Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
U.S. Court of Appeals to Hear Arguments from Mainers
(Undated) Retired US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will be back on the bench Wednesday morning in the U.S. Court of Appeals. He’ll be hearing arguments from two cases that originated here in Maine. Maine Public reports Justice Breyer will hear from Bar Harbor businesses that are again challenging the contentious ordinance limiting daily disembarkation numbers from cruise ships. He’ll also hear arguments in the case of a Maine native, Alan Parrot, who was fined and charged with probation for assaulting an FBI officer when agents attempted to execute a search warrant at his home in Hancock.
(Undated) Two private religious schools in Maine will argue their case in the U.S. Court of Appeals this morning. Maine Public reports Crosspoint Church in Bangor and Saint Dominic Academy in Lewiston and Auburn are challenging a three year old Maine law that prevents religious schools that receive public funds from discriminating on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The schools are expected to argue that they should not be held to those standards in order to receive public funding.
FMO Investigates Swanville Truck Explosion
(Swanville) Authorities have arrested a Topsham man in connection with a Sunday night explosion in the back of a pickup truck that was parked on Swan Lake Avenue in Swanville. An initial investigation led Maine State Police to identify 20 yo Patrick Kane as a person of interest. Officers with the Gardiner Police Department were able to intercept and detain Kane for questioning by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. That led to authorities gathering probable cause to arrest Kane and charge him with arson and violating conditions of release. Kane was currently out on bail for an arson charge in 2024. He was taken into custody and transported to the Waldo County Jail.
(Swanville) Maine State Police called on the State Fire Marshal’s Office Sunday night to investigate an explosion that occurred in the back of a pickup truck that was parked on Swan Lake Avenue in Swanville. Officers with the Gardiner Police Department were able to intercept and detain 20 yo Patrick Kane, who investigators identified as a person of interest in connection with the explosion. Fire investigators gathered probable cause to arrest and charge Kane with arson and violating conditions of release. At the time of his arrest, Kane was out on bail for another arson charge. He was taken to the Waldo County Jail where he’s being held without bail, pending a court appearance on the new charges.
Maine Parents Continue Wait for Attorneys
(Maine) The list of Maine parents in child protection cases waiting for a lawyer grew by 700% in 2024. The Maine Monitor reports when the state removes children from their parents’ care due to concerns about abuse or neglect, they’re guaranteed an attorney under Maine law. On January 3rd last year, the state lacked attorneys for 14 such cases – by December 30th, the number of cases stood at 112. The system removes about a thousand children a year, but seems increasingly unable to provide parents with the legal representation guaranteed them by law, largely due to a shortage of defense attorneys in such cases. Experts say the problem is larger than finding attorneys and that DHHS and the courts need to be held accountable and find ways to keep families together while keeping kids safe.
(Maine) The list of Maine parents waiting for an attorney in child protection cases is long and growing longer, according to an annual report to lawmakers from child welfare ombudsman Christine Alberi. The Maine Monitor reports on January 3rd last year, the state lacked attorneys for 14 such cases – on December 30th, the number of such cases stood at 112. When the state removes a child from their parents’ care due to concerns of abuse or neglect, Maine law guarantees them an attorney; but the state lacks enough defense attorneys to handle such cases. Experts say the problem is larger than finding attorneys and that DHHS and the courts need to be held accountable and find ways to keep families together while keeping kids safe.
Local Veterinarian Hit with Fine for Alleged Improper Record Keeping of Controlled Substances
(Ellsworth) An Ellsworth veterinarian has agreed to pay a $145K fine for alleged improper storage of controlled substances and record keeping violations. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency reports it was unable to conduct an audit at the office of Dr. Alan Toothaker between May and July 2023 “due to record keeping deficiencies.” The deficiencies cited made it difficult to determine whether controlled substances were missing, who took them, or when they went missing, according to U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee.
(Ellsworth) Especially amid the opioid crisis, veterinarians, like all medical professionals, are required to keep meticulous records of controlled substances. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency says it was unable to conduct an audit at one Ellsworth veterinary office “due to record keeping deficiencies.” The audit reportedly involved the office of Dr. Alan Toothaker between May and July 2023. U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee reports the deficiencies cited made it difficult to determine whether controlled substances were missing, who took them, or when they went missing. Dr. Toothaker has reportedly agreed to pay $145K to resolve claims he violated the Controlled Substance Act.
Local Politics
MDECD Director Stepping Down
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills will be looking for a new Commissioner for the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. Heather Johnson yesterday announced plans to step down from that position on March 1st. Johnson was appointed in 2019 and is credited with the Governor’s successful efforts to strengthen, grow and diversify Maine’s economy. Among other accomplishments, the Skowhegan native is being credited with such accomplishments as free Community College, broadband expansion, and record economic growth that has reportedly outperformed the rest of New England, as well as large states such as New York and California.
(Augusta) Heather Johnson has served as Commissioner for the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development under Governor Janet Mills since 2019. On Monday, the Skowhegan native announced plans to step down from that position on March 1st. Governor Mills credited Johnson with successful efforts to strengthen, grow, and diversify Maine’s economy, especially following the pandemic. The Governor will name an Acting Commissioner for the Department prior to Johnson’s departure if a permanent Commissioner has not yet been nominated.
Economy
CMP Electricity Rate Increase
(Augusta) Central Maine Power customers will see a 7% increase in their monthly utility bills beginning this month. The Portland Press Herald reports the increase will be used to fund more than $3B in upgrades to transmission lines, poles, and other equipment in New England. Critics say the practice of assigning transmission costs to ratepayers is unethical. They say upgrades proposed by utilities are often unnecessary and enhance the value of assets for shareholders at customers’ expense.
(Augusta) Utility rates rose 7% for Central Maine Power customers as of January 1st. According to The Portland Press Herald, the increase will help fund more than $3B in upgrades to transmission lines, poles, and other equipment in New England. Critics say the practice of assigning transmission costs to ratepayers is unfair at best. They say upgrades proposed by utilities are often unnecessary and enhance the value of assets for shareholders at customers’ expense.
Dozens Apply for Opportunity to Catch Shrimp
(Augusta) Some thirty Maine fishermen have applied for just seven slots that would allow them to be part of a short, experimental shrimp season next month. Fishermen have been barred from fishing for the pink delicacies for more than a decade because of dwindling numbers. But in December, the Maine Department of Marine Resources and others announced they were seeking fishermen interested in participating in a special winter sampling research program designed to gauge the species’ health and population. The Bangor Daily News reports shrimpers will only be allowed to catch 58,400 pounds. The deadline to apply has passed, and winners will be picked based on their applications, likely next week. If more than seven applicants qualify, finalists will be picked at random.
(Augusta) It’s been more than a decade since fishermen have been allowed to harvest shrimp. That’s due to dwindling numbers of the tiny crustaceans. But in December, the Maine Department of Marine Resources put out a call for fishermen to apply to participate in a special winter sampling research program designed to gauge the health and population of the pink delicacies. Just seven slots for the February program are available, and more than 30 have applied. The Bangor Daily News reports the chosen shrimpers will only be allowed to catch a total of 58,400 pounds. Deadline to apply has passed, and winners will be picked based on their applications, likely next week. If more than seven applicants qualify, finalists will be picked at random.
PFML Portal Launches
(Augusta) The Paid Family and Medical Leave Portal is now live. In the first hour after the portal launched yesterday, the Maine Department of Labor reports 100 employers had successfully registered, with the average time to register from a desktop reported to be about nine minutes, just 5 minutes from a mobile device. The online system is available for employers to register, designate a payroll processor, file quarterly wage reports, and remit quarterly premium contributions.
(Augusta) More than 100 employers successfully navigated the Paid Family and Medical Leave Portal within the first hour of its going live yesterday. The Maine Department of Labor says it took employers an average of nine minutes to register from a desktop, just five minutes from a mobile device. The online system is available for employers to register, designate a payroll processor, file quarterly wage reports, and remit quarterly premium contributions.
Environment
Fungus May Have Impacted Browntail Moth Population
(Maine) A fungus spread among the browntail moth population in Maine could mean a less itchy season this spring and summer. Maine Forest Service entomologist Thomas Schmeelk, told the Portland Press Herald defoliation caused by the pests plummeted from 46,000 acres in 2023 to just 2,000 acres in 2024. Schmeelk says particularly wet springs helped boost the fungus and a virus that attacks the caterpillars, preventing the moths, whose hairs cause an itchy rash and respiratory problems when inhaled.
(Maine) Mainers will likely see a decline in the population of browntail moths this spring and summer. Maine Forest Service entomologist Thomas Schmeelk told the Portland Press Herald the past two rainy springs helped boost a fungus and a virus that attacks the caterpillars and ultimately the moths, whose hairs cause an itchy rash and respiratory problems when inhaled. Schmeelk says that has resulted in defoliation caused by the pests plummeting from 46,000 acres in 2023 to just 2,000 acres last year.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Lamoine Ice Rink Opens
(Lamoine) Most folks don’t exactly embrace this arctic cold; but ice skaters thrill to the chill, especially now that the Lamoine Ice Rink has opened for the season. The Lamoine Recreation Department asks users to observe the rules and be safe. They say the rink will remain open if weather and ice conditions are good during daylight hours on weekends and between 3:30 and dusk during the week. Follow the recreation department on FB for current conditions.
(Lamoine) Ice skating enthusiasts are embracing the chill, especially now that the Lamoine Ice Rink has opened for the season. The rink is the product of a lot of hard work and effort on the part of the Lamoine Recreation Department, which says the rink will remain open as long as weather and ice conditions remain favorable. The rink is located at the Lamoine Consolidated School and is available to users during daylight hours on weekends and during the week between 3:30 and dusk. They ask users of the rink to stay safe and observe the posted rules.
Sports
Some results from Monday night local high school basketball:
Girls Boys
Narraguagus Knights 55 Woodland Dragons 43 Jonesport-Beals Royals 53 Shead Tigers 39
MDI Trojans 24. Old Town Coyotes 46 Woodland Dragons 58 Calais Blue Devils 83
Tonight’s Games (01/07):
Girls Boys
Ellsworth Eagles vs. WA Raiders MDI Trojans vs. Old Town Coyotes
Jonesport-Beals Royals at Calais Blue Devils John Bapst Crusaders battle against the Hermon Hawks
Shead Tigers vs. Machias Bulldogs
And the boys and girls of George Stevens shoot hoops with Deer Isle/Stonington
The Celtics in Denver tonight to shoot hoops with the Nuggets. The Bruins hit the ice in Edmonton against the Oilers.