Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Authorities Identify Carbon Monoxide Victims
(Freedom) Authorities have identified the two people who died from carbon monoxide poisoning last month at a home in Freedom. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office says 31 yo Cansheng Zhao and 31 yo Bolin Zhao, both of Brooklyn, NY, died at the Belfast Road home on October 22nd. Two other people were taken to a hospital. Investigators say they believe a propane fired boiler that was improperly vented was to blame for the deadly leak. An illegal marijuana growing operation was found at the residence last May, but the sheriff’s office said no criminal conduct was found at the home at the time of the October incident.
(Freedom) The two people who succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning at a home in Freedom last month have been identified as 31 yo Cansheng Zhao and 31 yo Bolin Zhao. The Waldo County Sheriff’s office says both victims were from Brooklyn NY. Two other people in the home were taken to a hospital. A propane fired boiler that was improperly vented is believed to have been the cause of the deadly leak. An illegal marijuana growing operation was found at the residence last May, but the sheriff’s office said no criminal conduct was found at the home on October 22nd, the day of the carbon monoxide tragedy.
Local Politics
How a Trump Presidency Could Affect Maine
(Maine) There are many areas in which a Trump Presidency will likely affect the country. But what about here in Maine? The Bangor Daily News says three key areas could be affected. First, Maine’s offshore wind plans could get thrown into disarray. Trump pledged earlier this year to halt offshore wind projects, like the one on Sears Island, on day one of his presidency. Second, Trump’s tariffs could hit Maine’s key industries. Though his tariff policies have been popular in Maine, the BDN says experts believe they could lead to a smaller economy, higher prices and trade wars that could reduce access to foreign markets, hurting lobstermen and wild blueberry farmers in particular. And third, Maine’s Senior Senator Susan Collins could be in line to become chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, although Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell could invoke seniority.
(Maine) The Trump presidency will no doubt affect the country as a whole. But what about here in Maine? The Bangor Daily News reports three key areas could see an impact. With the taking back of the Senate, Maine’s Senior Senator Susan Collins could be in line to become chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, although Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell could invoke seniority. Trump’s tariff policies could affect key industries. Though historically popular in Maine, the BDN says experts believe such policies could lead to a smaller economy, higher prices and trade wars that could reduce access to foreign markets, hurting lobstermen and wild blueberry farmers in particular. And finally, Maine’s offishore wind plans could be “gone with the wind.” Trump pledged earlier this year to halt offshore wind projects, like the one on Sears Island, on day one of his presidency.
Election Wrap Up
(Bar Harbor) Wrapping up some election news, the Secretary of State’s Office says based on initial results of the first choice votes for Congressional District 2, ranked-choice tabulation will be required. Meanwhile, Republican Austin Theriault has requested a recount in the race to represent Maine’s 2nd District. Democrat Jared Golden currently leading with 50.3% of the vote to Theriault’s 49.7%. Both ranked-choice voting tabulations and recounts are public proceedings open to the public. In another local race that was close and went down to the wire, Republican Incumbent Paul Paradis has conceded the race for District 3 Hancock County Commissioner to Democrat Samuel DiBella. Paradis lost by just 69 votes but said he would not contest the outcome. Results must still be certified by the state.
(Bar Harbor) Wrapping up this week’s election news, the race for District 3 Hancock County Commissioner came down to just 69 votes – but Incumbent Republican Paul Paradis yesterday conceded the race to Democratic challenger Samuel DiBella, saying he would not contest the outcome. The state must still certify the results. In another historically close race, Republican Austin Theriault has requested a recount in the race to represent Maine’s 2nd District. Democrat Jared Golden leading by a razor thin margin. And the Secretary of State’s Office says based on initial results of the first choice votes for Congressional District 2, ranked-choice tabulation will be required. Both ranked-choice voting tabulations and recounts are public proceedings open to the public. The ranked choice voting tabulation will begin next week in Augusta and will be livestreamed to the Department’s YouTube page.
LGBTQ+ Crisis Hotlines Report Uptick in Calls After Trump Victory
(WaPo) Across the country, LGBTQ-plus hotlines, focused on the mental health and well-being of the community, say they’ve received an extraordinary influx of calls and texts in the days leading up to and since the election. The Washington Post reports The Trevor Project was struggling to keep up with the number of people in crisis. A banner on the group’s site yesterday said TrevorText and TrevorChat were experiencing long hold times due to the election. Mental health experts say if you need help, dial 988 24/7 for support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The call is free and confidential.
Taking a Break from Social Media Can Help with Post-Election Emotions
(CBS News) No matter who you voted for, CBS News says election fallout has many still feeling a wide array of emotions. Social media has been busy with people sounding off with their opinions on the election results. On weeks like this, experts say the internet can be a place of rage and resignation. The say the reality is, whenever we get on social media, we have an agenda. But one licensed professional counselor advises, the first thing folks full of political passion should do is simple – and that is wait. Take a couple of moments and step back. He says we don’t want to do anything that is going to cause irreparable damage to some relationships and adds even if you think or know you have all the facts, ask yourself if the vitriol and anger that could come from a social media confrontation is worth it.
Dems Hold Onto Maine Legislature
(Augusta) Democrats won the Maine Senate in Tuesday’s election and likely the House as well. The Bangor Daily News reports Republicans won no more than 74 seats in the 151 member House as of Wednesday evening, while Democrats could win as many as 77 and have a buffer because of victories for two independents likely to caucus for them. The House majority came down to military and overseas ballots that also clinched a likely victory for Representative Jared Golden in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. At least five races could go to recounts. Requests for recount of races not determined by ranked choice voting must be made by 5 p.m. next Wednesday.
(Augusta) Tuesday’s election brought a sigh of relief for the state’s Democratic Governor. The Bangor Daily News reports going into her final two years in office, Governor Janet Mills and her party will have eight straight years in control of the Statehouse; though they’ll be dealing with an even narrower majority in the lower chamber that could empower centrist members. House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, a Republican, noted his party appeared to lose at least four seats by 40 or fewer votes. He said they were almost on track to meet the goal of 78 seats but for those tight margins.
Health
States Back Abortion Rights, But Little Could Change
(KFF) Voters in seven of the ten states where the issue appeared on ballots Tuesday backed abortion rights. The biggest changes came in Arizona, where in 2022, abortion was banned after 15 weeks, and in Missouri, which has had a near total ban. But KFF News reports actual access to abortion in the country remains largely unchanged. The web of preexisting state laws on abortions will likely remain in place while they are contested in the courts, a process experts say could take months or even years.
(KFF) While voters in seven of the ten states where the issue appeared on ballots backed abortion rights, experts say there won’t likely be much change, especially in the short run. The biggest changes came in Arizona, where in 2022, abortion was banned after 15 weeks, and in Missouri, which has had a near total ban. Voters in those states approved constitutional amendments to protect abortion rights through fetal viability, opening the door to overturning those states’ restrictions. But those in the know say preexisting state laws on abortions will likely remain unchanged while they are contested in court – a process that could take months or even years.
Parents Launch “Stillness is an Illness” Campaign
(Undated) Each day, 65 American babies are stillborn. Changes in fetal movement are often the first and only sign of distress. Yet Samantha Banerjee, Executive Director of PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, tells Star 97.7, in America, unlike in other countries, there are no standardized guidelines for healthcare professionals on how to address this critical issue in prenatal care. (((PUSH 1 “…and this puts parents in a very dangerous situation.” :15))). Banerjee says new parents, especially are often reluctant to speak up or question their healthcare provider, so it’s critical to have such guidelines in place. We’ve posted a link to the film she references with this story on our Star 97.7 Local News page.
(Undated) There are 20K still births a year in the US, and if you know a woman who has experienced a still birth, you know it’s trauma that often lasts a lifetime. Parents have launched a national campaign, PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, to sound the alarm about changes in fetal movement, advocating for standardized protocols to prevent stillbirths and save lives. Executive Director Samantha Banerjee tells Star 97.7, they want to make AFM or altered fetal movement, a recognized medical emergency so that women know to trust their bodies and speak up. (((PUSH 2 “…first time mom, we don’t know any better.” :18))) Banerjee says, even if you have an appointment the next day, don’t wait – speak up right away and be assertive if you notice any unusual change or movement.
(Undated) Last week, parents launched a national campaign to sound the alarm about changes in fetal movement that could be the only sign of a potential stillbirth. The “Stillness is an Illness” campaign advocates for standardized protocols to prevent stillbirths and save lives by making altered fetal movement, or AFM, a recognized medical emergency. Samantha Banerjee is Executive Director of the movement. She tells Star 97.7, it’s critical that women know their bodies and not be afraid to act immediately and assertively. (((PUSH 3 “… that you can be monitored and potentially delivered.” :24))) We’ve posted a link to a short video on the issue on our Star 97.7 Local News page. Samantha says it’s difficult to watch; but that with 65 still births a day in the US, it’s a critical issue on which we all need to be educated.
(Undated) Despite numerous screenings for gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and Group B strep, altered fetal movement, or AFM, is often neglected as a warning sign of a possible stillbirth. Samantha Banerjee is Executive Director of PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, a movement whose goal is to ensure standardized guidelines for healthcare professionals on how to address this critical issue in prenatal care. Banerjee knows firsthand the heartache of stillbirth. She says no one knows your body like you, so it’s important to not take warning signs such as AFM seriously. (((PUSH 4 “…and if you’re not being heard to keep speaking up until you are.” :12))).
*Link to the 7-minute video. Banerjee warns it’s tough to watch, especially if you’ve experienced a stillbirth. But she feels it provides critical information in educating people on this traumatic experience that can sometimes be prevented. https://www.pushpregnancy.org/stillness-is-an-illness/
Human Interest
Bagheera Goes Home
(Bangor) Bagheera the dog was well loved and well cared for at the Bangor Humane Society. But after 900 days, like every shelter pet, Bagheera longed for a home and humans of her own. Ellsworth’s Zeppa’s Pizza jumped in to help, putting Bagheera’s photo and description on their pizza boxes last summer, and she was even featured on WABI-TV. Still … Bagheera remained at the shelter. Until one day, Holden resident Kreg Ettenger and his wife stopped in looking for a cat. WABI reports the Ettengers knew Bagheera’s story, and were immediately smitten by her cute looks and goofy, sociable personality. The rest, as they say, is history … or rather, HER story. Bagheera is now enjoying walks, windows, and welcome belly rubs. Happy life, Bagheera, and thank you to the Ettengers, Zeppa’s, and Bangor Humane!
Ellsworth Celebrates Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival
(Ellsworth) It’s opening day of the Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival in Ellsworth! Through Sunday, the festival offers a variety of events to honor the rich tradition of Maine’s historic apple industry and celebrate two traditional foods – hard cider and cheese. The festival schedule features both free and ticketed events, with this year’s signature event the Festival Bazaar – that’s tomorrow, November 9th, at Crossfit Acadia on the Bucksport Road. Find a full schedule of events at heart of ellsworth dot org and on the Heart of Ellsworth FB page.
Sports
The Bruins beat the Calgary Flames last night in overtime – final score 4-3. Bruins remain on the home ice Saturday to skate against the Ottawa Senators
The Celtics take on the Brooklyn Nets tonight on the home court.
The Patriots at Soldier Field Sunday to tackle the Bears.
In Class C boys’ soccer, East Machias’s Washington Academy takes on Hall-Dale of Farmington Saturday at 10 a.m. in Bangor. And the John Bapst boys’ team will play Cumberland Center’s Greely High for the Class B title. That game at 3 p.m. tomorrow in Bangor.