Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Carmel Mourns Loss of Town Manager
(Carmel) The town of Carmel is mourning the loss of their Town Manager. Authorities say about 6:30 Friday morning, 51 yo Kevin Howell was walking with his four-year-old son on Etna Pond when the two broke through the ice. Howell was able to get his son out of the water and told him to run home and get his mother. Howell’s wife called 9-1-1, then ran to help her husband, but she also broke through the ice. A Penobscot County Sheriff’s Deputy who was in the area was able to pull her out and get her to shore, but was unable to find Kevin Howell. His body was recovered by state police divers later that afternoon.
(Carmel) Tragic times for the town of Carmel. On Friday, Town Manager Kevin Howell was walking across Etna Pond with his four-year-old son when the two broke through the ice. Howell was able to get his son out of the water and told him to run home and get his mother. Howell’s wife called 9-1-1, then ran to help her husband, but she also broke through the ice. A Penobscot County Sheriff’s Deputy who was in the area responded and was able to crawl across the ice with a rope and pull her to safety, but was unable to locate her husband. State Police divers recovered Howell’s body later Friday afternoon.
Five Rescued After Falling Through Ice in Denmark
(Denmark) Five people were rescued Saturday after their UTV fell through the ice on Moose Pond in the Oxford County town of Denmark. WGME reports a call came in around 5:30, and rescuers found the two adults and three children on the ice to be hypothermic and unable to self-rescue. All five were then rescued within an hour and taken to a local hospital for treatment.
(Denmark) A frantic call Saturday night after a UTV with five people aboard fell through the ice on Moose Pond in the Oxford County town of Denmark. Authorities say about 5:30 that evening, the Denmark Fire Department responded to the scene and found the two adults and three children were hypothermic and unable to rescue themselves. WGME reports several other rescue agencies also responded and were able to pull all five to safety. They were taken to a local hospital for treatment. No word on their current condition.
MCFA Establishes Working Waterfront Support Fund
(Maine) The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association is throwing a lifeline to those impacted by the recent storms. MCFA has created the “Working Waterfront Support Fund” to help businesses rebuild ahead of this year’s fishing season. Farm Credit East kicked off the campaign with a generous $15K donation. They say you can stay informed about fundraising campaigns and donate by following Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association on social media.
(Maine) The height of fishing season will be upon Maine before we know it. In order to help those impacted by the recent storms recover in a timely manner, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association has created the “Working Waterfront Support Fund”. They say you can stay informed about fundraising campaigns and donate by following Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association on social media. Farm Credit East kicked off support to the fund with a generous $15,000 donation.
Investigation into Suspicious Powder Mailed to Cross Building Finds No Criminal Intent
(Augusta) Authorities have completed their investigation into facts surrounding a suspicious white powder found in correspondence sent to the Cross Building in Augusta on January 23rd. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Division-led investigation concluded it did not appear to be an intentional act, and no charges have been filed.
(Augusta) There will be no charges filed in the case of a suspicious white powder found in mail at the Cross Building in Augusta last Tuesday. Authorities cleared the building’s 4th floor while the powder was tested on site and found to be negative. A follow up investigation concluded it did not appear to have been an intentional act.
Local Politics
Mills to Take New Approach to State of the State Address
(Augusta) The Lewiston tragedy in October, followed by a devastating storm in December, and two more back to back tempests in January. The state of Maine has faced unprecedented crises in the past year, prompting Governor Janet Mills to take a new approach to this year’s State of the State address. The January 30th address will include two parts – the first delivered in writing that morning, focusing on Maine’s long-term strengths and challenges and addressing budget and policy issues. The second part will be delivered Tuesday evening before the Legislature and will focus on the recent crises faced. Mills says she looks forward to delivering this year‘s address in a novel way and to working with the Legislature to address the state’s challenges.
(Augusta) It’s been a year that has tested Maine’s resiliency. Governor Janet Mills on Tuesday plans to address the state’s long-term strengths and challenges with a two-part State of the State address. The first part will be delivered in writing the morning of January 30th, will focus on Maine’s long-term strengths and challenges and will also address budget and policy issues. The second part will be delivered tomorrow evening before the Legislature and will focus on the recent crises faced – the tragic shooting in Lewiston, and three back-to-back storms in less than a month that impacted livelihoods and devastated infrastructure. Among topics will be the supplemental budget proposal and such issues as the lack of affordable housing, the need for improved child safety, and the statewide opioid epidemic.
Nominations to New Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority Announced
(Augusta) Luke Monahan will serve as Director of the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Monahan, the son of a small business owner, says he’s worked with people with disabilities and marginalized populations his entire career. Governor Mills has nominated eleven citizens to serve on the PFML Benefits Authority, including Barrett Gray of Stonington. Gray, owner of Boyce’s Motel in Stonington for the past 24 years, would serve in a seat reserved for an employer with 50 or fewer employees.
(Augusta) Barrett Gray of Stonington has been nominated by Governor Janet Mills to serve on the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority. The Governor nominated 11 citizens, mostly from the southern part of the state. Gray, who has owned Boyce’s Motel since 2000, would represent employers with 50 or fewer employees. Luke Monahan has been hired to serve as Director of the new program. Monahan is the son of a small business owner and says he’s worked with people with disabilities and marginalized populations his entire career.
Education
Husson University Names First Female President
(Bangor) This summer, she’ll officially become the first female President of one of the state’s premier institutions of higher learning. Husson University has named Lynne Coy-Ogan to succeed Robert Clark, who is stepping down after more than 40 years in higher education. Coy-Ogan holds degrees in elementary and special education, joined Husson as Dean of the School of Education in 2005 and became provost in 2009. She’ll officially step into the role of President on July 1st.
(Bangor) Lynne Coy-Ogan joined the Husson University faculty in 2005 as Dean of the School of Education. On July 1st, she’ll step into the role of Husson’s first female President. Coy-Ogan holds degrees in elementary and special education and currently serves as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and as Provost. She succeeds Robert Clark, who plans to step down after serving as President since 2010. Coy-Ogan will officially step into her new role on July 1st.
COA Gets Ready for Annual Day of Giving
(Bar Harbor) College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor is gearing up for their Annual Day of Giving on Tuesday, February 6th. The 12th Annual 24 Hour Challenge will feature a bonfire, ice skating, and campus visits from alumni, with a goal of raising $100,000 from 500 donors that day to unlock $150,000 in matching gifts. COA is an intentionally small school of 350 students and is the first college in the US to focus on the relationship between humans and the environment. Funds help support scholarships, financial aid, field-based coursework, and upgrades to campus facilities. Learn more at c o a dot e d u.
(Bar Harbor) Princeton Review named College of the Atlantic the country’s #1 Green College from 2016 to 2022. On Tuesday, February 6th, COA hopes to raise some green to support scholarships, financial aid, field-based coursework, and upgrades to campus facilities. It’s the college’s 12th Annual Day of Giving, with a one-day-goal of raising $100,000 from 500 donors to unlock $150,000 in matching gifts. Everyone is invited to stop by and enjoy a bonfire, ice skating and campus visits from alumni. Learn how you can donate at c o a dot e d u.
Technology
Social Media Facing Pushback
(Wash Post) New York City last week designated social media a public health hazard for its effect on youth mental health, becoming the first major city in the United States to take such a step. The Washington Post reports Mayor Eric Adams said in the annual State of the City address, “Companies like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features.”
(USA Today) The Florida House has ok’d a ban on Social Media for kids younger than 16. The bill is sponsored by a Sarasota lawmaker who called social media “digital Fentanyl”. Republican Fiona McFarland said, “Social media companies know how addictive their technology is and are unable to police the bad guys.” USA Today reports McFarland testified before the vote that despite best efforts, content about human trafficking and child porn keep slipping into the algorithm. She said law enforcement representatives had asked for the measure because of the threats, bullying, and crime happening on social media. Opponents point to First Amendment concerns and the fact there’s no parental permission exception to the law.
Sports
The Celtics home tonight to shoot hoops with the New Orleans Pelicans. Bruins take over TD Garden on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames.
These high school basketball games this evening: The Machias boys and girls take on Deer Isle/Stonington, and these girls’ teams facing off tonight – WA Raiders vs. Old Town Coyotes, GSA shooting hoops with Orono, the Narraguagus Knights up against the Jonesport-Beals Royals, Hermon vs. MDI, and John Bapst takes on Foxcroft Academy.
Congratulations to Ellsworth High School Junior Grace Jaffrey, who scored her 1,000th point Friday in a game against Presque Isle. Only two other Lady Eagles have reached that milestone.
A big shoutout to the Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus Cheerleaders who brought home the title of Penobscot Valley Conference Class C Cheering Champs on Saturday.
And the Ellsworth High School Cheering Squad captured the Class B PVC championship. Ellsworth will look to defend their Class B State Championship next weekend.