Merry Christmas Eve!
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Allen Sworn in As MPO Milbridge
(Milbridge) Zachery Allen has gone and gotten himself a new job for Christmas. Allen will be serving the Milbridge area in Washington County as a Marine Patrol Officer. Allen, sworn in earlier this month by Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher, previously served as a Hancock County Deputy Sheriff. Raised in Downeast Maine, he holds a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Husson University and is currently working on his master’s.
(Milbridge) The town of Milbridge this month received the gift of a new Marine Patrol Officer to keep their coastal waters safe. Zachery Allen was sworn in by Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher. Allen previously served as a Hancock County Deputy Sheriff, a job he had held since 2017. He boasts a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Husson University and is currently working on his master’s. Allen grew up in Downeast Maine. His peers say understanding the importance of Maine’s marine resources to the Downeast community will help guide Allen in his new role.
Sidney Woman to Make Initial Court Appearance Friday
(Sidney) The Sidney woman accused of killing a 14 yo boy is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Friday. Neighbors told WMTW the teen 39 yo Megan McDonald is accused of killing was her son. They say the boy, who has not been identified, was a sweet kid who would often wave to them as they went by. He was found dead outside his Summerhaven Road residence after McDonald reported “an incident” to police on Friday. An autopsy confirmed the Mesalonskee High School teen died of asphyxiation, manual strangulation, and sharp force injury. McDonald reportedly worked as a part-time clinical site instructor in the University of Maine Augusta’s nursing program, but has not done so since 2022.
(Sidney) A Sidney woman who was arrested on charges of murdering a 14 yo boy on Friday will make an initial court appearance later this week. WMTW reports neighbors say the teen was McDonald’s son. His body was found outside a residence on Summerhaven Road after McDonald went to authorities to report “an incident”. Neighbors described the victim as a sweet kid who was often outside playing soccer with friends. An autopsy confirmed the Mesalonskee High School student died of asphyxiation, manual strangulation, and sharp force injury. Sources say McDonald is a nurse who worked at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta. She’s being held in the Kennebec Correctional Facility.
Local Politics
Collins/Smith Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Build Rural Healthcare Workforce
(Washington, DC) Access to health care and physicians in particular is in short supply – especially in the country’s rural areas. Senator Susan Collins has teamed with Minnesota’s Tina Smith to introduce legislation designed to improve or remedy that shortage. The Rural Residency Planning and Development Act would authorize the continuation of start-up funding to rural hospitals, medical schools, and other organizations to establish new rural residency programs. Currently, just two percent of residency training occurs in rural areas.
(Washington) Currently, just two percent of medical residency training occurs in rural areas – areas where the shortage of healthcare is perhaps most sharply felt. Establishing more residency programs at rural hospitals and medical schools could potentially incentivize doctors and nurses to work in these areas, help address physician shortages, and ensure those living in small towns and rural areas have more equitable access to such care. To address the issue, Maine’s Senator Susan Collins has joined with Minnesota Senator Tina Smith in introducing the bipartisan Rural Residency Planning and Development Act. The legislation would authorize the continuation of start-up funding to rural hospitals, medical schools, and other organizations to establish new rural residency programs.
Maine Agrees to Postpone Enforcement of New Campaign Finance Limit
(Augusta) In November, voters said yes to Question 1, a ballot initiative that would place a limit of $5K on contributions to Political Action Committees, or PACS, that make independent expenditures to Super PACS. Maine has agreed to put the issue on hold until after a pending trial now set for March. Following the November vote, the Institute for Free Speech filed a lawsuit challenging what it calls “campaign speech restrictions”. Maine will hold the restrictions in abeyance until the litigation is settled.
(Augusta) Hold the ballot initiative, but don’t hold back on the money … just yet. In November, voters overwhelmingly said yes to a ballot initiative that would limit contributions to Political Action Committees that fund Super PACS to $5,000. Shortly thereafter, the Institute for Free Speech filed a lawsuit, claiming Question 1 amounts to “campaign speech restrictions.” A court date is set for sometime in March. The state has agreed to not put the restrictions in place while that litigation is pending.
Special Election Planned to Fill HD 24 Seat
(Augusta) A special election will be held February 25th to fill the House District 24 seat left vacant when State Representative Joseph C. Perry resigned after being elected State Treasurer. House District 24 is made up of the municipalities of Veazie and parts of Bangor, Brewer, and Orono. Maine’s political parties will caucus to choose candidates for the seat, with nominations due to the Secretary of State’s office by 5 p.m. on January 10th.
(Augusta) A special election will be needed to decide who will fill the House District 24 seat left vacant when State Representative Joseph C. Perry resigned. Perry resigned earlier this month after being elected State Treasurer. House District 24 is made up of the municipalities of Veazie and parts of Bangor, Brewer, and Orono. Maine’s political parties will caucus to choose candidates for the seat, with nominations due to the Secretary of State’s office by 5 p.m. on January 10th.
Senator Angus King Introduces Legislation to Improve Veterans’ Healthcare
(Washington, DC) Since its start in 2017, the VET-TEC program has helped thousands of veterans get jobs in the technology sector with starting salaries of over $65,000. But current authorization for the program expired earlier this year. Now, legislation sponsored by Senator Angus King and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota will reauthorize the program. The proposal was passed as part of a larger piece of legislation. King said the reauthorization expands eligibility for both veterans and training institutions and is a common sense step to give even more veterans access to opportunities in technology.
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King has long been a champion of our U.S. Veterans. He’s now applauding recently passed legislation reauthorizing the VET-TEC program. Since 2017, the VET-TEC program has helped thousands of veterans secure jobs in the technology sector with starting salaries of more than $65,000. The proposal was sponsored by King and Republican Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and was passed as part of a larger bill. King said the reauthorization expands eligibility for both veterans and training institutions and is a common sense step to give even more veterans access to opportunities in technology.
Economy
City’s ARPA Funds Allocated
(Ellsworth) Two non-profits and a city department will share Ellsworth’s remaining $129K in American Rescue Plan Act Funds. The Ellsworth American reports at this month’s City Council Meeting, councilors voted 5-1 to distribute the funds as follows. The Ellsworth Public Library will receive just under $73,000 to help address its list of necessary upgrades that followed a building inspection. The INSPIRE Recover Center was awarded $17,000 to help with the costs of running its warming center. And $25,000 will go to the Highway Department for materials needed to renovate their locker room and bathroom, which aren’t currently large enough to accommodate staff. Hancock County Manager Michael Crooker tells Star 97.7, The Hancock County Commissioners have scheduled a meeting this Friday, December 27th, at 8:30 a.m. to address distribution of the remaining County ARPA funds.
(Ellsworth) With the deadline for designating funds looming next week, the City of Ellsworth has allotted its remaining $129K in American Rescue Plan Act Funds to a pair of nonprofits and the City Highway Department. The Ellsworth American reports at this month’s City Council Meeting, councilors voted 5 to 1 to give the Ellsworth Public Library just under $73,000. Following a recent building inspection, the historic library building was faced with a plethora of necessary upgrades, including some needed to meet ADA requirements. The Highway Department will use its $25K to upgrade their locker room and bathroom, which currently are too small to accommodate staff. And Healthy Acadia’s INSPIRE warming center will use its $17K to help keep the center operating. The Hancock County Commissioners have scheduled a meeting for this Friday, December 27th, to address distribution of the remaining County ARPA funds.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Historical Society Celebrates “Historic Year”
(Ellsworth) It’s been an historical year for the Ellsworth Historical Society. In August, masonry contractors put the last bricks back in place, completing Phase One of the Old Jail rehab project. The group also launched the first editions of two new publications, featuring articles from organizations across Hancock and Washington Counties that highlight the connections between our collective cultural heritage. Finally, creation of an online membership portal where members can renew membership – or join for the first time – and have access to resources about local history. Intrigued? Contact them at ellsworth history dot org.
(Ellsworth) It was almost 50 years ago a notice went out, inviting those interested in forming a local historical society to meet at the First Congregational Church in Ellsworth. Some 50 attendees decided to meet again; thus was born the Ellsworth Historical Society. This year, membership has grown, a major project – restoration of the old jail – saw the completion of Phase One, and the society created an online portal for membership renewal, for new members to join, and for access to resources about local history. If you’re interested in joining and helping preserve our local history, visit ellsworth history dot org.
New York Man Spreads Artistic Cheer
(Spectrum News) A Rochester man is painting a beautiful Christmas for some New York residents. Magnus Apollo, as he’s known, is an artist celebrated for hiding art around the city, and this year he’s playing Santa to help spread his love of creativity to strangers. Spectrum News reports his Christmas tradition is filling up and hiding Christmas stockings full of art around Rochester for anyone to find. Other area creatives have donated their original artwork to the stocking scavenger hunt that begins today. Apollo plans to use social media to post clues to the stocking locations. He says folks find them as fast as he can hang them.
(Spectrum News) Are your stockings hung by the chimney with care? Folks in Rochester, New York today will be treated to stockings hung all over the city by an artist who goes by the name Magnus Apollo. Apollo’s Christmas Eve tradition is designed to spread his love of art to strangers by filling up and hiding Christmas stockings full of art around the city for anyone to find. “It’s amazing how fast they go,” he says. “I have videos of people running up and capturing other people running up and getting the stockings”. Apollo says the stocking scavenger hunt – he posts clues as to their location on social media – brings him happiness and makes him smile. We’re pretty sure it does the same for those who find his treasures.
Iowa Man Brings Light to Neighbors at Christmas
(CBS) If there’s one thing John Reichart loves more than Christmas, it’s his wife of 53 years. Joan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago, so the 74 yo Marine veteran has made it his mission to keep making her memories by decorating every house on his block in Iowa for the upcoming holiday season. CBS News reports it began with John, at his own time and expense, putting a simple Christmas tree made of lights in every yard on his block. Then, the neighborhood elves got involved and added even more decorations. John says he’ll do anything to make his wife smile …mission accomplished.
(CBS) A marine veteran in Iowa loves to see the face of his wife of 53 years light up – even though she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago. He does that by lighting up their Iowa neighborhood each Christmas. CBS News reports John Reichart’s wife, Joan, loves Christmas; so the first year, at his own time and expense, he added a tree made of lights to each of his neighbor’s yards. Of course, they loved it …and so did Joan. Soon the neighborhood elves were adding even more decorations, drawing onlookers to their street, and drawing a smile from Joan. The 74 yo marine says he’ll do anything to make his wife happy. Semper fi.
Sports
Celtics fell to the Magic last night in Orlando 108-104. The Celtics home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas.
The Bruins on the home ice last night. They beat the Washington Capitals 4-1. Bruins off until Friday when they skate against the Blue Jackets in Columbus.
Cooper Flagg has been named the ACC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week for the fourth time. During a 2 and 0 week for the Blue Devils, Flagg averaged 18 and a half points, 6 and a half rebounds, three assists, and one and a half steals per game.
The Boston Red Sox have acquired World Series pitcher Walter Buehler with a one-year, $21M contract.
Local High School basketball results from last night: On the girls’ side, Lee all over Searsport (59-20) and Sumner crushes Deer Isle/Stonington (60-25). On the boys’ side, Lee Academy takes out Searsport (68-42), Woodland over Narraguagus (71-38), and Sumner makes quick work of Deer isle/Stonington (89-34).