Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Bar Harbor Death Ruled Not Suspicious
(Bar Harbor) Authorities now say the death of a person whose body was found Sunday morning in Bar Harbor does not appear to be suspicious. Bar Harbor police responded to an apartment on Des Isle Avenue about 11:40 Sunday morning. Maine State Police were called in to help investigate that death. The deceased was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy was performed on Monday. Information gathered from that and the investigation indicates the death was not suspicious. The name of the victim and manner of death were not released.
(Bar Harbor) Bar Harbor police say an investigation and autopsy confirm the death of a person whose body was found in a Des Isle Avenue apartment on Sunday is no longer considered suspicious. Authorities responded to the apartment near the town pier about 11:40 Sunday morning. The body of the deceased was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy was performed on Monday. The name of the victim and manner of death were not released.
Republican Leader Calls for Thorough Investigation of Swatting Incident
(Augusta) House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham has called for a “quick and thorough” investigation of the “swatting” incident reported at the home of Secretary of State Shenna Bellows last week. In a letter to Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuk yesterday, Faulkingham made clear his strong disagreement with the Secretary’s decision, but said, “there is never any reason for violence or the threat of violence in our political system,” and offered the help of the House Republican Caucus to ensure a transparent reporting of the investigation into Friday’s incident.
(Augusta) A Republican leader has made clear his strong disagreement with the decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to disqualify Donald Trump from the state’s primary ballot, but is also speaking out against threats of violence made against her and other public officials. In a letter sent yesterday to Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuk, House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham denounced threats of violence against elected officials, like Friday’s swatting incident at Bellows’s Manchester home. Faulkingham notes targeted and dangerous swatting calls have been made to several elected leaders, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Senator Rick Scott of Florida, and Ohio AG Dave Yost. In spite of his opposition to Bellows’s decision, Faulkingham said, “The House Republican Caucus stands firm that any threat of violence against the Secretary, her family, or staff is illegal as well as unjustified.”
Local Politics
Trump Appeals Ruling Barring Him from Primary Ballot
(Augusta) Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed the ruling by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows that he is unqualified to be on the March primary ballot based on the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Multiple sources report Trump appealed the ruling to the Kennebec Superior Court. It’s likely he will also appeal a ruling to the same effect by the Colorado Supreme Court. According to Axios, both states’ landmark decisions have been paused to allow the appeals process to play out. Maine’s Superior Court has until January 17th to decide on the issue.
(Augusta) Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed the state’s recent ballot decision to the Kennebec Superior Court. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows disqualified Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot, citing the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause. Axios reports it’s likely Trump will also appeal a ruling to the same effect by the Colorado Supreme Court. Both state’s landmark decisions have been paused to allow the appeals process to play out. Maine’s Superior Court has until January 17th to decide on the issue.
City of Ellsworth Begins New Hours This Week
(Ellsworth) Beginning tomorrow, the City of Ellsworth will be offering late hours, with City Hall open until 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and closing Fridays at 12:30, just after noon. The Utilities Billing Office on Bayside Road will also have modified hours – Monday through Thursday 8 to 3:30, and Friday 8 to 1:30. City officials hope the change will be more convenient for those who work until 5 p.m. weekdays. And don’t forget, if this past Monday was your regular trash collection day, the nice folks who pick up your refuse will be coming around today instead.
(Ellsworth) You work until 5 weekdays, so it’s been a stretch to get to Ellsworth City Hall to take care of that business you need to handle in person. Beginning this week, the City is offering later hours once a week to help with that dilemma – City Hall will be open Thursday evenings until 6:30 and then Fridays until 12:30 p.m. And a quick reminder, if this past Monday was your regular trash collection day, get those bags to the curb this morning – New Year’s Day refuse collection is taking place today.
Economy
Manny’s Greek Grill in Ellsworth to Close
(Ellsworth) There’s one less eatery in Ellsworth today. Manny’s Greek Grill announced on its FB page they made the resolution to close their doors on New Year’s Day. The restaurant was located in the Mill Mall opposite Dunkin’s. Manny’s thanked their employee, Jen, who loyally greeted and served patrons and thanked customers who they say were the soul and hearbeat of Manny’s dream. No reason was given for the closure, but many businesses have been affected by rising costs and staff shortages.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth foodies will have to make their own tzatziki (tuh-ZEE-kee) dipper and Souvlaki on a skewer. Manny’s Greek Grill has closed its Mill Mall doors for the last time. Manny’s made the announcement on their FB page, saying they don’t know where the road will lead but know the many shared stories, relationships built, celebrations and cherished memories made would be treasured.
Versant Power Customers to See Lower Bills Beginning in January
(Bangor) Going down! That should be the case with those electric bills this month for customers in Versant Power’s Bangor Hydro and Maine Public Districts. Those who choose the standard offer supply rates should see that part of their bills fall by about 30%. Even though customers will see an increase in transmission rates, Versant reports a typical residential customer using 500 Kw hours should see their bill go down by a little over $15 a month, while those who use a thousand Kw hours could see a drop of more than $30 monthly.
(Bangor) When’s the last time you saw a price DE-crease? Customers in Versant Power’s Bangor Hydro and Maine Public Districts should see about a 30% decrease in the standard supply rate portion of their bills. And while that will be offset a bit by an increase in transmission rates, Versant says a typical residential customer who chooses the standard offer supply rates and who uses 500 Kw hours should see their bill go down by a little over $15 a month, while those who use a thousand Kw hours a month could see costs go down by more than $30 monthly.
Storm Damage Relief
(Augusta) Help for businesses affected by last month’s destructive storm is coming in the form of grants modeled after a program in Vermont that helped businesses there recover from devastating floods. The Retail Association of Maine and the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association yesterday announced the launch of the Maine Business Relief Fund. The fund will offer grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to cover equipment replacement, operating expenses, supplies, and assistance with cleanup. For more information, log onto maine business relief fund dot com.
(Augusta) Grants ranging from $2,500 to $10.000 are available to businesses affected by last month’s devastating wind and rain storm. The Retail Association of Maine and the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association yesterday announced the launch of the Maine Business Relief Fund. The fund is modeled after a program in Vermont that helped businesses there recover from devastating floods and will offer grants for equipment replacement, operating expenses, supplies, and assistance with cleanup. For more information, log onto maine business relief fund dot com.
Health
Drug Prices Going Up
(KFF) Brace yourselves for higher prices on prescription drugs beginning this month. Reuters reports drugmakers, including Pfizer, plan to raise prices on more than 500 drugs in early January, according to data analyzed by a healthcare research firm. Excluding different doses and formulations, more than 140 brands of drugs will have their prices raised. The expected price hikes come as the pharmaceutical industry gears up for the Biden Administration to publish significantly discounted prices for 10 high-cost drugs later this year.
(KFF) Drug manufacturers, including Pfizer, are responding to the Biden Administration’s plan to publish significantly discounted prices for 10 high-cost drugs in September by raising prices on prescriptions, beginning early this month. Reuters reports the increase will affect more than 500 drugs, based on data analyzed by a healthcare research firm. Excluding different doses and formulations, more than 140 brands of drugs will likely have their prices raised, according to the research.
Maine Healthcare Change in 2024
(Maine) Maine is one of about 20 states that enacted new state healthcare laws that take effect in 2024. All heath plans that started after January 1 are prohibited from enforcing any deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or cost-sharing requirements for abortion procedures. Maine Planned Parenthood Rep Lisa Margulies said patients with state-regulated health insurance plans can now be assured access to the abortion care they need, when they need it, without unnecessary financial burden.
(Maine) Two fifths of US States, including Maine, enacted new state healthcare laws that take effect this year. In the Pine Tree State, all heath plans that started after January 1 are prohibited from enforcing any deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or cost-sharing requirements for abortion procedures. Supporters say patients with state-regulated health insurance plans can now be assured access to the abortion care they need, when they need it, without unnecessary financial burdens of meeting high deductibles and other cost-sharing.
Infant Formula Recall
(KFF) There’s been another baby formula recall. Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition on Sunday recalled some batches of its Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder, a product marketed toward infants with milk allergies. The recall affects Nutramigen Powder 12.6 and 19.8 ounce cans sold in the United States. The company said the recall product had gone through extensive testing and was triggered by a company outside the U.S.
(KFF) If your child has a milk allergy, you might want to check that formula you’re using . Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition on Sunday began recalling some batches of its Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder, a product marketed toward infants with milk allergies. The recall affects Nutramigen Powder 12.6 and 19.8 ounce cans manufactured in June and distributed between June and August last year. The company said the recall product had gone through extensive testing and was triggered by a company outside the U.S.
Sports
High school basketball today – on the boys’ side, it’s a battle on the high seas, as the Deer Isle/Stonington Mariners take on the Searsport Vikings. On the girls’ side, Ellsworth vs. Old Town, Sumner up against Narraguagus, the WA Raiders face off against the MDI Trojans, Jonesport-Beals vs. Calais, and the Machias Lady Bulldogs take on the Shead Tigers.
High school results from yesterday – these schools reporting in. The Woodland girls beat Jonesport-Beals and the Woodland boys with an easy win over Shead, and the Machias boys defeated Narraguagus.
The Bruins skated to a 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets last night in Columbus. Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. And the Oklahoma Thunder ended the Celtics’ winning streak – 127-123. Celtics off until Friday when they’ll be back at TD Garden to shoot hoops with the Utah Jazz.