Local News AM 01/13/25
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Dedham Woman Arrested on Domestic Assault Charges
(Dedham) A Dedham woman was arrested Saturday on charges of domestic violence assault. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence in Dedham about 2 a.m. on January 11th. No details were given, but authorities took 51 yo Lynn Deveau into custody. She’s charged with Domestic Violence Assault with Priors, Obstruction in reporting of a crime, and violating her conditions of release. Devaeau was taken to the Hancock County Jail.
(Dedham) Authorities were called to a home in Dedham early Saturday morning on an assault complaint. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, they responded to the home around 2 a.m. and took 51 yo Lynn Deveau into custody. Deveau was taken to the Hancock County Jail where she was charged with Domestic Violence Assault with Priors, Obstruction in reporting of a crime, and violating her conditions of release.
Surry Family Recovering After Devastating Fire
(Surry) A Surry family is recovering after fire destroyed their home Thursday afternoon, leaving a mother and her three children grieving and without shelter. The family was not at their Sunfish Lane home at the time of the fire, but the blaze claimed their beloved pets, including seven dogs, two cats, and a guinea hen. The family also lost an urn holding the ashes of a son who died some years ago. The community stepped up to provide clothing and recommend places to stay. A Go Fund Me had raised about $5500 as of Sunday afternoon. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but fire officials say it appears to have been accidental.
(Surry) The community has stepped up to help a Surry family who lost their home to fire last Thursday. Homeowner Evelyn Casanova said she and her three children who lived at the Sunfish Lane residence were not at home when the fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. Not only was the home a total loss, the family lost ten pets in the fire – seven dogs, two cats, and a guinea hen. They also lost an urn that contained the ashes of a son who died several years earlier. A cause has not yet been determined, but fire officials believe it to have been accidental. As of Sunday afternoon, a Go Fund Me had raised about $5500, and folks had stepped up to donate clothing, suggest housing options, and provide other needs.
Local Politics
Governor Mills Unveils FY 2026-27 Budget Proposal
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills on Friday unveiled her Administration’s budget proposal for the FY 26-27 biennium. The Governor said the proposal is balanced and makes investments needed to maintain core commitments such as healthcare, education, free school meals and five percent municipal revenue sharing, in order to stabilize property taxes and support municipal services. Maine’s schools and Universities applauded a first time proposal to make permanent the Free Community College initiative. The budget does not create or fund any new programs and rejects any broad-based tax changes, such as an increase to Maine’s income or sales tax.
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills Friday unveiled the state’s budget proposal for the FY 2026-27 biennium. The Mills Administration said the budget does not create or fund any new programs and rejects any broad-based tax changes, such as increasing Maine’s income or sales tax. Instead, it reportedly closes a budget gap by making targeted reductions to certain programs within DHHS and raising revenue – primarily through a one dollar increase in Maine’s cigarette tax and excise tax on other tobacco-related products. The Governor said the proposal is balanced and makes needed investments to maintain healthcare, education, free school meals and five percent municipal revenue sharing to stabilize property taxes and support municipal services.
District Court Judge Denies Request for Restraining Order in Hutchinson Center Sale
(Bangor) A U.S. District Court Judge on Friday denied a request by Calvary Chapel Belfast to place a temporary restraining order on UMaine in order to stop its negotiating the sale of the Hutchinson Center Campus in Belfast with the nonprofit Waldo Community Action Partners. UMaine originally agreed to sell the property to the church, but several entities protested, and the University rescinded that decision because of a value-added concern regarding an internet hub located in the building. The University defends its decision and maintains it did not discriminate but acted in a lawful and competitive manner.
(Bangor) The University of Maine system continues to maintain it acted lawfully and without discrimination when it rescinded the sale of the Hutchinson Center Campus in Belfast to Calvary Chapel Belfast and instead began negotiations with Waldo Community Action Partners – a nonprofit that helps low income residents in that county. On Friday, a U.S. District Court Judge agreed, denying a request by the church for a temporary restraining order to be placed on UMaine in order to stop its negotiations with Waldo CAP. The University’s decision to rescind the original sale was reportedly based on a value-added concern regarding an internet hub located in the building.
Leadership Changes in Both Major Parties
(Augusta) Leadership changes in both major political parties last week. In a close vote on Saturday, the Maine Republican Party ousted one-term leader Joel Stetkis in favor of Jim Deyermond, the York County Republican Committee Chairman. It was the second consecutive party election in which the Republicans’ state committee opted for a leadership change. On the Democrats’ side, Chair Bev Uhlenhake of Brewer announced she is stepping down after one term, citing personal and professional reasons. Portland City Councilor April Fournier and Leeds attorney Charles Dingman will vie for that position in a January 26th election.
(Augusta) Both major political parties in Maine seeing changes in leadership this year. On the Democratic side, Chair Bev Uhlenhake of Brewer announced she is stepping down after one term, citing personal and professional reasons. Portland City Councilor April Fournier and Leeds attorney Charles Dingman are vying for that position, to be determined in a January 26th election. And in a close vote on Saturday, the Maine Republican Party ousted one-term leader Joel Stetkis in favor of Jim Deyermond, the York County Republican Committee Chairman. It was the second consecutive party election in which the Republicans’ state committee opted for a leadership change.
Economy
Chloe’s Cafe to Open Saturday
(Ellsworth) Come this Saturday, Ellsworth will have a new place to enjoy breakfast and lunch in the downtown area. Chloe’s Cafe will open in the former newspaper building at 30 Water Street. The mouth-watering menu includes eggs, Belgian waffles, French toast, loaded hash browns and more, with breakfast served all day. Lunch will include a variety of sandwiches, quiche made fresh daily, and salads, plus a grab and go cooler for those in a hurry. And of course, plenty of hot coffees to get your morning started right and warm you on these cold winter days. Follow Chloe’s Cafe on FB for updates.
(Ellsworth) Belgian waffles, French toast, loaded hash browns, and quiche made fresh daily. Those are just some of the items on the menu at Chloe’s Cafe, which plans a soft opening this Saturday. The cafe will be open for breakfast and lunch daily, with breakfast served all day. Downtown’s newest eatery is in the former newspaper building at 30 Water Street. The lunch menu includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, warm-you-up soup, and there’s a grab and go cooler for those in a hurry to get on with their shopping or back to the office. Follow Chloe’s Cafe on FB for updates.
Parts of Bangor Mall Could Be Demolished as Part of Redevelopment
(Bangor) Look for parts of the Bangor Mall to be demolished in the next couple of years. The Bangor Daily News reports the City of Bangor is suing the mall’s owner for failing to keep the buildings, sign, and parking lot up to code. A senior legal advisor to the mall’s owner, Namdar Realty Group, said Friday, a “large name” hotel, studio apartments, office space and entertainment could all be coming to the mall in the next five years as part of redevelopment plans. That would likely mean at least partial demolition of the mall. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index lists NRG as owning 376 properties across 37 states, and owner Igal Namdar having a net worth of two billion dollars in 2021.
(Bangor) Sewer issues, potholes in the parking lot, a leaking roof, and a dilapidated sign – the City of Bangor is suing the owner of the Bangor Mall for failing to keep the property up to code. During a preliminary injunction hearing on Friday, the Bangor Daily News reports the mall’s owner, Namdar Realty Group, discussed plans for redevelopment that include a “large name” hotel, studio apartments, office space, and entertainment in the next five years. The plans would likely mean demolition of at least part of the mall.
Environment
Maine Lobster Size Rule Proposal Withdrawn
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Marine Resources has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have increased the minimum size requirements for lobsters trapped in Maine. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission had said the increase would help stop a decline in baby lobsters. But opponents, including the lobster fishery, argued the rule change would have given an unfair advantage to Canadian lobstermen who would not have had to follow the same size restrictions. Representative Jared Golden applauded the decision, calling lobstermen the most informed conservationists when it comes to their fishery.
(Augusta) Maine lobstermen have won a reprieve, after the Maine Department of Marine Resources last week withdrew a proposal to increase the minimum size requirements for lobsters trapped in Maine. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission had said the increase would help stop a decline in baby lobsters. But opponents, including the lobster fishery itself, also concerned about the environment, disagreed and successfully argued the rule change would have given an unfair advantage to Canadian lobstermen who would not have had to follow the same size restrictions.
Infrastructure
Bangor Road Work
(Bangor) If you plan to travel on Broadway in Bangor, the Maine Department of Transportation says be aware they’ll be doing bridge work on the bridges that carry I-95 over that road beginning this Wednesday and continuing through Friday, weather permitting. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. those days.
(Bangor) Drivers who travel Broadway in Bangor this week should be aware of a lane closure in order to facilitate bridge work on the bridges that carry I-95 over that road. The Maine Department of Transportation says the work will take place this Wednesday through Friday, weather permitting, with single lane traffic in effect between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. those days.
Sports
These local high school basketball teams will be on the courts tonight – the Sumner boys and girls take on Deer Isle/Stonington; and these boys’ matchups – Dexter vs. George Stevens, the Calais Blue Devils up against Lee Academy, Narraguagus shooting hoops with Machias, and the Washington Academy Raiders hit the hardwood against the Foxcroft Ponies.
The Bruins and Celtics both have the night off. Bruins put the sticks to the home ice tomorrow night against Tampa Bay. The Celtics not back on the court until Wednesday when they’ll hit the hardwood against the Raptors in Toronto.
Cooper Flagg continues to amaze, scoring an incredible 42 points in Saturday’s Blue Devils’ 86-78 win over Georgia Tech, setting an ACC record for a college freshman. The win was the 10th consecutive for No. 4 Duke.
The Patriots have hired former Patriots Super Bowl Champ Mike Vrabel as their next head coach.