Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Dive Team Recovers Body of Missing Fisherman
(Cutler) A team of divers from Connecticut and other New England states Sunday morning recovered a body from the F/V Sudden Impact, the vessel that sank with two South Addison fishermen aboard on January 18th. The family posted on FB the body is believed to be that of Chet Barrett, but the remains have been sent to the medical examiner’s office for positive identification. Those in the Cutler area are asked to keep an eye out for anything along the shoreline and report it to the Maine Marine Patrol, in case it is the other missing fisherman, Aaron Barrett. The family says the Connecticut dive team reached out to them and offered their assistance at no charge. One family member said the team’s effort was greatly appreciated, but that it was beyond disheartening the family had to wait 15 days because the State of Maine “does not have resources, funding or a competent dive team.”
(Cutler) Divers yesterday recovered a body from the F/V Sudden Impact, the vessel that sank with two South Addison fishermen aboard last month in treacherous waters in Eastern Washington County. The body was reportedly found inside the cabin. It has been taken to the medical examiner’s office to determine a positive identification. The Maine Department of Marine Resources tells Star 97.7, the team of divers from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts faced air temperatures near zero degrees, extreme tidal currents and limited visibility to conduct a thorough search of the vessel. They say the family of the fishermen, Chet and Aaron Barrett, have been supported by numerous local fishermen, along with the volunteer dive team who reached out to the family, offering to execute the dangerous dive at no cost. A second body has not yet been located.
Pedestrians Hospitalized Following Brewer Crash
(Brewer) Two people were taken to a hospital Friday night after they were hit by a pickup truck with a plow in Brewer. Sources say the two were walking and were not in a crosswalk when they were struck on North Main Street. Police did not identify either the driver of the plow truck nor the victims, saying an investigation was ongoing, with further details expected later today.
(Brewer) Two pedestrians were taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center Friday night after they were reportedly struck by a pickup carrying a snow plow in Brewer. The two were struck on North Main Street near the intersection with Holyoke. Brewer Public Safety Director Jason Moffitt said the pedestrians were not in a crosswalk when they were struck. Neither the driver nor the victims have been identified. Moffitt said an investigation into the incident is ongoing, with more details expected later today.
Lubec Safe Harbor Project
(Lubec) The recent tragedy involving two South Addison fishermen highlights the importance of the need for safe harbors along the coast of Maine. In 2019, the town of Lubec was awarded just under $20M to make major improvements to the town’s harbor, in order to improve harbor infrastructure for the safety of its fishing fleet. In 2022, the Lubec Select Board asked the Maine Department of Transportation to take over the Safe Harbor project, citing escalating costs. According to MDOT’s timeline, the project was slated for 2024; but the year has come and gone without progress on the project. We reached out to MDOT spokesperson Paul Merrill but did not get a response. Chet and Aaron Barrett were past Lubec and apparently headed for the safety of the nearest harbor in Cutler when their ship sank near Moose Cove.
(Lubec) The recent tragedy involving the loss of two South Addison fishermen emphasizes the need for safe harbors along Maine’s coast, especially in the area around Lubec, where the waters of Cobscook Bay are known for their unpredictability. With no safe harbor in Lubec, Chet and Aaron Barrett passed the area and were apparently headed for the safety of the nearest harbor in Cutler on January 18th when their ship sank. A Safe Harbor project planned for Lubec received just under $20M in 2019. The town Select Board in 2022 turned the project over to the Maine Department of Transportation, citing escalating costs. According to MDOT’s timeline, that project was slated for 2024; but the year has come and gone without progress on the project. We reached out to MDOT spokesperson Paul Merrill but did not get a response.
Construction Company Owner Settles with OSHA
(Glenburn) The owner of Patriot Paving Group in Glenburn has reached a settlement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the death of a worker killed last June in Brownville when a wall collapsed on him. Clifford Lane will pay OSHA just under $58K of the original fine of more than $161,000 levied against the company. OSHA had accused the business of committing five “willful” violations during construction at Railroad Avenue, where a reportedly unbraced retaining wall fell on and killed 67 yo Stephen Lane. Clifford Lane did not admit guilt but said he decided to pay the money and get it over with, saying OSHA basically gave him no choice if his company was to survive.
(Glenburn) A construction company owner has agreed to pay OSHA just under $58K in order to settle the death of a worker on whom a retaining wall fell last June, killing him. The original fine levied against Patriot Paving Group of Glenburn was more than $161,000. The Occupational Safety and Health Agency had accused the company of committing five “willful” violations during the Railroad Avenue construction in Brownville, where a reportedly unbraced wall collapsed, killing 67 yo Stephen Lane. Clifford Lane said he decided to pay the money and get it over with, accusing OSHA of giving him no choice in order for his company to survive.
Politics
Maine Congressional Leaders React to Trump Tariffs
(Augusta) Maine’s Congressional leaders this weekend reacted mostly with concern over Trump’s announcements about tariffs on the nation’s trading partners. Senator Susan Collins said certain tariffs would impose a significant burden on many families, manufacturers, the forest and lobster industries, small businesses and others here in Maine. Congressman Jared Golden agreed with the President’s tariffs, saying Trump campaigned on tariffs as a tool to level the playing field. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said the tariffs would drive up costs on essential imports from Canada especially, including the cost of heating oil, electricity, and raw materials for mills and fisheries, noting hard-working Mainers are already grappling with high costs.
(Augusta) Reaction to the tariffs from Maine’s Congressional leaders was mixed. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree called the tariffs nothing more than an added tax on hardworking Mainers that would drive up the cost of essential imports from Canada especially, such as heating oil, electricity, and raw materials for the state’s mills. Congressman Jared Golden agreed with the President’s tariffs, saying Trump campaigned on tariffs as a tool to level the playing field. Senator Susan Collins cautioned certain tariffs would impose a significant burden on many Maine families, manufacturers, the forest and lobster industries, small businesses and others, noting 95% of the heating oil used by most Mainers to heat their homes comes from refineries in Canada.
Environment
Maine Offshore Wind Projects Persevere, Despite Obstacles
(Trenton) It’s no secret plans to derail offshore wind projects are high on President Trump’s agenda. But the Maine Monitor reports, in an undisclosed location in Trenton, contractors are putting the finishing touches on a concrete structure aimed at putting Maine back in the global race to design cost-effective platforms for the next era of ocean energy – commercial, floating offshore wind farms. If all goes according to plan, researchers from the University of Maine will launch the 52-foot wide, quarter scale concrete hull with turbine blade reaching 108 feet above the waterline later this year off Castine. They say Trump’s order to pause such wind leases and permits won’t stop the effort.
(Trenton) Researchers from the University of Maine say President Trump’s efforts to derail offshore wind projects won’t deter a project being built in an undisclosed location in Trenton. The Maine Monitor reports contractors are putting the finishing touches on a concrete structure aimed at putting Maine back in the global race to design cost-effective platforms for the next era of ocean energy – commercial, floating offshore wind farms. If things go as planned, the researchers say they will launch the 52-foot wide, quarter scale concrete hull with turbine blade reaching 108 feet above the waterline later this year off Castine. They say Trump’s order to pause such wind leases and permits won’t further efforts to push back clean energy.
Republicans Call for Trump to Revoke Offshore Leases and Permits
(Augusta) Meanwhile, Republican members of Maine’s House and Senate have fired off a letter to President Trump thanking him for taking swift action they say will protect the Gulf of Maine and urging him to take the next step by revoking existing leases and permits for the lease areas they claim threaten Maine’s environment and coastal communities. Representative Reagan Paul of Winterport said, “Maine’s environment and coastal communities are under assault from profiteers and green energy zealots,” and added common sense, economics and environmental concerts are against offshore wind projects proposed by Democrats in the Gulf of Maine.
(Augusta) Republicans in the Statehouse in Augusta have sent a letter to President Trump asking him to continue to protect the Gulf of Maine by revoking existing leases and permits for the lease areas they say threaten Maine’s environment and coastal communities. The letter, signed by Winterport Republican Reagan Paul, along with 68 Republican co-signers, claims Maine’s heritage fishing industry is threatened by the development of offshore wind projects and that Maine’s “reckless energy policy” has led Maine to have the third highest electricity rates in the nation.
Human Interest
EHS Cheerleading Champs Welcomed Back Home
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Community welcomed the Ellsworth High School Cheerleaders back home yesterday with a motorcade, celebrating another win for the team as Class B North Champions! But the girls aren’t just winners when it comes to inspiring fans – they also made some pretty inspiring moves Friday at WalMart. Cheerleaders Molly Smith, Olivia Leighton, and Grace Robinson encountered a man who had fallen and was having trouble breathing. The girls jumped into action, using skills they learned at HCTC in order to stabilize him, and called 9-1-1, whereupon dispatchers immediately sent an ambulance to transport the man to a hospital for further care.
(Ellsworth) Another Championship is in the books for the Ellsworth High School Cheerleading team! This weekend they clinched another title as Class B North Champions. The girls inspire fans and players in the stands and on the court – but they also made some pretty inspiring moves Friday at WalMart. Teammates Molly Smith, Olivia Leighton, and Grace Robinson encountered a man who had fallen and was having trouble breathing. The girls jumped into action, using skills they learned at HCTC to stabilize him and called 9-1-1, upon which dispatchers immediately sent an ambulance to transport the victim to a hospital for further care.
Maine Native Wins Big at Grammys
(Maine) Maine native Amy Allen won the Songwriter of the Year Grammy Award Sunday. In 2024, Allen co-wrote songs for, among others, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Timberlake and Olivia Rodrigo. Allen beat out Jessi Alexander, Edgar Barrera, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Raye.
Groundhog Day
(AP) Keep the coats handy – Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, predicting six more weeks of winter. The woodchuck’s weather forecast is an annual ritual that goes back more than a century in the western Pennsylvania area known as Gobbler’s Knob, but the Associated press reports it has roots that go back to European folklore. The crowd on hand was treated to confetti, live music, and a fireworks show as they awaited Phil’s appearance at sunrise and the not unexpected prediction.
(AP) Hundreds braved the chill in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania yesterday, as Punxsutawney Phil emerged to see his shadow and FOREshadow six more weeks of the cold stuff. Phil has (no surprise) predicted a longer winter far more often than an early spring, with one tracking source claiming he’s actually been right less than half the time. But rumor has it the weather forecasting woodchuck just gives a wink and a nod, knowing he’s given US a bit of warmth-inducing fun to look forward to as winter drags on.
Sports
Cooper Flagg led Duke to an easy win Saturday over rival North Carolina. Flagg scored 21 points and added 8 rebounds and 7 assists. No. 2 Duke led by 22 points at the half, and skated to an 87-70 win over the Tar Heels.
The Bruins have the night off tonight – they’ll face the Minnesota Wild tomorrow night at TD Garden. The Celtics beat the 76ers yesterday 118-110. Celtics on the court in Cleveland tomorrow night against the Cavaliers.
Local high school basketball games this evening – on the girls’ side, we have GSA taking on Bucksport, and the MDI Lady Trojans hit the court against the Foxcroft Academy Ponies. On the boys side, Central shooting hoops with Sumner, Deer Isle/Stonington vs. Bangor Christian, the Bucksport Golden Bucks on the court against the WA Raiders, Jonesport-Beals takes on Narraguagus, and Foxcroft up against Orono. And the boys and girls of Shead on the courts against Calais.
National News Headlines
President Trump has fired the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Elon Musk’s team now has access to the U.S. Treasury’s Payments system and its sensitive information, including Social Security and Medicare,
President Donald Trump enacts steep tariffs on US trading partners. Mexico and Canada are hitting back with counter tariff retaliation.
The Trump administration has ended a temporary immigration program for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, ending a Biden era policy.