Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Black Ice Likely Cause of I-395 Crashes
(Brewer) Icy road conditions, crashes, and drivers attempting a shortcut to avoid a resulting road closure caused multiple accidents on I-395 in Brewer Monday morning. Maine State Police say a Toyota Tacoma was Westbound when the driver lost control on the slippery road and ended up facing the wrong way, blocking traffic. Within minutes, three more crashes, involving a total of 10 vehicles, occurred in the same area. Meanwhile, while authorities assisted on that scene, they say drivers began illegally using a crossover to go from I-395 Westbound to I-395 Eastbound in order to avoid the road closure, resulting in another two-vehicle crash. In all, just one person was taken to a hospital.
(Brewer) A dozen cars were involved in crashes Monday morning on I-395 in Brewer. Maine State Police tell Star 97.7, a Toyota Tacoma was Westbound when the driver lost control due to icy conditions and ended up facing the wrong way, blocking traffic. They say within the next few minutes, ten more vehicles in total ended up crashing in that same area due to the slippery roads. Only one woman was taken to a hospital, complaining of pain. While troopers worked that scene, they say drivers began illegally using a crossover to go from I-395 Westbound to I-395 Eastbound in order to avoid the road closure, resulting in another two-vehicle crash. Maine State Police remind drivers using crossovers is illegal, highly dangerous, and not permitted for any reason.
Local Politics
Electoral College Meets
(Augusta) Maine’s Electoral College will meet this afternoon at 2 to officially cast ballots for the President and Vice President of the United States. The event will be livestreamed at legislature dot maine dot gov. Kamala Harris won three of the state’s electoral votes, while Donald Trump won one. In June, Maine became the 17th state to ratify support of a national movement to do away with the Electoral College and elect the president via popular vote, giving the compact 209 of the 270 votes needed for enactment.
(Augusta) Six weeks after the November 5th election, Maine’s Electoral College will gather at the Statehouse this afternoon to officially cast ballots for President and Vice President of the United States. Maine is one of just two states – the other being Nebraska – that splits its electoral votes. This year, three of those votes went to Kamala Harris, one to Donald Trump. The event will be livestreamed beginning at 2 p.m. at legislature dot maine dot gov.
Biden Declares Frances Perkins Center a National Monument
(Newcastle) It’s something they’ve worked toward for months, even years. Yesterday, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle. The designation honors the historic contributions of America’s first female Cabinet Secretary and the longest-serving Secretary of Labor. Although born in Massachusetts, Perkins considered Maine her home. Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Perkins championed the rights of American workers, and was instrumental in the establishment of Social Security, unemployment insurance and the federal minimum wage.
(Newcastle) The Frances Perkins home in Newcastle is now a National Monument. Yesterday, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation honoring the historic contributions of America’s first female and longest-serving Cabinet Secretary. It was a goal toward which the board had worked in order to bring further recognition to Perkins, who championed the rights of the American worker, and who was instrumental in the establishment of Social Security, unemployment insurance and the federal minimum wage. Although she was born in Massachusetts, Perkins considered Maine her home. The designation will likely bring more visitors, recognition, and funding.
Economy
Stonington Turns to Mobile Homes to Help Solve Housing Crisis
(Stonington) With affordable housing almost nonexistent, a Maine island town is turning to mobile homes to help solve the crisis. The Bangor Daily News reports the only places for rent in Stonington right now require a six-figure salary, with the only rentals available being seasonal and charging hundreds per night. Want to buy? Home sale prices are likely to be in the millions. Now the town is considering putting a mobile home park on town-owned land in order to provide some relief to struggling locals. The town has also convened a housing task force to collect data and to look for ways to entice affordable development.
(Stonington) Like many other towns in Maine, the state’s lobster capital is trying to claw its way out of a housing crisis. The Bangor Daily News reports, with affordable housing almost nonexistent in Stonington, the town has convened a housing task force to collect data and to look for ways to entice affordable development. Among ideas being considered, putting a mobile home on town-owned land in order to give struggling locals some relief. Sources say most current rentals in Stonington are seasonal, costing hundreds per night, with home sellers often asking a million dollars or more.
Five Maine Projects to Share $1M to Strengthen Food Supply Chain
(Washington, DC) Maine Coast Sea Vegetables in Hancock, Maine Grains in Skowhegan, and three other local and regional food systems will share a million dollars in funding from the USDA and Maine Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program to build resilience across the supply chain and to strengthen area food systems. Maine Coast Sea Vegetables will use the funds to install and operate a seaweed powder mill to process farm-raised kelp into high-value powder, filling a gap for Maine’s seaweed growers.
(Washington, DC) Maine Coast Sea Vegetables in Hancock plans to install and operate a seaweed powder mill to process farm-raised kelp into high-value powder, filling a gap for Maine’s seaweed growers. The project is one of five local and regional food systems that will share a million dollars in funding from the USDA and Maine Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. Other project awards went to Maine Grains in Skowhegan, Atlantic Sea Farms in Biddeford, Tops’l Farm in Waldoboro, and Bouchard Family Farm in Fort Kent.
Christmas Trees Add Millions to State’s Economy
(Maine) Real or artificial? If you put up a Maine grown tree at Christmas, you’re supporting an industry that contributes about $18M each year to the state’s economy. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry says Maine’s tree and wreath industry impacts folks nationwide, with Maine greenery shipped throughout New England and other parts of the country. Matthew Quinn, President-elect of the Maine Christmas Tree Association, told NewsCenter Maine the work that goes into getting Christmas trees “just right” in time for the holidays is a year-round task that offers a variety of job options, with many members of the Association involved in agro-tourism, selling (AN-suh-lay-ry) ancillary products, and some even participating in the maple syrup business as well.
(Maine) Money may not grow on trees, but Maine’s Christmas tree and wreath industry not only GROWS the green but brings it in as well, contributing about $18M a year to the state’s economy. Maine’s greenery is popular not only here at home, but throughout New England and other parts of the U.S. Matthew Quinn, President-elect of the Maine Christmas Tree Association, told NewsCenter Maine the work that goes into getting Christmas trees “just right” in time for the holidays is a year-round task. He says the industry not only contributes monetarily, but also in the form of jobs that can range from the physically to the mentally challenging, such as marketing and accounting of the trees, wreaths, garland, ornaments, and other ancillary products.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Work Rescheduled
(Ellsworth) Just one note on road work in Ellsworth this week. The Public Works Department will assist the Water Department today in repairing a leak on the Surry Road between Mountain View and Westwood Drives. This is work that was originally scheduled for last week, but that was delayed due to weather. The section of road will be down to one lane during the repairs.
(Ellsworth) Weather last week caused a delay in repairing a leak on the Surry Road. That work is now scheduled to begin today. The City of:Ellsworth tells Star 97.7, the Public Works Department will assist the Water Department today in making the repair on the Surry Road between Mountain View and Westwood Drives. That section of road will be down to one lane during the repairs.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ring Finders Help Woman Recover Treasured Ring
(Acton) Finally, a heartwarming story that takes place on a cold, snowy trail in Acton. Earlier this month, Ring Finders of Maine received a frantic FB message. A woman reported losing a special multi-diamond ring as she walked through the woods near her house. The ring contained the diamonds not only of her engagement ring, but also of her mother’s, grandmother’s and great grandmother’s rings. The woman, named Gail, said she had taken the ring off while walking and had placed it carefully in a back pocket. She’d traced her route multiple times; but the cold and snow made the search impossible. Then she called Ring Finders. While Dennis Boothby searched the yard, Gail and Gary Hill headed into the woods. At the very end of the trail, Gary’s metal detector picked up the ring, buried in the snow in the spot where Gail had turned around and taken out her phone to capture a picture of the snowy wonderland. Happy ending. You can read more of the story on the Ring Finders FB page.
(Acton) Here’s a story with a true ring of hope. Ring Finders of Maine is a metal detecting service run by Dennis Boothby. Earlier this month Boothby reports he received a frantic message from a woman named Gail who had lost a ring while walking on a snowy trail near her home. This was no ordinary ring; the piece contained diamonds from four generations of wedding and engagement rings – Gail’s own, her mother’s, grandmother’s, and great grandmother’s. She told Dennis she had retraced her steps multiple times to no avail. While Dennis searched the yard, partner Gary Hill and Gail headed into the woods near her Acton home. At the very end of the trail, Gary’s metal detector picked up the ring, buried in the snow in the spot where Gail had turned around and taken out her phone to capture a picture of the snowy wonderland. Happy ending. You can read more of the story on the Ring Finders FB page.
Downtown Ellsworth Gears up for Creative Community Markets
(Ellsworth) Downtown Ellsworth is gearing up for an inspiring weekend of creativity December 19th through the 21st, with a variety of markets and events happening at multiple locations. Local nonprofits Artsworth, Heart of Ellsworth, and Woodlawn are excited to collaborate in promoting the engaging activities. The weekend kicks off Thursday, December 19th, with a Heart of Ellsworth Holiday marketplace featuring local artisans and businesses at 16 State Street. Winter solstice events, a Craft & Farmers market at the Woodlawn Barn on the 21st, and so much more! Find a complete schedule at Ellsworth Winter Solstice Weekend Event on FB.
(Ellsworth) This Saturday, the days start getting longer, and that’s something to celebrate! Downtown Ellsworth is gearing up for an inspiring weekend of creativity to do just that! Local nonprofits Artsworth, Heart of Ellsworth, and Woodlawn are excited to collaborate in promoting the many engaging activities. The weekend kicks off this Thursday, with a Heart of Ellsworth Holiday Marketplace, featuring local artisans and businesses. The Walk Through Light Trail will be open at Woodlawn. And Artsworth and Atlantic Glass invite the community to their Firegathering Celebration on Saturday. Find a complete schedule of events and activities at Ellsworth Winter Solstice Weekend Event on FB.
Sports
The Bruins skate against the Flames tonight in Calgary. The Celtics are off until Thursday.
High School Basketball results from last night:
Girls – Machias over Bangor Christian 37-32; Ellsworth beats Foxcroft Academy 51-44
Boys – Sumner over Jonesport-Beals 49-41, Narraguagus beating Shead 49-46, and Machias over Bangor Christian 48-40.
High School Basketball this evening:
Girls – Jonesport-Beals hits the hardwood against Woodland, GSA takes on Narraguagus, and WA shooting hoops with MDI.
Boys -Ellsworth up against Old Town
Boys and girls – Searsport vs. Sumner