Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Theft Ring Responsible for Hancock, Waldo, York County Break-ins
(Hancock County) Recent thefts in Hancock, Waldo, and York Counties are likely the work of a traveling theft ring. Authorities say the string of break-ins began in December at YMCA’s in the three counties and have continued into January. Officials say the gang is linked to an operation that has targeted cars in parking lots nationwide for at least seven years. The thieves typically steal wallets and checkbooks and then assume the person’s identity to cash checks, usually in another state. The so-called Felony Lane Gang first popped up in Maine in Belfast in 2015.
(Hancock County) Authorities have dubbed them the Felony Lane Gang. They’re believed to be a group of women that have targeted cars in parking lots, particularly YMCA’s, in Hancock, Waldo, and York counties in the past two months, smashing windows and grabbing wallets to steal people’s ID’s and money. The gang first hit Maine in Belfast in 2015, but is known for crimes nationwide. While police have struggled to totally break up the gang, they have reportedly begun to figure out the gang’s modus operandi, and several members have been arrested.
Stricter Penalties Proposed for Using Mobile Devices While Driving
(Augusta) Driving while using a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone could bring stiffer fines if a proposal before the current Maine legislature passes. The bill, LD 145, increases the penalty for a first offense from $50 to $500 and from $250 to $1,000 for a second. A third or subsequent offense would mean a person’s driver’s license is revoked.
(Augusta) A local volunteer firefighter is behind a proposal to raise fines for using a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone while driving. LD 145, which is currently before the Maine legislature, would increase the penalty for a first offense from $50 to $500 and from $250 to $1,000 for a second. A third or subsequent offense would mean revocation of the offender’s driver’s license.
Cows Rescued in Union Barn Collapse
(Union) A barn in Union collapsed under the weight of snow and saturating rains last Thursday, pulling first responders and community members together to rescue the animals trapped inside. The Pen Bay Pilot reports four cows were killed and another seriously injured in the collapse, but area farmers and others responded and were able on Friday to rescue about 30 more cows that seemed to be in good condition.
Local Politics
Bar Harbor to Appoint Interim Town Manager This Week
(Bar Harbor) The Town of Bar Harbor plans to appoint an interim Town Manager this week. Former Town Manager Kevin Sutherland abruptly resigned last week, just a year into the job. While he did not cite reasons for the move, sources say it was for personal reasons. The town council plans to appoint an interim town manager on Tuesday during a planned workshop with the budget committee.
(Bar Harbor) Bar Harbor plans to appoint an interim Town Manager Tuesday during a planned workshop with the budget committee. Former Town Manager Kevin Sutherland abruptly resigned last week, just a year into the job. Sutherland did not give a reason for his departure, but sources cited personal reasons for the move.
CMP Fights Back Against Consumer-Owned Utility
(Augusta) Central Maine Power is fighting back against a movement to replace the state’s utility companies with a consumer owned utility. The consumer owned utility question qualified for the ballot last November, but now a rival question backed by CMP would subject certain public borrowing over a billion dollars to voter approval. If it passes, the question would force a second vote on the question of a consumer owned utility, because it would take billions to buy out the infrastructure of CMP and Versant Power.
(Augusta) Last November, the question of a consumer owned utility qualified for the ballot and will go before voters. But last week, utility giant CMP threw the issue a curve ball by qualifying to have a second question on the ballot. The second question would subject certain public borrowing over a billion dollars to voter approval, meaning if the consumer owned utility question passed, it would need a second vote. That’s because it would take billions to buy out the infrastructure of CMP and Versant Power.
Winterport Lawmaker Faces Fine for Missing Deadline (check for update)
(Winterport) A Winterport lawmaker is facing a nearly $2,000 fine for missing a filing deadline related to her campaign expenditures. The Pen Bay Pilot reports Republican Representative Reagan Paul should have filed a report for campaign expenditures for printed materials within a day of the expenditure back in October. Paul reportedly has requested a waiver and also asked the commission to find she didn’t intentionally violate the law. The 23 yo lawmaker said it’s her first time running for office, and the learning curve has been a steep one.
Economy
Heart of Ellsworth Launches Downtown Grant Program
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth has partnered with six community banks to launch the 2023 Downtown Grants Program. This year’s is the third rendition of the program, which aims to support entrepreneurs, small businesses, innovators, and startups. Eleven mini grants of one thousand dollars each are available for start up or expansion projects. All downtown Ellsworth business owners and area entrepreneurs are eligible to apply through February 17th at heart of ellsworth dot org.
(Ellsworth) Downtown Ellsworth business owners and area entrepreneurs are invited to apply for one of eleven one-thousand-dollar mini grants offered through Heart Of Ellsworth’s Downtown Grants Program. Heart of Ellsworth has partnered with six community banks to launch this year’s program, designed to support entrepreneurs, small businesses, innovators and startups. Applications are available through February 17th at Heart of ellsworth dot org.
Women Take the Lead in Congressional Spending Committees
(Washington, DC) With political buzz words “debt ceiling” and “recession” dominating current economic news, pundits say it’s good to know women are in charge of the two congressional spending committees. It’s the first time the four leaders of the committees are female. The women include Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins and Shalanda Young, the first Black woman to lead the Office of Management and Budget. In an Associated Press interview, the women, who represent both major parties, said their camaraderie, friendship, and willingness to collaborate will be crucial this year as they navigate a path to keep the government open and running.
(Washington, DC) Move over gentlemen. For the first time, the four leaders of the two congressional spending committees in Washington are women, and that group includes Maine Republican Senator and Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Susan Collins. The group consists of members of both parties who noted in an Associated Press interview their camaraderie, friendship, and willingness to collaborate will be crucial this year as they navigate a path to keeping the government open and running.
Education
Collaboration Gets Hancock County School Kids Outdoors
(Hancock) A program in Eastern Hancock County is getting kids outdoors for classroom time. WABI-TV reports the Maine Outdoor School was launched in winter 2020 with one school. This year, it reaches all 10 schools in eastern Hancock County. The outdoor program is a product of Frenchman Bay Conservancy, with support from Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, which has committed $5,000 a year for the next five years to support the program, which combines learning, exercise and fresh air.
(Hancock) There’s a place for technology; but when it comes to learning, there’s nothing like getting kids outdoors in the fresh air. WABI-TV reports that’s the goal of the Maine Outdoor School, which now benefits Hancock Grammar School and nine other schools in eastern Hancock County. Launched in 2020 by Frenchman Bay Conservancy, the program is supported financially by Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, which has committed $5,000 a year for the next five years. The “classes” combine learning, exercise, and a breath of fresh air to invigorate kids’ minds and bodies.
Health
JAX Professor Receives Emerging Leader Award
(Bar Harbor) JAX Professor Jennifer Trowbridge has received a 2023 Emerging Leader Award from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. The award is one of six presented by the Foundation to outstanding early career investigators for projects aimed at addressing unmet needs in cancer research. A total of $4.5 million dollars will be divided among the recipients.
Environment
Maine Blueberries Will “BEE” in Good Shape
(Maine) News that Hurricane Ian destroyed some 150,000 hives last September in Florida brought shudders to Maine blueberry lovers who know the state’s all-important blueberry pollinators over-winter in the South. But it appears the state’s crop will “bee” in good shape. The Maine Monitor reports Maine’s largest beekeeping company, Swan’s Honey, winters their bees in South Georgia. Pollination will begin here in mid-May.
(Maine) Bees are crucial to Maine’s blueberry industry, and many of the state’s beekeepers send their hives south for the winter. So when news broke last September that Hurricane Ian had destroyed some 150,000 hives, it was definitely cause for concern. The news ultimately, however, was sweeter than honey. The Maine Monitor reports Maine’s largest beekeeping company, Swan’s Honey, winters their bees in South Georgia. In typical Maine fashion, many of Maine’s beekeepers are now helping Florida beekeepers. They say the Pine Tree State will “bee” in good shape for pollination to begin in mid-May.
Human Interest
Darling’s Donates Van
(Bangor) Darling’s Auto Group will donate a van to the Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor. The Dodge Grand Caravan will be presented to the group this Thursday, February 2nd. The van will be used for transportation for actors and crew members, and will be especially helpful for their Dramatic Academy and summer camps.
Dog Registrations Due
(Maine) Dog-gone it! If you’ve put off registering your pup, tomorrow is the deadline here in Maine. Here’s the scoop; yeah, as in dog poop – after January 31st, the state will charge you a mandatory fine of $25 per dog. So quit barking about it – get to your local town office or go online (have that current rabies certificate and proof of spay neuter handy) and make that relationship between you and your precious pup legal.
New Exhibit Opens at Maine Maritime Museum
(Bath) Looking for an intriguing experience for the whole family on these cold winter days? The Maine Maritime Museum is opening a new, year-long exhibit entitled “SeaChange: Darkness and Light in the Gulf of Maine” – on Friday, February 3. In partnership with Gulf of Maine EcoArts, the exhibit blends art with natural science, immersing visitors in the diverse ecosystem of Cashes Ledge, a remote underwater mountain range in the Gulf of Maine. The ledge is recreated through a variety of different mediums, including painting, sculpture and video projection.
Not-so-sweet Chocolates
(Consumer Reports) Chocolates for Valentine’s Day? Maybe send flowers instead. Consumer Reports has urged four chocolate producers to commit to reducing the amounts of lead and cadmium in their dark chocolate products by February 14th. Testing revealed harmful levels of the heavy metals. The consumer advocate sent letters to Hershey, Mondelez International, Theo Chocolate and Trader Joe’s. Consumer Reports said long-term exposure to the metals can result in nervous system problems, immune system suppression and kidney damage.
Sports
Local high school basketball today, the Jonesport-Beals Lady Royals take on Calais (3 pm), while the Sumner boys (7:30) and girls (4:30) take on Narraguagus. And the Jonesport-Beals boys shoot hoops with Woodland (6:30).
Bruins lose to the Hurricanes 4-1 Sunday. The Celtics and Bruins both off until Wednesday
(Celtics host the Brooklyn Nets, Bruins in Toronto against Maple Leafs).