide public access, so the dozens of lobster fishermen who moor their crafts at Betsy’s Cove must load traps in stages, using the old pier and floats, then wait for the tide to rise in order to bring them in for loading.  Proponents say dredging the cove will create a low water tide of approximately six feet, providing 24-hour access and could spur more business activity in Buck’s Harbor.. 

Human Interest

Broadway or Bussed

(Ellsworth)  Attention, theatre lovers!  The Grand in Ellsworth presents “Broadway or Bussed” … that’s b-u-s-s-e-d, because it’s a special motorcoach adventure to Boston to see Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  Journey by chartered coach, enjoy time to tour the city, and thrill to a matinee performance of the classic on Saturday, April 18th.  This special performance reunites members of the original Tony Award-winning artistic team.  Reserve your spot before April 1st to save $50.  Space is limited.  Visit your grand dot org.

Religion Overlap

(Undated)  Because beliefs are often so strong, religious differences tend more often than not to divide rather than unite.  But a comparison of world religions shows they have much more in common than practice would seem to show.  For instance, almost all religions encourage some sort of fasting, kindness toward the poor in particular, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.  This month, Muslims, Christians, and Asian religions are enjoying a rare alignment of holidays.   The start of Ramadan and Lent overlapped last week, and at the same time, many Asian communities welcomed the Year of the Horse.  The celebrations have people of all faiths turning to look inward and examine what we can do to better the world by bettering ourselves.

Wrapping up 100th Newscast Week

(Brewer)  To celebrate our 100th newscast on the stations of Maine Internet Radio, every day this week, we’ve shared a code word on our newscasts.  Folks go to our Nice & Easy Internet Radio Facebook page and MESSAGE us the code word with their name.  Each day, we draw a winner who will receive a $15 gift card to Dunkin – Breakfast on us to show our gratitude for your support.  Congratulations to yesterday’s winner – Shirley Dennison of Ellsworth, and thanks to everyone who entered this week!! Today’s code word – our final one – is “Gratitude”.  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 by Midnight tonight for a chance to win $50 to your favorite local small business and a $50 donation to the local charity of your choice.

Infrastructure

Salt Shortage

(Maine)  We’ve been told large amounts of salt can raise blood pressure, but a lack of salt this season is raising the blood pressure of road crews.  The Portland Press Herald reports Maine’s private snowplow drivers are looking at empty bins and scrounging dry depots because of a national rock salt shortage that strips them of their first defense against icy parking lots and sidewalks.  The shortage is driven by disruptions to traditional winter weather patterns or supply chains. National suppliers are rationing or even cutting off commercial plow operators to ensure they can fulfill government contracts.  Crews say sand is a poor substitute, as it doesn’t melt ice and is incredibly messy.  Sources say the state has plenty of salt on hand, though some municipalities are finding themselves running low.  Should be plenty of melting this weekend, with temps reaching up into the 40s.

National News

Hilary Clinton Testifies in Epstein Case

(Washington)  Former Secretary Hilary Clinton headed into closed door testimony in the Epstein case Thursday, but not before issuing a memo slamming the members of the committee for refusing to allow her to testify publicly.  In her statement, Clinton said she did not recall ever encountering Epstein, never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes, or offices, adding, “Like every decent person, I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes.”  She also made clear her disgust that the committee has made little effort to call the people who show up most prominently in the Epstein files, adding she has spent her life advocating for women and girls and working to stop such abuses.  The deposition was paused yesterday after a photo from inside the room was leaked. 

Florida Fourth Grader Receives Encouragement from Classmates

(Florida)  A fourth grade class in Florida is celebrating an amazing act of kindness and support – especially a classmate named Sophia.  ABC News reports Sophia wasn’t feeling very good about herself and told her teacher she just didn’t feel very smart.  So after school that day Mrs. Miller asked a student named Ashton what they should do.  The next day when Sophia was out of the room, they covered her desk and chair with dozens of sticky notes, with hand-written messages like, “You’re a Star”, “You slay!”, and “You’re crazy awesome!”  Sophia was all tears, and all smiles, as was the rest of the class.  The  video of the incident has since gone viral, with one person in Texas reaching out to say he wants to buy the class pizzas and drinks to celebrate.  Good people, doing great things for each other.

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