Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Fire Alarm Disrupts Saturday Night Show
(Ellsworth) Patrons of the Grand and Airline Brewing in Ellsworth had to evacuate about 7:15 Saturday night after fire alarms began going off. The good natured crowds, who were between Bob Marley shows at The Grand, took the bitter cold in stride; and the Ellsworth Fire Department quickly brought their truck across the way to check the matter out to determine there was no danger. It’s uncertain what caused the alarm to go off, but the Grand audience was back in the theatre in time for Marley’s second show. And Airline customers were back to toasting a warm meal and a false alarm.
(Ellsworth) It might have been because Bob Marley’s two shows at the Grand in Ellsworth were especially hot tickets Saturday night, but patrons were forced to evacuate after fire alarms sounded shortly after 7:15. Theatre goers and those eating dinner at Airline Brewing took standing in the bitter cold in stride, and everyone was in high spirits as they waited for the Ellsworth Fire Department, which was quickly on the scene. First responders thoroughly checked the facilities and determined there was no danger. It’s unclear what set the alarms off. Theatre goers were back in their seats in time for Marley’s second show.
Three Injured Friday in Orrington Head-On
(Orrington) Three people were injured Friday afternoon in a head-on crash in Orrington. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s office reports the accident happened about 4:40 on Route 15. An initial investigation indicates a woman was traveling south at a high rate of speed when she crossed the center line and hit a sedan occupied by a man and woman. The sedan was forced off the road and hit a tree. The three people involved, who have not yet been identified, were taken to hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
(Orrington) Three people were taken to hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries Friday afternoon, the result of a head-on crash on Route 15 near Hatfield Road in Orrington. According to the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, it appears a woman driving a Ford F-150 pickup at a high rate of speed crossed the centerline and hit a Toyota Sedan occupied by a man and woman. The impact forced the Toyota off the road and into a tree. The three have so far not been identified.
Arson Arrest
(Augusta) An Augusta woman was arrested Saturday, charged with arson in relation to a porch that was set on fire. Firefighters responded to 7 Boothby Street about 5 a.m. Saturday morning on a report of the fire at the vacant three story apartment complex. The fire was quickly extinguished and 37 yo Amanda Condon identified as a suspect. Condon was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and was later charged with arson and violating conditions of release. She was taken to the Kennebec County Jail.
(Augusta) Authorities say a porch fire at a vacant three story apartment complex in Augusta on Saturday was intentionally set. Firefighters responded to 7 Boothby Street about 5 a.m. The fire was quickly extinguished and 37 yo Amanda Condon identified as a suspect. Condon was interviewed by police and then taken to a hospital for evaluation. She was later arrested and charged with arson and violating conditions of release before being taken to the Kennebec County Jail.
Local Politics
Maine Coast Guard Facilities to Receive Federal Funding
(Washington, DC) The US Coast Guard in Maine will receive more than $42M as part of disaster relief legislation passed into law at the end of last year. The Coast Guard had requested the funding for repairs to its facilities in Rockland, Southwest Harbor and Portland that were damaged by storms. Senator Susan Collins was instrumental in securing the funding, part of more than $210M in federal funds designated for construction projects as part of the legislation.
(Washington, DC) US Coast Guard facilities in Maine are championing receipt of more than $42M in federal funds that will help repair storm damage in Rockland, Southwest Harbor, and Portland. The funding was secured by Senator Susan Collins, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The monies will help repair a pier and boathouse in Rockland, the pier in Portland – along with funding a survey for future dredging … and replacement of dolphin piles, lighting, and fender systems, and repair of water damage to the command and boat maintenance building at the SW Harbor facility.
Economy
Historic Deer Isle Inn Sold
(Deer Isle) An historic Deer Isle Inn built in the 1700’s is under new ownership as of New Year’s Eve. The Bangor Daily News reports the Pilgrim’s Inn, originally built as a private home by Ignatius Haskell, was listed for $2.2M, although the actual sales price has not been publicly disclosed. The main building consists of 12 guest rooms, and there are three smaller guest cottages that overlook tidal Mill Pond. The property was converted into an inn in 1890 and remained in the Haskell family until 1944. The Inn, which then fell into disrepair, was revived by new owners in 1975. The newest owners are listed as Ark Deer Isle, LLC.
(Deer Isle) The Historic Pilgrim’s Inn on Deer Isle rang in the New Year with a new owner, listed as Ark Deer Isle, LLC. The Bangor Daily News reports the Inn was listed for $2.2M, though the actual selling price was undisclosed. The main structure, consisting of 12 guest rooms, was originally built in 1793 by Ignatius Haskell as a private home. The property was converted to an inn in 1890 and remained in the Haskell family until 1944 when it was closed and fell into disrepair. New owners then revived the property, which also includes three smaller guest cottages in 1975.
Gas Prices Expected to Drop in 2025
(CNN) A bit of positivity driving the news as 2025 gets underway. CNN reports according to Gas Buddy, gas prices are likely to fall for the third straight year to an average cost of $3.22 per gallon. That’s down 10 cents from 2024 and would be the lowest annual average since 2021. Prices are expected to remain below $3.50 per gallon, even during peak summer vacation season, and could drop as low as $2.81 in December this year.
(CNN) Drive on – that’s the word from Gas Buddy, which CNN reports predicts gas prices are likely to fall in 2025 for the third straight year. Average cost is expected to be about $3.22 per gallon, down 10 cents from 2024. It would be the lowest annual average since 2021. Experts say prices shouldn’t rise above $3.50 a gallon, even during peak vacation season in the summer, and could drop as low as $2.81 a gallon in December this year.
Education
UMaine Extension Holds Maple Workshops for Beginners
(Orono) If you’ve ever thought of tapping trees for your own small-scale maple syrup production, UMaine Cooperative Extension has a sweet offer for you. They’ll be working with several organizations in southern Maine to present a series of maple sugaring workshops for beginners and small-scale producers in January and February. That’s a sticky situation, since we’re way up here in Downeast Maine. Not to fear, there’s an online option hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association. A virtual session is planned for tomorrow night, January 7th, form 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is just $18. Learn more by contacting Jason dot lilley at maine dot e d u.
(Orono) It’s a rite of passage that signals the start of spring each year here in New England – Maine maple sugaring. Perhaps you don’t have the time or money to invest big, but have always wondered about tapping your own trees and making your own syrup. If so, the UMaine Cooperative Extension has a sweet offer for you. They’re hosting a series of maple sugaring workshops for beginners and small-scale producers in January and February, beginning with a virtual session tomorrow night, January 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Jason dot lilley at maine dot e d u.
Health
Record Number of Tick Borne Diseases Plague Maine in 2024
(Augusta) What’s bugging Maine health officials? A record number of tick borne diseases reported in 2024. It’s the second year in a row the state has surpassed a record. The Bangor Daily News reports between January and December last year, 3,218 cases of Lyme were reported, compared to 2,943 cases in 2023. Experts say ticks are expanding their habitat ranges, making it more difficult to work or play outside as warmer, wetter winters allow ticks more time to be active and reproduce. Other tick-borne diseases include anaplasmosis, babesiosis which led to the death of a Waldo County woman last summer, and Powassan encephalitis, which killed a York County resident this year.
(Augusta) Record-setting years can be a thing of pride, but not when it comes to cases of tick borne diseases in Maine. The Bangor Daily News reports for the second year in a row, the state has seen a record number of such cases. Between January and December last year, 3,218 cases of Lyme disease alone were reported, compared to 2,943 cases in 2023. Experts say ticks are expanding their habitat ranges, making it more difficult to work or play outside as warmer, wetter winters allow ticks more time to be active and reproduce. If you’re bitten by a tick, you can send the insect to be tested by the University of Maine tick lab for a $20 fee – well worth the peace of mind.
Northern Light Welcomes Community’s First Baby of 2025
(Ellsworth) A sweet little girl born at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital is the community’s first baby of 2025. Freya Arlene is the daughter of Cecilia Arlene McCoy and Isaac Robert Curtis of Calais. She entered the world at 8 pounds and 8 ounces and was welcomed with an amazing basket of treats from The Bud Connection, Pat’s Pizza, Governor’s, Bangor Savings Bank, and other local merchants.
(Ellsworth) New Year’s Day will be a special day to celebrate in the years to come. Frey Arlene was the community’s first baby, born into the world January 1 at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital. Frey is the daughter of Cecilia Arlene McCoy and Isaac Robert Curtis of Calais. She entered the world at 8 pounds and 8 ounces and was welcomed with an amazing basket of treats from The Bud Connection, Pat’s Pizza, Governor’s, Bangor Savings Bank, and other local merchants.
Sports
Local high school basketball games this evening.
Girls Boys
Narraguagus Knights vs. Woodland Dragons Jonesport-Beals Royals vs. Shead Tigers
Sumner Tigers vs. Searsport Vikings Woodland Dragons vs. Calais Blue Devils
MDI Trojans vs. Old Town Coyotes
The Celtics and Bruins both off tonight. Celtics in Denver Tuesday to shoot hoops with the Nuggets; the Bruins host the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday.
Sunday games – Celtics 92 Oklahoma Thunder 105
Bruins 4 NY Islanders 5 in overtime.
Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 23-16. Patriots finishing last in the AFC.