Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Route 9 Crash Victims Identified
(Twp 30) Authorities have identified the two people killed in Wednesday’s crash on Route 9 as 35 yo Tiffany Tinker and her passenger, 36 yo Jennifer Sutherland, both of New Brunswick, Canada. The crash happened about 11 a.m. in Township 30 when the women rounded a curve in their Kia Forte, lost control and collided with a tractor trailer loaded with logs. Authorities say weather and road conditions were likely factors in the incident.
(Twp 30) Authorities say the two people killed in a Wednesday morning crash on Route 9 were from New Brunswick, Canada. 35 yo Tiffany Tinker and her passenger, 36 yo Jennifer Sutherland, rounded a curve in Township 30, apparently lost control on the icy roadway, and skidded into the path of a logging truck. The two were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash led to two secondary crashes with other tractor trailers, neither of which contributed to the fatalities.
Maine DHHS Has New Director
(Augusta) Bobbi Johnson, who has been serving as the Acting Director of the Office of Child and Family Services, has been tapped to take over the position permanently. WABI-TV reports it’s one of a number of changes coming to the agency. The Department will launch a child welfare management review and realign its behavioral services. Johnson plans to institute an audit that will look into the organization of the department, communication processes, culture, and leadership. Recommendations from the audit will be made by the end of March and will serve to direct the agency moving forward.
(Augusta) New leadership, and a promise of new direction are coming to the Office of Child and Family Services. WABI-TV reports Acting Director Bobbi Johnson will take on the role permanently. In addition, the Department will launch a child welfare management review and realign its behavioral services. Johnson plans to institute an audit that will look into the organization of the department, communication processes, culture, and leadership. Recommendations from the audit will be made by the end of March and will serve to direct the agency moving forward.
Mills Strongly Opposes Bill Calling for Decriminalizing Drug Possession
(Augusta) Dozens of advocates testified this week in support of a bill that would decriminalize all drug possession in Maine. The Portland Press Herald reports supporters feel the state’s opioid crisis should be treated solely as a public health issue. The Mills’s Administration strongly opposes the measure, saying it would have unintended consequences. The Director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency insisted the move would hamper court-ordered programs that help people with substance use disorder, but an advocate of the bill said the public response to drug use causes more individual and systemic harm than drug use itself.
(Augusta) Should Maine decriminalize all drug possession and treat the opioid crisis as a public health issue? Dozens this week testified on behalf of a bill that would do just that. According to the Portland Press Herald, the Mills’s Administration strongly opposes the measure, saying it would have unintended consequences. The Director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency insisted the move would hamper court-ordered programs that help people with substance use disorder, but an advocate of the bill said the public response to drug use causes more individual and systemic harm than drug use itself.
Local Politics
King Urges Global Crackdown on Transport of Iranian Oil
(Washington, DC) It reads like something out of a John le Carre spy novel, but Senator Angus King says Iran uses “ghost fleets” – vessels marked with the flags of other nations – as a loophole to export oil. And, he says, 49% of these vessels wave the Panamanian flag. King this week joined a bipartisan group urging a global crackdown on the transport of Iranian oil, a violation of US sanctions. The US imposed the sanctions in 2018 and 2019 in order to cut off a significant source of revenue used by the regime to fund terrorist organizations in the Middle East – such as Hezbollah and Hamas – cartel activity, and nuclear proliferation. The Senators are asking Panama to be more diligent in its investigation of the illegal activity.
(Washington, DC) The scenario sounds straight out of a James Bond movie about international terrorism, but it’s much more disturbing, because it’s a reality. Senator Angus King says Iran is using “ghost fleets” – vessels marked with the flags of other nations – as a loophole to export oil. And, he says, 49% of these vessels hold the Panamanian flag. King this week joined a bipartisan group urging a global crackdown on the transport of Iranian oil, a violation of US sanctions. The US imposed the sanctions in 2018 and 2019 in order to cut off a significant source of revenue used by the regime to fund terrorist organizations in the Middle East – such as Hezbollah and Hamas – cartel activity, and nuclear proliferation. The coalition is asking Panama to do its due diligence in investigating and cracking down on the illegal practice.
Bellows Confirms Libertarian Party Qualifies in Maine
(Augusta) Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green, No Labels …and now the Libertarian Party will have ballot access for the General Election for the presidential race. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows yesterday confirmed the party met the requirements to participate in the June 11th Primary Election. Two other parties that filed – the Forward Party and the People’s Party – failed to submit the requirements needed by the January 2nd deadline to potentially become Qualified Parties.
(Augusta) Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, No Labels. And now the Libertarian Party will have ballot access for the General Election in the race for President. On Thursday, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows confirmed the Libertarian Party as a Qualified Party, having reviewed their submission of having at least 5,000 voters enrolled. The party’s Preamble reads, in part, “…we seek a world of liberty … in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and are not forced to sacrifice their values for the benefit of others.” As of January 2nd, Libertarians had 5,168 members enrolled in Maine.
Maine Will Have Semi-Open Primaries
(Augusta) Maine’s 2024 primaries will be held under the new semi-open primary law. Unenrolled voters now have the option to vote in any party primary without having to enroll in the party. Unenrolled voters may only vote in one party’s primary. Voters enrolled in a party must vote that party’s primary ballot and do not have the option of selecting another party’s ballot unless they change enrollment at least 15 days prior to the primary. They then may not change party enrollment for three months, unless they move to a new municipality and establish a new voting residence there.
(Augusta) Maine’s new semi-open primary law will be in effect for the 2024 primaries. Under the new law, unenrolled voters have the option of voting in any party primary without having to enroll in the party. Unenrolled voters may only vote in one party’s primary. Voters enrolled in a party must vote that party’s primary ballot and do not have the option of selecting another party’s ballot unless they change enrollment at least 15 days prior to the primary. They then may not change party enrollment for three months, unless they move to a new municipality and establish a new voting residence there.
Collins One of Seven Republicans to Hold Out on Signing Brief on Behalf of Trump
(Washington, DC) Only seven Republican senators did not sign a legal brief submitted in support of Trump’s appeal to the US Supreme Court to stay on the Colorado primary ballot; including Maine Senator Susan Collins. The brief backs the former President in his fight to remain on that state’s ballot after the Colorado Supreme Court last month ruled he is ineligible, based on his actions during the January 6th riots in 2021. The high court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on February 8th. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ ruling against Trump appearing on Maine’s primary ballot is on hold pending the outcome of the Supreme Court Case.
(Washington, DC) The US Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on February 8th on the Colorado Supreme Court’s December ruling that Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on that state’s primary ballot, based on his involvement in the January 6th riots in 2021. Trump’s attorneys filed a legal brief asking the high court to overturn the Colorado decision. The Bangor Daily News reports Maine Senator Susan Collins is one of just seven Republican Senators that did not sign the brief in support of Trump’s appeal. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ ruling against Trump appearing on Maine’s primary ballot is on hold pending the outcome of the Supreme Court Case.
Economy
Price of Stamps Going Up Again
(CNN) Add the price of stamps to the list of expenses that are expanding. CNN reports the price of Forever stamps is going up to 68 cents for a first class letter come this Sunday. It’s the fifth price hike since Forever Stamps first came out in 2007. The price then was 41 cents. Sunday’s increase is two cents higher than the current price of 66 cents.
(CNN) Unless you have stamps in reserve, the cost of mailing that first class letter will cost you more come Sunday. CNN reports the price of Forever stamps is going up to 68 cents. It’s the fifth price hike since Forever Stamps first came out in 2007. The price then was 41 cents. Sunday’s increase is two cents higher than the current price of 66 cents.
Versant Invests in Communities
(Bangor) Versant Power reports it invested more than $500K in 2023 in the communities they serve. Versant says its main focus of giving was energy affordability … and included heating assistance funds, heat pump donations, and support for building weatherization and energy efficiency projects. Part of the giving was through the Power Match program, in connection with Downeast Community Partners and others. More than $88,000 in matching funds were distributed through Power Match last year.
(Bangor) Versant Power’s community investment program benefited the communities the company serves with more than $500K in 2023. Versant reports its main focus of giving was energy affordability … and included heating assistance funds, heat pump donations, and support for building weatherization and energy efficiency projects. In addition to monetary support, Versant says team members volunteered more than 950 hours at non-profit organizations. To encourage and recognize their efforts, Versant provided more than $15K to the groups employees helped.
Human Interest
Grand Celebrates National Popcorn Day
(Ellsworth) Hot, buttery popcorn – you can smell and taste it now! Today is National Popcorn Day! What better way to celebrate than with the best popcorn anywhere … The Grand in Ellsworth. Between 4 and 6 this afternoon, you can help the Grand and treat yourself by stopping by the theater to grab yours to take home! Special toppings are available, and all proceeds benefit the ongoing programs at Ellsworth’s favorite arts venue, The Grand!
(Ellsworth) From live musicals with local talent, to “Live from the Met”, to vacation matinees, concerts, the Banff Mountain Film Festival, and King Muttonhead humor … you’ll find it all at The Grand in Ellsworth! Now, you can help The Grand keep that great programming going and treat yourself to some grab and go delicious Grand popcorn. Today is National Popcorn Day! Stop by the theatre between 4 and 6 and take some of that fresh, hot buttery taste home to curl up by the fire and enjoy for the weekend.
Sports
The Celtics on the home court tonight to shoot hoops with the Denver Nuggets.
Bruins beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2. The Bruins on the home ice Saturday as they skate against the Montreal Canadiens.
Last night’s high school basketball results – it was the boy’s team on the courts last night – Old Town all over MDI, Machias cruises past Jonesport-Beals, George Stevens beats Sumner, Narraguagus with an easy win over Shead, and the John Bapst Crusaders pull off a 73-71 win over Washington Academy.
These high school basketball games on tap this evening – the Jonesport-Beals boys and girls take on Deer Isle/Stonington. These girls’ teams also courtside – WA vs. Woodland, Searsport taking on Sumner, GSA vs. Central, the Calais Blue Devils vs. the Narraguagus Knights, John Bapst and Ellsworth shooting hoops, and the MDI Trojans trade baskets with the Old Town Coyotes.
And Bill Belichick is reportedly in talks with the Atlanta Falcons about coaching there.