Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Gun Safety Campaign Plans Press Conference Today in Augusta
(Augusta) The Maine Gun Safety Coalition plans to hold a press conference in Augusta this morning to provide an update on the Safe Schools Safe Communities campaign to put an Extreme Risk Protection Order Initiative on the ballot. Extreme Risk Protection Orders would empower family members to directly petition a court when a loved one is in crisis and may pose a threat to themselves or others. Through due process, a judge can temporarily limit the person’s access to deadly weapons. The event is planned for 11 a.m. at the Maine State House. ERPO laws exist in 21 other states and Washington, DC, where supporters say they have been used to reduce suicide and disarm persons threatening mass shootings, including school shootings.
(Augusta) The Maine Gun Safety Coalition continues its push to put an Extreme Risk Protection Order Initiative on the ballot. They say Extreme Risk Protection Orders would empower family members to directly petition a court when a loved one is in crisis and may pose a threat to themselves or others. Through due process, a judge can temporarily limit the person’s access to deadly weapons. MGSC has planned a press conference for this morning in order to provide an update on the Safe Schools Safe Communities Campaign. The event is planned for 11 a.m. at the Maine State House. ERPO laws exist in 21 other states and Washington, DC, where supporters say they have been used to reduce suicide and disarm persons threatening mass shootings, including school shootings.
Ellsworth Fire Department Responds to Structure Fire
(Ellsworth) Four people escaped an early morning structure fire in Ellsworth Wednesday, though one occupant had to be rescued and suffered life-threatening burns. The Ellsworth Fire Department and six other units responded to the blaze at 50 Meadow View Lane just before 8:30 a.m. Ellsworth Fire Chief Scott Guillerault tells Star 97.7 crews arrived within three minutes of the fire alarm activation to find three people had evacuated the multi-apartment-unit building, but a fourth person had to be removed from the home. That individual was ultimately taken to Maine Coast Memorial in Portland. Crews battled below freezing temperatures with limited manpower to bring the fire under control and to keep it from spreading to three adjacent units. A team of investigators reportedly determined the fire was caused by careless disposal of smoking material.
(Ellsworth) Fire investigators say careless disposal of smoking material is to blame for a structure fire that burned an apartment at 50 Meadow View Lane in Ellsworth yesterday morning. Public Information Officer Shannon Moss tells Star 97.7, firefighters were called to the multi-unit-apartment building shortly before 8:30 a.m. Three people had evacuated the home when firefighters arrived, but a fourth person had to be removed and suffered life-threatening burns. The victim was taken first to Northern Light, then transported to Maine Coast Memorial in Portland. The fire caused significant damage to the room where the blaze originated and the roof system, but officials say the building is salvageable. Despite limited staff and sub-freezing temperatures, the Ellsworth Fire Department and six other units were able to quickly bring the fire under control. Trenton, Lamoine, Mariaville, Orland, Southwest Harbor, and MDI Fire Departments assisted in managing the blaze.
Divers Unable to Reach Boat Believed to Belong to Missing South Addison Fishermen
(South Addison) Divers on Wednesday were unable to get to where they believe a boat belonging to a pair of fishermen sank in more than 160 feet of water near Moose Cove at the mouth of the Moose River. A family member reported Chet Barrett and his son Aaron missing Saturday evening when they failed to return as expected. The pair had reportedly gone scallop dragging before an emergency closure in Cobscook Bay went into effect on Sunday. The men were transiting from Edmunds to South Addison and were reportedly attempting to make it to Cutler after encountering rough seas. Mariners say the Lubec-Cutler area is known for its turbulent waters, which are caused by the tides and other elements that create chaotic currents, swells, whirlpools and other dangerous phenomena.
(South Addison) Family members of the two South Addison fishermen who went missing Saturday were unable to reach what is believed to be their sunken vessel in dive attempts made Wednesday, but say they’ll continue until they’re able to bring the victims home. Chet Barrett and his son Aaron were transiting from Edmunds to South Addison Saturday in their vessel, the Sudden Impact, when they encountered rough seas. The men were heading to shelter in Cutler but never made it. They were reported missing, prompting a massive search that initially involved the U.S. Coast Guard, Maine Marine Patrol, and others. Mariners say the Lubec-Cutler area is known for its perilous waters, which are caused by the tides and other elements that create chaotic currents, swells, whirlpools and other dangerous phenomena.
Local Politics
King, Colleagues Work to Find Common Ground on Immigration Issues
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King has joined colleagues in urging Senate leadership to pursue bipartisan solutions on border security and immigration policy. King noted there is much to be done to improve border security while protecting Dreamers and farm workers who are key to the nation’s economy. In a letter to Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune Wednesday, King and his colleagues underscored the need to fix the country’s outdated immigration system to better reflect the needs of the economy and those who are in the country legally.
(Washington, DC) Migrant farm workers are key to the nation’s economy, including those who pick Maine’s blueberry crops each year. On Wednesday, Senator Angus King joined colleagues in urging Senate leadership to pursue bipartisan solutions on border security and immigration policy. King noted there is much to be done to improve border security while protecting Dreamers and farm workers who are in the country legally and who support the country’s labor force. In a letter to Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune, King and his colleagues said there is much common ground to start on, and enforced the need for strong, common sense, and fair immigration enforcement, along with the necessary resources to effectively secure the nation’s borders.
Hancock County ARPA Funds
(Ellsworth) December 31st was the deadline for designating funds from ARPA – the federal American Rescue Plan Act Funds designed to help counties and municipalities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. County Treasurer Monica Cease reports County Commissioners allocated the funding as follows. Of the approximately ten million six hundred eighty thousand dollars received by the County, just under $2M went to such ARPA Specific Projects as broadband upgrades and consulting. About $9M went to Revenue Replacement projects such as Jail and ACO infrastructure upgrades and to purchase property for an Emergency Operations Center, close to $235,000 was allocated for municipal premium pay to towns, and just under $246,000 went to non-profits, including Birdsacre, the Bar Harbor and Ellsworth Garden Clubs, the Beth C. Wright Cancer Center, and The Grand in Ellsworth.
Environment
DownEast Lakes Land Trust Plans Rewrite of Forest Management Plan
(Grand Lake Stream) Downeast Lakes Land Trust is working to rewrite its ten-year Forest Management Plan. The current plan ends in December, and officials say the updated plan is expected to be completed before then. Former DLLT community forester and now the Woodlands Manager with Baskahegan Company Kyle Burdick will be contracted to do the rewrite. Officials with the Grand Lake Stream area trust say a professional forest management plan provides a gateway to understanding the woodlands’ health and potential by, among other things, providing data and maps to help make balanced decisions on forestry and water quality practices, recreational opportunities, public access, and wildlife habitat management, as well as outlining a sustainable plan of action to achieve both short and long term goals.
Mainers Asked to Report Rabbit Sightings
(Maine) The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is asking Mainers to be on the lookout for New England Cottontails – Maine’s only native true rabbit – and the similar-looking Eastern Cottontail. They say the population of the once a”bun”dant bun buns has declined dramatically, largely due to habitat loss. Today, NEC’s are known to live in just seven Maine towns – in Cumberland and York Counties. MDIFW says it’s working to restore the rabbits, but they need more eyes in southern and coastal Maine. Find photos and report details of your sightings on the link found on the MDIFW website.
(Maine) Maine’s only true native rabbit is rapidly disappearing, with a statewide population of New England Cottontails now believed to number less than 400. Known populations are only confirmed in seven Maine towns, mostly in Cumberland and York Counties. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is asking the public’s help in restoring the population of NEC’s and the similar-looking Eastern Cottontail. The rabbits remain brown year round, so they’re easy to distinguish from snowshoe hares. You can report details of any sightings – date, time, location, habitat and identifying characteristics – through a link on the MDIFW website.
Health
Study: More Than A Drink A Day Keeps Long Life at Bay
(CBS News) Put down that mug – a new federal review has concluded consuming more than one drink a day results in a steep increase in the risk of premature death. CBS News reports the draft report was published earlier this month, ahead of a major update to influential federal guidelines on how much alcohol Americans should drink. According to the report’s authors, men and women in the U.S. have a 1 in 1000 risk of dying from alcohol use if they consume more than 7 drinks per week. That risk reportedly increases to 1 in 100 if they consume more than 9 drinks per week.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Planning Board to Consider Final Plan Review of Solar Site
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Planning Board will discuss the final plan review for a 10-acre solar site on Mariaville Road at its upcoming meeting. The Major Use Site Plan entitled SynerGen Ellsworth Solar for Owner Samuel Robert Shea Griffin and Applicant SynerGen Ellsworth involves an approximately 55 acre parcel in an urban zoning district. A public hearing, discussion, fact finding and final decision on the project are expected. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on February 5th in City Council Chambers.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Fox Survives Days of Being Stranded on Floating Dock
(Undated) Ziggy the Fox captured hearts and emotions when he was seen stranded on a floating dock in Seaside Park, New Jersey last weekend, with no way to make it back to shore as temperatures dropped precipitously. As word got around, the local volunteer Fire Department responded with a team of rescue swimmers, launching jet skis and an airboat in an attempt to save the small red fox. But thin ice in the bay thwarted all efforts at rescuing the little guy. Sources report with the dock floating further from land, the scared fox would run onto the ice as rescuers approached. Then, he was gone. By Monday, word on social media spread that Ziggy had not survived. Then … a Tuesday miracle! Ziggy was found alive, his tail coated in ice, his body thin, alive. Currently being treated at a local veterinary hospital, the plan is for him to be taken to a sanctuary sometime today. Experts warn the regular public not to attempt to rescue wildlife; but they say they are cautiously optimistic of a full recovery for Ziggy.
(Undated) Shane Coyle, a New Jersey animal rescuer, had been trying to trap the little red fox named Ziggy for weeks – without success. The fox needed treatment for mites and was underweight. Last Saturday, Ziggy began drawing crowds who noticed him on a floating dock adrift in the middle of the treacherous bay in Seaside Park. The local volunteer Fire Department sprang into action, using trained swimmers, launching jet skis and an airboat. But the ice proved too thin to get close, and Ziggy would run if they approached. On Monday, Ziggy had disappeared – and spectators feared the worst. A drone team used a thermal scan with no results, but social media announced Ziggy was gone. Only he wasn’t. On Tuesday, the little fox was found alive, thinner than ever, his tail coated in ice, but alive. Currently being treated at a local veterinary hospital, the plan is for him to be taken to a sanctuary sometime today. Experts warn the regular public not to attempt to rescue wildlife; but they say in Ziggy’s case, they’re cautiously optimistic of a full recovery.
Sports
The Bruins lose to the NJ Devils 5-1; the Celtics beat the LA Clippers 117-113
Tonight, the Bruins home against the Ottawa Senators. The Celtics have the night off – they’ll be in LA Saturday to shoot hoops with the Lakers
Some local high school basketball results from yesterday: the MDI Lady Trojans defeat the Hermon Hawks 50-41; on the boys’ side, it was Calais over Sumner in a close one 59-56, and Washington Academy gets the win over Woodland 81-66.
Just a couple of local high school basketball games this evening – the Narraguagus Lady Knights on the court against the George Stevens Lady Eagles, and the John Bapst boys hit the hardwood against Orono.