Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Hancock County Sheriff Names New Chief Deputy
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department has a new Chief Deputy. Sheriff Scott Kane has named William Birch to oversee the patrol division. Birch brings more than 30 years experience to the position, having served as Chief Deputy in Penobscot County between 2017 and 2021. The Bangor Daily News reports among other responsibilities, Birch will assist with use of a new drone for accident reconstruction, searches, and other uses. The Department was given the drone and accompanying software by the Maine Department of Transportation at no charge. Birch began serving in his new post this week.
(Ellsworth) There’s a new Chief Deputy at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, but he’s anything but new to the job of Chief Deputy. The Bangor Daily News reports William Birch served as Chief Deputy under Penobscot County Sheriff Troy Morton between 2017 and 2021 and brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the position. In addition to overseeing the patrol division, Birch will assist with use of a new drone that was gifted the Department by the Maine Department of Transportation. Birch is a drone pilot who hopes to use the device in searches, accident reconstruction, and other needs.
AG Frey Files Civil Rights Complaint Against Harpswell Men
(Augusta) A pair of Harpswell men are facing a civil rights complaint after they allegedly vandalized road signs and roadways in Harpswell, Brunswick, Bath, and Topsham. Attorney General Aaron Frey’s office says on or around January 7th this year, 49 yo William Deary and 18 yo Hayden Deary spray painted the phrase “Gas Jews”, swastikas, and other anti-semitic symbols at intersections and other locations. The complaint indicates the Dearys admitted to the vandalism and said they were upset over immigration and at Jewish people for promoting the COVID-19 vaccine.
(Augusta) Attorney General Aaron Frey yesterday filed a civil rights complaint against two men from Harpswell. According to the complaint, 49 yo William Deary and 18 yo Hayden Deary spray painted the phrase “Gas Jews”, swastikas, and other anti-semitic symbols at intersections and on signs in Harpswell, Brunswick, Bath, and Topsham. The Dearys reportedly admitted to the vandalism and said they were upset over immigration and at Jewish people for promoting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Maine Sheriff’s Association Holds Annual Conference
(Rockport) The Maine Sheriff’s Association is holding its annual training conference today and tomorrow at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. The Pen Bay Pilot reports Echelon Front Leadership Consultants is heading up the conference with a focus on leadership training and what they call “extreme ownership”. The organization is comprised of decorated veterans, athletes, and men and women in business with experience in training high performance winning teams. The conference includes a vendor show and banquet.
(Rockport) Members of law enforcement are meeting in Rockport today and tomorrow for the Maine Sheriff’s Association’s annual training conference. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the conference at the Samoset is being led by Echelon Front Leadership Consultants, with a focus on leadership training and what they call “extreme ownership”. The organization is comprised of decorated veterans, athletes, and men and women in business with experience in training high performance winning teams. The conference includes a vendor show and banquet.
Lewiston Plans Memorial for Victims of Mass Shooting
(Lewiston) Officials in Lewiston this week announced plans to create a memorial to help the city move forward following the October 25th tragedy that left 18 dead and multiple injured. The Portland Press Herald reports the City is working with the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce in launching the OneLewiston Resilience Fund to spearhead an approach to honoring the victims. Chamber CEO Shanna Cox said it’s hoped the memorial and remembrance events will help unify, heal, and renew Lewiston’s strength.
(Lewiston) There’s been a lot of talk about the Lewiston shooter in recent days. The City of Lewiston and the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce want to make sure the victims are not forgotten. This week, they launched the OneLewiston Resilience Fund to help spearhead a memorial and events to honor those killed and injured during the October 25th tragedy. The Portland Press Herald quoted Chamber CEO Shanna Cox, who said it’s hoped the memorial and remembrance events will help unify, heal, and renew Lewiston’s strength.
Belfast High School Scam
(Belfast) The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam involving supporters of Belfast Area High School. Officials say families are getting emails and text messages claiming to be from a Jane Lester who says she’s working on the upcoming spring sports schedule cards for the school and is seeking sponsors. According to WMTW, the message says an ad is $350 and includes 500 free cards. Authorities say Belfast Area High School is not fundraising for spring sports cards.
(Belfast) Belfast Area High School supporters this week were warned of a scam involving fundraising for spring sports cards. WMTW reports families have been getting emails and text messages claiming to be from a Jane Lester who says she’s working on the upcoming spring sports schedule cards for the school and is seeking sponsors. The message claims supporters can buy an ad for $350, which includes 500 free cards. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office checked with school officials, who say the school is not fundraising for spring sports cards.
Correction
(Ellsworth) At Monday night’s Ellsworth City Council meeting, several residents spoke out about a building on Birch Street known as “The Sanctuary”. The facility was inaccurately referred to as the INSPIRE Recovery Center, which is run by Healthy Acadia. To clarify, “The Sanctuary” on Birch Street is privately owned, is not affiliated with Healthy Acadia, nor is it affiliated with INSPIRE, which is located on Church Street. The INSPIRE Recovery Center is fully staffed, is substance free and provides resources and support for those who are serious about recovery. At night, it serves as a warming center. There have been no complaints about the INSPIRE Recovery Center. We regret the confusion, and appreciate Healthy Acadia so kindly clarifying the matter.
(Ellsworth) At this week’s Ellsworth City Council meeting, citizens spoke out about a building on Birch Street known as “The Sanctuary”. At least two who spoke referred to Healthy Acadia in referencing issues such as crime and drug use that are alleged to occur regularly at the Sanctuary. Healthy Acadia reached out to us and graciously let us know they are not affiliated with the Sanctuary, which is privately owned and where such problems are angering neighborhood residents. Healthy Acadia DOES run the INSPIRE Recovery Center on Church Street, which is fully staffed and provides resources, support, and education to those serious about recovery. INSPIRE is substance free. It also houses a warming center at night – that, too, is fully staffed. We regret the confusion and appreciate Healthy Acadia’s clarification, and we champion their efforts toward helping those in recovery.
Local Politics
King Co-Sponsors Legislation to Protect Voting Rights
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King is co-sponsoring legislation to further protect the fundamental right to vote for all US citizens. The Right to Vote Act would establish the first-ever statutory right to vote in Federal elections, protecting US citizens from state laws that attempt to restrict or limit voter access. The legislation is being proposed in response to actions by states over the past several years that have attempted to restrict access to the polls, including stricter voter ID laws, shortened voting times, and the purging of voter rolls. King emphasized free and fair elections are the cornerstone of the nation’s democracy.
(Washington, DC) Saying free and fair elections are the cornerstone of the nation’s democracy, Senator Angus King is co-sponsoring legislation to further protect the fundamental right to vote held by US citizens. The Right to Vote Act comes in response to actions by states over the past several years that have attempted to restrict access to the polls, including stricter voter ID laws, shortened voting times, and the purging of voter rolls. The proposed legislation would establish the first-ever statutory right to vote in Federal elections, protecting US citizens from such state laws that attempt to restrict or limit voter access.
Senators Push Back on New EU Regulation on Forest Products
(Maine) Senator Angus King says a European Union rule aimed at preventing deforestation is barking up the wrong tree and could hurt US producers of paper and other forest products. The regulation, approved by EU governments last May and set to take effect next year, aims to ensure the EU’s consumption and trade of such goods doesn’t contribute to the degradation of forest ecosystems. According to MaineBiz, among requirements of the new rule is identification of contributing landowners. King and others say the traceability requirement will be nearly impossible for the US paper and pulp industry to comply with. They contend the US already has robust regulatory standards to protect the long-term health of US forests.
(Maine) Maine’s timber industry generates $8.5B a year, with 14,000 people directly employed in the forest products sector. A new regulation approved by European Union governments and set to take effect next year could hurt US producers of paper and other forest products. MaineBiz reports among requirements of the rule is that for all timber-related products entering the EU, their originating landowners must be identified and contact information made available. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins are among those who sent a letter this week to US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, asking her to push back on the new regulation, which the EU says is aimed at preventing deforestation. The letter says the traceability requirement will be nearly impossible for the industry to comply with. And they say the US already has robust regulatory standards to protect the long-term health of US forests.
Education
Ellsworth Schools Look to Relocate Central Office and Adult Ed Classes
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth School Department is looking to relocate its central office and adult education classes. The Bangor Daily News reports they’ve asked the City to buy a former bank operations building on Avery Lane that would house the two. The building came on the market just weeks ago and would replace office space the Department is now leasing.
(Ellsworth) There could be a move in the future for the Ellsworth School Department’s central office and adult education classes. The school currently leases office space, but would own the former bank operations building on Avery Lane if purchased. The Bangor Daily News reports the school department has asked the City to purchase the building at a cost of $1.2M.
Human Interest
Women’s History Month
(Undated) March is Women’s History Month. Many businesses and non-profits are celebrating the strong women with whom they work. One example of the power of women – until 1974 in the US, women were unable to open a bank account or acquire a line of credit without a man co-signing. So eight women got together to open their own Women’s Bank. According to resources from the Denver Public Library, each pitched in a thousand dollars. On July 14, 1978, the Women’s Bank opened for business. People reportedly stood in line down the street in downtown Denver to deposit their money. That first day’s deposits exceeded a million dollars – and bear in mind, that was close to fifty years ago.
(Undated) March is Women’s History Month. The recognition was first celebrated nationwide in 1987, but it began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California about a decade earlier. The movement soon grew, and President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as Women’s History Week. The National Women’s History Museum reports seven years later, Congress passed a law designating March as Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” Women were included in voting rights just barely over 100 years ago. Katherine Switzer had to disguise herself as a man to run the Boston Marathon in 1967. And Title IX only became law in 1972. Unlike many other countries, the date we elect a woman President is still somewhere in the future.
Sports
Red Sox beat the Rays 5-2 yesterday in Spring Training – the Red Sox have a rare day off today. They’ll take on the Orioles tomorrow evening down in Florida.
Bruins gave the hometown crowd a 6-2 win over Ottawa last night.. Bruins host the New York Rangers Thursday at TD Garden.
Celtics on the home court tonight against Milwaukee.