Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
November is Carbon Monoxide Month
(Maine) November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness month. Experts say the colorless, odorless gas can cause sickness and even death, so it’s important to understand its causes and how to protect ourselves. One source? Portable generators. According to the Portable Generator Manufacturers Association, the only safe place to use a portable generator is outside, far from any occupied dwelling. They say that requires planning for the distance and having the right type and amount of extension cords to bring power to your home. This past weekend’s time change is a great time be sure to MAKE sure those smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and generators are up to date and in good working order.
Sedgewick Car Theft
(Sedgewick) A Brunswick man was arrested Saturday for allegedly stealing a vehicle from Sedgewick. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Sedgewick shortly before 2 a.m. upon report of the theft. The vehicle was later found in Blue Hill and 28 yo Nicholas Mrvichin arrested and charged with theft and unauthorized taking. The vehicle was returned to the owner undamaged.
Sullivan Dollar General Arrest
(Sullivan) Two juveniles and an 18 yo will no longer be allowed on the premises of the Dollar General in Sullivan after a theft complaint. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office was called to the store shortly before 10 a.m. last Friday. The juveniles and 18 yo James Butler of Mount Desert were charged with theft and have all been trespassed from the business.
ATV Fatal
(Richmond) A Richmond man died Saturday morning when his ATV apparently flipped and landed on top of him. Mark Latti, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, tells Star 97.7, 65 yo Patrick LaFlamme left on his ATV to go hunting; but when he failed to return to his Dixmont camp for breakfast, his friends went to look for him and found him deceased on an old tote road about a mile off Firetower Road. LaFlamme’s body was taken to a funeral home in Augusta.
(Richmond) A Richmond man’s Saturday morning hunting excursion ended in tragedy when his ATV apparently flipped on top of him. Mark Latti, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, tells Star 97.7, when 65 yo Patrick LaFlamme failed to return to camp for breakfast, his friends went to look for him and found him deceased beneath his ATV on an old tote road in Dixmont. LaFlamme’s body was transported to an Augusta funeral home.
Skowhegan Fire Update
(Skowhegan) The victim in that house fire in Skowhegan last week has died. The fire happened at a home on Waterville Road Thursday afternoon. One person who was inside the home escaped but suffered severe burns and was flown to Maine Med in Portland where that person passed away Friday. A positive ID is pending. The Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate and reminds homeowners as we move into the winter heating season to change smoke detector batteries, have an exit plan in the event of an emergency, and service their heating equipment.
(Skowhegan) The State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate a deadly house fire that occurred Thursday afternoon in Skowhegan. One person in the Waterville Road home was able to escape, but succumbed Friday to severe burns suffered in the blaze. A positive ID of the victim is pending. The Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate and reminds homeowners as we move into the winter heating system to change smoke detector batteries, have an exit plan in the event of an emergency, and service their heating equipment.
Local Politics
King Calls for Scrapping Electoral College
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King last week called for abolishing the Electoral College. The Bangor Daily News reports King made the statement in the final debate of his race against three long-shot challengers. King called the Electoral College method of electing a president, “a gun pointed at the head of democracy”, noting the upcoming election could be the third one since 2000 in which the winner receives fewer votes. He added, “That goes against what we learned in kindergarten – the most votes wins.” Switching to a national popular vote would take a constitutional amendment or a successful interstate compact like the Democratic-led Maine legislature joined earlier this year.
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King said it’s something we all learned in kindergarten – the most votes win. Yet, the upcoming election could be the third one since 2000 in which the winner receives fewer votes. That’s because of the country’s Electoral College system of electing a President. The Bangor Daily News reports in his final debate against three long-shot challengers last week, King called for abolishing the Electoral College, calling it, “a gun pointed at the head of democracy.” Switching to a national popular vote would take a constitutional amendment or a successful interstate compact like the Democratic-led Maine legislature joined earlier this year.
Election Day Tomorrow
(Maine) Tomorrow, of course, is Election Day – here are some things to know before you go. In Maine, you can register to vote the day of … but don’t wear your MAGA hat or Harris shirt to the polls – Maine election law prohibits influence within 250 feet of a polling place, and that includes the wearing of any apparel with political messaging. Twenty-one states, including Maine, have that rule, and you legally could be asked to change or remove such apparel. Photography and videography are allowed in and near polling places, as long as the person recording remains outside the guardrail and isn’t conducting video recording closer than 15 feet from a voter. Photographs and videotaping of ballots aren’t allowed – with one exception – you can take a selfie with your ballot.
(Maine) It seems a long time coming, but tomorrow is Election Day. Here are a few things to know before you go if you’re voting in person. In Maine, you can register to vote even on Election Day, as long as you have proof of eligibility. But leave the MAGA hats and Harris tees at home. 21 states, including Maine prohibit political influence within 250 feet of a polling place, and that included apparel. Photographs and videos are allowed in and near polling places, but the person recording must remain outside the guardrail and may not conduct video recording within 15 feet of a voter. And no photographs or videos of ballots are allowed – unless you want a selfie with your own ballot. That, according to the Maine Secretary of State’s Office, is the one ballot picture allowed. Smile.
Economy
Boost for the State’s LiHEAP Program
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LiHEAP, received a 37.5 million dollar boost last week. The program helps low-income households and older Mainers on fixed incomes afford their energy bills throughout the winter, including those who use natural gas, propane, electricity and home heating oil. Senator Susan Collins said the funding comes through the US Department of Health and Human Services. LiHEAP is administered by states and is accessed through Community Action Agencies such as Downeast Community Partners.
(Washington, DC) Winter brings on worry for many low-income households and older Mainers on fixed incomes who struggle to pay their energy bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LiHEAP, is designed to help. The program received a $37.5M boost last week from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program helps those who use natural gas, propane, electricity and home heating oil make it through the long winter months. It’s administered by states and accessed through Community Action Agencies such as Downeast Community Partners.
Environment
Ellsworth Arbor Commission to Launch Three-Year Planting Program
(Ellsworth) The beginning of a shady initiative is happening in Ellsworth later this month. But it’s all for good. On November 14th, the Ellsworth Arbor Commission will launch a three-year planting program with the planting of eight trees along Route 3 near the Goodwill Store. All the trees planted will have been grown at the Community Tree Nursery at the Jordan Homestead Preserve. The Arbor Commission would love to have the public’s involvement in this community event. If you’d like to volunteer, email arbor commission at ellsworth maine dot gov and they’ll get you all the details! The planting will also be an occasion for celebrating the completion of the Arbor Commission’s first year, and the recent success in securing more than $190K in grant funding for developing formal forestry management plans and re-treeing the City.
(Ellsworth) Trees, please! This month, the Ellsworth Arbor Commission, led by Arborist Tabatha White, will launch an ambitious three-year planting program. On November 14th, the Commission, City crews, and community volunteers will kick off this tree restoration program with the planting of eight trees along the verge on Route 3 near the Goodwill store. For the first time, all the trees planted will have been grown at the Community Tree Nursery at the Jordan Homestead Preserve. If you’d like to volunteer, email arbor commission at ellsworth maine dot gov for all the details.
Human Interest
Rosie the Elephant Dies
(Hope) If you’ve been around for awhile, you may remember Rosie the Elephant. The Pen Bay Pilot reports Rosie and her friend Opal, two female retired circus elephants, lived together in Hope, Maine with their beloved veterinarian Jim Laurita. People came from all over to visit the Hope elephants and the special refuge Jim created for them in 2012. When Jim died, in 2014, Rosie and Opal went to live at the Endangered Ark Foundation. Opal died in 2017, but Rosie continued to enjoy life in the sanctuary’s fields … until last Monday, when she joined Opal in the afterlife. Rest easy, girls. We’ll “never forget” you.
Ellsworth Public Library to Host Holiday Open House
(Ellsworth) Start your holiday season with the Ellsworth Public Library’s Holiday Open House, November 21st beginning at 6 p.m. Bring the family to enjoy a cozy atmosphere with holiday cookies, cocoa, and mingling at the library. There will be activities for the kids, with a performance by the Acadia Handbell Choir at 7. Enjoy the sounds or feel free to sing along – the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!
(Ellsworth) Deck the halls with books and music! The Ellsworth Public Library invites you to their Holiday Open House! Come and mingle, enjoy the cozy atmosphere with cookies, cocoa, and coloring activities for the kids. At 7, sit back and enjoy the Acadia Handbell Choir’s annual concert. Staff from The Ellsworth American, Star 97.7, and of course the wonderful library staff will be there to greet you, meet you and treat you to all things holiday!
Sports
The Celtics take on the Hawks tonight in Atlanta.
The Bruins skated to a 2-zip win over the Kraken Sunday. Bruins off Monday. Bruins face the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Tuesday.
The Patriots lost to the Titans in overtime 20-17.
The No. 5 Ellsworth boys’ soccer team ended the season Saturday with a loss to No. 1 John Bapst in the Class B North semi-final. Eagles with an impressive 13 and 4 record on the season.
The MDI girls’ cross country team ran the season all the way to the Class B state championship on Saturday. All five scoring runners finished in the top 15.