Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Six Arrested for Drug Offenses
(Ellsworth/Mount Desert) Six people from Ellsworth and Mount Desert were arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with various drug offenses. The arrests follow a three-months-long investigation by MDEA’s Downeast Task Force. The case centered on suspected distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine from residences at 1261 Main Street in Mount Desert and 6 Kylie’s Way in Ellsworth. Facing charges are 54 yo Alfred Lanpher and 55 yo Carl Carter of Mount Desert, 36 yo Justin Bent and 42 yo Ian Jellison of SW Harbor, 48 yo Jeffrey Card of Ellsworth, and 37 yo Shannon Stanley of Tremont. The six are expected to make initial court appearances at 1 p.m. this afternoon in Hancock County court.
(Ellsworth) Six people from Ellsworth and Mount Desert are expected to make initial court appearances this afternoon in Hancock County. The suspects face charges on various drug offenses. The six were arrested around 4 p.m. Wednesday after MDEA agents executed search warrants on homes at 1261 Main Street in Mount Desert and 6 Kylie’s Way in Ellsworth. The case follows a three-months-long investigation that centered on suspected distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine from the two homes. Facing charges are 54 yo Alfred Lanpher and 55 yo Carl Carter of Mount Desert, 36 yo Justin Bent and 42 yo Ian Jellison of SW Harbor, 48 yo Jeffrey Card of Ellsworth, and 37 yo Shannon Stanley of Tremont.
Serious Crash Closes Route 3 in Trenton
(Trenton) A serious crash on Route 3 in Trenton caused that road to be closed for several hours last night. Traffic was detoured to Bayside Road until close to 8:30. The crash happened near Big Cat’s Catering – at least two cars were involved. There are reports of a fatality. No further details have been released. We’ll have updates.
(Trenton) At least two cars were involved in a serious crash last night on Route 3 in Trenton. The crash occurred near Big Cat’s Catering and prompted officials to close the road for several hours until about 8:30 last night. There are reports of a fatality. No further details have been released. We’ll have updates.
Independent Committee on Lewiston Shootings Hears Testimony from SCSO
(Augusta) The independent commission investigating the Lewiston mass shooting met in Augusta yesterday. The commission was formed to determine the facts surrounding the shootings, including the months leading up to the shootings, and the police response to it. WABI-TV reports Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry told the committee deputies were not in a position to take shooter Robert Card into protective custody when they went to Card’s home in September. Merry cited the difficulty in balancing public safety vs. individual rights. At least two more hearings will take place next month.
(Augusta) Members of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office yesterday testified before an independent commission investigating the Lewiston mass shooting. WABI-TV reports Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry told the committee deputies were not in a position to take shooter Robert Card into protective custody when they went to Card’s home in September. Card could be seen moving about in the house, but reportedly refused to answer the door. At least two more hearings are scheduled – the next one scheduled for next Thursday, February 1st.
Local Politics
Maine Supreme Judicial Court Denies Bellows’ Appeal on Ballot Decision
(AP) The Maine Supreme Judicial Court this week dismissed Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ appeal of an order requiring her to await a U.S. Supreme Court decision on a similar Colorado case before withdrawing, modifying or upholding her ballot decision on Donald Trump. Bellows last month concluded Trump didn’t meet qualifications to appear on Maine’s primary ballot, based on the insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the Colorado case on February 8th.
(AP) Appeal denied. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court this week dismissed an appeal from Secretary of State Shenna Bellows regarding the Trump ballot case. Bellows last week asked the high court to consider her earlier decision to bar Trump from the state’s primary ballot, based on the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause. Bellows’ appeal was an effort to speed up the judicial process ahead of the primary, but the court declined to hear the challenge and instructed her to await the US Supreme Court’s ruling on a similar Colorado case. The high court is set to hear arguments on the Colorado case in two weeks, on February 8th.
Lawmakers Propose $50M Relief for Businesses Hit by Storms
(Augusta) Bipartisan lawmakers in Maine want to create a $50M relief program to help small businesses which were hurt by the recent storms and other severe weather. The Bangor Daily News reports the emergency bill was put forth by Democratic Senator Craig Hickman and has support on both sides of the aisle. The bill directs the Department of Economic and Community Development to establish eligibility requirements, application processes and methods of determining award amounts by March 30th.
(Augusta) Democrats and Republicans in the Maine Legislature may not agree on the existence and impact of climate change, but when it comes to providing relief from the recent devastating storms, they’re finding ways to work together. The Bangor Daily News reports an emergency bill put forth by Democratic Senator Craig Hickman proposes creation of a $50M relief program to help small businesses hit by the havoc created by the storms. The bill directs the Department of Economic and Community Development to establish eligibility requirements, application processes and methods of determining award amounts by March 30th.
Climate Council Meeting Proposes Exemptions to Help Businesses Rebuild
(Augusta) How to rebuild after the recent storms – that was a topic of discussion at this week’s meeting of the Maine Climate Council. One issue at stake – rebuilding in flood zones that don’t qualify for federal permits. Melanie Loyzim, a member of the Committee and Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, noted her office had proposed a bill that would exempt from federal permit rules rebuilding of damaged structures in those flood zones. The Committee agreed infrastructure must be built to standards that consider the increasing severity and frequency of storms. The exemption would help fishermen and other waterfront industries help rebuild piers and other structures ahead of the busy summer season.
(Augusta) Mainers are nothing if not resilient – but how to go about rebuilding the waterfront in areas impacted by federal permit rules? That was a topic of discussion at a meeting of the Maine Climate Council convened this week by Governor Janet Mills. Melanie Loyzim, a member of the Committee and Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, said her office has proposed a bill that would exempt from federal permit rules the rebuilding of damaged structures in those flood zones. The Committee agreed infrastructure must be rebuilt to standards that consider the increasing severity and frequency of storms. The exemption would help fishermen and other waterfront industries help reconstruct wharfs and other structures ahead of the busy summer season.
Health
Consumer Reports’ Medical Debt Expert Visits Maine
(Maine) Medical debt – its causes and possible solutions – were the focus of the discussion yesterday when Chuck Bell, Program Director with Consumer Reports, met with policy makers in Maine. Bell said medical debt undermines the ability to have stable incomes, avoid financial stress and poverty, and achieve economic stability and said medical debt itself can cause sickness. A survey of Mainers released last year found 42% of Mainers carry medical debt. The survey showed a majority of Mainers support efforts to address medical debt by strengthening and enforcing hospital price transparency rules; putting limits on prices hospitals can charge, based on actual costs of providing care; and increasing the amount of financial assistance non-profit hospitals must provide. Maine Legislators have introduced proposals to address medical credit card debt and the sale of such debt.
(Maine) A survey released last year found 42% of Mainers carry medical debt. On Thursday, Chuck Bell, Program Director with Consumer Reports, met with policy makers in Maine to discuss medical debt, its causes and possible solutions. Bell said medical debt undermines the ability to have stable incomes, avoid financial stress and poverty, and achieve economic stability. He added medical debt in itself can cause sickness. The survey showed a majority of Mainers support efforts to address medical debt by strengthening and enforcing hospital price transparency rules; putting limits on prices hospitals can charge, based on actual costs of providing care; and increasing the amount of financial assistance non-profit hospitals must provide. Maine Legislators have introduced proposals to address medical credit card debt and the sale of such debt.
Environment
Scallop Closures Starting Sunday
(Maine) Conservation concerns have resulted in an emergency closure notice for scallop harvesting for the following areas, effective this Sunday, January 28th – Cobscook Bay, Upper Englishman, Upper Addison, Upper Frenchman, Toothacher, and Upper Swans Island. More information is available on the Department of Marine Resources website.
(Maine) The Maine Department of Marine Resources has issued an emergency closure notice for scallop harvesting in the following areas – Cobscook Bay, Upper Englishman, Upper Addison, Upper Frenchman, Toothacher, and Upper Swans Island. The closures become effective this Sunday, January 28th. More information can be found on the MDMR website.
Infrastructure
Planned Outage
(SW Harbor) Southwest Harbor residents who live on Forest Avenue may experience interruptions in their electrical service this morning. Versant Power will be working to remove vegetation from poles there, beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting about two hours.
(SW Harbor) If you live on Forest Avenue in SW Harbor, you may notice your lights flickering this morning. Versant crews will be removing vegetation from poles beginning this morning at 9. The work is expected to take about two hours. Customers in the area may experience temporary service interruptions.
Human Interest
Phone Detox
(CNN) Could you go without your phone for an entire month? How about if you were paid $10,000 and numerous other prizes? CNN reports Siggi’s Dairy, maker of Icelandic-style yogurts, is offering the “digital detox” perks, saying it’s nice to live a simpler life with fewer distractions, most of which come from our phones. The contest is open until January 31st. Restrictions apply. Learn more at hello dot siggis dot com, forward slash digital detox.
(CNN) The folks at Siggi’s Icelandic style yogurt are all about good health – including your emotional well being. CNN reports through the end of this month, they’re offering $10,000 to one person willing to ditch their smartphone for a month. Siggi’s says, the average person spends 5.4 hours on their phone each day, and they’re encouraging folks to put down the phone. Applicants must submit an essay on why it’s important to digitally detox. To learn more, check out hello dot siggis dot com, forward slash digital detox anytime before midnight next Thursday. Restrictions apply.
Sports
Bruins and Celtics both off tonight. The Bruins with a 3-2 win over Ottawa yesterday in Overtime. Bruins take on the Flyers in Philadelphia tomorrow.
The Celtics home Saturday against the LA Clippers. Celtics cooled the Miami Heat yesterday 143-110.
High school basketball games scheduled this evening: the WA boys take on Bucksport. On the girls’ side, Narraguagus vs. Machias, Sumner takes on Calais, and GSA up against Dexter. And these schools facing off with both the boys’ AND girls’ teams: Ellsworth takes on Presque Isle, MDI vs. Caribou, Deer Isle/Stonington shooting hoops with Greenville, and Jonesport Beals takes on Bangor Christian.
In high school basketball last night, the Sumner boys beat Central, Jonesport- Beals crushing Woodland, Machias with an easy win over Narraguagus, and George Stevens beats Dexter.