Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Thomaston Suffers Rash of Fires
(Thomaston) Fire officials in Thomaston may have an arsonist on their hands. A shed fire on Dexter Street Friday morning marked the fourth fire call in less than 24 hours for that town’s fire and police departments. Another fire, which was said to be minor, occurred just before the shed fire. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the night before the shed fire, the departments responded to two calls within half an hour of each. Officials say the two were within easy walking distance of each other. Authorities executed a K9 search in the area of the shed fire. An investigation into the fires is ongoing.
(Thomaston) Officials in Thomaston battled four fires within 24 hours of each other last week. The Pen Bay Pilot reports on Thursday evening, fire and police departments responded to two calls within half an hour of each. They say the two blazes were also within easy walking distance of each other. Then on Friday morning, officials were first called to a minor blaze before responding to a fourth fire at a shed on Dexter Street about 9 a.m. A K9 unit was called in to search the area around the shed fire. An investigation into the fires is ongoing.
Non-Profit Advocates for Further Review of Milo Child’s Death
(Milo) A nonprofit that advocates for child welfare and protection is calling on the state Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee to reject a recent report concerning the death of a child in Milo. Walk a Mile in Their Shoes tells WMTW the report from OPEGA did not take into account the role domestic violence played in the death of Sylus Melvin. The one-month old was killed by his father in August 2021. While the report says Office of Child and Family Services caseworkers were thorough in their efforts, Walk a Mile says prior reported domestic abuse was not seen as the red flag it should have been.
(Milo) A nonprofit that works for child welfare and protection is advocating for a one month old child from Milo who died at the hands of his father in August of 2021. Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is asking the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee to reject a recent report on the death of tiny Sylus Melvin. The organization told WMTW the report from OPEGA fails to take into account the role of domestic violence in the child’s death. While the report says Office of Child and Family Services caseworkers were thorough in their efforts, Walk a Mile says prior reported domestic abuse was not seen as the red flag it should have been.
Local Politics
EMS Funding Debate
(Alfred) A committee charged with distributing $31M in funding to struggling EMS agencies in Maine met earlier this month to determine how the remaining $19.3M would be spent. The Maine Monitor reports the Legislature allocated the funds last year to stabilize a system considered to be in crisis. Members of Maine EMS, a state agency made up of paramedics, doctors, and advanced EMT’s, disagree about how to spend the remaining funds – with some saying it should go directly to EMS agencies, while others feel it should support training initiatives. A lawmaker who co-authored the legislation, reminded the board the original goal was to shore up the finances of the state’s 260 eligible EMS providers, many of which are struggling. Rick Petrie, special projects advisor for Atlantic Partners EMS said, “To take away that money now for services that are struggling … would be an unfortunate slap in the face to EMS services that are doing everything they can to keep their head above water and try to continue to respond.”
(Alfred) Legislation designed to help shore up the state’s 260 eligible EMS providers, many of which are struggling, allowed for some $31M, of which $19.3M remains. Earlier this month, a committee charged with distributing the funds met to determine how those remaining monies would be spent. Members of Maine EMS, a state agency made up of paramedics, doctors, and advanced EMT’s, are in disagreement – with some saying the remaining funds should go directly to EMS agencies, while others feel it should support training initiatives. Rick Petrie, special projects advisor for Atlantic Partners EMS said, “To take away that money now for services that are struggling … would be an unfortunate slap in the face to EMS services that are doing everything they can to keep their head above water and try to continue to respond.”
Economy
Paid Parking on the Table for Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Paid parking kiosks in Ellsworth could purportedly add more than a million dollars a year if 400 of the city’s 461 parking spots were metered. But downtown business owners and others wonder if it would be worth the cost. The Ellsworth American reports the issue was discussed at Friday’s Finance Committee meeting. A proposal would implement paid parking at $2 an hour from 8 to 8 six days a week and from Noon to 8 on Sundays from May 1st through October 31st. Business owners who attended the meeting questioned the availability of parking for their employees and the possibility the meters could detract from Ellsworth’s charm, with one saying, “Don’t give away an advantage that Ellsworth has over Bar Harbor and other places,” with another adding metered parking can sometimes feel very city-like and take away from the city’s quaint atmosphere.
(Ellsworth) Paid parking in Ellsworth could raise more than a million dollars in revenue annually: but business owners at Friday’s Finance Committee meeting wondered at what cost to downtown businesses and to the city’s charm. The Ellsworth American reports Deputy Police Chief Shawn Willey and City Manager Charlie Pearce gave a presentation of projected revenue and potential pros and cons. Pearce said there was no concrete timeline for possible metered parking in Downtown Ellsworth; rather the proposal was to gauge the council’s and the public’s reaction. Of the ten people who shared their thoughts on the matter at the meeting, nearly all were opposed to the idea, citing employee parking, other priorities, and the meters’ possible detracting from the City’s quaint and welcoming atmosphere.
MDOL Partners with USPS, Offers Service for Those Applying for Unemployment Benefits
(Maine) If you need to verify your identity for unemployment benefit purposes, you can now do that at more than 200 post offices across the state. The Maine Department of Labor has partnered with the US Postal Service to give those applying for such benefits another option. In the past, people who needed to verify their identity were asked to upload documents through a secure online portal. That option will still be available, along with the in-person option. Local post offices participating include Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Sullivan, Hancock, Blue Hill and others.
(Maine) Until now, people who needed to verify their identity when applying for unemployment benefits had to upload documents through a secure online portal. While that will still remain an option, applicants can now verify their identity in person at more than 200 post offices across the state. The Maine Department of Labor has partnered with the US Postal Service to offer this option. Local post offices participating include Ellsworth, Steuben, Franklin, Gouldsboro, and most locations on MDI.
King, Colleagues Seek Maximum H-2B Work Visas to Support Small Businesses in 2025
(Washington, DC) America may run on Dunkin, but many small businesses in Maine run on seasonal workers provided through H-2B Visas. Senator Angus King has partnered with a bipartisan group of colleagues in asking the Department of Homeland Security to release the maximum allowable number of additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2025. The H-2B program places requirements on employers to recruit US workers; but typically, there aren’t enough able and willing American workers to fill the temporary, seasonal positions. When the local workforce is insufficient, the visas are seen as a necessary tool to support local economies.
(Washington, DC) Small businesses, particularly in tourist areas such as Downeast Maine, depend on seasonal workers provided by special H-2B Visas. The program places requirements on employers to recruit US workers; but typically, there aren’t enough able and willing American workers to fill the temporary, seasonal positions. Senator Angus King has partnered with a bipartisan group of colleagues in asking the Department of Homeland Security to release the maximum allowable number of additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2025. King noted the rate of job openings has increased year over year for industries that represent the top five H-2B occupations, with the FY 2025 first half fiscal year cap being met in September, three weeks earlier than in the previous year – resulting in seasonal employers whose peak seasons are in late fall and winter being capped out before their period of seasonal need begins.
Ellsworth Early Bird Deadline
(Ellsworth) Today is the deadline. October 28th is the final day for local business owners to submit their sales or promotions for the Early Bird Sales to the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce. The deals and discounts you offer are totally up to you, and the Chamber is eager to help you promote them. Early Bird Sales happen this Saturday, November 2nd. Get in on the last sales before the time change, and help your business by helping those early bird holiday shoppers! Contact Katelin at the Chamber – ellsworth chamber dot org.
(Ellsworth) Attention area business owners, have YOU contacted the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce about your Early Bird Sales? Today is the deadline to do that. Deals and discounts are totally up to you, and the Chamber will help you promote them for those early holiday shoppers! Early Bird Sales happen this Saturday, November 2nd. Get in on the last sales before the time change, and help your business by helping those early bird shoppers! Contact Katelin at the Chamber – ellsworth chamber dot org.
Environment
Wind Energy Auction
(Maine) Maine tomorrow could position itself a step closer to laying claim to offshore wind development, as the federal government attempts to auction off eight areas for commercial wind energy leases in the Gulf of Maine. If fully developed, the areas could potentially generate enough energy to power more than 4.5 million homes. While the state suffered a setback this month when an application for $456M in federal grant funding to build a wind port on Sears Island was denied, the Mills Administration says it will continue to move forward with its wind energy development.
(Maine) The federal government tomorrow plans to auction off eight areas in the Gulf of Maine for commercial wind energy leases. The auction could position Maine a step closer to laying claim to offshore wind development that federal officials say could generate enough energy to power 4.5 million homes. While the state suffered a setback this month when an application for $456M in federal grant funding to build a wind port on Sears Island was denied, the Mills Administration says it will continue to move forward with such plans.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Work
(Ellsworth) Motorists in Ellsworth can expect the following road work this week. Beginning tonight at 10, the Highway Department will begin night work to replace and install basins on Foster Street and Bayside Road. That work will continue during the overnights until completed. During this time, Bayside Road will be fully closed between Foster and Beechland. Local traffic will need to access residences from Beechland Road. Roads will reopen each morning around 5 a.m. The City asks motorists to drive with caution in and near work zones.
(Ellsworth) Overnight road work will impact parts of Foster Street and Bayside Road in Ellsworth this week. Beginning tonight at 10, the Highway Department will begin night work to replace and install basins on Foster Street and Bayside Road. The work will continue during the overnights until completed. Bayside Road will be fully closed between Foster and Beechland while crews are working, with local traffic able to access residences from Beechland Road. Impacted roads will reopen each morning around 5. The City asks that folks use caution when driving in construction areas.
Rail Funding for Rural Maine
(Maine) Freight rail upgrades are coming to rural Maine, thanks to more than $53M in federal funding awarded to the Maine Department of Transportation. Senator Susan Collins reports the upgrades will improve safety, speed, and reliability along two Eastern Maine Railway mainlines in Washington, Penobscot, Aroostook, and Piscataquis counties. The funding will also be used to rehabilitate currently dormant tracks to provide a connection to the One North Bio-Industrial Park in Millinocket.
(Maine) Upgrades are coming to rail lines in rural Maine, thanks to more than $53M in federal funding awarded to the Maine Department of Transportation. The upgrades are designed to improve safety, speed and reliability along two Eastern Maine Railway mainlines in Washington, Penobscot, Aroostook, and Piscataquis counties. The funding will also be used to rehabilitate currently dormant tracks in Millinocket in order to provide a connection to the One North Bio-Industrial Park.
Sports
The Celtics shoot hoops with the Bucks this evening at TD Garden
The Bruins off tonight. They’ll play host to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.
The Patriots finally put one in the win column with a 25-22 win over the Jets Sunday.