Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Glenburn Arrest
(Glenburn) A standoff in Glenburn Monday led to the arrest of a man for whom authorities had been searching since Friday. WABI-TV reports the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic violence incident in Corinth on Friday. They say 37 yo Christopher Cunningham fired several shots, then fled the scene. Cunningham was believed to have left the County, but it was later learned he was in a home on Union Street in Glenburn. With help from a state police tactical team, Cunningham came out of the house after several hours yesterday, was taken into custody and transported to the Penobscot County Jail. Two other people were reportedly detained in connection with that incident.
(Glenburn) A man for whom authorities had been searching since Friday is in custody today after a standoff Monday in Glenburn. WABI-TV reports the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office on Friday responded to a domestic violence incident in Corinth. They say 37 yo Christopher Cunningham fired several shots, then fled the scene. Cunningham was believed to have left the County, but it was later learned he was in a home on Union Street in Glenburn. With help from a state police tactical team, Cunningham came out of the house after several hours yesterday , was taken into custody and transported to the Penobscot County Jail. Two other people were reportedly detained in connection with that incident.
Reward Offered for Missing Teen
(New Sweden) Authorities are now offering a $15,000 reward for information about a New Sweden teen who has been missing since September 24th. At a press conference on Monday, the FBI and Maine State Police said there have been no credible sightings of 14 yo Stefanie Damron, in spite of an exhaustive search by a child abduction rapid deployment team. Stefanie was last seen walking into the woods near her home last September. They say she has left before, but has always returned home after a short period of time. Police are asking the public to share her missing person poster on line and call the Maine State Police Houlton Barracks or the FBI with any information.
(New Sweden) Maine State Police and the FBI on Monday held a press conference and announced a $15,000 reward for information on a teen who went missing from her New Sweden home in September. Fourteen-year-old Stefanie Damron was last seen walking into the woods near her home on September 24th wearing blue jeans, a long-sleeved blue shirt, and black Harley Davidson hiking boots. Despite an extensive search, authorities have no leads on her whereabouts. They say she did not take any electronic devices with her. A Maine State Police spokesperson said the family reports such behavior is not uncommon for Stefanie, but that in the past, she always returned home after a short time. Police are asking the public to share her missing person poster on line and call the Maine State Police Houlton Barracks or the FBI with any information.
DHHS Hires Firm to Review Programs
(Hampden) The alleged horrific abuse of residents at a Hampden care home has prompted the Maine Department of Health and Human Safety to hire an outside review firm. The Bangor Daily News reports the months-long review will look at the department’s quality services programs and suggest possible improvements. The DHHS outreach comes approximately a year and a half after criminal charges were filed against four men formerly employed by Lee Residential Care homes. The employees were criminally charged for the abuse of two residents, which reportedly occurred between 2019 and 2022.
(Hampden) The Maine Department of Health and Human Services is once again under the microscope following the alleged horrific abuse of two residents at a Hampden care home. The abuse was reportedly perpetrated against two residents of Lee Residential Care homes by four of that facility’s employees. The Bangor Daily News reports the four men were criminally charged for the abuse, which allegedly occurred between 2019 and 2022. DHHS has begun meeting with families of the victims and others at the care facility and has hired an outside review firm to look at the department’s quality services programs and suggest possible improvements.
Local Politics
Several May Vie for Maine’s Governorship in 2026
(Augusta) U.S. Representative Jared Golden, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and Hanna Pingree, the daughter of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree who currently directs Mills’ policy office, are names being bandied about as possibly making a run for Governor in the next election. Term limits will end Governor Janet Mills’s holding that position in 2026. The Bangor Daily News reports other names being put forth include former Senate President Troy Jackson and outgoing Maine House Speaker and State Senator-elect Rachel Talbot Ross.
(Augusta) Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, U.S. Representative Jared Golden, and Hanna Pingree, the daughter of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree who currently directs Mills’ policy office, are names being rumored as possibly making a run for Governor in the next election. Term limits will end Governor Janet Mills’s holding the office in 2026. The Bangor Daily News reports other names being put forth include Adam Lee, CEO of Lee Auto Malls, incoming Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, and former Portland City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau.
Economy
Giving Tuesday Opportunities at Ellsworth Public Library
(Ellsworth) It’s Giving Tuesday today, but all this month the Ellsworth Public Library is offering opportunities to support the community. Through the week before Christmas, you can help fill a shelf with non-perishable items for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Or you can purchase a wish star representing newly released books on the EPL librarians’ wish list. Feel free to let the staff know if you’d like to dedicate the book or books you purchase to a special someone. Finally, enter a raffle to win a stunning children’s-book-inspired quilt crafted by the Pine Tree Quilters Guild, with proceeds to benefit our wonderful library. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20, with the raffle drawing December 11th.
(Ellsworth) During December, the Ellsworth Public Library is filled with opportunities to support not only the library but the community. Through the week before Christmas, you can help fill a shelf at the library with non-perishable items for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Or you can purchase a wish star representing newly released books on the EPL librarians’ wish list. Feel free to let the staff know if you’d like to dedicate the book or books you purchase to a special someone. Finally, enter a raffle to win a stunning children’s-book-inspired quilt crafted by the Pine Tree Quilters Guild, with proceeds to benefit our wonderful library. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 with the raffle drawing December 11th. Visit ellsworth library dot net.
Thomaston Dragon Cement to be Acquired by German Company
(Thomaston) Dragon Cement in Thomaston has been part of the Midcoast landscape since the early 1900s, but a 2019 fire caused the plant to shut down for six weeks; and in 2023, the plant began to idle production operations due to logistical costs and other factors. Now the plant is set to be part of a $600M acquisition package by Heidelberg Materials North America, a division of the German-based parent company. The Pen Bay Pilot says HMNA is a supplier of cement, aggregates, and other products that boasts more than 450 locations and about 9,000 employees in the US. Sources say it remains to be seen what the acquisition will mean for the Thomaston plant that as of August was down to 23 local employees.
(Thomaston) At its height, Dragon Cement in Thomaston produced about 300,000 tons of cement each year, employed approximately 88 people, and actively mined a 130-acre open pit quarry. But a 2019 fire caused the plant to close for six weeks, and logistical costs and other factors forced the plant to begin going idle a year ago. Now the facility is set to be part of a $600M acquisition package offered by Heidelberg Materials North America, a division of the German-based parent company. The Pen Bay Pilot says HMNA is a supplier of cement, aggregates, and other products, with more than 450 locations and about 9,000 employees in the US. Sources say it remains to be seen what the acquisition will mean for the Thomaston plant that as of August was down to 23 local employees, including sales staff.
Program Provides Eviction Relief
(Maine) More than 100 families in Maine avoided losing their homes in November, thanks to a new statewide program designed to prevent such hardship. But The Portland Press Herald reports the MaineHousing-sponsored program has proven to be a necessity for more than 1200 families currently in line for help, with another 200 on a waiting list. The one-year pilot program provides up to $800 a month in rent relief, plus a one-time payment to catch up on back rent, paid directly to a landlord. A program administrator reports they’re receiving 200 calls a day asking for help.
(Maine) It’s no secret there’s a housing shortage here in Maine, and nowhere is it more evident than in the offices of Maine Housing. The Portland Press Herald reports the organization’s eviction prevention program has proven more popular than anticipated, with the agency tasked with overseeing the program reporting it receives about 200 calls a day asking for help. The one-year pilot program, which does not apply to those in subsidized housing, provides up to $800 a month in rent relief, plus a one-time payment to catch up on back rent, paid directly to a landlord. Currently, there are about 1200 families in line for help, with another 200 on a waiting list.
Infrastructure
Vanity Plate Renewal
(Maine) If you have a vanity license plate on your vehicle, don’t forget to reserve your special plate annually, especially with the changeover in plate design. The cost of renewing vanity plates is an additional $25 a year, and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles say that can be done online, at your local BMV branch office, or by mail.
(Maine) If you drive around with a vanity plate, don’t forget to reserve your special initials or wording, especially with the new license plate design coming down the pike. The cost of renewing vanity plates is an additional $25 per year, and you need to reserve your special plate each year at your local BMV branch, online or by mail.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Maine Ranked Tenth in Volunteering
(Maine) Tennessee may be the volunteer state, but Maine isn’t looking too shabby when it comes to helping others. Americorps reports residents of the Pine Tree State volunteered close to 26 million hours through organizations last year. The Pen Bay Pilot writes that according to Americorps, Maine ranked tenth in the nation in informal volunteering, with 62% informally helping others by exchanging favors with their neighbors, more than 50% donating $25 or more to charity, and 31.2% saying they belong to a volunteer organization.
(Maine) Today is Giving Tuesday. When it comes to giving, it seems Mainers are generous not only with their funds, but with their time as well. The Pen Bay Pilot reports in 2023, residents of the Pine Tree State volunteered close to 26 million hours through service organizations, making it number 10 on the list of states when it comes to donating volunteer hours. That’s according to Americorps, a federal agency for national service and volunteerism. Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, said formal volunteering is especially important in rural areas where nonprofit services rely on people to help provide food, transportation, library services, youth sports programs and more. Here’s to those who volunteer!
Blaine House Christmas Tree
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills yesterday welcomed this year’s Christmas tree to the Blaine House. Since 2021, the Governor has showcased award-winning, Maine grown Christmas Trees from the Fryeburg Fair as part of the holiday decorations at the Blaine House. Tours of the Blaine House are free and open to the public during the Holiday Season, but reservations are required. More information can be found at blaine house dot org.
(Augusta) The holidays arrived at the Blaine House in Augusta Monday as Governor Janet Mills welcomed this year’s Christmas tree. The tree arrived in an antique truck, along with other award-winning trees and wreaths that will adorn the Governor’s mansion. The annual tradition of showcasing award-winning, Maine-grown Christmas trees from the Fryeburg Fair was started by Governor Mills in 2021. The public is welcome to tour the Blaine House during the holidays; and while tours are free, reservations are required. Find more information at blaine house dot org.
Sports
The Celtics put the chill on the Heat yesterday, beating Miami 108-89. The Celtics host the Detroit Pistons next on Wednesday.
Bruins home tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.