Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Bellows Warns of Misleading Solicitations
(Augusta) Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is warning Maine corporations and non-profits to be on the lookout for a misleading solicitation they may have received in the mail, offering to file annual reports on their behalf. The service asks a $210 fee and comes from an organization identified as CFS. It looks similar to the Division of Corporations’ annual report form, but Bellows warns it’s neither authorized nor recognized by the Department of the Secretary of State. Bellows said the Division of Corporations does not mail out the annual report form, but instead, makes it available online. Corporate entities have until June 1st to complete the report filing with the Secretary of State’s Office at a cost of $35 for nonprofits, $85 for domestic business entities, and $150 for foreign business entities.
(Augusta) With annual report filings for Maine corporations and nonprofits due between now and June 1st, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is warning filers to be on the lookout for a misleading solicitation they may have received n the mail. The solicitation comes from an organization identified as CFS, which offers to file on an organization’s behalf for a $210 fee. Bellows says it looks similar to the Division of Corporations’ annual report form, but warns it’s neither authorized nor recognized by the Department of the Secretary of State. Bellows said the Division of Corporations does not mail out the annual report form, but makes it available online instead.
Local Politics
State of the State Address
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills will deliver her State of the State Address to the Legislature on Tuesday, January 30th. In her remarks, the Governor is expected to highlight the resilience and resolve of Maine people over the past year, especially the last months marked by the Lewiston tragedy and the December 18th storm that brought hundreds of thousands of power outages and catastrophic flooding to the state. The address will be held in the House Chamber at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the 30th.
(Augusta) Resilience and Resolve – characteristics of Maine people that Governor Janet Mills is expected to highlight in her State of the State Address on January 30th. The Governor is likely to focus on the strength of the state’s residents, following the Lewiston tragedy and a December storm that brought catastrophic flooding and left hundreds of thousands without power. The Governor will deliver her address in the House Chamber beginning at 7 p.m. on the 30th.
Secretary Shenna Bellows Confirms Validity of No Labels Party
(Augusta) Maine has, until now, recognized four political parties – Democratic, Republican, Green Independent, and Libertarian. As of Friday, the No Labels Party is also now considered a Qualified Party in the Pine Tree State. After a review by the Office of the Secretary of State, it was determined the party had enough voters enrolled to qualify it to participate in the Primary Election on June 11th. The No Labels Party was founded in 2010. An online search of the party’s history and beliefs turns up a centrist policy that urges leaders to listen more to the majority and less to extremists on both the right and left, but also reports of controversy within the party itself.
(Augusta) The State of Maine now has five qualified political parties from which to choose – Democratic, Republican, Green Independent, Libertarian; and as of last week, the No Labels Party. After a review by the Office of Secretary of State Shenna Bellow, it was determined the party had enough voters enrolled to qualify it to participate in the Primary Election on June 11th. As of January 2nd, just over 9400 Maine voters were enrolled in the party. An internet search of the party’s history and beliefs turns up a centrist policy that urges leaders to listen more to the majority and less to extremists on both the right and left, but also reports of controversy within the party itself.
Education
EEMS Roof Repair Update
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Elementary Middle School seventh grade students and teachers are almost ready to move back into their classrooms. WABI reports the roof above the seventh grade wing was leaking into classrooms after it was significantly damaged in the storm a few weeks ago. Teachers and students moved to the school’s innovation lab and rotated off-site locations during repairs. The repairs were expected to be completed over the weekend, with seventh graders likely moving back into their classrooms by the middle of this week.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Elementary Middle School seventh graders and their teachers should be able to move back into their classrooms sometime this week. WABI reports the roof above the seventh grade wing was leaking into classrooms after it sustained significant damage in the December 18th rain and windstorm. Teachers and students moved to the school’s innovation lab and rotated off-site locations during repairs. The repairs were expected to be completed over the weekend, with seventh graders expected to move back into their classrooms by the middle of this week.
HCTC Students Work on Community Service Project Reminiscent of Their Childhoods
(Ellsworth) When Mount Desert Island High School Seniors Spencer Laurendeau, Josh Wedge, and Grace Horner were just kids, they all found support in Acadian Youth Sports. Now the three, athletes in their own right, want to give back to the youth organization that provides opportunities for children to explore interest in football, basketball, baseball and softball, golf and cheerleading. The Mount Desert Islander reports the trio is using their SkillsUSA competition project as a way to raise money and awareness for AYS. So far, they’ve organized a football camp for middle schoolers, a “Polar Express” holiday event and more. They say funds raised will go toward the purchase of much-needed new equipment, and they’re hoping a good showing at the March SkillsUSA competition propels the project even further.
(Ellsworth) A trio of MDI High School athletes is giving back to an organization that influenced their current athletic careers when they were kids. The Mount Desert Islander reports Seniors Spencer Laurendeau, Josh Wedge, and Grace Horner all participated in Acadian Youth Sports as youngsters. AYS provides opportunities for children to explore interest in football, basketball, baseball and softball, golf and cheerleading. The trio is using their SkillsUSA competition project as a way to raise money and awareness for AYS. So far, they’ve organized a football camp for middle schoolers, a “Polar Express” holiday event and more. They say funds raised will go toward the purchase of much-needed new equipment, and they’re hoping a good showing at the March SkillsUSA competition propels the project even further.
Technology
Winter Harbor Gets First Cell Tower
(Winter Harbor) The town of Winter Harbor is about to get their first cell tower. Lack of cell service has been not just an inconvenience for residents, who say they often have no bars on their phones. It’s also been especially troubling for first responders, who say they’ve experienced disconnected calls and other issues. The tower will reportedly be built on private property near the downtown area and is expected to be fully operational by Spring.
(Winter Harbor) Residents of Winter Harbor, in particular, are looking forward to Spring this year. And not just for a break in the weather, but also for a break FROM spotty cell service. Construction will soon be underway on the town’s first cell tower, which should be fully operational this spring. Lack of cell service has been not just an inconvenience for residents, but especially troubling for first responders, who say they’ve experienced disconnected calls and other issues.
Infrastructure
MRC Waste Plant Receives Approval for Test Runs
(Hampden) The Municipal Review Committee has received formal approval to begin test runs at the municipal waste plant in Hampden. MRC Executive Director Michael Carroll said the waste from the test runs will be sourced from Bangor, Brewer, Eddington, and three other MRC member towns. Carroll said the testing milestone brings them one step closer to realizing the plant’s full potential. The MRC represents 115 towns and served as a waste removal source to those towns before closing in 2020 due to financial problems. The new owners hope to have the plant up and running again in 2025.
(Hampden) The former Fiberright plant that left 115 communities and their waste hanging when it closed in 2020 is one step closer to realizing its potential once again. MRC Executive Director Michael Carroll said the Committee has received formal approval from DEP to begin test runs at the municipal waste facility, now under new ownership in Hampden. Waste for the tests will be sourced from Orono, Holden, Clifton, and three other MRC member locations. The new owners hope to have the plant up and running again sometime in 2025.
Changes Coming to Downtown Map
(Ellsworth) Exciting changes are coming to the Downtown Ellsworth Map. Heart of Ellsworth won a one-year subscription to SlicPix Team through the Maine Downtown Center. The subscription will let Heart of Ellsworth bring the downtown map to life by turning static images, text, and convenient calls-to-action for downtown businesses. The leading edge technology will help Heart of Ellsworth create a map that sparks engagement, as users explore points of interest on their smart devices. A life sized map is located in the Outdoor Dining Parklet on Franklin Street.
(Ellsworth) You’ve no doubt noticed and perhaps utilized the life-size map of Ellsworth’s Main Street district located in the Outdoor Dining Parklet on Franklin Street. The map was created by Heart of Ellsworth to showcase the city’s downtown offerings and to help visitors, newcomers and residents explore the Main Street District. Now, Heart of Ellsworth is bringing exciting changes to the map through a one-year subscription to SlicPix Team. The subscription was awarded Heart of Ellsworth through the Maine Downtown Center and will help bring the map to life by turning static images, text, and convenient calls-to-action for downtown businesses. The leading edge technology will help them create a map that sparks engagement as users explore points of interest on their smart devices. Stay tuned!
Human Interest
New Ventures Maine Announces Marketing Mini Grants Winners
(Bar Harbor) Congratulations to Axe Women Loggers of Maine. They’ve been awarded one of six New Ventures Marketing Mini Grants. The $1,000 grants are awarded through a competitive application process and support new or expanded business marketing and promotion. Axe Women, a team of professional timber sports athletes based in Bar Harbor, beat out other applicants to win the grant for North Central/Downeast Maine.
(Bar Harbor) A group of timber sports athletes has won of one of six New Ventures Marketing Mini Grants awarded in Maine. Axe Women Loggers of Maine, based in Bar Harbor, won the $1,000 grant through a competitive application process. Theirs was the only award given for North Central/Downeast Maine. The mini grants support new or expanded business marketing and promotion and are awarded to groups with five or fewer full time employees that have sales in the current calendar year and gross annual sales of no more than $150K from the previous calendar year.
Twins Born on Different Days, In Different Years
(Undated) Good luck to a set of New Jersey twins in convincing folks they’re twins. First, they’re fraternal, which means they don’t exactly look alike. Secondly, Ezra and Ezekiel Humphries were born not only on different days, but in different years. Journalist Nick Beres reports Ezra came into the world this past December 31st at 8 p.m.. Brother Ezekiel waited until 12:28 a.m. on January 1st. Should be quite the full holiday season for the Humphries from now on.
(Undated) A family in New Jersey is celebrating the birth of twin boys; but this is no ordinary set of twins. First, Ezra and Ezekiel Humphries are fraternal twins, so they don’t exactly look alike. But what’s most unusual is that the boys were born on different days AND in different years. Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 reports Ezra came into the world this past December 31st at 8 p.m..Brother Ezekiel waited until 12:28 a.m. on January 1st. Double the delivery dates.
Sports
High School basketball this evening, the Deer Isle/Stonington boys and girls face Machias, the Jonesport-Beals girls take on Shead, WA girls vs. Narraguagus, and the GSA girls hit the hardwood against Bucksport.
Bruins in Colorado tonight (Monday) to take on the Avalanche.
The Celtics are in Indiana to shoot hoops with the Pacers (Monday).
Patriots end their regular season with a dismal 4-13 record. New England losing to the Jets yesterday 17-3.