Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Columbia Falls Blaze
(Columbia Falls) Fire heavily damaged an Air BnB in Columbia Falls last evening. Crews from multiple departments battled sub-freezing temperatures to contain the blaze, which broke out about 5 p.m. at a structure located near the post office. We’re told the sole occupant made it out of the home safely. No word yet on a cause. We’ve posted pictures on our Star 97.7 FB page.
(Columbia Falls) Firefighters from multiple departments were called out about 5 p.m. last evening to battle a blaze at an Air BnB located next to the post office in Columbia Falls. We’re told the sole occupant made it out safely. We’ve posted pictures on our Star 97.7 FB page. No word yet on a cause of that fire.
Corinth Robbery
(Corinth) A Charleston man is accused of breaking into an elderly woman’s home in Corinth, pushing her to the ground and stealing her jewelry. Maine State Police say the woman called 9-1-1 around 4 Monday afternoon, saying she did not know the suspect but was able to get the license plate number. The vehicle was spotted on Rt. 15 in Corinth; but when authorities attempted to pull it over, the driver took off, leading to a pursuit through the towns of Charleston and Atkinson before the suspects crashed the vehicle in Dover-Foxcroft. Authorities say 56-year-old Gary Roshto of Charleston and another man ran into the woods but were found a short time later. Roshto is now charged with Robbery and Eluding. The other man and a woman in the vehicle will receive summons.
(Corinth) Three people will likely face charges in connection with a robbery in Corinth. Maine State Police say about 4 p.m. Monday a Charleston man broke into the home of an elderly woman in Corinth, pushing her to the ground, and taking off with her jewelry. The woman called 9-1-1, saying she did not know the suspect, but she did get the license plate number. The vehicle was spotted on Route 15 in Corinth, but the driver took off when authorities attempted to stop the suspects. A pursuit through the towns of Charleston and Atkinson followed, before the driver crashed in Dover-Foxcroft. At that point, police say 56 yo Gary Roshto of Charleston and 35 yo Kevin Bowley of LaGrange fled into nearby woods. Both were quickly located and taken into custody. Roshto was taken to the Penobscot County Jail, where he faces charges of Robbery and Eluding. Bowley and 52 yo Cynthia Williams of Milo were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and will likely be charged following their release from the hospital.
Local Politics
Governor Mills Delivers State of the Budget Address
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills last night delivered her State of the Budget address to lawmakers. Mills made a strong case for her balanced biennial budget proposal that included making Free Community College permanent and raising revenue, primarily by enacting a one dollar increase in Maine’s cigarette excise tax and corresponding increases to the excise tax on other tobacco related products. She called on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support the $11.6B budget that she said highlighted her administration’s commitment to healthcare and education. Maine Republicans were quick to respond, saying the budget “seemed like it was written by a millionaire out of touch with reality.” Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart said the budget would have zero Republican votes.
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills Tuesday night delivered her State of the Budget address to legislators. The $11.6B budget proposes an increase in funding for school meals and making permanent the state’s Free Community College. Mills said she put forward a budget that does not rely entirely on revenue increases or cuts in programs, but that proposes raising revenue largely through an excise tax on cigarettes and other tobacco-related products. The Governor drew a chuckle when she joked there wasn’t enough space in all of Old Orchard Beach for the line in the sand already drawn by many. Republicans were quick to respond, saying Maine is already one of the highest tax states in the country and that the budget has zero Republican votes.
Maine Politicians Respond to Trump’s Proposed Federal Grant, Loan Freeze
(Maine) Maine’s political leaders were quick to respond to the proposed federal grant and loan freeze. Senator Susan Collins said in a statement the order was “far too sweeping”, adding she was concerned about its impact which she believed would widely disrupt many important programs. In a press conference on Capitol Hill, Senator Angus King called the move “blatantly unconstitutional”, saying Article One of the Constitution states Congress – and not the President – is responsible for measures surrounding federal appropriations. Governor Janet Mills echoed that concern saying she had serious questions about the extent and scope of the President’s decision and the impact it would have on Maine people and businesses, especially the most vulnerable. She added the order, like the threat of tariffs, does nothing to bring down the price of eggs, bread, heat, housing, or healthcare on which Trump campaigned.
(Maine) Governor Janet Mills yesterday said she was “deeply concerned” about the Trump Administration’s directive to halt nearly all federal loans, grants and other financial assistance.” She added “the order, like the threat of tariffs, does not do anything to bring down the price of eggs, heat, housing and healthcare” on which Trump campaigned, and added if anything the action will drive the cost of living even further. Senator Angus King echoed that sentiment, calling the order “blatantly unconstitutional”, saying the President’s action was “the most direct assault on the authority of Congress, I believe, in the history of the United States.” Senator Susan Collins, a Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a statement saying the order was “far too sweeping” and that she was concerned about its impact and the disruption of many important programs.
Maine AG Joins Multistate Lawsuit Against Trump’s Budget Memo
(Augusta) Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey joined a multi-state lawsuit against Trump’s budget memo. Frey said, “The President’s withholding of federal funding is unconstitutional and demands legal action”. Frey said the indiscriminate action to hold back congressionally authorized federal funds generates needless uncertainty for individuals, families and businesses, who should be able to reasonably rely on the funds committed to their well being.
(Augusta) Attorneys General from multiple states filed a lawsuit against Trump’s budget memo. Maine AG Aaron Frey called the President’s withholding of federal funding unconstitutional and added it demands legal action. Frey said the disruption from the unconstitutional pause will disadvantage countless Mainers and compromise the services to which they are lawfully entitled.
Economy
Ellsworth Attorneys Create New Local Firm
(Ellsworth) There’s a new law firm in downtown Ellsworth. The Bangor Daily News reports Viridian Law is made up of a group of attorneys who formerly worked for Bangor-based Eaton Peabody. According to the partners – seven are based in Ellsworth and one in Portland – the group felt they could maintain their practices and attend to their own business affairs without having to be managed from afar. The attorneys say they aim to provide legal services to clients statewide, especially along the coast, without the increasingly high costs commanded by larger firms.
(Ellsworth) A group of attorneys has left Bangor-based law firm Eaton Peabody and formed their own firm in Ellsworth. The partners say they left with Eaton-Peabody’s blessings. The Bangor Daily News reports the new group is housed at 200 Main Street in the same building with Seaboard Federal Credit Union. The attorneys say they aim to provide legal services to clients statewide, especially along the coast, without the increasingly high costs commanded by larger firms. The newly-formed firm includes Patrick Lyons, Jeff Spaulding, Jason Barrett, Kady Huff, Jeff Joyce, Mike Tadenev, and Chris Uphouse, along with chief financial officer Jen Baroletti.
Education
MDOE Says it Will Not Enforce Executive Order on Gender
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Education says it will not enforce a recent executive order signed by President Trump saying the U.S. government will only recognize two genders – male and female. MDOE in a statement Friday said the order only applies to the federal government and federal agencies. According to WMTW, the department said Maine schools are expected to abide by the rules and protections laid out in the Maine Human Rights Act and that includes protecting classes by race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, age and other categories in certain contexts.
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Education on Friday said it would not enforce a recent executive order signed by the President saying the U.S. government would only recognize two genders – male and female. WMTW reports MDOE as saying the order only applies to the federal government and federal agencies and that Maine schools are expected to abide by the rules and protections laid out in the Maine Human Rights Act, which forbids discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, religion, and other categories.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Ellsworth Fire & Ice Festival
(Ellsworth) It may be cold outside, but things will be heating up this weekend in Ellsworth. The City is welcoming everyone to the inaugural Fire & Ice Festival, Friday through Sunday. The Grand is hosting the Banff Center Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Woodlawn is hosting an indoor Winter Craft and Farmers’ Market at The Barn on Saturday; and weather permitting, there will be ice skating and sledding, plus live music at Black Moon and Fogtown. Enjoy indoor ice skating at the Moore Center Saturday and Sunday – free to all families, just bring your own skates! And on Saturday, the City of Ellsworth will present a dazzling fireworks display at 5 p.m. from the softball field at Ellsworth High School. For a full schedule of events, visit the City of Ellsworth on Facebook.
(Ellsworth) Feeling the chill? Come share the warmth at the City of Ellsworth’s inaugural Fire & Ice Festival, this Friday through Sunday. Activities and events include free indoor ice skating Saturday and Sunday at the Moore Center – bring your own skates – also, the Banff Center Mountain Film Festival World Tour at The Grand, and on Saturday, an indoor Winter Craft and Farmers’ Market at The Barn at Woodlawn. Weather permitting, you can also bring your sleds and skates for outdoor fun on the beautiful Woodlawn grounds. Plus, Fogtown and Black Moon will be hosting live music, and on Saturday, the City will delight you with a dazzling fireworks display – that’s at 5 p.m. at the Ellsworth High School softball field. Visit the City of Ellsworth on FB for a full schedule.
Sports
Some results from last night’s local high school basketball action, on the girls’ side, Ellsworth beat John Bapst 42-32, it was WA over Woodland 60-38, Calais beating Jonesport-Beals 39-24, and Narraguagus over Sumner 63-59. For the boys, WA trounced Narraguagus 72-43, and MDI gets past Foxcroft Academy 49-44.
The Buffalo Sabres got the best of the Bruins, beating them 7-2.
These local high school basketball games this evening – the MDI Lady Trojans take on the Foxcroft Academy Ponies and the GSA vs Dexter game that was postponed from yesterday happening this afternoon at 5; on the boys’ side, it’s Calais vs. Lee Academy, the Woodland Dragons hit the court against the Machias Bulldogs., and Ellsworth takes on John Bapst.
The Celtics home tonight against the Chicago Bulls. The Bruins have the night off – they’ll be on the home ice tomorrow against the Winnipeg Jets.