Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Oakland Man Arrested After Standoff
(Oakland) Maine State Police yesterday arrested an Oakland man following an hours-long standoff. The incident began shortly after 6 a.m., when troopers received a report from a woman in Palermo who said her ex-partner, 45 yo Jason Grant, had threatened to cause harm to her and others in her home. Multiple agencies went to Grant’s Ayer Street home in Oakland and attempted to convince him to come out of his residence peacefully. Grant was taken into custody after several hours of negotiation. He was then transported to the Waldo County Jail, and is charged with Domestic Violence Criminal Threatening, Violating Conditions of Release, and Creating a Police Standoff.
(Oakland) An Oakland man was arrested Tuesday morning after a police standoff. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, shortly after 6 a.m., a woman in Palermo called Maine State Police to report her ex-partner, 45 yo Jason Grant, had threatened harm to her and others in her home. State Police Troopers, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Oakland Police Officers responded to Grant’s Ayer Street home in Oakland and spent several hours, along with Maine State Police Negotiators, attempting to convince Grant to come out of his home. Grant was eventually taken into custody and transported to the Waldo County Jail. He faces multiple charges, including Domestic Violence Criminal Threatening, Violating Conditions of Release, and Creating a Police Standoff.
Subcontractor Struggling to Recover After Vehicle Fire
(Ellsworth) A painting subcontractor and artist is struggling to recover after a vehicle fire in the Ellsworth WalMart parking lot last week destroyed almost everything he owned. Sources say John Bowden was living in his vehicle, where he also kept all his tools, equipment and belongings. It’s believed the fire began in the van’s engine. Bowden suffered burns to his right hand, which may hinder his livelihood, at least temporarily. He also lost his source of transportation to and from work. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help Bowden recover.
(Ellsworth) Friends have set up a Go Fund Me page for a man who was working hard to make a living as an artist and subcontractor, but who lost everything last week in a fire. Sources say John Bowden was living in a conversion van and was in the WalMart parking lot in Ellsworth a week ago Tuesday evening when he realized the vehicle was on fire under the hood. Bowden lost all his tools, equipment, and documentation, escaping only with the clothes on his back and a bag of dirty laundry. In addition to losing his mode of transportation, Bowden suffered burns to his right hand, hindering his work at least temporarily. For information on ways to help, search Go Fund me by Rain Bowden-King.
Local Politics
Trigger Laws Could End Medicaid Expansions in Nine States
(KFF) With Donald Trump’s return to the White House and Republicans taking full control of Congress in 2025, the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion is back on the chopping block. KFF Health News reports more than 3 million adults in nine states, including New Hampshire, would be at immediate risk of losing their health coverage should the GOP reduce the extra federal Medicaid funding that’s enabled states to widen eligibility. That’s because those states have so-called “trigger laws” that would swiftly end their Medicaid expansions if federal funding falls. Besides New Hampshire, states affected include Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
(KFF) More than 3 million adults in nine states, including New Hampshire, would be at risk of losing their health coverage should the GOP reduce the extra federal Medicaid funding that has enabled states to widen eligibility. KFF Health News reports that’s because those states have so-called trigger laws that would swiftly end their Medicaid expansions should federal funding fall – a real concern with Trump’s return to the White House and Republicans taking full control of Congress in 2025, placing the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion on the chopping block. Along with New Hampshire, states affected are Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
Senator Collins Honored by the BBC
(Maine) Republican Senator Susan Collins is well known here in Maine. She’s also made a name for herself in Washington, being ranked as the most bipartisan U.S. Senator by the Lugar Center and Georgetown University nine times in the past 11 years. Recently, the British Broadcasting Corporation announced Collins has been selected for their 12th annual 100 Women list. Collins was named by the BBC for her legislative efforts in authoring and leading passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act and for her joint introduction of the Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act. Collins joins the list of female artists, athletes, activists and others from countries around the world honored by the BBC.
(Maine) Republican Senator Susan Collins’s name appeared recently on the BBC’s annual list of 100 Women. The British Broadcasting Corporation said Collins was named to the list for her legislative efforts in authoring and leading passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act and her joint introduction of the Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act. Female activists, artists, athletes, and other philanthropists and movers and shakers on the list hail from Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Brazil and dozens of other countries around the world.
Department of Homeland Security Codifies Work Permit Extensions
(Washington, DC) The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday announced a rule change that would authorize work permit extensions for eligible immigrants. Governor Janet Mills, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, and Senator Angus King had written to the Secretary asking him to address the backlog in permit processing by permanently extending the duration of work authorizations for immigrants and asylum seekers. The rule change will help to avoid situations where immigrants in Maine who are legally allowed to work lose authorization due to processing delays.
(Washington, DC) Employers in Maine and across the country often count on the work of legal immigrants and those seeking asylum. But a backlog in permit processing sometimes stymies those workers as they have to wait on final approval. Last week, Governor Janet Mills, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Senator Angus King wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking for a permanent extension of asylum seeker work authorization. On Tuesday, the Department announced a rule change as such for certain eligible immigrants. The rule change will help to avoid situations where immigrants in Maine who are legally allowed to work lose authorization due to processing delays.
Economy
PenBay Chamber to Cease Operations
(Penobscot) The Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce plans to suspend operations. MaineBiz reports the Chamber sent a letter to members this week citing a decline in revenue and membership. Since the pandemic, membership has declined from a high of a thousand members to just 400. The Chamber was formed to be a voice for business and tourism in the Camden-Rockland area. The Chamber left open the possibility of another entity forming out of it, but said no definite plans were in place.
Budget Airline Coming to Maine
(Portland) A new budget airline plans to offer nonstop flights from Portland Jetport to Connecticut beginning next Spring. The Bangor Daily News reports beginning next May, Avelo Airlines will fly commuters between Portland and Tweed-New Haven Airport on Thursdays and Sundays. Avelo joins Breeze Airways, Jet Blue, and Frontier in offering budget flights from Portland to destinations such as Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio.
(Portland) Another budget airline joining Breeze Airways, JetBlue, and Frontier in offering flights from Portland International Jetport. Beginning next May, the Bangor Daily News reports Avelo Airlines will fly commuters between Portland and Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut on Thursdays and Sundays. The Portland Jetport is the state’s busiest airport, serving more than 2.21 million passengers in 2023.
Health
Record Number of Lyme Cases Again This Year in Maine
(Maine) Another record setting year in Maine when it comes to Lyme Disease. The Portland Press Herald reports Lyme rates in the midcoast and Downeast regions are three times higher than the statewide average and have roughly tripled over the past decade. With more than 3,000 cases recorded statewide as of last week, the state has already surpassed the number of cases in 2023. The highest increases have been reported in Hancock, Waldo, Knox and Lincoln Counties. Experts say warming winters and an ability to adapt have made ticks a year-round concern in Maine. They recommend wearing long sleeves, tucking pants into socks, and checking yourself regularly after every outdoor excursion
(Maine) Sometimes it’s good to set a new record, but not when it comes to Lyme Disease. The Portland Press Herald reports, the number of Lyme cases reported in Maine continues to climb each year, with more than 3,000 cases recorded so far in 2024 – surpassing last year’s record with a few weeks to go. The highest increases have been reported in Hancock, Waldo, Knox and Lincoln Counties. Experts say warming winters and an ability to adapt have made ticks a year-round concern in Maine. They recommend wearing long sleeves, tucking pants into socks, and checking yourself regularly after every outdoor excursion.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Best Tasting Water Contest
(Bangor) Who has the best tasting drinking water? A competition scheduled to take place in Bangor this week could quench your thirst for an answer. Dozens of community water systems around the state will be competing for the title of Maine’s Best Tasting Water. Two categories will be judged – water with a disinfectant such as chlorine, and water without. There will be a final round pitting the two categories, with the winner awarded bragging rights and a chance to represent Maine in the National Taste Test in Washington, DC in February . The competition is set for tomorrow, Thursday, December 12th, at 10:30 am. at the Cross Insurance Center. Who made a splash last year? The 2024 title holder – the Brewer Water Department.
(Bangor) There’s no watering it down when it comes to the best tasting agua. This week, municipalities from around the state will gather at the Cross Insurance Center to compete for the title of Maine’s Best Tasting Water. Judging will take place tomorrow, Thursday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and will include two categories – water with a disinfectant such as chlorine, and water without. A final round will pit the two in a grand tsunami. The winner will not only get bragging rights, but they’ll also represent Maine in the National Taste Test in Washington DC in February. Last year, the Brewer Water Department made the biggest splash – they hold the title of 2024 Best Tasting Water in Maine.
Hancock County Sheriff Charities Shops for Kids
(Ellsworth) The Hancock County Sheriff Charities played Santa this past Friday at their annual Christmas for Kids shopping event at the Walmart in Ellsworth. Members of the Sheriff’s Department and other volunteers shopped for more than 150 children and more than 160 senior citizens from around Hancock County. They say the community’s generosity allowed them to spend nearly $14,000 on gifts, and that included a $4,000 donation from the employees of Jackson Laboratory and $2,000 from the Christmas Charitable Trust.
(Ellsworth) The doors of WalMart in Ellsworth Friday opened to a group of elves otherwise known as volunteers with the Hancock County Sheriff Charities. Members of law enforcement and others volunteered their time to shop for more than 150 children and more than 160 of our senior citizens, ensuring they have a Merry Christmas that otherwise might have been lonely and empty. Gifts from the Jackson Laboratory employees, the Christmas Charitable Trust, and the community meant Santa Sheriff and his helpers had nearly $14,000 to make sure they fulfilled the wishes of everyone on their list.
Sports
The Jets roared over the Bruins last night 8-1 in Winnipeg. Bruins off tonight. They’ll skate against the Kraken in Seattle tomorrow night.
Celtics host the Detroit Pistons tomorrow night.
High School basketball games scheduled this evening:
Boys – The Jonesport Beals Royals take on the Machias Bulldogs
And both the boys and girls play tonight in these matchups: Ellsworth vs. Foxcroft Academy and Searsport takes on Bangor Christian. (Check ahead, pending this evening’s weather.)
Last night’s high school basketball scores – just two teams reporting in. The Shead girls beat Narraguagus in a close one, 49-47, and the George Stevens boys beat Bucksport 36-31.