Local Politics
Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel to Release Biennial Report
(Augusta) The Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel will release its 14th Biennial Report later this morning. The report details the Panel’s analysis of 28 domestic abuse homicides that occurred between 2015 and 2022 and provides recommendations for investments in resources, programming, services, advocacy and education designed to prevent and reduce domestic abuse in Maine. The Panel is made up of a team of experts in law enforcement, prosecution, advocacy, and prevention and will make its report at 11:30 a.m. in the Hall of Flags in the Statehouse. Speakers will include Governor Janet Mills, AG Aaron Frey, and others. Mills has previously spoken of her past personal experience as a survivor of domestic abuse.
(Augusta) Yesterday we reported on two domestic abuse incidents that occurred on Sunday – in Blue Hill and Deer Isle. This morning, the Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel will release its 14th Biennial Report in the Hall of Flags at the Statehouse in Augusta. The report details the Panel’s analysis of 28 domestic abuse homicides that occurred between 2015 and 2022. In the report, the Panel, made up of experts in law enforcement, prosecution, advocacy, and prevention provides recommendations for investments in resources, programming, services, advocacy and education designed to prevent and reduce domestic abuse in Maine. Among the speakers will be Governor Janet Mills, who has cited her past experience as a survivor of domestic abuse, and Attorney General Aaron Frey.
Hancock County and other Maine Residents Reminded to Report Storm Damage
(Hancock County) Maine residents are reminded of the importance of reporting storm damage to 2-1-1. Sharing the information will help officials estimate the full impact of the storms and allow them to request the maximum amount of federal aid in order to support recovery efforts. The Office of Governor Janet Mills says reporting damage is not the same as applying for assistance or filing an insurance claim, which you should do as well. For anyone feeling overwhelmed or stressed about the damage, trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 – just text TalkWithUs to 66746 or call 1-800-985-5990.
(Hancock County) Individuals, organizations and businesses – including commercial fishing and farming – that experienced damage in the recent storms are urged to report damage to 2-1-1. While not an application for assistance, reporting helps document damage to aid officials in requesting the maximum amount of federal funds in order to support recovery efforts. Those who suffered damage should still file insurance claims on home, auto, and/or property damage, as well. Anyone overwhelmed or stressed by the situation is encouraged to text TalkWithUs to 66746 or call 1-800-985-5990. Trained crisis counselors are available 24/7.
Milbridge Hit Hard by Storms
(Milbridge) Milbridge is another Washington County coastal town hit hard by last week’s storms. WABI-TV reports Town Manager Lewis Pinkham as saying, “We’ve seen flooding before, but we’ve never seen the destruction of the piers like this. The recent storms took out as many as five of the town’s eight piers, and those still standing are in rough shape. Pinkham says the cost of repairs will be around $2M, and he anticipates a rebuilding timeline of at least two years.
(Milbridge) Another town hit hard by last week’s winds and storm surge is the Washington County town of Milbridge. Town Manager Lewis Pinkham says the unprecedented damages have paved a long road to recovery – likely at a cost of $2M and a two year rebuilding timeline. WABI-TV reports the town lost five of its eight piers, and those remaining are in terrible shape. Milbridge sits at the mouth of the Narraguagus River and depends on a thriving fishing industry.
Governor Mills Requests Major Disaster Declaration
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills on Tuesday requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the President as a result of the December 18th storm. The request includes asking for aid for Hancock, Washington, Penobscot , Waldo and six other counties. Damage to the public infrastructure is estimated to be around $20M. If approved, Maine would have access to funds to repair roads, bridges, public buildings and other infrastructure.
(Augusta) The data is in, and Tuesday, Governor Janet Mills officially requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the President as a result of the December 18th storm. The request covers 10 of Maine’s 16 counties, including Hancock, Washington, Waldo, and Penobscot Counties. Damage to public infrastructure is estimated to be around $20M. If approved, the state would have access to funds to repair public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public buildings. Because of a high level of damage in Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, and Somerset counties, the governor requested additional individual assistance to eligible families.
Economy
Fill the Strand Has Biggest Year Yet
(Rockland) Generous donors made the 4th Annual Fill the Strand fundraiser in Rockland Monday the largest in the event’s history. Each year, the non-profit Area Interfaith Outreach, or AIO, sets a goal of filling each seat in the historic theater with a bag of food or $25 of support to help those in need. WABI-TV reports this year’s event collected enough to fill the Strand TWICE! You can continue sponsoring a seat through Friday at a i o food pantry dot org.
(Rockland) Make mine a double! That’s about the size of it when it comes to this year’s 4th Annual “Fill the Strand” fundraiser in Rockland on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Area Interfaith Outreach, or AIO, sets a goal of filling each seat in the historic theatre with bags of food or a $25 donation to help those in need. WABI-TV reports at this year’s event, AIO collected enough to fill the Strand TWICE! You can continue donating to the event through Friday at a I o food pantry dot org.
Education
GSA Board Taps New Head of School
(Blue Hill) Come July 1st, a former Maine Principal of the Year will be at the helm of George Stevens Academy. The Ellsworth American reports the GSA Board of Trustees has hired Doug Welch to fill the role of Head of School. Welch was born and educated in Maine and began his career at Washington Academy. He was then appointed Principal at Boothbay Regional High School, where he spent 11 years and, in 2017, was named Maine Principal of the Year. Interim Head of School Shelley Jackson will continue to lead the school until June 30th when her contract expires.
(Blue Hill) The Ellsworth American reports at his on-campus visit to George Stevens Academy, Doug Welch connected well with every constituency with whom he met. So it’s no surprise the GSA Board of Trustees has hired Welch to fill the role of Head of School. The Board reports they found the born-and-educated-in-Maine Welch a deep thinker and an active and collaborative problem solver. The new Head of School spent time at Washington Academy and Boothbay Regional High School, where he was named Principal of the Year in 2017. Welch will officially step into the George Stevens role on July 1.
Health
Shoveling Snow Safely and Correctly
(Undated) Ready to get out and tackle that snow shoveling this morning? The Mayo Clinic says shoveling snow can be good exercise when done correctly. But taking on more than your body can handle or ignoring signs that you need to take a break may prove harmful or even fatal. To shovel safely and injury free, they say, be heart conscious – check with your healthcare provider if you’ve been physically inactive or have heart problems, and don’t shovel while smoking, eating or right after consuming caffeine. Dress for the weather – layer up. Be sure you’re hydrated. As with any exercise, be sure to warm up. Bend at the knees – not your back, listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, they say take a break, go inside and warm up. And keep your phone handy, just in case.
(Undated) Ah, that layer of fresh, new snow. There will no doubt be lots of shoveling of walks and decks this morning. The Mayo Clinic says that can be good exercise when done correctly. But they caution against taking on more than your body can handle. Here are their top tips when shoveling – first, they say be heart conscious – check with your healthcare provider if you’ve been physically inactive or have heart problems, and don’t shovel while smoking, eating or right after consuming caffeine. Dress for the weather – layer up. Be sure you’re hydrated, warm up as with any exercise … bend at the knees – not your back, listen to your body. Finally, the experts at the Mayo Clinic say if something doesn’t feel right, take a break, go inside and warm up. And keep your phone handy, just in case.
Human Interest
East Blue Hill Library Reaches Next Chapter
(East Blue Hill) The story of the East Blue Hill Library has reached its “Next Chapter”. That’s the name of this year’s capital campaign, a real page-turner which set a goal of raising enough to bring the library’s 1919 shingle style building up to current energy and accessibility standards. Cash donations totalled more than $400,000, which will help fund a slightly larger interior for more storage and meeting space, while preserving the library’s listing on the National Registry of Historic Places. A press release noted the target completion date for the renovation is fall 2025.
(East Blue Hill) A happy ending about a new beginning for the East Blue Hill Library. Let’s start with a flashback – the library began with a capital campaign entitled “The Next Chapter” and a goal of raising $400,000 to help bring the 1919 building up to current energy and accessibility standards. The story then reads like a romance novel between the historic building and a supportive community that included a successful auction, support from foundations such as the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, and a particularly touching chapter about a $2 donation from a friend with a spare $2 bill. The story reached its climax with the library successfully raising the funds needed to expand the interior for storage and meeting space. A press release reports a target “end” date for the renovation by fall 2025. Looking forward to turning that last page!
Buoys Ready for Pickup at Chamber Office
(Ellsworth) If you purchased a buoy for this year’s Buoy Tree at Whiting Park, you can now pick yours up at the Chamber office. They ask that if you want your buoy, please pick it up by the end of January. A big thank you to the Ellsworth Home Depot for donating the lumber, hardware, garland and chicken wire so the Ellsworth Chamber could make the tree possible to honor our beloved Natalie Knox. Also, a huge thanks to everyone who purchased a buoy that enabled the Chamber to give a generous donation of more than a thousand dollars to the SPCA of Hancock County in Nat’s memory.
(Ellsworth) Oh, buoy! If you purchased a buoy for this year’s buoy tree in honor of our beloved Natalie Knox and would like yours back, you can stop by the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce office anytime before the end of January to pick that up. Otherwise, they’ll be going into storage until next year. The Chamber sends out a huge thank you to the Ellsworth Home Depot for donating the lumber, hardware, garland and chicken wire so that the Ellsworth Chamber could make the tree possible and to everyone who purchased a buoy that enabled them to give a wonderful donation to the SPCA of Hancock County in Nat’s memory.
Rotary Club Plans Yard Sale
(Ellsworth) The Rotary Club of Ellsworth is gearing up for another year of interesting vendors at their April 6th yard sale at the Ellsworth Elementary Middle School! Thirty vendors have already signed up, but they still have room for you to offer yard sale items, knitted creatures, woodworking or whatever you offer! And you’ll certainly want to mark your calendar to attend the 9 to 2 event, because they even have a booth serving dessert waffles! Anyone interested in becoming a vendor can contact Jodie Cushing right on Facebook, or at 479-6639. And you know the Ellsworth Rotary – their proceeds go to fund so many positive projects around the area!
(Ellsworth) Knitted creatures, scentsy items, color street, even a booth serving dessert waffles. You’ll find them all at the Rotary Club of Ellsworth’s Annual Yard Sale, planned for April 6th from 9 to 2 at the Ellsworth Elementary Middle School. Now, that may sound like a ways off, but the Rotary Club already has 30 vendors signed up! So don’t miss out, if you’d like to have a booth, contact Jodie Cushing right on Facebook, or give her a call at 479-6639. You won’t find a more giving organization than the Ellsworth Rotary Club, so mark your calendars now and be sure to show your support – AND find some great deals in the process!
Sports
These high school girls’ basketball games scheduled this evening: Ellsworth vs. Old Town, MDI takes on Hermon, the Jonesport-Beals girls up against Shead, the Machias Bulldogs face the Calais Blue Devils (5 pm), and the Narraguagus Knights shoot hoops with the WA Raiders.
The Celtics home tonight against the San Antonio Spurs. Bruins have the night off. Bruins put the sticks to the ice at TD Garden Thursday as they try to stop the Colorado Avalanche.
Looks like most of last night’s local high school basketball games will be rescheduled due to the weather.