Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Criminal Justice Academy to Graduate Largest Class
(Vassalboro) Tomorrow, the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro will graduate its largest class yet to complete the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program. The 18-week residential training program began in August with 74 cadets, 71 of whom will graduate Friday. The class represents 39 state, municipal, and county law enforcement agencies that hail from towns from Fort Kent to York. The class also has one of the largest groups of female graduates, with 15 women set to take the oath of office.
(Vassalboro) Congratulations to the graduating class of the 46th Basic Law Enforcement Training Program. The cadets are set to take the oath of office tomorrow at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro. Graduates include members of the Maine State Police, Maine Warden Service, and the Maine Marine Patrol – in all, representing 39 state, municipal, and county law enforcement agencies from York to Fort Kent. The class is the largest in the Academy’s history and includes 15 women – one of the largest groups of female cadets.
Two Killed in Clifton Crash
(Clifton) Two people died yesterday in a serious traffic crash on Route 180, also known as Rebel Hill Road in Clifton. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office reports the crash happened around 10 a.m.. Deputies responding to the scene found two vehicles had collided head-on. An initial investigation indicates a large SUV traveling south at a high rate of speed crossed the center lane and struck a smaller vehicle that was headed north, forcing both vehicles off the road, with the larger vehicle rolling several times before catching fire. The lone occupants of both vehicles were killed. Officers at first thought there were additional occupants because of the fire and extensive damage. The road was blocked for several hours while authorities investigated. No names have yet been released.
(Clifton) Tragedy marked the holiday season for two people killed Wednesday in a fiery crash on Rebel Hill Road (Route 180) in Clifton. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office reports the crash happened around 10 a.m. when a large SUV traveling south appears to have crossed the center lane traveling at a high rate of speed, hitting a smaller northbound vehicle head-on. The impact forced both vehicles off the road, with the larger SUV rolling several times before catching fire. First responders initially thought there were additional occupants, but determined the drivers of both vehicles were alone at the time of the crash. The road was blocked for several hours while authorities investigated, reopening about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. Police have not yet released the names of the victims.
National Gun Control Group Upgrades Maine Ranking
(Maine) Maine’s report card is looking better when it comes to preventing gun violence This week, the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence gave the state a C+ in the 2024 Annual Gun Law Scorecard ranking – a step up from the F earned in 2022 and the D- in 2023. The scorecard ranks each state and looks at gun death rates. And while that may seem counterintuitive after the Lewiston mass shooting, the upgrade is the result of Maine’s response to that tragedy, including expanding background checks, investing in violence prevention and mental health initiatives and requiring 72-hour waiting periods on gun purchases. Gabby Giffords, an Arizona Democrat, survived a 2011 assassination attempt; and along with her husband, Senator Mark Kelly, has since worked to prevent gun violence.
(Maine) A national advocacy group aimed at preventing gun violence this week gave Maine a higher ranking than in the past two years. The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence was formed after Arizona Democrat Gabby Giffords in 2011 was shot in the head, but survived that assassination attempt. Because of Maine’s perceived lax gun laws, the Pine Tree State earned an F in 2022 and a D- last year. But Maine’s response to the Lewiston mass shooting – including expanding background checks, investing in violence prevention and mental health initiatives and requiring 72-hour waiting periods prompted the Giffords organization to upgrade the state to a C+ this year. The scorecard ranks each state and looks at gun death rates. Giffords and her husband, Senator Mark Kelly, have been outspoken advocates for preventing gun violence.
Deer Isle Disorderly Arrest
(Deer Isle) A Deer Isle man was arrested this week on charges of burglary, disorderly conduct, and criminal trespass. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, on December 17th, deputies responded to a home on Deer Isle for a report of a disorderly conduct and trespassing incident. Officers cleared the residence, but then were called back for a report of a second disorderly conduct. As a result, authorities arrested 56 yo David Smith of Deer Isle. Smith was taken to the Hancock County Jail and will have a court date to answer to his charges.
(Deer Isle) It was “two strikes, you’re in” – jail, that is – for a Deer Isle man this week. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, on December 17th they were called to a residence on Deer Isle to handle a disorderly conduct complaint. After clearing the residence, officers had to return for a second disorderly conduct and trespassing incident. As a result, authorities arrested 56 yo David Smith of Deer Isle. Smith was taken to the Hancock County Jail and will have a court date to answer to charges, including burglary, disorderly conduct, and criminal trespass.
Local Politics
Senate Passes Social Security Fairness Act
(Washington, DC) The Senate on Wednesday advanced the Social Security Fairness Act. As was the case in the House, legislators voted overwhelmingly to repeal the so-called Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which unfairly reduces the Social Security benefits owed to more than two million teachers and government employees in 27 states. Those affected often worked other jobs to make ends meet, paying into Social Security. But simply because they receive a separate pension, their Social Security benefits are reduced by as much as two-thirds. Wednesday’s vote indicates the bill likely has the support necessary for final passage later this week. The bill was co-sponsored by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Democrat Sherrod Brown of Ohio, two states where workers have been unfairly penalized by the WEP and GPO for more than four decades.
(Washington, DC) Teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, park rangers and others in 27 states are on the verge of winning a battle for fairness they’ve been fighting for decades. The Senate Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to repeal the so-called Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which unfairly reduces the Social Security benefits owed to more than two million public servants in 27 states. In states affected by the WEP and GPO, public servants who pay into a separate pension often worked other jobs as well, in order to make ends meet, thus paying into Social Security. But because they had separate pensions, the Social Security benefits to which they are entitled are cut by as much as two-thirds. The Social Security Fairness Act is co-sponsored by Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democrat Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Collins said Wednesday’s vote indicates the bill likely has the support necessary for final passage later this week.
Economy
MDOL Issues Job Outlook to 2032
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Labor recently released its report on the Job Outlook for Maine. The report highlights trends shaping the job market and occupational trends expected in the decade between 2022 and 2032. Highlights include a prediction that moderate, gradual change is expected to continue. That’s due in part to an increased share of the population that will be retiring. The report also found improvements in productivity will allow an employment base that is little changed in size to meet demand from a larger population.
(Augusta) Job growth in Maine has gradually slowed over many decades, primarily from sliding birth rates, combined with thousands of retiring baby boomers. A recent report from the Maine Department of Labor found the situation has raised concern there will not be enough workforce to support the population. However, experts say continued improvements in workforce productivity will help meet demand from a larger population and keep wages rising.
Environment
Senator Collins Secures $14M to Combat Spruce Budworm
(Washington, DC) The eastern spruce budworm is considered the most damaging forest insect in North America, and its existence is once again threatening as many as 300,000 acres of Maine fir trees. Left untreated, spruce budworm could spread to more than six million acres –that’s nearly half the state’s forests. As part of the federal funding bill released Tuesday, Senator Susan Collins has secured $14M to help combat the spread of this devastating insect in Maine and New Hampshire. The funding would be used to treat forests that are currently threatened and to minimize further spread.
(Washington, DC) The eastern spruce budworm may have met its match in Maine’s Senator Susan Collins. Collins this week secured $14M to help combat the spread of this destructive pest in the forests of Maine and New Hampshire. The eastern spruce budworm is considered the most damaging forest insect in North America; and recent monitoring by the University of Maine shows a growing likelihood for a serious outbreak, with as many as 300,000 acres at risk. The last outbreak between 1967 and 1993 covered millions of acres across Maine and eastern Canada, stripped needles from fir and spruce across most of northern Maine, killed seven million acres of trees and cost the forest products industry hundreds of millions of dollars. The funding would be used to treat forests that are currently threatened and to minimize further spread.
Health
Nutrition Experts Craft Recommendations for US Dietary Guidelines
(AP) Americans should eat more beans, peas and lentils and cut back on red and processed meats and starchy vegetables, while continuing to limit added sugars, sodium and saturated fat. That’s the advice released this week by a panel of nutrition experts charged with counseling the U.S. government about the 2025 edition of the dietary guidelines. Those guidelines will form the cornerstone of federal food programs and policy. The Associated Press reports the 20-member panel stopped short of weighing in on the growing role of ultra-processed foods that have been linked to health problems, saying there’s not enough evidence to tell people to avoid them. And the group steered clear of updating controversial guidance on alcohol consumption, leaving that to two outside reports expected to be released soon.
Study Offers Findings on Sugar Consumption and Disease
(CNN) A new study suggests some added sugar sources are worse for disease risk than others. CNN reports the study, published this week in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, found sugary drinks were associated with a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease than sweets like baked goods. The study surveyed nearly 70,000 Swedish men and women, with researchers looking at sugar consumption in three categories – sugary beverages, sweets like pastries, and toppings like honey or sugar added to tea or coffee. CNN reports the study had at least one surprising result – participants who consumed the least amount of sugar did not end up with the lowest risk of heart disease. But experts caution, “Don’t rush out and eat a box of donuts!” – they say the study was observational and limited by the population studied.
Infrastructure
New Tremont Substation to Power Up Southwest Harbor
(Tremont) Versant customers located on the Tremont and SW Harbor end of MDI should soon be feeling the power. The utility reports after a year of work, a new substation and equipment will provide more reliable service to communities in the area. The new substation feeds power to local circuits feeding Bass Harbor and the Tremont area, including Swans Island and Frenchboro. Upgrades will reportedly improve service to more than 2,000 Versant Power customers.
(Tremont) Just in time to power up all those holiday lights, Versant Power has completed installation of a new substation in Tremont they say will bring greater reliability to Tremont, SW Harbor, Swans Island, and Frenchboro. The new Tremont substation feeds power to two local circuits feeding Bass Harbor and the Tremont area. The work is the culmination of a year-long project to replace equipment that had reached the end of its useful life with new, more modern equipment. Versant says the upgrade will improve service to more than 2,000 of its customers.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Maine Singer-Songwriter Dave Mallett Dies
(Maine) A popular Maine singer-songwriter from has died. Dave Mallett was best known for his folk song “Garden Song”. His songs have been recorded by more than 150 artists, including Pete Seeger, Alison Krauss, John Denver, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Mallett was a native of Sebec, but spent time in Nashville in the 80s before moving back to Maine and establishing his own record label, North Road Records. His sons, Will and Luke, perform as The Mallett Brothers Band. Dave Mallett was 73.
Sports
High School Basketball Wednesday:
Boys: Machias 55. Calais 29
Narraguagus 71 Woodland 82
High School Basketball Thursday:
Girls: Searsport vs. Bucksport George Stevens vs. Dexter
Narraguagus vs. Jonesport-Beals Shead vs. Woodland
Calais vs. Machias WA vs. Old Town
Boys: John Bapst vs. Orono
Bruins in Edmonton tonight to put the sticks to the ice against the Oilers.
The Celtics back on the court this evening – they’re playing host to the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden.