Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Boat US Issues Warning Regarding US Coast Guard Renewal
(Springfield, VA) Boaters beware. Boat Owners Association of the United States warns that while the Coast Guard sends official annual renewal notices by mail to boaters with US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation, other notices being received by BoatUS members are not from the Coast Guard, but from third-party companies using similar names and/or return addresses. The letters direct them to websites that appear to be Coast Guard related but which show significant increase in the annual renewal fee.
(Springfield, VA) Boat owners with US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation are being warned of rough seas if they fall for letters they may receive that are reportedly less than above board. BoatUS says while the Coast Guard sends official annual renewal notices by mail to boaters with such documentation, other notices being received by BoatUS members are not from the Coast Guard, but from third-party companies using similar names and/or return addresses. The letters direct them to websites that appear to be Coast Guard related, but which show significant increases in the annual renewal fee.
Local Politics
Collins Says She Won’t Endorse Trump
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins Wednesday said she would not endorse Donald Trump in his 2024 bid for the Presidency. And while Collins said she’s not endorsing Nikki Haley at this point, either, she’s “glad” the South Carolina Governor remains in the race. Collins added she thinks the more people see of Haley, the more impressed they will be, especially since she currently appears to be the only alternative to Trump.
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins yesterday said she doesn’t at this point see herself endorsing Donald Trump in his bid for the Presidency. She also declined to endorse Nikki Haley, Trump’s only remaining competition, because of her personal friendships with candidates who have dropped out of the race. Collins did say she thinks the more people see of Haley, the more impressed they will be with the South Carolina Governor.
Oregon Lawmakers Backpedal on Drug Decriminalization Law
(AP) Advocates last week testified in Augusta in support of a bill that would decriminalize all drug possession in Maine and treat the state’s opioid epidemic as a public health crisis. But Democratic lawmakers in Oregon on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping new bill that would undo a key part of that state’s first-in-the-nation drug decriminalization law. The revision follows recognition that public opinion has soured on the measure amid rampant public drug use during the fentanyl crisis. The new bill would reportedly recriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs as a low-level misdemeanor, enabling police to confiscate them and crack down on their use on sidewalks and in parks.
(AP) Governor Janet Mills last week spoke out against a proposal before the legislature that would decriminalize all drug possession in Maine and treat the drug crisis as a public health issue. Democratic lawmakers in Oregon are grappling with the same issue. This week, legislators there unveiled a sweeping new bill that would undo a key part of the state’s first-in-the-nation drug decriminalization law, a recognition that public opinion has soured on the measure amid rampant public drug use during the fentanyl crisis. The revision aims to make it easier to prosecute dealers, to access addiction treatment medication, and to obtain and keep housing without facing discrimination for using that medication.
City of Ellsworth Hosts City Manager Candidate Meet and Greet
(Ellsworth) It’s a very special meet and greet, and if you live in Ellsworth, you’ll want to be sure and be there. Next Friday, February 2nd, the City of Ellsworth invites citizens, businesses and community organizations to meet with one of the finalists for the job of City Manager. The event will be held in Council Chamber from 5 to 7. A live stream of the event will also be available. Follow the City of Ellsworth on Facebook for details.
(Ellsworth) In their search for a new City Manager, the City of Ellsworth has narrowed it down to at least one impressive candidate. They’re not revealing any details just yet, but you can meet one of the finalists at a Meet and Greet next Friday, February 2nd, from 5 to 7 in Council Chambers. Citizens, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to attend. The event will be live streamed as well. Follow the City of Ellsworth on FB for details.
New Housing Complex for Immigrants Draws Outrage from Some Conservatives
(Brunswick) A new housing complex for asylum seekers in Brunswick is drawing outrage from national conservatives, including Donald Trump, Jr., who attacked the project while campaigning with his father in New Hampshire last week. The Bangor Daily News reports Trump Junior accused those behind the project of giving free housing to illegal immigrants while kicking veterans into the street. But a bit of research reveals asylum seekers are not allowed to work for at least six months after entering the country. And families living in the Brunswick housing have committed to paying 30 percent of their incomes as rent if they get jobs while living there. Documents further show they’re in the US legally, and state assistance is only to tide families over until they gain income. Policy makers point out Maine runs many other housing programs open to veterans.
(Brunswick) National conservatives are blasting a housing complex for asylum seekers in Brunswick. The Bangor Daily News reports last week while campaigning with his father in New Hampshire, Donald Trump, Jr. attacked the project, accusing those behind it of giving free housing to illegal immigrants while kicking veterans into the street. A bit of research shows such accusations ignore the facts. Documentation shows immigrants living in the complex are in the US legally and are not allowed to work for their first six months after arriving in the country. Families living in the Brunswick unit have committed to paying 30 percent of their incomes as rent, should they secure jobs while living there, with state assistance clearly defined as temporary – just to tide families over until they are employed. Policy makers point out Maine runs many other housing programs open to veterans.
Maine’s Congressional Delegation Asks FEMA to Streamline Response to Storms
(Washington, DC) Recent storms devastated the Maine coastline, and Maine’s Congressional Delegation Wednesday wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency asking them to cut the red tape and support Governor Janet Mills’ request to streamline federal response. In the letter, the team wrote the damages are still being assessed, but appear to be record-setting… with catastrophic damage to the coastline and Maine’s economy. The bipartisan group asked FEMA to treat the January 10th and 13th storms as a single event in order to reduce the administrative burden on municipalities and others affected in 10 of the state’s 16 counties.
(Washington, DC) Power outages, roads cracked and buckled, wharfs washed away, and buildings flooded. On Wednesday, Maine’s Congressional Delegation penned a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency asking them to expedite federal response to the record-setting damage from storms that affected 10 of Maine’s 16 counties. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden signed the letter, backing Governor Janet Mills’s asking the agency to treat the January 10th and 13th storms as a single event in order to reduce the administrative burden on municipalities. The delegation emphasized the January storms hit before the state could catch its breath from a devastating storm on December 18th that caused more than $20M in damage.
Economy
Maine Tax Portal Webinars
(Augusta) If you file Individual Income Tax, you likely know the Maine Tax Portal has replaced I-file and EZ Pay. They say it’s easy to get started using the Maine Tax Portal, and multiple webinars are offered next month to bring you up to speed on the new features they say make filing, paying, and managing state taxes faster and more convenient. You only need to attend one of the one-hour sessions. Find a list of dates and times at maine dot gov – search for Winter 2024 Maine Tax Portal Webinars.
(Augusta) Tax time approacheth – if you file Individual Income Tax, it’s important to know the Maine Tax Portal has replaced EZ Pay and I-file. Not to worry, they say it’s easy to get started using the Maine Tax Portal, and experts are offering multiple webinars next month to bring you up to speed on the new features they say make filing, paying, and managing state taxes faster and more convenient. You only need to attend one, one-hour session. Find a list of dates and times at maine dot gov – search for Winter 2024 Maine Tax Portal Webinars.
Education
Maine Discovery Museum Reopens Amazing River Exhibit
(Bangor) The Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor re-opens their “River in Our Backyard” exhibit today. The feature focuses on the Penobscot River Watershed, the second largest watershed in all of New England. The goal is to encourage thought and action about preserving our ecosystems. Visitors will find a custom-made water table that models the Penobscot River … murals, and signage that connects the river to stormwater and ways that impacts river and water quality. The exhibit opens to the public this morning at 10.
(Bangor) The Penobscot River Watershed is the second largest watershed in all of New England. Beginning this morning, kids can visit the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor for the reopening of their “River in Our Backyard” exhibit. The display features a custom-made water table that models the Penobscot River, along with murals, and signage that connects the river to stormwater and ways that impacts river and water quality, with a goal of encouraging thought and action about preserving our ecosystems. You can be among the first to enjoy the exhibit when the museum opens at 10 this morning.
Human Interest
Bangor Humane Society Pairs with MVP for “Mutts and More”
(Bangor) Pets that have been abandoned or left too long at shelters know what it’s like to feel lonely and misunderstood. Such dogs especially tend to have some extra needs or require a bit more attention. Officials with the Maine Veterans Project say many veterans know exactly how they feel, so last November they teamed with the Bangor Humane Society to launch Mutts and More, pairing vets with shelter animals that have been at the shelter for three months or more. Organizers say veterans have the resiliency and perseverance to stick with sometimes needy animals; and veterans say the animals go a long way in helping them cope with PTSD and other issues – some even crediting their new best friend with saving their lives. For more information, contact the Bangor Humane Society.
(Bangor) It’s often far from easy to return to normal society after having served one’s country, especially those who have been in war-like conditions. The Bangor Humane Society says, often animals feel the same emotions – abandonment, loneliness, the need for extra love and patience. So last year, BHS teamed with the Maine Veterans Project to launch “Mutts and More”. The program aims to pair vets with shelter animals that have been at the shelter for three months or more. Organizers say veterans have the resiliency and perseverance to stick with animals that may have special needs; and veterans say the adopted animals go a long way in helping them cope with PTSD and other issues – some even crediting their new best friend with saving their life. For more information, contact the Bangor Humane Society.
DownEast Wood Bank Work Day
(Surry) Saturday looks like a great day to get a workout in the great outdoors! DownEast Wood Bank in Surry will be cutting, splitting, and stacking wood. No lumberjack experience needed, but you must love laughing and having fun while you work. Chop, chop, it all begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. See DownEast Wood Bank on Facebook to learn more.
(Surry) Cut, split, stack, repeat – Saturday looks like perfect weather for the next work day at the DownEast Wood Bank in Surry. They say no lumberjack experience is needed, but you must enjoy having a good time while you work – and, oh, yes, there are always cookies. The axes fall at 9 a.m. See DownEast Wood Bank on Facebook to learn how you can help.
Sports
These local high school basketball teams reporting results from last night: the Hermon boys beat Ellsworth 53-47. The MDI girls beat Washington Academy 52-35.
The Celtics are in Miami tonight to take on the Heat. The Bruins in Ottawa to chill out with the Senators.
These local high school teams hit the court tonight – these are all boys’ teams: Sumner takes on Central, the Jonesport-Beals Royals battle it out with the Woodland Dragons, Narraguagus vs. Machias, and the Dexter Tigers take on the George Stevens Eagles.