Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Shelter Owner Pleads Not Guilty in Animal Abuse Case
(Bucksport) Ellisha Krutuleski was indicted by a Hancock County grand jury last month on animal cruelty charges. The 44 yo owner of Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary in Bucksport yesterday pleaded not guilty to neglecting dozens of dogs in her care, allowing six of them to die in allegedly horrific conditions. The Bangor Daily News reports animal welfare workers seized 27 living dogs from the shelter in July and found the bodies of six others in trash bags. Krutuleski is free on $500 bail. A humane agent said there was an abundance of food at the shelter, but the dogs did not have access.
(Bucksport) The former owner and operator of a Bucksport Animal Shelter yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges of animal cruelty. The Bangor Daily News reports 44 yo Elisha Krutuleski was indicted last month by a Hancock County Grand Jury after dozens of dogs were removed from her care in July. Krutuleski ran Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary on Millvale Road, where 27 dogs were found starving and in alleged inhumane conditions. The bodies of six other dogs were found in trash bags. Krutuleski remains free on $500 bail. A humane agent said there was an abundance of food at the shelter, but the dogs did not have access.
Local Politics
Trump’s Promised Mass Deportation and Maine
(Maine) President-elect Donald Trump this week said he would declare a national emergency and use the military to carry out a mass deportation pledge made during his campaign, vowing to target immigrants who have violated the law. It remains to be seen how the policy will affect Maine. The Bangor Daily News reports Governor Janet Mills’s office has said she’s waiting to assess things before pledging to fight or cooperate. Spokesperson Ben Goodman said the Governor would be guided, “…by the same values that have defined her time as attorney general and as governor: standing up for the rule of law and protecting the constitutional rights of people in Maine.”
(Maine) During President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, a vow that seemed to resonate with supporters was his promise to carry out a mass deportation of immigrants who have violated the law. Trump this week said he would declare a national emergency and use the military to carry out the pledge. The Bangor Daily News reports Democratic-led jurisdictions across the country have vowed to continue their “sanctuary policies” instituted during the first Trump administration. Here in Maine, Governor Janet Mills’s office says she’s waiting to assess things before pledging whether to fight or cooperate. A Spokesperson for the Governor said she would continue, “…standing up for the rule of law and protecting the constitutional rights of the people of Maine.”
Legislation Includes Improved Access to Katahdin Woods and Waters
(Washington, DC) Dozens of bills passed committee this week in a large package that included improved access to Katahdin Woods and Waters and renaming of the Acadia Visitors Center to honor former U.S. Senator George Mitchell. Senator Angus King said he was proud to back the provisions that benefit Maine as well as the rest of the U.S. King said the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee came together on a bipartisan basis to advance environmental and energy priorities for the future of Maine and the country.
Washington County Budget Advisory Committee Meets
(Machias) The public is welcome and strongly encouraged to participate in the budget process for Washington County for FY 2025. The Budget Advisory Committee will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Washington County Courthouse, 85 Court Street in Machias. Officials say one important topic of discussion is public safety. There are two positions open that the committee is considering cutting because they’re currently unfilled, a stance strongly opposed by members of law enforcement.
(Machias) Public safety will be on the agenda Thursday when the Washington County Budget Advisory Committee meets to discuss the FY 2025 budget. Sources say there are two open law enforcement positions that could be cut because they are currently unfilled, a stance strongly opposed by the Washington County Sheriff’s office. County officials say it’s important that the public attends, shares their thoughts, and becomes educated on the facts. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the Washington County Courthouse, 85 Court Street in Machias.
Economy
Federal Overtime Rule Blocked, Changing Maine’s Minimum Salary Threshhold
(Augusta) A new federal rule that would have increased the minimum salary threshold preventing a worker from overtime pay was recently blocked by court action. The Maine Department of Labor says under a U.S. Department of Labor rule passed earlier this year, that threshold was to have been $58,656. With the recent court action, beginning January 1, the new minimum salary threshold in Maine will therefore be reduced to $43,951 per year. MDOL says that’s only one of the factors used in determining whether a worker is exempt from overtime pay under federal or state law.
Electricity Rates to Vary in 2025
(Hallowell) Central Maine Power customers will see rates go down very slightly next year – less than a penny per kilowatt hour – for the average residential customer. For Versant residential customers, rates will increase about $1.84 a month. That’s the word after the Maine Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday accepted bids for standard offer electricity supply for 2025 for both utilities. Maine PUC said the standard offer supply rates were set through a competitive bid process conducted by the Commission, as required by Maine law.
(Hallowell) Residential customers of Central Maine Power will barely notice, but rates will go down in 2025 – less than a penny per kwh for the average residential customer. For customers of Versant Power, the average residential customer will see an increase on their bills of about $1.84 a month. That’s the determination after the Maine Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday accepted bids for standard offer electricity supply for 2025 for both utilities. The standard offer supply rates were set through a competitive bid process conducted by the Commission, as required by Maine law.
Hutchinson Center Buyer May Keep It Open to Community
(Belfast) Waldo Community Action Partners may leave part of the Hutchinson Center in Belfast open as a community center if its deal with the University of Maine System goes through. The Bangor Daily News reports the proposal is noteworthy, because of opposition to the initial buyer, Calvary Chapel Belfast. That initial sale was ultimately rescinded after some area residents argued the Hutchinson Center should remain a public community resource. The church on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the seller, alleging religious discrimination and arguing revocation of the sale to the church was based on public outcry against that sale.
(Belfast) Bidding on the Hutchinson Center in Belfast has closed, with Waldo Community Action Partners placing the winning bid….so far. Two other bidders have time to appeal during a five-day appeal period. Waldo CAP has put forth a proposal that may give it an advantage. The Bangor Daily News reports the nonprofit may leave part of the center open as a community center if the deal with the University of Maine system is finalized. An initial sale to Calvary Chapel Belfast was rescinded by the University after opponents argued for keeping the Center as a public community resource. The church yesterday filed a lawsuit against the seller, alleging religious discrimination and arguing revocation of the sale to the church was based on public outcry against that sale.
Leadership Hancock County Returns
(Ellsworth) Leadership Hancock County is back in 2025, kicking off January 21st. The program, presented by the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, has been providing meaningful leadership development in the region for more than a decade. This year’s facilitator is Jim Boothby, a recognized leader in education and community development. Leadership Hancock County consists of six monthly sessions that help participants shape an understanding of leadership through interactive sessions and real-world learning experiences. Applications are being accepted now through January 10th, and slots are limited. Contact Kaitlyn Burpee at the chamber to sign up.
(Ellsworth) Communication, labor market challenges, learning cultures – those are just some of the topics participants will explore in the 2025 Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Hancock County. The program has been providing meaningful leadership development in the region for more than a decade. This year’s facilitator is Jim Boothby, who the Chamber says brings a wealth of expertise to the six monthly sessions. His extensive resume includes serving on multiple boards and commissions, and his dedication to fostering effective leadership is reflected in his belief that leaders must prioritize the needs of their organizations and the people they serve. The 2025 session kicks off January 21st. Enroll now through January 10th by contacting Kaitlyn Burpee at the Ellsworth Chamber. They say don’t delay as spots are limited.
Maine DOL Offers PFML Webinars
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Labor is offering a series of webinars for employers and third party administrators regarding the new paid family and medical leave portals. Beginning January 1, employers in Maine are required to register on the new portal and begin payroll contributions, with benefits scheduled to begin May 1st,, 2026. The webinars will educate attendees on what they need to know before they register in January. The employer webinar is set for December 3rd from Noon to 1 and the Third Party Administrator webinar is set for December 10th from Noon until 1. To register, contact the Maine Department of Labor.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Stonington Invites Folks Home for the Holidays
(Stonington) Everyone is getting into the holiday spirit, and that includes the Village of Stonington! Beginning November 30th, it’s Small Business Saturday, along with an Island Holiday Craft Fair at the Community Center. The state’s lobster capital is pulling out all the stops, with special Main Street decorations along the historic, Victorian Main Street and a lineup of special activities for locals, seasonal residents, and visitors. Look for the Festival of Trees December 6, 7, and 8th. Plus, a holiday cookie swap, a reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and Talk of the Towns on select days at the Stonington Opera House. Visit stonington maine dot org for all the details.
(Stonington) Few villages embody the spirit of Maine like Stonington – the state’s top lobster port. And just wait until you hear what they have planned for the holidays this year! Stonington is pulling out all the stops to invite you “Home for the Holidays”. On November 30th, it’s Small Business Saturday and an Island Holiday Craft Fair at the Community Center. The Victorian Main Street will have special decorations, and there will be a Festival of Trees December 6th, 7th, and 8th. At the Stonington Opera House, it’s “Talk of the Town” on December 11th; a public reading of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” December 15th, and a holiday concert on the 21st! Visit stonington maine dot org for all the holiday details.
Mano e Mano in Milbridge Completes New Center, Installs Mosaic
(Milbridge) Mano e Mano in Milbridge has a lot to celebrate as the year comes to a close. The newly constructed Rayitos de Sol Bilingual Child Care center is open for the 2024/25 school year, with 41 children enrolled and after-school child care and programming offered. Plus, with your help, they were able to complete and install a colorful new mosaic representing the beauty of diversity, and the cultural mix that adds to the agriculture and industry in Downeast Maine. The new center is the culmination of the dream of serving more local and migrant families that more than triples Mano e Mano’s capacity … from one classroom serving 12, to five classrooms with room to serve 60-plus students, infant through elementary school age.
Sports
The Bruins have fired Coach Jim Montgomery 20 games into his third season in Beantown and after a tough start to the season. Assistant Joe Sacco will coach on an interim basis. Bruins off until Thursday when they’ll host Utah.
The Celtics ended the Cavs’ 15-game winning streak last night at TD Garden, giving Cleveland its first loss of the season with Boston’s 120-117 win. The Celtics enter the group stage of the NBA Cup Friday against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in D.C.