Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Protestors Call for Transparency in Maine’s Child Welfare System
(Augusta) Some Mainers say they’re fed up with what they say is Maine’s failing child welfare system. The Maine Monitor reports former State Senator Bill Diamond at a statehouse rally last week implored Maine’s government to do more to prevent child abuse – and to be transparent about its efforts. Eight children have died in the past three decades, including Maddox Williams, Marissa Kennedy, and most recently, 10 yo Braxtyn Smith; their names attached to a stone column at the protest as a grim reminder. On the other hand, protestors point to families unnecessarily torn apart by uncalled-for child removals. They say there is too much secrecy in the name of privacy and that secret courts and secret decisions are an invitation to bias.
(Augusta) A group of protestors gathered at the Statehouse in Augusta last week, to say they’re fed up with what they say is the state’s failing child welfare system. The Maine Monitor reports allegations that in the name of privacy, secret courts and secret decisions are made, inviting bias. Protestors accuse the system of going to two extremes – tearing families apart by removing children from homes unnecessarily, and not doing enough to prevent truly dangerous situations. A sign listing the names of eight children who allegedly died at the hands of family members in the last three decades – including Maddox Williams, Marissa Kennedy, and most recently, 10 yo Braxtyn Smith, served as a grim reminder and backdrop at the rally. The protestors called on legislators to take meaningful action to change a system they say is failing children and families.
Local Politics
DHHS Commissioner Stepping Down
(Augusta) Jeanne Lambrew will step down as Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services at the end of this month. Governor Janet Mills announced Lambrew’s departure on Tuesday. Lambrew has accepted a position with the Health Care Reform for the Century Foundation and will teach as an adjunct professor of health policy at Harvard University.
(Augusta) The head of the embattled Department of Health and Human Services is stepping down, effective May 31st. Governor Janet Mills Tuesday said Jeanne Lambrew, who has served as Director of the Maine DHHS for five and a half years, is leaving for a position with Health Care Reform for the Century, a national health policy organization and will also serve as an adjunct professor of health policy at Harvard University.
Real ID Requirement
(Augusta) Just about a year to go before US travelers will be required to provide a state-issued ID or license to the TSA before boarding domestic flights. Standard Maine credentials will be valid for in-state purposes; but beginning May 7, 2025, travelers will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, REAL ID compliant state ID or a valid US passport, passport card or other federally-issued identity document, in order to fly domestically and access federal facilities. As of the beginning of May, only about 20% of Mainers had REAL ID credentials, one of the lowest adoption rates in the country. It takes a couple of weeks to process REAL ID credentials, which can be obtained through BMV offices, and a passport can take 8-11 weeks; so officials say don’t put it off if you expect to travel.
Economy
Heart of Ellsworth Members Attend Main Street Now Conference
(Ellsworth) Members of Heart of Ellsworth, along with representatives from Belfast, Brunswick, Saco, Skowhegan, and others are in Alabama this week, attending the Main Street Now Conference. The conference is the largest national convening of local leaders working to advance economic opportunity in their communities. Among popular speakers at the conference, Dr. Mindy Fullilove spoke about how well-designed equitable spaces can create more connection to place and people. Participants also learned about the state of retail for small brick and mortar businesses. We can’t wait to see what ideas they bring back to Ellsworth and our other local towns.
(Ellsworth) How can well-designed downtown spaces promote equity and create more connection to place and people. What’s the state of retail for small brick and mortar businesses? Those are just two of the many topics covered at the Main Street Now Conference in Alabama this week. Over 25 Mainers have traveled to the conference, including members of Heart of Ellsworth, and leaders from Belfast and Westbrook, Bath, and Gardner, Biddeford and Augusta. The conference is the largest national convening of local leaders working to advance economic opportunity in their communities.
Education
Science Saturday at Woodlawn
(Ellsworth) Don’t forget to sign up for Science Saturday at Woodlawn. That’s happening on June 1st, beginning with a Nature Application Walk at 10, and giveaways and nature bingo from 12 to 1:30. Register at woodlawn ellsworth dot org.
(Ellsworth) There’s always something fun and educational happening at Woodlawn in Ellsworth. The history lecture series regularly fills up, the trails are alive with the sounds of peepers, and the barn will be opening soon. On June 1st, Woodlawn is hosting a Nature Application Walk beginning at 10 a.m., followed by giveaways and nature bingo from Noon to 1:30. Register for programs at woodlawn ellsworth dot org.
Environment
NOAA Kicks Off Hurricane Awareness Week in Maine
(Portland) Meteorologists with NOAA were at the Portland International Jetport this week to kick off their 2024 Hurricane Awareness Tour. The tour brought two US Air Force Planes that fly through the eyes of hurricanes to collect data, in order to assess risk from the storms. While Maine is not as high risk as some southern states, scientists say global warming is definitely having an impact on the storms that reach Maine, with warming waters and sea level rise heightening the damage from such squalls. They say Maine would likely be most affected by rainfall amounts, coastal flooding, rip currents and winds, such as those that claimed the life of a 51 yo man in Searsport last year when a tree fell on his car during Hurricane Lee. Hurricane Season begins June 1st.
(Portland) We don’t usually worry about hurricanes here in Maine, but meteorologists say we do feel their effects. Scientists with NOAA were at Portland International Jetport Monday to kick off their 2024 Hurricane Awareness Tour. NOAA brought two US Air Force planes that fly through the eyes of hurricanes, gathering data to assess risk from the storms. NOAA officials say global warming is having an effect on the state AND on the storms, and that Maine would most likely be affected by drenching rains, coastal flooding, rip currents and winds. A Searsport man was killed last year when a tree fell on his car during Hurricane Lee as he was driving home from the gym. Hurricane Season begins June 1st, and officials say it’s important to be prepared for power outages, high winds, and floods.
Health
National Nurses Week
(Undated) The American Nurses Association is celebrating National Nurses Week this week. This year’s theme is “Nurses make a Difference” – and do they ever! It’s no fun when you’re ill, facing surgery, old age, or a frightening diagnosis. But nurses embody the spirit of compassion and care – in health care settings from pediatrics to geriatrics. In support of nurses, buildings across the country are lighting up the night with the “hash tag nurses light up the sky” campaign. Among those participating, the Wrigley Building in Chicago, City Hall in Houston, and Minneapolis’s Capella Towers. Nurses today often work long hours in understaffed conditions – be sure, this week especially, to let them know they’re appreciated.
(Undated) Buildings across the country are lighting up the night sky this week in support of National Nurses Week. The Wrigley Building in Chicago, City Hall in Houston, and others turned on the lights in support of those who embody a spirit of compassion and care in health care settings from pediatrics to geriatrics. Nurses today regularly work long hours in understaffed conditions, often offering a smile or a word that’s as good as any pain reliever. Be sure, this week especially, to thank a nurse you know for being the special person and caregiver they are.
MaineHealth Institute Participates in Lyme Research
(Belfast) Scientists at MaineHealth Institute for Research, Pen Bay Medical Center, and Tufts University are studying tick-borne illnesses and ways climate change is increasing the number of ticks in Maine. Among projects in the study is a Lyme vaccine trial site at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport. Maine had a record 2,983 preliminary cases of Lyme disease in 2023. The Pen Bay Pilot reports people seeking information about ticks and tick control methods can find resources on the MHIR website.
(Belfast) Maine had a record 2,983 preliminary cases of Lyme disease last year. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and health organizations are participating in studies of tick-borne illnesses and ways climate change is increasing the number of ticks in Maine. Among projects, a Lyme vaccine trial site at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, where medical professionals are joining researchers at Tufts and Mass General Brigham in a program supported by the CDC. And the MaineHealth Institute for Research is leading an assessment of a new blood test for early Lyme disease. The Pen Bay Pilot reports people seeking information about ticks and tick control methods can find resources on the MHIR website.
Harrington Family Health Promotes Interim CEO
(Harrington) The Harrington Family Health Center Board of Directors has promoted its Interim CEO to the position permanently. Demee Manchester has served as Interim CEO the past six months, in addition to working as Chief Operating Officer. Manchester will oversee day to day operations, overall strategic planning, revenue generation and financial management and more. HFHC serves the community with about 12,000 visits a year, including low-income patients, migrant farm workers, seasonal and year-round residents … offering medical, dental, podiatry, and behavioral healthcare.
Healthy Acadia Welcomes New Food Programs Manager
(Ellsworth) Eleanor Jones is Healthy Acadia’s new Food Programs Manager in Hancock County. The non-profit says Jones is now the new contact for the Downeast Gleaning Initiative, Hancock County Food Security Network, the Hancock County Food Drive, Senior FarmShare, and other food-centered initiatives. Jones has big shoes to fill. Although Rachel Emus is stepping down, she says she’ll still be around the community. We’re so grateful for her work in past years organizing the Hancock County Food Drive, which does so much to stem food insecurity in Hancock County. And we’re sure she’s leaving the program in capable hands.
Infrastructure
Surry Road Work
(Ellsworth) Expect delays today and tomorrow as you travel the Surry Road. Public Works yesterday began repairing a culvert between Josie’s Country Store and K&B Auto. Work is expected to begin at 7 a.m. each day and should wrap up tomorrow. There will be alternating traffic through that section, so the City asks that motorists plan ahead for short delays or consider an alternate route if possible.
(Ellsworth) If you travel the Surry Road today or tomorrow, plan ahead for short delays. Ellsworth Public Works will be repairing a culvert between Josie’s Country Store and K&B Auto. Work began Tuesday, will start at 7 a.m. each morning and should wrap up sometime Thursday. Public Works crews will be alternating traffic through that area during the repairs.
Scheduled Closures Limit Flights at BIA
(Bangor) There will be fewer flights in and out of Bangor in the coming weeks, as Bangor International Airport closes its runway for repaving. Officials say technically, the runway will be closed down from 8 a.m. on Mondays to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, now through May 22nd.
City of Ellsworth Flushing Hydrants
(Ellsworth) If you live in Ellsworth and notice low water flow or low pressure this week, don’t be alarmed. The City is flushing hydrants – they say they do this semi-annually in the spring and fall in order to clean the lines and prevent problems. Residents in areas where flushing is taking place may also notice dirty or yellow water. The Water Department says those issues are temporary and should subside once flushing is complete.
Bar Harbor Construction
(Bar Harbor) The Bar Harbor Water Division is doing construction work near the corner of Main and Cottage Streets today. The road will be down to one lane with flaggers most of the day. Meanwhile, in Ellsworth, culvert work continues on the Surry Road between Josie’s Country Store and K&B Auto. Expect delays possibly through Thursday in that area.
Franklin Parklet Reopening for Season
(Ellsworth) Franklin Street between Main and Store Streets in Ellsworth will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning Monday, May 20th, so crews can set up the Franklin Street Parklet for summer outdoor dining. That section of Franklin Street will remain closed until at least October 14th.
Sports
The Braves got the better of the Red Sox last night in Atlanta, beating them 4 to 2. Teams in Atlanta again this evening.
Bruins in Florida for Round Two, Game Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boston leading after taking Game One on Monday.
Round Two, Game One of the NBA Playoffs goes to the Celtics – they beat the Cavaliers last night 120-95. Game Two Thursday in Boston.