Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Two Injured in Head-On Crash in Northport
(Northport) Two people were injured, one seriously, in a Wednesday morning crash involving a tractor trailer on Atlantic Highway in Northport. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, about 10:30 yesterday morning, 31 yo Cody Arsenault was traveling south in his 2006 Subaru Outback behind a vehicle that slowed to make a right hand turn. Arsenault attempted to pass the vehicle, crossing the centerline and colliding head on with a 2024 Freightliner driven by 51 yo Alejandro Sicaju. Arsenault was ejected from his vehicle and sustained life-threatening injuries. He was transported by Life Flight for treatment. Sicaju sustained only minor injuries and was taken to Waldo County General Hospital. The Atlantic Highway was closed for several hours while authorities reconstructed the crash, which remains under investigation.
(Northport) A Wednesday morning crash on Atlantic Highway in Northport sent two people to hospitals, one with life-threatening injuries. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office says 31 yo Cody Arsenault was southbound just south of the Belfast town line about 10:30 yesterday morning in his 2006 Subaru Outback. A car in front of Arsenault slowed to make a right hand turn, and Arsenault crossed the center line to pass, hitting a 2024 tractor trailer head on. Arsenault was ejected and sustained life-threatening injuries. He was Life Flighted for treatment. The driver of the Freightliner, 51 yo Alejandro Sicaju, received minor injuries and was transported to Waldo County General for treatment. The crash caused the highway to be closed for several hours. The incident remains under investigation.
Local Politics
Mills Faces Budget Battles
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has a battle on her hands when it comes to her budget proposal released last Friday. The Governor’s budget is peppered with the positive – making Free Community College permanent and continuing free lunches for all Maine students – along with tax hikes, fee increases, and cuts to health care programs that have not been so well received. Pundits say Mills is trying to rein in her party amid flat revenue projections. The budget is more than a billion dollars higher than the last one and is marred by MaineCare cost overruns. Republicans say they’ll not give the budget a single vote, while even some Democrats are showing discontent. Governor Mills plans to deliver her State of the Budget address on January 28th.
(Augusta) It was the shot heard round the state as lawmakers began pushing back against Governor Janet Mills’ latest budget proposal this week. The budget is more than a billion dollars higher than the last one and is blurred by MaineCare cost overruns as the Governor attempts to rein in spending by her own party. House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham says the proposal as it stands will likely receive zero votes from Republicans. Some Democrats are pushing back as well. The Governor’s State of the Budget Address is set for January 28th.
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has proposed several tax increases she says are necessary to counter an estimated $450 million shortfall over the next two years and to meet current commitments. Among proposals, a steep tax increase on cigarettes and recreational cannabis and a tax on video streaming services such as Netflix and Starz. Especially unnerving to some, proposal of a 70 cent per prescription fee on pharmacy providers beginning April 1, 2026. And a six percent fee on the net operating revenue of ambulance service providers as reported in their audited financial statement. Struggling EMS providers, especially in rural areas, say that undoes any funding relief received last year after months of effort and testimony.
(Augusta) Cuts to food assistance, health and childcare programs, although small, are reportedly part of Governor Janet Mills’s budget proposal aimed at filling a projected $450M shortfall through 2027. While the budget proposes making permanent the Free Community College program and continuation of free school meals, the Bangor Daily News reports it also proposes raising fees and taxes on nonessentials like cigarettes and other tobacco products, a $7 increase on fishing licenses, higher costs for concealed carry permits, and a new information technology fee levied against hospitals, based on the number of inpatient beds. The Governor is seeing support from some Democrats, but pushback from both sides of the aisle, as well.
Ellsworth City Clerk and Tax Offices Temporarily Relocated in City Hall
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth City Clerk and Tax offices, located on the first floor of City Hall, will temporarily relocate to the second floor auditorium during the month of February. The move is necessitated by a remodeling of the first-floor counter area office spaces. Those offices will be closed to business on Friday, January 31st in order to facilitate the move, and will reopen on the following Monday. Other City Hall offices and the Utility Billing office will remain open during the remodel.
(Ellsworth) Some remodeling planned for a space in Ellsworth City Hall will mean the City Clerk and Tax offices will temporarily relocate from the first floor to the second floor auditorium next month. The remodeling involves first floor counter office spaces. The City Clerk and Tax offices will be closed Friday, January 31st in order to facilitate the move, but will reopen on Monday, February 3rd. Other City Hall offices and the Utility Billing office will remain open.
Chamber, BIW Challenge Paid Family Leave Rule in Court
(Portland) The Maine State Chamber of Commerce this week joined Bath Iron Works in filing a lawsuit over the new Paid Family and Medical Leave rule. The suit claims employers who plan to offer private plans will be temporarily forced to pay into a state program their workers will not use. Beginning on January 1st, employers are required to pay quarterly premiums of up to one percent of wages, based on number of employees. Those monies will go into a state fund to be used to pay out family leave benefits beginning a year from this May. The lawsuit says a rule governing the payment schedule conflicts with the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program, which does not require employers with an approved private plan to pay into the state fund.
(Portland) A rule governing the payment schedule for the new Paid Family and Medical Leave program is at the center of a lawsuit filed this week in Kennebec Superior Court. The Bangor Daily News reports the suit was filed by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Bath Iron Works. BIW, like all companies, is required to pay into the state fund as of January 1st, even though the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program does not require employers with approved private plans to do so. The lawsuit says in the first quarter of this year, BIW will have paid in a non-refundable $620,000 while the state works to approve its exemption. In addition, the plaintiffs argue because of what they say is an arbitrary and capricious rule, BIW workers will have paid in the same – the other half of a required one percent – for which they would NOT receive benefits.
Sanborn Voted in as Public Advocate
(Augusta) Former Democratic lawmaker Heather Sanborn has been sworn in as the state’s new Public Advocate. Sanborn faced a grilling on her qualifications and possible political bias before a legislative committee prior to her nomination being narrowly advanced this week. A former brewery owner, Sanborn said her sole guidance as Public Advocate would be an effort to lower and keep down utility costs. The Public Advocate represents low income residential and small business customers in regulatory proceedings, rate cases, and in the Maine legislature.
McBrien is New Chief of Staff for Secretary of State
(Augusta) Kate McBrien will serve as Chief Deputy and Chief of Staff for the Department of the Secretary of State, and Christian Cotz has been tapped as the acting State Archivist for Maine, replacing McBrien. McBrien joined the office as State Archivist in 2020, modernizing technology and processes to improve access to the public, and leading several important initiatives. Cotz will fill that role while Secretary of State Shenna Bellows conducts a search for a new nominee to recommend to the Legislature. Cotz previously served 20 years with the Montpelier Foundation, home to the historic James Madison Estate.
Environment
Federal Government Withdraws Rules to Protect Right Whales
(Portland) The Biden administration is withdrawing a rule designed to save endangered North Atlantic right whales from collisions with ships that pass up and down the East Coast. The rule would have required more ships to slow down in East coast waters to avoid such collisions. Conservationists say the change leaves the endangered whales vulnerable to extinction, but federal authorities said there was no way to implement the rules before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Monday. The Trump administration is likely to be less inclined to place such restrictions on shipping.
(Portland) The endangered North Atlantic Right Whale is now even more vulnerable to extinction, according to conservation groups who on Wednesday decried the Biden Administration’s withdrawal of a rule that would have required ships traveling up and down the East Coast to slow in order to avoid collisions with the mammals. The rule was withdrawn after federal authorities said there was no way to implement it before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Monday. They say the Trump administration is likely to be less inclined to place such restrictions on shipping.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Limits Parking on Liberty Street
(Ellsworth) Street Parking on Liberty Street in Ellsworth is now prohibited due to the narrow roadway. The City says vehicles parked on that street obstruct snow plows and limit access for emergency response vehicles. They say the change is essential to ensure plow trucks can clear the roadway safely and efficiently and will allow for unimpeded access for the Fire Department and other public safety vehicles in cases of emergencies. “No Parking” signs have been installed.
(Ellsworth) If you’ve been used to parking on Liberty Street in Ellsworth, you’ll need to find an alternative. “No Parking” signs have been installed. The City says it’s a matter of safety in order to prevent obstruction for snow plows to clear the roadway safely and efficiently. The parking ban will also allow for unimpeded access for the Fire Department and other public safety vehicles in cases of emergencies.
Ellsworth Road Work
(Ellsworth) Those traveling the Mill Dam Road in Ellsworth this morning will find that road down to one lane. The City says the Public Works Highway Crew will be brush cutting along that road, with work expected to continue into next week.
(Ellsworth) Mill Dam Road in Ellsworth will be down to one lane beginning this morning. The City says the Public Works Highway Crew will be brush cutting along the road. That work is expected to continue into next week.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Machias Turns Blue for Child Diagnosed with Leukemia
(Machias) If you are in the Machias area today, you’ll likely notice an awful lot of people wearing blue. Last Friday, Brandee and Sal Hall’s world was turned upside down when they learned their youngest, 3 year old Isaac, was diagnosed with leukemia. Their beloved toddler was taken to Northern Lights Community Hospital in Bangor to undergo treatment. The family obviously has a long road ahead. To show their support, the community is wearing Isaac’s favorite color today, blue. Friends set up a Go Fund Me page, which as of yesterday had raised more than $52,000 to help with medical expenses. Folks who know the family say Brandee and Sal are usually the ones donating, and this is the community’s way of giving back. There is also an account set up at Machias Savings Bank for anyone wishing to donate.
(Machias) Things turned pretty blue last Friday when Brandee and Sal Hall’s world was turned upside down. That’s when the Machias couple learned their youngest, 3 yo Isaac, had leukemia. Today, the community is turning out in blue – Isaac’s favorite color – to show their support. Knowing the family has a long road ahead of them, a Go Fund Me page was set up to help with medical expenses, along with an account at Machias Savings Bank. As of last evening, donations had surpassed $52K. Isaac is undergoing treatment at Northern Light Community Hospital in Bangor. His family and friends say they’re most grateful for the support and ask for prayers as he undergoes multiple tests to determine the best course of treatment. And if you’re headed to the Machias area today, be sure to wear your blue.
Sports
Some scores reported in from last night’s high school basketball: the Ellsworth girls beat Hermon 46-37. Schenck over Lee 57-45, Shead beats Woodland 57-51, the Calais game with Penobscot Valley has been rescheduled.
Tonight, these local high school basketball teams hit the hardwood – the boys and girls of Jonesport-Beals take on Searsport; and these Girls’ games on the schedule: the Machias Bulldogs shoot hoops with the Sumner Tigers, Calais takes on Narraguagus, the Central Lady Red Devils will try to burn the GSA Eagles, and MDI takes on WA
Celtics lose to the Raptors last night 110-97. Celtics and Magic on the court tomorrow night in Boston. Bruins back on the ice in Ottawa Saturday against the Senators.