6 AM – Donald Trump has won another four years in the White House. The Associated Press called the race for the Republican after he captured 277 electoral votes compared to Harris’s 224, with four states yet to report.
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Tractor-Trailer Crash Injures Pedestrian on I-95
(Newport) A construction worker was injured Tuesday afternoon when his truck was struck by a tractor-trailer on I-95 in Newport. Maine State Police say the crash happened about 2:15 near mile marker 157. The tractor-trailer carrying recycled paper struck the construction vehicle, causing 24 yo Charles Miller of Enfield to be thrown from the vehicle. Miller sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. The 38 yo driver of the tractor trailer was from Allentown, Pennsylvania and was not injured. One lane was closed while both trucks were towed from the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
(Newport) A worker was injured yesterday when the construction truck he was in was struck by a tractor-trailer. The crash happened about 2:15 Tuesday afternoon on I-95 in Newport. Maine State Police tell Star 97.7, the tractor trailer, driven by a 38 yo driver from Pennsylvania, struck the construction vehicle, causing 24 yo Charles Miller of Enfield to be thrown from the truck. Miller suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. The crash remains under investigation.
Rumford Police Department lifts Shelter-in-Place Order
(Rumford) The Rumford Police Department has lifted a shelter-in-place order issued last night for Route 232 Rumford Corner residents. Police say the issue has been resolved and one person is in custody. No further details were available.
(Rumford) Scary moments for Route 232 Rumford Corner residents last night, as the Rumford Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order and warned residents to stay indoors with their doors locked. That order has been lifted, and police say a person is in custody. No further details were available.
Active Shooter Reports Deemed Not Credible
(Maine) Crisis lines in Maine lit up Tuesday morning with reports that there were armed individuals on multiple school campuses across the state. Maine State Police confirm the initial calls were not credible but were swatting incidents intended to provoke an emergency response. The MSP is working with its partners to investigate but reported about 11 a.m. that there was no known threat to students, staff, or the public at that time. The Department of Public Safety encourages law enforcement and school leadership to continue to use due diligence when reviewing any new potential threats.
(Maine) Various crisis lines across Maine Tuesday morning reported threats that there were active shooters on multiple school campuses across the state. Maine State Police and partner agencies worked together and by 11 a.m. reported all the calls were part of a swatting incident intended to provoke an emergency response; none of the calls was deemed credible. The Department of Public Safety encourages law enforcement and school leadership to continue to use due diligence when reviewing any new potential threats.
Local Politics
All results are unofficial until certified.
Local Election News
(Ellsworth) In local election news, arborist Tabatha White will join the Ellsworth City Council. White secured the most votes with 2,197, followed by incumbent Steve O’Halloran with 2,007 votes. Ellsworth voters also approved adult-use cannabis businesses, although opening such a store would be a bit down the road. City Council must vote to establish a give-or-take six-month moratorium until it has crafted an ordinance regulating sales of the substance. Citizens voted down a similar initiative in 2016.
(Ellsworth) Voters in Ellsworth elected a new member to City Council. Arborist Tabatha White garnered the most votes with 2,197. Steve O’Halloran will retain his seat on council, securing the second largest number of votes at 2,007. In other matters, voters approved establishment of adult use cannabis businesses, although they won’t be able to open their doors right away. City Council must vote to establish a give-or-take six-month moratorium until it has crafted an ordinance regulating sales of the substance.
State Senate District Races
(Maine) State Senate District races in Hancock County so far a mixed bag. In District 7, Democrat Nicole Grohoski appears to have easily defeated Republican Sherman Hutchins to retain that seat, capturing just over 63% of the vote to Hutchins’s 36.89%. Republican Marianne Moore will likely continue to represent District 6 by about the same margin over Democrat Jonathan Goble. In State House District 12, Republican Incumbent Billy Bob Faulkingham appears to have easily defeated Democrat Norman Bamford. Bar Harbor voters were asked if they wanted to repeal and replace the current cruise ship regulations with new limits and guidelines. 50.9% of voters there said no – 49.1% said yes. That measure failed.
(Maine) State Senate District races in Hancock County so far a mixed bag. In District 7, Democrat Nicole Grohoski appears to have easily defeated Republican Sherman Hutchins to retain that seat, capturing just over 63% of the vote to Hutchins’s 36.89%. Republican Marianne Moore will likely continue to represent District 6 by about the same margin over Democrat Jonathan Goble. In State House District 12, Republican Incumbent Billy Bob Faulkingham appears to have easily defeated Democrat Norman Bamford. Bar Harbor voters were asked if they wanted to repeal and replace the current cruise ship regulations with new limits and guidelines. 50.9% of voters there said no – 49.1% said yes. That measure failed.
U.S. Representative Races
(Maine) With 65% of precincts reporting it looks like Independent Senator Angus King will keep his seat in the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican Demi Kouzounas and three other challengers. In the race for US House District 1, Democrat Chellie Pingree retaining her seat over Republican Ronald Russell and two other challengers. And with 63% of precincts reporting, Democrat Jared Golden was leading Republican challenger Austin Theriault to Represent US House District 2. That race still too close to call.
(Maine) With 65% of precincts reporting it looks like Independent Senator Angus King will keep his seat in the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican Demi Kouzounas and three other challengers. In the race for US House District 1, Democrat Chellie Pingree retaining her seat over Republican Ronald Russell and two other challengers. And with 63% of precincts reporting, Democrat Jared Golden was leading Republican challenger Austin Theriault to Represent US House District 2. That race still too close to call.
Election Day Spurs Gun Violence Prevention Move
(Portland) As Mainers headed to the polls yesterday, many were met by volunteers with the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. Coalition members were at more than 100 polling places around the state to collect signatures for their Safe Schools, Safe Communities campaign. The group is encouraging passage of Extreme Risk Protection Orders, which they say would empower family members to directly petition a court when a loved one is in crisis and may pose a threat to themselves or others. Through due process a judge could then temporarily limit their access to dangerous weapons while they get the help they need.
(Portland) More than 500 volunteers from the Maine Gun Safety Coalition were at some 100 polling places across the state yesterday. The group was gathering signatures for their Safe Schools, Safe Communities campaign. They say in the year since the Lewiston tragedy, people across the state have demanded to know how we can prevent this from happening again. MGSC is asking for Extreme Risk Protection Orders to make communities safer and help save lives. Extreme Risk Protection Orders would empower family members to directly petition a court when a loved one is in crisis and may pose a threat to themselves or others. Through due process a judge could then temporarily limit their access to dangerous weapons while they get the help they need.
Economy
Heart of Ellsworth Members Headed to Biddeford to Accept Main Street Maine Honor
(Ellsworth) This weekend is the Downeast Cider and Cheese Festival in Ellsworth, sponsored by Heart of Ellsworth. But before that gets underway, Heart of Ellsworth members will be in Biddeford tomorrow for another important celebration … a public ceremony to officially designate Ellsworth as the state’s eleventh Main Street Community. Gaining that status was years in the making, with countless hours of work in order to make it happen. The designation opens additional funding opportunities, facilitates the restoration and creation of public assets that connect the community to art, recreation, and healthy living, and helps to foster an environment that supports business success and job creation.
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth members will be in Biddeford tomorrow to celebrate a huge milestone that was literally years in the making. Ellsworth was recently awarded status as the state’s eleventh Main Street Community. The official designation will be Thursday in Biddeford during a special public ceremony. The designation opens funding opportunities for historic preservation, environmental conservation, arts and culture, creates economic opportunity, and provides statewide promotion of local events such as this weekend’s Downeast Cider and Cheese Festival, sponsored by Heart of Ellsworth.
Business Moves Out of Downtown Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) It’s pretty rare to find a vacancy in Downtown Ellsworth, but that could be the case when the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse vacates its building at 190 Main Street in favor of a High Street location. The Bangor Daily News reports the organization, which provides support services to people struggling with mental health, has been on Main Street the past five years, but the new location has more available space and parking. The new space, next to the Ellsworth Police Department, will also have better accessibility for the agency’s 38 clients, some of whom have physical handicaps. The Clubhouse plans to be out of the Main Street building and into its new space by January 1st.
(Ellsworth) The recently installed “Hopeful” sign that glows atop the Tracy Building in Downtown Ellsworth is a symbol of the revival that has happened in Downtown Ellsworth, thanks to the efforts by local leaders to make the City’s downtown a vibrant economic and cultural gathering place for the Downeast region. Because of that desirability, finding a vacancy in Downtown Ellsworth has been rare. But the Bangor Daily News reports there will be an opening come the first of the year, as the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse moves from 190 Maine Street to a High Street location next to the Ellsworth Police Station. The Clubhouse says the new location provides more space, more parking, and more accessibility for its 38 clients, some of whom have physical handicaps.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month at the SPCA of Hancock County
(Trenton) November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month at the SPCA of Hancock County! Why, adopt a senior pet? Glad you asked. First, the SPCA says what you see is what you get. Older animals have an established temperament, ensuring the one you choose fits your lifestyle. The SPCA also makes sure senior pets get a full senior blood panel and exam to ensure you’re aware of any health concerns. Second, you can skip the teething and potty training. Most senior pets are mellow and just so happy to have a soft landing spot to call home. And third, they know they’ve been given a second chance at life – and, boy, do they show it! Ask anyone who has adopted a senior pet, and they’ll tell you their pets know – and appreciate – that they’ve been saved. See all the seniors up for adoption at s p c a hancock county dot org.
(Trenton) As the year grows older, some elderly furry ones are up for adoption at the SPCA of Hancock County in Trenton. November is Adopt-A-Senior Pet Month at the SPCA, and they tell Star 97.7, there are so many reasons to adopt a senior catazin or a dog that comes with, shall we say, experience. First, they’re already potty trained and past the teething-chewing stage. And most have an established temperament, ensuring the one you choose fits your lifestyle – so what you see, is what you get. The SPCA also makes sure senior pets get a full senior blood panel and exam to ensure you’re aware of any health concerns. And finally, they know they’ve been given a second chance at life, and they’ll shower you with love and affection because of it See all the seniors up for adoption at s p c a hancock county dot org.
Sports
Celtics on the home court tonight to host the Golden State Warriors.
The Maple Leafs shut out the Bruins 4-nothing last night in Toronto. Bruins off tonight; they host the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
And the George Stevens Academy boys’ soccer team will play Washington Academy for the regional crown this afternoon at Hermon High School.