Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Local Waterfront Businesses Scramble to Recover from Storms
(Corea) Chipman’s Wharf in Milbridge, Beal’s Lobster Pier in Southwest Harbor, the Stonington Lobster Co-op and Greenhead Lobster in Stonington, and the Corea Lobster Co-op. The businesses serve hundreds of lobstermen from May through October … all were heavily damaged in the recent storms. The commercial piers serve as hubs for fishermen to buy bait and fuel and to unload their catch. The Bangor Daily News reports in Corea, the pier structure alone suffered $260,000 in damage, not including electrical wiring that must be redone and the loss of a generator. Privately owned commercial fishing piers say they don’t expect direct reimbursement from FEMA and will likely apply for government backed grants or low-interest loans.
(Corea) The pier at the Corea Lobster Co-op is usable, but unsafe for vehicles and forklifts; for now, dockhands must wheel bait and lobster crates with hand carts. The scaled back operations work temporarily, but workers say they won’t suffice come summer, when there’s much higher volume as lobstermen buy bait and fuel and unload their catch. Crews in places such as Corea, Chipman’s Wharf in Milbridge, Beal’s Lobster Pound in SW Harbor and Stonington Lobster Co-op and Greenhead Lobster in Stonington were heavily damaged by last month’s storms and are scrambling to find funding and make repairs before the busy fishing season just months from now. Maine lawmakers have proposed creation of a $50M relief program to aid small businesses. The Bangor Daily News reports in Hancock County alone, damage is estimated at more than $10M.
Portland Man Sentenced in Connection with ANP Hit-and-Run Death
(Portland) Raymond Lester will serve 48 years for the hit and run death of a social activist at Acadia National Park in 2022. The 37 yo was convicted last fall in the death of his then girlfriend, 35 yo Nicole Mokeme. Mokeme was holding a retreat at the Schoodic Institute in June of that year when Lester ran her down with his vehicle. He then fled to Mexico, but later turned himself in to police. Lester was sentenced yesterday in Hancock County Superior Court.
(Portland) 48 years in prison – that was the sentence handed down yesterday in Hancock County Superior Court for the man convicted in a hit-and-run death at Acadia National Park in 2022. 37 yo Raymond Lester was convicted last fall in the death of his then girlfriend, 35 yo Nicole Mokeme. Mokeme was holding a retreat at the Schoodic Institute in June of that year when Lester ran her down with his vehicle. He then fled to Mexico, but later turned himself in to police.
Ellsworth Man Re-arrested on Drug Charges
(Ellsworth) An Ellsworth man has been re-arrested and charged with Aggravated Trafficking after a search turned up drugs at his Kylie’s Way home on Wednesday. 48 yo Jeffrey Card was one of six people from Ellsworth and Mount Desert arrested and charged with various drug offenses on January 24th. Card was later released on $5K cash bail. During last Wednesday’s search, MDEA agents turned up fentanyl and suspected methamphetamine with a street value of $42,000. Card was again taken to the Hancock County Jail for booking.
(Ellsworth) An Ellsworth man who was released from jail after facing drug charges just a week ago is back in the Hancock County Jail. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, 48 yo Jeffrey Card was one of six people from Ellsworth and Mount Desert arrested and charged with various drug offenses on January 24th. He was later released on $5K cash bail. During a search of Card’s Kylie’s Way home this past Wednesday, MDEA agents turned up Fentanyl and suspected methamphetamine with a street value of $42,000. Card was rearrested. He’s also charged with violation of conditions of release.
Local Politics
King Introduces Bill to Make Paid Family Leave Permanent
(Washington, DC) The bill would purportedly make it easier for businesses to offer paid family and medical leave plans to employees. This week, Senators Angus King of Maine and Deb Fischer of Nebraska introduced the Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act. The bill would make the paid family leave tax credit permanent and also provide additional options for financing paid leave, such as through PFMO insurance. It would also include a provision that allows eligible employers to receive the credit for leave offered in excess of any state or local mandates, an incentive for employers wishing to offer more leave than the Maine requirement.
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King says Maine is one big community with long roads. This week, Maine’s Independent Senator joined Republican Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska in introducing a bill that would make it easier for businesses to offer paid family and medical leave plans to employees. The Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act would make the paid family leave tax credit permanent and would provide additional options for financing paid leave. In addition, it would include a provision that allows eligible employers to receive the credit for leave offered in excess of any state or local mandates, an incentive for employers wishing to offer more leave than the Maine requirement.
Maine AG Joins Move to Protect Medication Abortion Access
(Augusta) Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has joined a multistate coalition of 24 Attorneys General to protect access to medication abortion nationwide. The coalition filed an amicus brief in the US Supreme Court that supports overturning a lower court ruling reinstating restrictions on mifepristone. The drug is the only medication approved by the FDA for abortion care. Frey and the coalition argue the ruling has dangerous consequences, particularly for low-income and underserved communities.
(Augusta) Maine’s Attorney General this week joined a coalition of Attorneys General working to protect medication abortion access. AG Aaron Frey and 24 others filed an amicus brief in the US Supreme Court that supports overturning a lower court ruling reinstating restrictions on mifepristone, the only medication approved by the FDA for abortion care. Frey and the coalition argue the ruling has dangerous consequences, particularly for low-income and underserved communities.
Ellsworth Seeking Election Workers
(Ellsworth) Being an election worker promises an interesting day of welcoming voters, registering new voters, handling ballots, and preparing end-of-night tally sheets. The City of Ellsworth has four wards that require a certain level of staffing to assist voters each election. If you’re a registered voter and are interested in serving in this capacity, fill out the Election Worker Signup form at ellsworth maine dot gov forward slash elections.
(Ellsworth) Want to do more to help your municipality this election year? Sign up to be a poll worker! Many cities and towns have a need for workers on Election Day, including the City of Ellsworth, which has four wards that require a certain level of staffing. Election workers welcome voters, register new voters, handle ballots, and prepare end-of-night tally sheets. If you’re a registered voter and are interested in serving, fill out the Election Worker Signup form at ellsworth maine dot gov forward slash elections, or check with your local town government.
City Manager Meet and Greet
(Ellsworth) Don’t forget the Meet and Greet this evening at the Ellsworth City Hall with candidates in the running for City Manager. Meet the finalists and get to know their backgrounds, philosophies, and plans for the city’s future. The Meet and Greet will be held in Council Chambers from 5 to 7 and will also be live streamed on the city’s FB page.
(Ellsworth) Finalists for the position of Ellsworth City Manager will be at City Hall this evening from 5 to 7 for a Meet and Greet. Ellsworth citizens and business owners are encouraged to come out and meet the candidates in Council Chambers. If you can’t make the meeting in person, it will be live-streamed on the City’s FB page.
Economy
Ellsworth Childcare Business Lab
(Ellsworth) Interested in starting a childcare business? The Ellsworth Economic Development Department invites you to check out the Child Care Business Lab! The program offers free business education and assistance with the licensing process. You’ll learn how to write a business plan, create a financial forecast, apply for grants and loans and more. The program is located right in Ellsworth. For more information, contact Economic Development Director Janna Richards or check out the City of Ellsworth’s FB page.
(Ellsworth) Talk about job security – there’s never a lack of need for good, quality childcare. If you’re interested in starting a childcare business, the Ellsworth Economic Development Department invites you to check out the Child Care Business Lab! The program offers free business education and assistance with the licensing process. You’ll learn how to write a business plan, create a financial forecast, apply for grants and loans and more. The program is located right in Ellsworth. For more information, contact Economic Development Director Janna Richards or check out the City of Ellsworth’s FB page.
Education
MDI Committee Works on School Restructuring
(MDI) MDI residents are working on a plan to possibly restructure the MDI Regional School System. The Mount Desert Islander reports each of the eight towns with schools in the system has now named a community member to serve on the Regional Planning Committee, which will create a plan for restructuring. Residents of the towns will vote to accept or reject the plan at their annual town meetings in the spring of 2025. School Superintendent Mike Zboray said he hopes to convene the first meeting of the RPC in the next two weeks.
(MDI) Eight citizens, representing the eight towns with schools in the MDI Regional School System will work on creating a plan for restructuring. Appointees to the Regional Planning Committee include Matt Hochman, Bar Harbor, Sarah March, Mount Desert, Holly Masterson, SW Harbor, Becky Keefe, Tremont, Fred Ehrlenbach, Trenton, Jason Joyce, Swan’s Island, Darlene Sumner, Cranberry Isles, and Jan Kiper, Frenchboro. The Mount Desert Islander reports residents of the towns will vote to accept or reject the plan at their annual town meetings in the spring of 2025. School Superintendent Mike Zboray said he hopes to convene the first meeting of the RPC in the next two weeks.
Human Interest
SPCA Happily Ev-Furr After Event
(Trenton) Who said happily-ever-afters only happen in fairy tales? Make that “furry tails” at the SPCA of Hancock County. This Valentine’s Day month, the shelter is hosting their Happily Ev-furr After Adoption Event for the kitties most looked-over – senior bonded pairs, sassy felines who need to be only children, and other A-meow-zing cats looking for a second chance at a purr-fect home. Fill out an application online or visit February 7th through the 17th to meet your loving companions at this discounted event!
(Trenton) The SPCA of Hancock County knows every cat deserves a home filled with life-long love and care, regular vet visits, enrichment, and proper nutrition. Often, bonded pairs, senior kitties, and those with special needs tend to be overlooked. So this Valentine’s Day month, the shelter is hosting their Happily Ev-furr After Adoption Event for kitties such as those and other A-meow-zing cats looking for a second chance at a purr-fect home. Fill out an application online or visit February 7th through the 17th to meet your loving companions at this discounted event!
Sports
The Celtics defeated by the Lakers last night 114-105. Celtics and Bruins both off tonight.
These local high school basketball games scheduled this evening: on the girls’ side, Ellsworth vs. WA, Sumner takes on Mattanawcook, Machais vs. Schenck, and Jonesport-Beals taking on Searsport. And the boys AND girls of Deer Isle/Stonington shooting hoops with Narraguagus.
High school basketball last night – these boys’ teams reporting in: Ellsworth with an easy win over John Bapst, Calais over Sumner, Jonesport-Beals defeating Shead, and the MDI Trojans pull off a one-point win over the WA Raiders; final score 46-45.