Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Carmel Incident Involves Large Police Presence
(Carmel) A heavy police presence in the town of Carmel Monday evening caused residents in the area of Main and Damascus Roads to be on the alert, although authorities said there was no threat to the public. No other details were available, but people were advised to avoid the area. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office is expected to release further details later this morning. We’ll keep you updated.
(Carmel) Tense moments last night in the town of Carmel. The Penobscot County RCC issued a warning for travelers to avoid the area of Main and Damascus Roads, and a large police presence was seen in the vicinity. Authorities said there was no threat to the public. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office is expected to release further details later this morning. We’ll keep you updated.
Dupuis Promoted to Lieutenant at HCSO
(Ellsworth) Congratulations to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department’s Patrol Deputy Dakota Dupuis . Dupuis was recently promoted to Lieutenant. Dupuis has been with the Department since 2018. Prior to that, he worked 31/2 years with the Orono Police Department. Since serving with Hancock County, Dupuis has also spent time assigned to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency as a Special Agent. He returned to the patrol in September and will officially be sworn in as Lieutenant today.
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office will officially have a new Lieutenant as of today. Former Patrol Deputy Dakota Dupuis being sworn in with that promotion. Dupuis has been with the Department since 2018. Prior to that, he worked 31/2 years with the Orono Police Department. Since working for Hancock County, Dupuis has also spent time assigned to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency as a Special Agent and returned to the patrol in September.
Local Politics
Maine Delegation Seeking DOJ Briefing on Chinese-Owned Marijuana Farms
(Washington, DC) A leaked document from the Department of Homeland Security last year suggested the illicit Chinese-owned marijuana farms springing up across Maine and other parts of the country are part of a larger network involving Asian transnational criminal organizations whose revenues reportedly dwarf those of legal marijuana operations. With growing concern over such cannabis growing activities, especially in Maine’s rural counties, members of the state’s Congressional delegation have signed a letter to the Department of Justice requesting a briefing on such farms. Last August, media reports suggested there were 270 suspected Chinese illegal marijuana growing operations in Maine worth more than $4B.
(Washington, DC) Public safety, human trafficking, national security, forced labor and violent crime…some of the concerns cited in a letter signed by Maine’s congressional delegation and sent this week to the Department of Justice, requesting a briefing on the illicit Chinese-owned marijuana farms springing up across the state and the country. A leaked document from the Department of Homeland Security last year suggests the farms are part of a larger network involving Asian transnational criminal organizations whose revenues reportedly dwarf those of legal marijuana operations. Last August, media reports suggested there were 270 suspected Chinese illegal marijuana growing operations in Maine worth more than $4B.
Absentee Voting Underway
(Augusta) The State calls it “no excuse absentee voting”, and it’s now underway here in Maine. Both the Democratic and Republican Parties are holding presidential primaries on March 5th. The Green, Independent, Libertarian, and No Labels Parties have chosen not to hold presidential primaries. Voters can request ballots online or by contacting their town or city clerk. The absentee voting period, including in-person absentee voting at town and city halls, continues through February 29th. Maine’s 2024 primaries will be held under the new semi-open primary law, which gives unenrolled voters 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.
(Augusta) No excuse absentee voting. It’s now underway here in Maine, with the Democratic and Republican Parties holding presidential primaries on March 5th. Voters can request ballots online or by contacting their town or city clerk. The absentee voting period, including in-person absentee voting at town and city halls, continues through February 29th. Maine’s 2024 primaries will be held under the new semi-open primary law, which gives unenrolled voters 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.
DHS Denies Maine’s Request to Waive Waiting Period for Asylum Seekers
(August) The Department of Homeland Security has denied Maine’s request to waive a six-month waiting period for asylum seekers looking to work. According to WMTW, the Maine Department of Labor sent a letter in October requesting a waiver of provisions that prohibit an asylum applicant from being eligible to seek employment in the U-S for one-hundred eighty days after the applicant files their initial asylum claim. The Department of Homeland Security says they recognize the importance of gaining employment, but add they do not have the authority to waive the provision.
(August) The State of Maine had hoped to streamline the process for asylum seekers looking to work and support themselves – but the Department of Homeland Security has denied the request. WMTW reports the Maine Department of Labor sent a letter in October requesting a waiver of provisions that prohibit an asylum applicant from being eligible to seek employment in the U-S for one-hundred eighty days after the applicant files their initial asylum claim. The Department of Homeland Security says they recognize the importance of gaining employment, but add they do not have the authority to waive the provision.
Tax Day Delay
(Maine) A tax break of sorts for people in counties affected by the December 18th storms. Filers who live in or have businesses in Hancock, Penobscot, Waldo, Washington or the other six counties covered under FEMA’s disaster declaration now have until June 17th to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. The extended deadline applies to regular returns and payments ordinarily due on April 17th this year in Maine, as well as quarterly estimated payments due on January 16th and April 17th.
(Maine) The IRS is offering a tax break of sorts for Mainers who live or have businesses in any of the ten counties affected by the December 18th storm. Filers in Hancock, Penobscot, Waldo, Washington, or the other counties covered under FEMA’s disaster declaration now have until June 17th to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. The extended deadline applies to regular returns and payments ordinarily due on April 17th this year in Maine, as well as quarterly estimated payments due on January 16th and April 17th.
Education
Program Addressing Cycle of Poverty Reaches into Hancock County
(Ellsworth) A program designed to help break cycles of poverty is now available in Hancock County. Family Futures Downeast began as a Washington County program for parents seeking postsecondary education. The program uses a two-generation approach, designed to involve the whole family. A parent or parents enroll in college prep and college classes with a cohort of peers and a coach to guide them, while their children receive educational support as well. The program began at UMaine Machias and WCCC in Calais, and has continued online since the pandemic. Learn more at family futures downeast dot org.
(Ellsworth) The question of how to break the generational cycle of poverty has stymied educators and social workers alike. Now, a program to help break that cycle is available in Hancock County. Family Futures Downeast began as a Washington County program for parents seeking postsecondary education. The program uses a two-generation approach. A parent enrolls in college prep and college classes with a cohort of peers and a coach to guide them, while their children receive educational support as well. The program began at UMaine Machias and WCCC in Calais, and has continued online since the pandemic. Learn more at family futures downeast dot org.
Human Interest
Town Manager Celebration of Life
(Carmel) A Celebration of Life for late Carmel Town Manager Kevin Howell is planned for this Saturday from 11 to 3 at Golden Harvest Grange. Howell was walking across Etna Pond with his four year old son on January 26th when the two broke through the ice. Howell was able to get his son out of the water, and the boy ran home to get his mother. She, too, fell through the ice. A Penobscot County Deputy was able to rescue Mrs. Howell, but couldn’t find Kevin, whose body was recovered later that day. According to the Municipal Review Committee, to which Kevin belonged, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Simpson Memorial Library or the Carmel Snowmobile Club in his honor or to a scholarship fund for Howell’s son.
(Carmel) The community of Carmel and others will come together on February 10th, to celebrate the life of late Town Manager, Kevin Howell, who drowned January 26th in Etna Pond. Howell and his four-year-old son were walking across the frozen pond when they broke through the ice. He was able to get his son out of the water, but Howell’s body was recovered later that day. According to the Municipal Review Committee, to which Kevin belonged, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Simpson Memorial Library or the Carmel Snowmobile Club in his honor or to a scholarship fund for Howell’s son.
Furry Friends Food Bank Seeks Donations
(Ellsworth) Every day is “Love Your Pet Day”, but February 20th has been set aside in special recognition. The Eastern Area Agency on Aging has set that date as a goal for collecting $13,000 for their Furry Friends Food Bank, which helps seniors and others in need of a little help feeding their furry companions. The food bank gets no federal or state aid, so they depend solely on our help to ensure pets can stay in their homes and be well fed. To donate, visit e a a a dot org.
(Ellsworth) February 20th is set aside as “Love Your Pet Day”. Of course, that’s every day for most pet owners; but some find themselves unable to afford food or even having to give up that beloved companion because of hardship. Enter Eastern Area Agency on Aging’s Furry Friends Food Bank, designed to help seniors and others in need. They’ve set a goal of raising $13,000 by February 20th to help restock the pet food shelves. The food bank gets no federal or state aid, so they depend solely on our help to ensure pets can stay in their homes and be well fed. To donate, visit e a a a dot org.
COA Day of Giving
(Bar Harbor) Today is College of the Atlantic’s 24 Hour Challenge. For the 12th year, COA ‘s Day of Giving seeks to raise funds to support student scholarships and financial aid, field-based coursework, and upgrades to campus facilities. Stop by today and enjoy a bonfire, ice skating and campus visits from alumni. This year’s goal is to raise $100,000 to unlock a matching gift …and enough donors to unlock an additional $50K. Donate at c o a dot e d u.
(Bar Harbor) It’s a big day at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, the country’s premier green college. For the 12th year, COA ‘s Day of Giving seeks to raise funds to support student scholarships and financial aid, field-based coursework, and upgrades to campus facilities. Stop by the campus today and enjoy a bonfire, ice skating and campus visits from alumni. This year’s goal is to raise $100,000 to unlock a matching gift and enough donors to unlock an additional $50K. Donate at c o a dot e d u.
Sports
The Bruins on home ice to take on the Calgary Flames.
The Celtics on home court tomorrow night against the Atlanta Hawks.
These local high school teams shooting hoops tonight – the Ellsworth Lady Eagles take on the MDI Trojans, Deer Isle/Stonington takes on Bangor Christian – that’s both the boys’ and girls’ teams; and these boys’ teams hitting the courts tonight – the Machias Bulldogs vs. the Schenck Wolverines, Sumner up against Searsport, the Calais Blue Devils in a game with the Woodland Dragons, and Narraguagus vs. Jonesport-Beals.
Local high school basketball – these teams reporting in from last night. On the girls’ side, Bangor Christian with a thrilling 34-32 win over Jonesport-Beals in the final seconds of that game, WA beats John Bapst, Mattanawcook crushing George Stevens, and Sumner beats Calais. And the Bangor Christian boys easily cruise past Jonesport-Beals.