Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Congressman Jared Golden’s Office Vandalized
(Bangor) Vandals struck Congressman Jared Golden’s office in Bangor this week. WABI-TV reports the perpetrators spray painted “Ceasefire now insallah” in red paint on the windows. “Insallah” is an Arabic expression meaning “God willing”. The message likely refers to the Israeli-Hamas war. Golden released a statement saying his support for Israel in its war against the terrorist Hamas remains unwavering.
(Bangor) Congressman Jared Golden issued a statement this week declaring his unwavering support for Israel in its war against the terrorist Hamas. That after vandals used red spray paint to deface the windows of his Bangor office, writing “Ceasefire now insallah”, an Arabic term meaning “God willing”. WABI-TV reports Golden as saying his support will continue until every hostage taken from Israel is returned and Hamas’s military capability is dismantled.
Ellsworth Has Salt/Sand Pile for Ellsworth Residents
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Public Works Department has a salt/sand pile for Ellsworth residents. Any Ellsworth resident can go to the Highway Garage at 526 Main Street and get up to two 5-gallon buckets per winter storm. The pile is located off Main Street on the west end of the parking lot. You’re asked not to enter the gravel pit behind the building to get your salt or sand. Several other local towns have similar options – check with your local Public Works Department.
(Ellsworth) Need salt or sand for your steps and decks? If you are an Ellsworth resident, the Ellsworth Public Works Department has a salt/sand pile available. Any Ellsworth resident can go to the Highway Garage at 526 Main Street and get up to two 5-gallon buckets per winter storm. The pile is located off Main Street on the west end of the parking lot. You’re asked not to enter the gravel pit behind the building to get your salt or sand. Several other local towns have similar options – check with your local Public Works Department.
Domestic Violence Incidents Keep Officers Busy on Sunday
(Blue Hill/Deer Isle) Domestic Violence incidents kept officers busy on Sunday. The Hancock County Sheriff’s office reports deputies responded to a Blue Hill residence on January 14th and arrested 40 yo Kelli Curtis of Blue Hill on charges of Domestic Violence Assault. Curtis was taken to the Hancock County Jail. Also on Sunday, a DV incident took officers to Deer Isle where 33 yo Davis Bradshaw of Stonington was arrested and charged with domestic violence stalking, refusing to submit to arrest, and other charges. He also was transported to the Hancock County Jail and given court dates in March and May to answer to those charges.
(Blue Hill/Deer Isle) Domestic Violence incidents kept officers busy this past Sunday. The Hancock County Sheriff’s office reports deputies responded to a Blue Hill residence on January 14th and arrested 40 yo Kelli Curtis of Blue Hill on charges of Domestic Violence Assault. Curtis was taken to the Hancock County Jail. Also on Sunday, a DV incident took officers to Deer Isle where 33 yo Davis Bradshaw of Stonington was arrested and charged with domestic violence stalking, refusing to submit to arrest, and other charges. He also was transported to the Hancock County Jail and given court dates in March and May to answer to those charges.
Economy
Hotel Ursa Rakes in Reservations
(Bangor) Hotel Ursa was named after the constellations Ursa Major and Minor – a nod to the UMaine Black Bears on whose campus the hotel sits. The 95-room hotel is already a star in its own right. With opening day about seven weeks away, Hotel Ursa already has about 400 reservations through October. The Bangor Daily News reports the hotel includes two historic buildings on campus that were repurposed after being mostly unoccupied for more than a decade, along with the newly built Polaris Hall.
(Bangor) The University of Maine buildings once housed students. Beginning March 5th, Coburn and Holmes Halls and the newly built Polaris Hall will house visitors to the Bangor area as the Ursa Hotel. The Bangor Daily News reports the two historic buildings were built in the late 1800’s and housed the agriculture, history, and chemistry departments, but sat largely unoccupied for more than a decade until being repurposed. The Ursa is named after the constellations Ursa Minor and Major – a nod to the UMaine Black Bears. The 95-room Hotel Ursa reportedly already has 400 reservations through October.
Education
Science Saturday at Woodlawn Postponed
(Ellsworth) Saturday’s high winds and weather forced postponement of the Winter Tree ID walk at Woodlawn in Ellsworth until this Thursday, January 18th, from 10-11:30 am. District Forester Michael Jensen will teach participants how to use bark, branches and other clues to identify tree species in the winter. Pre-registration is required due to limited space. Cost is just $5 a person. Register at woodlawn ellsworth dot org.
(Ellsworth) We’re surrounded by woods, and this Thursday, you’ll have a chance to take a walk through some beautiful snowy woods and learn how to use bark, branches, and other clues to identify tree species in the winter. District Forester Michael Jensen will lead The Winter Tree ID Walk at Woodlawn in Ellsworth this Thursday, January 18th, from 10 – 11:30. Pre-registration is required due to limited space. Cost is just $5 a person. Register at woodlawn ellsworth dot org.
Health
First Baby Born at DECH
(Machias) You might say the first baby born in 2024 at Down East Community Hospital in Machias came with a two week notice. Pierce Pineo, the third son of Colin and Karmen Pineo of Jonesboro, arrived Sunday at 6:02 a.m.. Pierce joins siblings Bentlee and Kiegen. The family received a basket filled with items from the DECH Auxiliary Gift Shop, gift cards from area businesses, and other locally made items.
(Machias) Pierce Pineo apparently wasn’t in any big hurry to greet the new year. The newborn is the first baby born in 2024 at Down East Community Hospital in Machias. Pierce arrived at 6:02 a.m. on January 14th. He joins siblings Bentlee and Kiegen and parents Colin and Karmen of Jonesboro. The family received a gift basket filled with gift cards and items from the gift shop, a tote handmade by Kim Bragg, and a hand crocheted blanket crafted by Kay Richmond.
Environment
Greenville Company Offering Biochar Solution to Reducing Carbon Footprint
(Greenville) At least one expert claims 95% of climate solutions should focus on reducing emissions by, for example, driving more efficient cars or insulating houses. But a Greenville entrepreneur is banking on biochar, a product created by burning wood in high-temperature, low-oxygen conditions. Biochar can reportedly be used to improve agricultural soils and bind up carbon for decades. Maine Public reports the company, Clean Maine Carbon, hopes to one day sell carbon credits to corporations to help reduce their carbon footprint.
(Greenville) The recent storms have many thinking about ways to reduce their carbon footprint. A Greenville company hopes to do that with its production of biochar, a product created by burning wood in high-temperature, low-oxygen conditions. Biochar can reportedly be used to improve agricultural soils and bind up carbon for decades. Maine Public reports the company, Clean Maine Carbon, hopes to one day sell carbon credits to corporations to help reduce their carbon footprint, although at least one expert says 95% of climate solutions should focus on reducing emissions by, for example, driving more efficient cars or insulating houses.
Infrastructure
Lamoine Beach Park Loses Picnic Area
(Lamoine) Lamoine Beach Park lost several feet of the picnic area in last week’s storms and left behind a load of silt and debris to be cleaned up. The two major storms washed out parts of the access road to Marlboro Beach, with many private properties suffering erosion and lost stairs and docks, along with large chunks of land. The town has submitted at least three damage assessments to FEMA in the past month, with more expected following Saturday’s storm.
(Lamoine) Lamoine was one of the coastal areas hit hard by recent storms. The two major storms washed out parts of the access road to Marlboro Beach, with many private properties suffering erosion and lost stairs and docks, along with large chunks of land. The town has submitted at least three damage assessments to FEMA in the past month, with more expected following Saturday’s storm.
Human Interest
South Portland Historical Society Raising Funds to Replace Fish Shacks
(South Portland) The three historic fish shacks on Willard Beach in South Portland had stood since the 1800’s. In last week’s storms, the structures were destroyed and carried away by the ocean. But not all may be lost. Last year, the South Portland Historical Society had a team of architects and engineers take measurements and photographs and complete a set of drawings so everything would be in place to create reproductions if necessary. Seems that time has come. Donations can be made through the link on the SPHS Facebook page.
(South Portland) During last week’s storms, the ocean claimed three historic fish shacks located on Willard Beach in South Portland. The shacks were built in the 1800s and had graced the coast across three centuries. In a proactive move last year, the South Portland Historical Society had a team of architects and engineers take measurements and photographs and complete a set of drawings so everything would be in place to create reproductions if necessary. Seems that time has come. Donations can be made through the link on the SPHS Facebook page.
Lamoine Rec Committee Assembles Ice Rink
(Lamoine) Lamoine residents will soon have the icing on the cake – or rather an ice RINK near the soccer fields behind the school. The recreation committee has assembled and started filling the brand new rink with help from the fire department. The rec committee will set hours for use in conjunction with the school and based on weather conditions, which should be just about ideal with this week’s frigid temperatures.
(Lamoine) Lamoine residents will soon be able to skate away the blues left behind by the damage caused by recent storms. The recreation committee has assembled and begun filling a brand new ice skating rink, with help from the fire department. The rec committee will set hours for use in conjunction with the school and based on weather conditions, which should be just about ideal with this week’s frigid temperatures.
Sports
The Celtics and Bruins both have the night off. Celtics home Wednesday to take on the San Antonio Spurs. Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
The Bruins held the Devils scoreless yesterday, beating them 3-zip.
The Celtics had a winning game against the Toronto Raptors 105-96.
Local high school basketball results from Monday – these girls games reporting in – Ellsworth easily defeating Foxcroft Academy, Bucksport crushing Searsport, George Stevens squeaks past Woodland 50-48, Washington Academy over Presque Isle, and the Jonesport-Beals Lady Royals came back from a 30-17 deficit to beat the Sumner Tigers by two.
Local high school basketball games this evening: the Deer Isle/Stonington boys and girls up against Sumner. And these boys’ games – Ellsworth vs. Old Town, MDI up against Hermon, the WA Raiders take on the John Bapst Crusaders, Calais vs. Narraguagus, and the Machias Bulldogs shoot hoops with the Woodland Dragons.