Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Ellsworth Man Shot After Firing at Police
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Police were greeted by an armed shooter just before Christmas while responding to a December 22nd harassment complaint at a home on Water Street. En route to the scene, officers learned 68 yo Jeff Paine had a warrant out for his arrest. Paine reportedly greeted the officers at the door with a firearm, tried to shut the door on them, and then fired his gun at the officers. One officer fired back, striking Paine in the arm. Paine was then placed under arrest, given first aid and taken to a hospital. Upon his release, Paine was taken to the Hancock County Jail where authorities say he’ll likely face additional charges.
(Ellsworth) A 68 yo Ellsworth man was shot on December 22nd after he reportedly confronted police with a gun at his Water Street residence. The Ellsworth Police Department tells Star 97.7 officers were responding to a harassment complaint shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Friday, when they learned Jeff Paine had a warrant out for failing to stop for an officer. Paine reportedly met the officers at the door with a firearm, attempted to close the door on them, then fired at the officers. Officer Joshua Steward fired back, striking Paine in the arm. The suspect was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center and then to the Hancock County Jail, where he likely will face additional charges.
(Ellsworth) A Water Street resident got a stay in the Hancock County Jail over the holidays after he allegedly fired a gun at officers. Ellsworth Police say authorities went to a home at 430 Water Street shortly before 9:30 pm on the 22nd in response to a harassment complaint. On the way, they learned the suspect, 68 yo Jeff Paine, had a warrant out for failing to stop for an officer. Police tell Star 97.7, Paine greeted the officers at the door with a firearm, attempted to shut the door on them, and then fired at the officers. One officer fired back, striking Paine in the arm. Paine was arrested and treated at the scene and later taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center. Upon release, Paine was transported to the Hancock County Jail, where he likely faces more charges.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Police Officers on Friday were responding to a harassment complaint at a home on Water Street when they were greeted by gunfire. The Ellsworth Police Department tells Star 97.7, on the way to the call, authorities learned 68 yo Jeff Paine was wanted for failing to stop for an officer. Paine allegedly greeted police at the door with a firearm, attempted to shut the door on them, then fired at the officers. One of the officers returned fire, striking Paine in the arm. He was treated and arrested, then taken to a hospital for further treatment. Paine was treated to a holiday stay in the Hancock County Jail on his release, and likely faces further charges.
Trial Date Set for Fishermen Accused of Fraud
(Portland) A January 3rd trial date is set for the fishermen and seafood dealers indicted last year on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and obstruction of justice. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the case alleges the owner, captains, and crew aboard the fishing vessel Western Sea sold more than 2.6M pounds of Atlantic herring that was not reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration between June 2016 and September 2019 and says members of the crew were paid directly by fish dealers and lobster vessel operators for the unreported herring. Atlantic herring is a small schooling fish that serves as a primary bait for Maine’s lobster industry.
(Portland) A group of fishermen and seafood dealers will have their day in court beginning January 3rd. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the defendants were indicted last year on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and obstruction of justice. According to court records, the owner, captains, and crew aboard the fishing vessel Western Sea sold more than 2.6M pounds of Atlantic herring that was not reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration between June 2016 and September 2019. A Maine Marine Patrol spokesperson said by violating quota limits and reporting requirements, these violations also undermine efforts designed to rebuild this critically important stock that serves as a primary bait for Maine’s lobster industry.
Education
Schools Receive Monies for Teacher Apprenticeships
(Augusta) Teaching is tough – recruiting teachers has become even tougher. Now, six Maine schools will share $985,000 to recruit, train, and retain educators through apprenticeship programs. The initiative is funded in part by Governor Janet Mills’s Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, with monies going to UMaine Farmington, the Brunswick School Department and four others. The awards will be used to train nearly 200 new and existing educators in 12 counties, with an emphasis on building pathways for the multilingual, people with disabilities, people of color, and rural communities.
(Augusta) While there are numerous reasons for the shrinking educator workforce, six schools have been awarded funds totaling $985,000 to recruit, train, and retain teachers. The initiative is funded in part by Governor Janet Mills’s Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, with monies going to UMaine Farmington, the Brunswick School Department and four others. The awards will fund apprenticeship programs and be used to train nearly 200 new and current educators in 12 counties. The programs will emphasize building pathways for the multilingual, people with disabilities, people of color, and rural communities, in order to diversify Maine’s teacher workforce.
Economy
DCP Dignity Drive
(Ellsworth) Admit it – your mother always told you to wear clean underwear in case you were in an accident. But for many in need, it’s not always something that’s in the best shape – after all, those undies aren’t something most folks are going to see. Downeast Community Partners is holding a Dignity Drive through the month of January, collecting new socks and undies of all types and sizes, children and adults. Contributions can be dropped off at any DCP office during regular hours, or you can contribute toward the initiative through DCP’s website. Click on CARE Fund and specify “Dignity Drive” in the comments.
(Ellsworth) Let’s talk about something usually only seen behind closed doors – underwear. For those in need, it’s not generally something a lot of money is spent on because it’s hidden under clothing. But the need is real, for low income and struggling adults and children. So all during January, Downeast Community Partners is holding what they’re calling a “Dignity Drive”, collecting new socks and underwear in all sizes, for all ages. Contributions can be dropped off at any DCP office during regular hours, or you can contribute toward the initiative through DCP’s website. Click on CARE Fund and note “Dignity Drive” in the comments.
Cape Air Closes in on Milestone
(Trenton) Cape Air is flying steadily toward its 10,000th enplanement out of the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport. The Mount Desert Islander reports that could spell increased funding for the facility. When an entity reaches that annual milestone, the airport is entitled to receive a million dollars from the federal government for airport improvement projects. Cape Air’s $39 one way fares to Boston through the end of the year will likely put them over the mark before year’s end.
(Trenton) Cape Air’s current $39 one way fares to Boston could help the airline land some important funding for the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport. The Massachusetts based airline is nearing its 10,000th passenger mark for the year. That would entitle the airport to a million dollars from the federal government for airport improvement projects. The Mount Desert Islander reports if that fare isn’t enough to persuade you, you might want to know the 10,000th passenger earns a basket of treats and a bit of celebrity status during the hour and 20 minute flight.
2024 Subsidies Could Boost Heat Pump Installation
(Maine) Still considering a heat pump, but worried about the price? New subsidies coming in the new year could help defray those upfront costs. The Portland Press Herald reports the state months ago surpassed Governor Janet Mills’s goal of installing 100K heat pumps by 2025. So the Governor upped the ante by now hoping to install an additional 175K heat pumps by 2027. Help is on the way in the form of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which will provide more than $71M in home energy rebate funding to the state. The money will support energy and electrification and appliances, including heat pumps, with both programs focusing on low income homeowners.
(Maine) Those who have them rave about the efficiency and cost savings over some other energy sources. And while heat pumps may not be the end all, most folks have either installed them or at least thought about it. New subsidies coming next year will help low income families with the upfront costs. The Portland Press Herald reports as a result of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, Maine will receive more than $71M in home energy rebate funding that will support energy and electrification and appliances, including heat pumps.
Health
MaineCare Eligibility Expanded
(Augusta) The holiday season makes us aware of those in need like no other time of the year – a good time to remind folks MaineCare eligibility for children and young adults under 21 now includes family incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level. That translates to a salary of about $59K for a family of two; $90K for a family of four. In addition, most premiums for children’s coverage have been eliminated. Questions may be directed to sarah dot fisher at maine dot gov.
(Augusta) Nothing like good health for the ultimate gift. And this year, the state of Maine expanded MaineCare eligibility for children and young adults under 21 to include family incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level. That translates to a salary of about $59K for a family of two; $90K for a family of four. In addition, most premiums for children’s coverage have been eliminated. Questions may be directed to sarah dot fisher at maine dot gov.
Environment
Emergency Scallop Closures Help Conservation Efforts
(Addison) Christmas Eve brought emergency scallop closures in the Harrington River within the Addison Rotational Area and Roque Island Harbor and Little Kennebec Bay in the Englishman’s Bay Rotational Area. The Department of Marine Resources implemented the scallop closures as of the 24th as part of its conservation efforts. DMR said it was concerned continued harvesting for the remainder of the 23-24 fishing season in these areas would further reduce scallop broodstock.
(Addison) Most folks were looking for Santa on Christmas Eve. The Maine Department of Marine Resources was hoping for conservation efforts. MDMR instituted emergency scallop harvesting closures in the Harrington River within the Addison Rotational Area and Roque Island Harbor and Little Kennebec Bay in the Englishman’s Bay Rotational Area. MDMR said it was concerned continued harvesting for the remainder of the 23-24 fishing season in these areas would further reduce scallop broodstock.
Human Interest
Woodlawn History Lecture Series
(Ellsworth) What role did schooners play in the history of the state’s logging industry? How did Colonel John Black capitalize on the Union River to grow his estate? What’s behind the fascinating history of one of the country’s smallest but most popular National Parks, Acadia? These are just a few of the topics to be covered in the 2024 Local History Lecture Series at Woodlawn. Follow Woodlawn on FB and check the website to RSVP for these and other exciting happenings at one of Ellsworth’s most beloved treasures. Series begins January 8th.
(Ellsworth) Make 2024 the year you become acquainted with the fascinating history of Downeast Maine, through the 2024 Local History Lecture Series at Woodlawn in Ellsworth! Speakers will educate and entertain participants with a storytelling performance about John Black’s granddaughter, Ann Francis Jarvis Greely, a lecture about Woodlawn’s horse drawn carriages, and a discussion of the role schooners played in the history of the state’s logging industry with members of the Penobscot Marine Museum. Follow Woodlawn on FB and check their website to RSVP for these and other exciting happenings at the Woodlawn Estate.
Sports
The LA Lakers gave Boston the gift of a win on Christmas – Celtics beat ‘em 126-115. Celtics off until Thursday, when they’ll be back on the home court to take on the Detroit Pistons.
Bruins in kind of a slump – they’ll try to get back in the win column tomorrow when they face off with the Sabres in Buffalo.