Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Fire Damages Machias Motel
(Machias) Fire damaged a Machias motel Tuesday night. We’re told a guest notified the General Manager of the blaze that occurred in the front portion of the Bluebird Motel around 8:30 that evening. The blaze destroyed much of the front section of rooms. The Machias Valley News Observer reports the motel has three separate rental units, with the largest being the unit that fronts Route One. That building was reportedly fully ablaze when firefighters arrived. Several people were treated for smoke inhalation, but there were no more serious injuries. Management posted on FB Wednesday they were waiting for updates as to when they could return to the property. No word yet on a cause of that blaze.
(Machias) No one was seriously injured, but an intense blaze destroyed much of the front building of the Bluebird Motel in Machias on Christmas Eve. A guest notified the General Manager, who quickly reported the fire; but first responders arrived to find the building fully engulfed. According to the Machias Valley News Observer, the motel has three separate rental units – the fire destroyed about half of the largest unit that fronts Route One. Several people were treated for smoke inhalation. In a FB post Christmas Day, management posted they and their family were waiting for updates on when they could return to the property. No word yet on a cause of that fire.
(Machias) A Christmas Eve fire destroyed much of one of the buildings of the Bluebird Motel in Machias. The Machias Valley News Observer writes the motel is made up of three separate rental units. The larger unit, which faces Route One, was the one damaged by the blaze, which was reported to management around 8:30 Tuesday night. That building was reportedly fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. No word yet on a cause. Several people were treated for smoke inhalation, but there were no more serious injuries.
(Machias) A Christmas Eve fire heavily damaged the Bluebird Motel in Machias. The Tuesday night blaze was reported about 8:30 p.m., and firefighters arrived to find the largest building fully engulfed. The Machias Valley News Observer reports about half that building, which faces Route One, was destroyed in the blaze. No one was seriously injured. However, several people were treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighters will continue to look for a cause.
Sedgwick Domestic Arrest
(Sedgwick) A Sedgwick man got to spend Christmas Eve in jail for alleged Domestic Violence Assault. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports they were called to a complaint shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday. As a result of an investigation, 21 yo Logan Kegley of Sedgwick was arrested and charged with Domestic Violence Assault and Violating Conditions of Release. He was taken to the Hancock County Jail without incident.
(Sedgwick) An alleged domestic violence incident landed a Sedgwick man in jail Christmas Eve. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports they were called to a complaint shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday. As a result of an investigation, 21 yo Logan Kegley of Sedgwick was arrested and charged with Domestic Violence Assault and Violating Conditions of Release. He was taken to the Hancock County Jail without incident.
Economy
Solar Eclipse Shone Brightly on Northern Maine Economy
(Houlton) The April 8th total solar eclipse darkened the sky, but it certainly brightened the economy in northern Maine this year. The Bangor Daily News reports Maine and New Hampshire had some of the most significant gains in spending – largely because of a sudden change in weather in Texas, where thousands had headed to see the spectacle under sunny skies that inexplicably turned cloudy that day. In addition to the crowds of visitors, NASA scientists set up shop on rooftops, members of the national media were in town, and New York City filmmakers were here to produce a documentary.
(Houlton) After back to back winter storms, a rained out sled dog race in Fort Kent, and other disappointments, last April’s total solar eclipse was a bright spot in northern Maine. The Bangor Daily News reports many visitors had originally headed for Texas – where sunny skies were all but guaranteed. Instead, rain dominated the Lone Star State; so thousands headed for Maine and our perfectly clear skies. Who’d have guessed? Aroostook County tourism data indicated a 99 percent boost in visitor spending over the 5-day event, compared to the previous four weeks; and the state saw a 23 percent jump in tourist spending over the same period.
DownEast Wood Bank Helping to Keep Neighbors Warm Again This Winter
(Surry) If you heat with firewood but find yourself getting low this week, there’s a wonderful organization that will help you stay warm. The DownEast Wood Bank serves Blue Hill, Brooklin, Ellsworth, Lamoine, Sedgwick, Surry, and Trenton. They can give out up to a half cord per pickup, with one pickup available per month. They’ll be loading cars and trucks again on Saturday – you just need to call ahead. Contact Mary at 812-4472 to set up an appointment time for pickup. And kudos to their amazing group of volunteers. If you’d like to support them financially, by volunteering, or by donating firewood, visit the DownEast Wood Bank website.
(Surry) No one should go without heat – if your source is firewood, there are two area resources. The Waldo County Woodshed is a volunteer-run nonprofit that provides free firewood for those in need in the Waldo County area. Locally, the DownEast Wood Bank serves Blue Hill, Brooklin, Ellsworth, Lamoine, Sedgwick, Surry, and Trenton. They have a pickup scheduled this Saturday – you just need to call ahead. The DownEast Wood Bank provide half a cord once a month as needed. Contact Mary at 812-4472 to schedule an appointment for pickup. These amazing groups can always use donations and volunteers. Find their websites on social media to learn how you can help.
Health
US Life Expectancy Shows Increase
(USA Today) Average life expectancy in the U.S. increased by almost a year in 2023, rebounding to a level not reached since the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s according to figures released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reported in USA Today. U.S. average life expectancy was 78.4 years in 2023 ‒ nearly 11 months longer than in 2022 ‒ mostly due to far fewer COVID-19 deaths last year. It was the second consecutive year the nation’s life expectancy increased, after dropping more than two years from 2019 to 2021.
(USA Today) The U.S. continues to bounce back from the pandemic – economically, as well as health wise. USA Today reports average life expectancy in the U.S. increased by almost a year in 2023 to a level not reached since the COVID-19 pandemic. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the latest figures on Thursday, showing average life expectancy in the US at 78.4 years – about 11 months longer than in 2022. The main factor, of course, is the decrease in COVID deaths last year. It was the second consecutive year the nation’s life expectancy increased after dropping more than two years from 2019 to 2021.
Narcan/Stop the Bleed Training Offered
(Bar Harbor) Training in the use of Narcan has become almost as timely as keeping up with today’s technology. The Bar Harbor Fire Department is offering free Narcan and Stop the Bleed training on January 7th and March 11th at MDI High School. You only need to attend one of the nights, with training beginning at 6 p.m. Participants will learn to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control it with three quick techniques. Narcan training will teach students how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer the opioid reversal drug Naloxone.
(Bar Harbor) The number one cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding. In January, the Bar Harbor Fire Department will once again offer Narcan and Stop the Bleed Training as part of the MDI Adult and Community Education Classes. Participants will learn to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control it with three quick techniques. Narcan training will teach students how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer the opioid reversal drug Naloxone. Two classes will be offered – January 7th and March 11th beginning at 6 p.m. at MDI High School.
Infrastructure
Delta Adds Flights to Atlanta at BIA
(Bangor) Beginning this June, Delta Air Lines will provide nonstop seasonal service to Atlanta, Georgia. The service will involve direct flights – but you’ll have to fly weekends only. The flights will operate once a week, catering to both leisure and business travelers.
(Bangor) Beginning in June, Delta Air Lines will add nonstop seasonal service from Bangor to Atlanta, Georgia. The flights will all be direct – but will operate just once a week and only on weekends. Delta noted traffic data for June 2024 showed an average of 21 passengers per day with a round trip fare of just under a thousand dollars.
Human Interest/Entertainment
US Population Shows Highest Growth in Decades
(Undated) The U.S. Census Bureau has released its latest figures, revealing the fastest annual population growth seen by the country since 2001. The nation’s population now surpasses 340 million, a notable increase from the record low growth rate of point two percent in 2021. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the growth was primarily driven by rising net international migration. With a net increase of 2.8 million people, that accounted for 84% of the nation’s 3.3 million population increase between 2023 and 2024. Maine’s population grew along with the country’s, gaining just over 5300 people during that same period.
(Undated) U.S. population grew at an annual rate faster than the country has seen since 2021 between 2023 and 2024. That’s according to the latest figures released recently by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the nation’s population has surpassed 340 million, a notable increase from the record low growth rate of just point two percent in 2021. The report shows growth was primarily driven by rising net international migration. With a net increase of 2.8 million people, it accounted for 84% of the nation’s 3.3 million population increase between 2023 and 2024. Maine’s population during that period increased by just over 5300 people.
Most Popular Christmas Cookies by State
(Undated) If you’re like many people, you either baked, gifted, or are still eating those tasty Christmas cookies. Google Trends data tracked the most popular Christmas cookies of 2024 in each state. The data was based on a search for recipes. Some of the trends in our New England state – in Vermont, sugar cookies, Rhode Island and Connecticut love their Italian Christmas cookies, in Massachusetts the winner was chocolate peppermint, and Maine and New Hampshire love their gingerbread. And for you snowbirds, most popular in Florida? Oatmeal raisin.
(Undated) Peanut butter, thumb print, chocolate chip – what’s your favorite Christmas cookie? Chances are you either baked, gifted, are still eating – or all of the above – your favorites this year. Google Trend tracked the search for Christmas cookie recipes in each state and found some surprising, and maybe not so surprising results. Sugar cookies were the favorite of Vermonters, while snackers in Rhode Island and Connecticut opted for Italian Christmas cookies. Make it chocolate peppermint for Massachusetts residents. And here in Maine? We joined our New Hampshire neighbors in enjoying gingerbread most of all. We’re not sure what this says about our snowbirds in Florida, but their most searched recipe was for Oatmeal Raisin.
Sports
No local high school basketball games scheduled this evening.
The Celtics lose to the 76ers in a Christmas Day game yesterday 118-114. Celtics home tomorrow against the Indiana Pacers.
Bruins in Columbus Friday to skate against the Blue Jackets.