Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Swans Island Arrest
(Swans Island) A Swans Island man was arrested Friday in Southwest Harbor. Officials say 45 yo Joshua White’s arrest was the result of an investigation into White’s background that revealed the reported felon was in unlawful possession of firearms. Police say a firearm was located in White’s vehicle at the time of his arrest, and that a search warrant of his residence on Swans Island turned up additional firearms. White was taken to the Hancock County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.
(Swan’s Island) A Swans Island man was taken into custody Friday on charges of unlawful possession of firearms. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, 45 yo Joshua White was arrested in SW Harbor after an investigation revealed the reported felon had firearms. Police say a firearm was located in White’s vehicle at the time of his arrest, and that a search warrant of his Swans Island residence turned up additional firearms. White was taken to the Hancock County Jail, where he was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The investigation is ongoing.
Belgrade Shooting
(Belgrade) Authorities are investigating a Sunday morning shooting in Belgrade. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, police were called to a home on Point Road in Belgrade about 11 a.m. yesterday. They say a woman was taken by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious injuries. A man was taken into custody and is said to be cooperating with the investigation. No other information was available, but Maine State Police say it appears to be an isolated incident with no danger to the public.
Amity Fatal Fire
(Amity) A structure fire in the Aroostook County town of Amity Saturday resulted in a fatality. The State Fire Marshal’s office was called to the building on Emily Drive about 2:30 Saturday afternoon, after Houlton firefighters found the building engulfed and heavily damaged. FMO investigators found human remains among the ruins, which were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to be positively identified. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Local Politics
Bar Harbor Recount on Issue 4 Upholds Election Results
(Bar Harbor) A recount of Article 4 in Bar Harbor on Saturday upheld the results of the November 5th election regarding limits on cruise ship disembarkation. According to the town website, the recount was held at the request of West Side Cafe co-owner Kevin DesVeaux, representing Bar Harbor voters. Official results showed 1714 yes votes and 1779 no votes. The issue involved an attempt to replace the current 1,000 cruise ship passenger cap with a new plan. The recount shows the plan was defeated by 65 votes, compared to an original count of 63.
(Bar Harbor) The vote on Article 4 in Bar Harbor regarding cruise ship disembarkation limits will stand, following a recount that took place on Saturday. According to results posted on the town website, official recount results showed 1714 yes votes and 1779 no votes. The issue involved an attempt to replace the current 1,000 cruise ship passenger cap with a new plan. The recount shows the plan was defeated by 65 votes, compared to the original count, which registered a defeat by 63 votes.
Collins to Head Senate Appropriations Committee
(Washington, DC) Maine Senator Susan Collins will take over as head of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. WMTW reports the committee holds jurisdiction over all discretionary spending for the federal government, a role that positions Collins to influence funding for key initiatives nationwide, as well as in Maine. The move comes as Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell steps aside to assume chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which oversees defense spending.
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Senator Susan Collins will be named Chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, a role that positions the Republican leader to influence funding for key initiatives nationwide and in Maine. WMTW reports Collins in January will step into the role currently held by Mitch McConnell who will assume chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which oversees defense spending.
Meeting on Ellsworth Comprehensive Plan Scheduled
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth’s latest proposed comprehensive plan is ready for review. A comprehensive plan provides cities and towns in Maine with a sort of blueprint, providing recommendations on how land should be utilized to meet the needs and desires of a community. It outlines challenges, identifies solutions, and is a living document that grows and changes with the community. Plans must be renewed every ten years, and Ellsworth’s latest Comprehensive Plan is now ready for review by community members. The full plan is available at ellsworth maine dot gov, and residents are invited to attend a workshop on the proposed plan on Thursday, December 5th at 6 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth’s newest Comprehensive Plan is ready for review, and the City welcomes community input. A comprehensive plan provides cities and towns in Maine with a sort of blueprint, providing recommendations on how land should be utilized to meet the needs and desires of a community. It outlines challenges, identifies solutions, and is a living document that grows and changes with the community. Residents can access the plan at ellsworth maine dot gov and are encouraged to attend a workshop on December 5th at 6 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The workshop will also be available via zoom – find a link on the aforementioned website.
Economy
Jackson Lab Plans Bar Harbor Expansion
(Bar Harbor) A planned expansion at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor will mean more space and the need to hire more workers. The Bangor Daily News reports the $24M expansion will house the lab’s Rare Disease Translational Center, which utilizes a collaborative approach to study possible therapies that can be tailored to the needs of individual patients. The lab plans to add 95 additional employees to staff the expansion.
(Bar Harbor) More space, more employees, and more opportunities for research. That’s the goal of a planned expansion at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor. The Bangor Daily News reports the two-story, 20,000 square foot expansion will house the lab’s Rare Disease Translational Center, which utilizes a collaborative approach to study possible therapies that can be tailored to the needs of individual patients. The lab plans to add 95 additional employees to staff the expansion.
Environment
Corea Plans Ahead for Storm Resilience
(Corea) The tiny fishing village of Corea in Gouldsboro is planning ahead after last winter’s storms devastated the area due to sea level rise and storm surge. The Ellsworth American reports residents have met and plan future meetings to identify new road designs and other alternatives for two vulnerable areas – the Crowley Island Causeway and the junction of Corea, Cranberry Point, and Francis Pound Roads. The effort is bolstered by a $50K grant from Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership Program.
(Corea) Residents and village officials in Corea are planning ahead after last winter’s devastating storms caused extensive damage due to sea level rise and storm surge. Residents have met twice and have two more meetings planned to identify new road designs and other alternatives for two vulnerable areas – the Crowley Island Causeway and the junction of Corea, Cranberry Point, and Francis Pound Roads. The Ellsworth American reports the infrastructure changes will be funded in part by a $50K grant from Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership Program.
Climate Leaders Update Goals for Maine
(Bath) Governor Janet Mills and state climate leaders met in Bath this month to unveil an updated version of the “Maine Won’t Wait” Climate Action Plan. NewsCenter Maine reports the nearly 200 page report builds on the 2020 plan and lays out steps to prioritize in the next four years. The Maine Climate Council updated previous goals, in part in response to the devastating storms that struck Maine in the past year as a result of climate change.
(Bath) Governor Janet Mills joined members of the Maine Climate Council in Bath recently to unveil an updated version of the state’s Climate Action Plan, “Maine Won’t Wait”. NewsCenter Maine reports the Governor noted that in spite of looming changes in administration, Maine has already made strides in incentivizing heat pump installations and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. A spokesperson for the Governor said the state has made progress on every goal set in the 2020 version of the plan and that many of the 2030 targets are within reach.
Health
Merrill Donates to Northern Light
(Ellsworth) When it comes to a local hospital needing help, Merrill Furniture in Ellsworth wasn’t about to take it sitting down. The store recently donated new furniture and a fresh design for Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital’s Merrill Chapel. When owner Bob Merrill stopped by the chapel during a visit earlier this year and noticed the original furniture, donated by his parents, had quite a bit of wear and tear, he didn’t hesitate to offer to replace it. The Chapel is used by patients, family and staff as a calm and spiritual place to heal and reflect.
(Ellsworth) The Chapel at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital has beautiful new furniture and a fresh new look, thanks to Bob Merill, owner of Ellsworth’s Merrill Furniture. Merrill stopped by the chapel earlier this year on a visit to the hospital and saw the original furniture, donated by his parents almost 20 years ago, had become worn and faded. The hospital’s Director of Philanthropy, Sarah Joy, said Merrill didn’t hesitate to replace the furniture; and store designer Leslie Gray got right to work incorporating calming colors and comfy cushions. The Chapel is used by patients, family and staff as a calm and spiritual place to heal and reflect.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Police Department Sponsoring Christmas Wishes
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Police Department is once again pairing with the Community Closet 207 to fulfill Christmas wishes. They have 163 names on a list at the station and need help fulfilling them. They invite you to drop by the station, browse the boards, grab a name or two and shop anytime between now and December 13th, when they’ll head to WalMart for their Stuff a Cruiser event.
(Ellsworth) Lots of opportunity in this generous community to help others during the Christmas holiday. Now through December 13th, the Ellsworth Police Department invites you to stop by and browse their bulletin board that contains 163 names of those needing assistance this season. Grab a name or two, shop, and then return your unwrapped gifts. And then join them on December 13th, when the EPD will be at WalMart for their Stuff a Cruiser Event. The officers are partnering with Community Closet 207 again this year to fulfill this event.
Sports
Former Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery wasn’t out of a job long. Fired from the Boston team just last week, Montgomery will replace fired St. Louis Blues Coach Drew Bannister. The Blues signed Montgomery, a UMaine Sports Hall of Famer, to a five year contract.
Kudos to the Ellsworth High School wrestling team who braved rain and chill Saturday in downtown Ellsworth collecting hoodies and donations for the Emmaus Homeless Shelter. The team piled up hoodies and more than $2,500 for the great cause.
The Patriots lost to the Dolphins Sunday 34-15.
Celtics beat the Timberwolves 107-105 Sunday. The Celtics take on the Clippers tonight at TD Garden.
The Bruins have the night off. They beat the Red Wings Saturday 2-1. Bruins host the Vancouver Canucks tomorrow night (Tuesday).