Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Brewer Road Rage Incident Leads to Arrest
(Brewer) A road rage incident on Friday led to the arrest of a Machiasport man. Shortly before 1:30 that afternoon, Brewer Police received a call about a man who had reportedly tried to run another vehicle off the road and who appeared to brandish a handgun. Officers located and stopped the vehicle on Rinfret Drive, but they say the driver refused to cooperate. Police then learned the man had a history of violence. Following numerous attempts to negotiate with the man, officers approached the vehicle and forcibly took 38 yo Mark Hamblin into custody. No one was injured and no handgun was found. Hamblin faces multiple charges, including Creating a Police Standoff.
(Brewer) A Machiasport man was forcibly taken into custody Friday, after he was allegedly involved in a road rage incident in Brewer. Brewer police received a call shortly before 1:30 Friday afternoon reporting a vehicle had tried to run another car off the road and that the driver possibly brandished a handgun. Officers located and stopped the vehicle on Rinfret Drive, but say the driver refused to cooperate. Police then learned the man had a history of violence. Following numerous attempts to negotiate with the man, officers approached the vehicle and forcibly took 38 yo Mark Hamblin into custody. No one was injured and no handgun was found. Hamblin faces multiple charges, including Creating a Police Standoff.
AG Frey Announced $350M Settlement with Company for its Role in Opioid Epidemic
(Augusta) Maine will receive $1.8M as part of a national settlement with Publicis Health, following investigations into the global marketing and communications firm’s role in the prescription opioid crisis. Court documents reportedly detail how Publicis acted as the agency of record for all of Purdue Pharma’s branded opioid drugs, including OxyContin. The company will pay $350M overall as part of the settlement.
(Augusta) Maine will receive $1.8M as part of an overall $350M national settlement with Publicis Health over its alleged role in the opioid crisis. The settlement follows investigations into the global marketing and communications firm’s part in the prescription opioid crisis. Court documents reportedly detail how Publicis acted as the agency of record for all of Purdue Pharma’s branded opioid drugs, including OxyContin.
Ellsworth Police Officers Recognized
(Ellsworth) Two Ellsworth Police Officers were honored this past weekend with heroism awards. Corporal Robert Angelo and Officer James Hassard were recognized by the Maine Association of Police for rescuing a man last July 1 when he crashed his vehicle into Leonard’s Lake.
(Ellsworth) The Maine Association of Police has honored two Ellsworth Police Officers with heroism awards. Corporal Robert Angelo and Officer James Hassard were recognized by the Maine Association of Police for rescuing a man last July 1 when he crashed his vehicle into Leonard’s Lake. Great job, Officers!
Maine K9s Credited with Dozens of Rescues Die
(Downeast) A little memorial moment for two law enforcement canines who passed away within the last week. WMTW reports K9 Sig spent his career as a search and rescue pup in the Downeast region between 2013 and 2022. He’s credited with numerous evidence finds and at least 24 human search and rescue finds. Sig passed away at his home at the age of 13. K9 Ruk served with Cumberland County law enforcement for four years. He was predeceased by his handler who died in June 2020.
(Downeast) After lives well lived saving other lives, two Maine K9 officers passed away recently. WMTW reports K9 Sig spent his career as a search and rescue pup in the Downeast region between 2013 and 2022. He’s credited with numerous evidence finds and at least 24 human search and rescue finds. Sig passed away at his home at the age of 13. K9 Ruk served with Cumberland County law enforcement for four years. He was predeceased by his handler who died in June 2020.
Local Politics
Ellsworth City Manager Meet and Greet
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth Friday held a meet and greet with City Manager candidate and finalist Charlie Pierce. Pierce, who lives in Castine, works remotely in government for the state of Massachusetts. A collection of business and community leaders and other citizens attended and questioned Pierce on issues from traffic, to infrastructure, to the complexities of the job. Pierce grew up in southern California, but has been coming to Maine since childhood and moved to the state in 2020. You can view the entire session on the City of Ellsworth YouTube Channel.
(Ellsworth) City Manager finalist Charlie Pierce Friday met with Ellsworth business and community leaders and citizens for an informational Meet and Greet. Pierce said he grew up in southern California, but has been coming to Maine since childhood and moved here in 2020. Pierce got his feet wet working for Governor Baker in California and said it was there he found a passion for helping people through the government. He currently works remotely in government for the state of Massachusetts. You can view the Meet and Greet on the City of Ellsworth’s You Tube Channel
Economy
Proposed Flagpole of Freedom Project Tabled
(Columbia Falls) Nearly two years after plans were first announced, Worcester Resources, the group behind Wreaths Across America, says it’s abandoning a proposal to build a billion-dollar park centered around the world’s tallest flagpole. The plan faced pushback from the beginning, with veterans reportedly balking at the idea of the park as a for-profit entity. The Maine Monitor reports the town of Columbia Falls was set to vote in March on a new Code of Ordinances that would prohibit such large-scale development. A plan to incorporate the land would have avoided rigorous review by state regulators, but would have placed nearly all the planning responsibility on the rural town of just 476 people. The Worcester family says it will look for other ways to continue to honor veterans.
(Columbia Falls) Visitors to rural Washington County won’t be encountering the world’s tallest flagpole after all. Nearly two years after plans were first announced, Worcester Resources says it’s waving the white flag on a proposal to build a billion-dollar theme park for veterans. The plan faced pushback from the beginning, with some veterans opposed to the park as a for-profit entity. The Maine Monitor reports the town of Columbia Falls was set to vote in March on a new Code of Ordinances that would prohibit such large-scale development. A plan to incorporate the land would have avoided rigorous review by state regulators, but would have placed nearly all the planning responsibility on the rural town of just 476 people. The Worcester family says it will look for other ways to continue to honor veterans.
Stanley Cup Lead Rumor
(Undated) There’s a rumor going around social media warning the popular Stanley tumblers contain lead. WABI-TV decided to get to the bottom of it; which, it turns out, is where the lead actually is. Stanley says the cups contain a lead pellet that seals the vacuum insulation at the base, a common practice for vacuum insulated water bottles. An expert with the Mayo clinic says if you’re using the tumblers correctly, there’s little need for concern. The cup would have to be damaged or broken for users to be exposed to the lead pellet, which would be covered by Stanley’s lifetime warranty. The real concern may be the price – a quick search on Amazon shows the cost of a 40 oz tumbler in the $60 range.
(Undated) Stanley tumblers have been flying off shelves, even as rumors fly on social media claiming they contain possibly dangerous levels of lead. WABI-TV decided to get to the bottom of it – which, it turns out, is where the lead is located. Stanley says the cups contain a lead pellet that seals the vacuum insulation at the base, a common practice for vacuum insulated water bottles. An expert with the Mayo clinic says if you’re using the tumblers correctly, there’s little need for concern. The cup would have to be damaged or broken in order for users to be exposed to the lead pellet, and a break would be covered by Stanley’s lifetime warranty. The real concern may be the price – a quick search on Amazon shows the cost of a 40 oz tumbler in the $60 range.
Education
MDOE Student Cabinet Convenes
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Education Student Cabinet held its inaugural session last week. Twenty five students, representing all Maine counties, met with Governor Janet Mills to discuss mental health, school safety, diversity, and support for all students and educators. The Student Cabinet was created in 2019 to give Maine students a voice in education policy. Cody Leighton of Jonesport-Beals High School highlighted the importance of bolstering support for educators, saying, “a lack of resources the educators receive is a lack of education students receive.” The Cabinet will convene virtually on a monthly basis and will meet again in Augusta in May.
(Augusta) Twenty five students, representing all Maine counties, met with Governor Janet Mills last week to discuss mental health, school safety, diversity, and support for all students and educators. The Department of Education Student Cabinet was created in 2019 to give Maine students a voice in education policy. Cody Leighton of Jonesport-Beals High School highlighted the importance of bolstering support for educators, saying, “a lack of resources the educators receive is a lack of education students receive.” The Cabinet will convene virtually on a monthly basis and will meet again in Augusta in May.
Environment
Land for Maine’s Future Calls for Proposals
(Augusta) Landowners willing to restrict future development of their property may be able to access funds that can be used to build in a way that is resilient to the effects of climate change. Maine DMR is seeking proposals for its Working Waterfront Access Protection Program. The program has $2.1M available for this round. Future development of funded property must retain its use for commercial fishing and closely related activities. Eligible applicants include private landowners, non-profit land conservations organizations, counties, cities, towns and state agencies. Funded projects must be sponsored by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Contact MDMR to learn more.
(Augusta) Another potential funding source for working waterfront properties that suffered damage from last month’s storms. Maine DMR is seeking proposals for its Working Waterfront Access Protection Program. The program has $2.1M available for this round. Future development of funded property must retain its use for commercial fishing and closely related activities and must be built in a way that is resilient to the effects of climate change. Eligible applicants include private landowners, non-profit land conservations organizations, counties, cities, towns and state agencies. Funded projects must be sponsored by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Contact MDMR to learn more.
Human Interest
Cottontail Cottage Seeks Donations
(Cherryfield) First, a horse named Tristan got colic. Then Royal, an 18 yo horse saved from a kill pen, began to choke, with an emergency vet hours away. Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary in Cherryfield has had a rough start to the New Year. Both horses survived, but two bunnies developed abscesses and had to be freed from their suffering. The sanctuary could use your help in raising $5K to cover these vet costs and other expenses. If you’d like to donate, visit cottontail cottage dot org.
(Cherryfield) It’s been a rough start to the new year for Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary in Cherryfield. Two horses came down with serious conditions – both survived. But two bunnies – one with abscesses and another with a GI issue – had to be freed from their suffering after trying every treatment. The sanctuary could use your help in raising $5K to cover these vet costs and other expenses. If you’d like to donate, visit cottontail cottage dot org.
Sports
High school basketball games this evening, the Jonesport-Beals girls and boys take on Bangor Christian. And these girls’ teams on the courts: Shead takes on Woodland, WA vs. John Bapst, George Stevens facing Mattanawcook, Sumner up against Calais, and Bucksport on the court against Searsport.
Congratulations to the Ellsworth High School Cheerleading squad. The team on Saturday once again captured the Class B North Regionals crown. They’ll be in Augusta Saturday to defend their State Championship title.
The Bruins take on the Calgary Flames in Boston on Tuesday.
The Celtics off until Wednesday – they’ll be on the home court against the Atlanta Hawks.