Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Maine Mall Shooting
(Portland) South Portland Police this morning searching for a suspect involved in a shooting at Maine Mall in Portland. In what authorities say was an isolated incident, a person was shot inside the mall Wednesday evening, sending shoppers and business owners into a panic. The victim was taken to Maine Medical Center. The suspect reportedly left the mall through the food court entrance.
(Portland) Authorities say the suspect in that shooting at Maine Mall in Portland Wednesday night remains at large this morning. Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident. The victim was taken to Maine Medical Center and is expected to survive.
Houlton Border Patrol Installs New Barriers
(Houlton) The US Border Patrol Houlton Sector has added vehicle barriers in areas historically vulnerable to cross border traffic. Agents say it gives officers an upper hand in stopping illegal entries. They say FY 23-24 saw a 250% increase in cross border vehicle incursion; but that since the barriers were installed, such crossings are down more than 90% in 2025. They also say border agents must be able to quickly adapt to changing situations and respond accordingly, and that often means changes in weather and the environment.
(Houlton) Persons attempting illegal border crossings in the Houlton area will find a new barrier – literally. The U.S. Border Patrol Houlton Sector has added concrete vehicle barriers in areas historically vulnerable to cross border traffic. Agents say the barricades give them an upper hand in stopping illegal crossings. The Patrol says they saw a 250% increase in cross border vehicle incursions in FY 23-24, but that such crossings are down 92% in 2025 since the barriers were installed.
Houlton Border Patrol Seizes Romanians Attempting to Cross Illegally
(Houlton) Acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, the US Border Patrol Wednesday apprehended two people who had crossed the US-Canada border illegally. Agents from the Fort Fairfield Border Patrol Station utilized a small, unmanned aerial system to search an area directly adjacent to the border in Caswell, Maine. U.S. Border Patrol Houlton Sector said the operator was able to locate the two subjects moving through the forest away from the border. He was then able to guide another agent to the subjects’ location where they were confronted by the agents. The two subjects were from Romania. No further information was available, but authorities continue to urge the public to always report any suspicious activity.
(Houlton) US Border Patrol agents yesterday apprehended a pair of Romanians they say had crossed the US-Canada border near Caswell, Maine illegally. Agents from the Fort Fairfield Border Patrol Station used a small, unmanned aerial system to search an area, based on a tip by a concerned citizen. The drone operator was able to locate the two subjects moving through the forest away from the border. He was then able to guide another agent to the subjects’ location where they were confronted by authorities. No further information was available, but authorities encourage the public to report suspicious activity by calling 800-851-8727.
Local Politics
Collins Expresses Concern About Authority Given to Elon Musk
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins told reporters this week she is “very concerned” about Elon Musk and his assistants demanding personal information from federal employees. The Senator broke ranks from many Republicans and mused, “I’m not sure where the authority for that would come from.” President Trump named Musk a special government employee, subjecting him to less rigid rules on ethics and financial disclosures than other workers. The Portland Press Herald reports Collins planned to meet with lawmakers Wednesday – a day after all four members of Maine’s Congressional delegation challenged Musk’s authority to eliminate agencies and cut federal spendingand staff.
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Congressional delegation reports their phone lines have been flooded with calls expressing concern about some of President Trump’s policies and Executive Orders. Representative Chellie Pingree reports her office has received an “unprecedented” number of calls from constituents troubled by the actions of the Trump Administration. Pingree said calls have come from “panic stricken” farmers, small business owners, and others who have never called before, particularly about threats of Elon Musk’s potential to freeze federal funds and his access to sensitive information. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins said their offices had received hundreds more calls than usual, as well. King called the Trump Administration’s attempt to dismantle USAID, a Critical National Security Agency, “brazen and illegal”, and Collins said she is “very concerned” about Elon Musk and his assistants demanding personal information from federal employees.
Economy
Nordic Aquafarms Lists Belfast Site for Sale
(Belfast) The site once proposed for a land-based salmon farm in Belfast is on the market for $2M. MaineBiz reports it was just weeks ago Nordic Aquafarms abandoned its proposal to build the farm, based on strong and ongoing pushback from opponents. Nordic had planned to invest hundreds of millions in the project, which was expected to produce 66 million pounds of salmon annually, but that faced pushback from conservation groups. The final breaking point came when Belfast City Council vacated an eminent domain seizure of land needed by Nordic to run intake and discharge pipes from the facility to Belfast Bay, leaving Nordic without the intertidal land needed to complete the project.
(Belfast) Nordic Aquafarms reportedly faced opposition almost from its arrival in Belfast in 2018. The company had planned to invest millions in a land-based salmon farm that was touted as being able to produce 66 million pounds of salmon annually, bringing economic stimulus and jobs to the town. But years of opposition from conservation groups and others resulted in Nordic throwing in the towel last month. The final straw came when Belfast City Council vacated an eminent domain seizure of land needed by Nordic to run intake and discharge pipes from the facility to Belfast Bay, leaving Nordic without the intertidal land needed to complete the project. Maine Biz reports the site is now listed for sale for $2M.
Smiling Hill Farm Has Milk, But No Bottles
(Westbrook) Got milk? Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook has plenty, but you may be seeing a short supply on store shelves these days. The proprietors say they continually order more pallets of bottles at least a half dozen times a year; but because many of those bottles are not returned, there’s a critical shortage. They say their most recent bottle order, due in January, has been delayed by the supplier until at least March, due to a major unexpected increase in their business. The company has already had to temporarily halt production of their Coffee Milk, and they say others may follow. Locally, bottles can be returned for full refunds to Tiller & Rye in Brewer and Clynk locations with no more than 4-6 bottles per bag mixed in with other cans and bottles.
(Westbrook) Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook has an udderly baffling problem. They say they have plenty of milk, but are critically short on bottles. The owners say they regularly order pallets of bottles, but because many of those bottles aren’t returned, there’s a shortage – and that has led to a shortage of their products on store shelves. They say their most recent bottle order, due in January, has been delayed by the supplier until at least March, due to a major unexpected increase in their business. The company has already had to temporarily halt production of their Coffee Milk, and they say others may follow. Locally, bottles can be returned for full refunds to Tiller & Rye in Brewer and Clynk locations with no more than 4-6 bottles per bag mixed in with other cans and bottles. So get a moooove on and return those bottles.
Education
Maine Students Score Low on Nation’s Report Card
(Maine) Schools in Maine last year saw the lowest scores in reading and math in almost three decades, according to the Nation’s Report Card. While scores nationwide showed decline in 2022, the Pine Tree State is now one of just 14 where students are performing well below the national average. The Maine Department of Education issued a cautionary statement, noting 4th graders who took the assessment last year were in kindergarten at the height of the pandemic, although that held true across the U.S. Other factors that come into play are poverty levels, amount of educational support in the home, and the state’s emphasis on localized education policy, which experts say has led to a potential lack of resources in some districts in Maine.
(Maine) Not such good news for Maine in the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card. The state reported the lowest scores in reading and math in nearly 30 years. Following the pandemic, scores declined nationwide in 2022; but while other states have bounced back, Maine is one of just 14 states whose students are performing far below the national average. The Maine Department of Education issued a cautionary statement, noting 4th graders who took the assessment last year were in kindergarten at the height of the pandemic, though that held true for the nation as a whole. Schools are far from the only factor in student scoring – others include poverty levels, amount of educational support in the home, and resources available – which experts say varies widely in Maine, due to the emphasis on localized educational policy.
Superb Owl Weekend at the Ellsworth Public Library
(Ellsworth) Don’t give a hoot about football? With a little bit of semantics and a whole lot of fun planned, the Ellsworth Public Library has turned Super Bowl Weekend into Superb Owl Weekend! This Saturday, February 9th, join the library from 11 to 3:30 for the Superb Owl Party. Create a special owl craft in the maker-space, show off your best owl costume, participate in an owl scavenger hunt, and explore the library’s special indoor Nature Trail. At 12:30, Birdsacre’s Grayson Richmond will share special photos, specimens and stories with secret videos, including a baby ambassador owl growing up at Birdsacre. (It’s a wise idea to register for that presentation – everything else, just join in as you like!) Library staff say you’ll never look at an owl the same again.
(Ellsworth) Not into football this weekend? No need to get your feathers ruffled! The Ellsworth Public Library has you covered with the Superb Owl Party! This Saturday, February 9th, join the library from 11 to 3:30 to create a special owl craft in the maker-space, show off your best owl costume, participate in an owl scavenger hunt, and explore the library’s special indoor Nature Trail. And WHOOO can resist videos of a baby ambassador owl growing up at Birdsacre? Birdsacre Director Grayson Richmond will have that and more at 12:30 – might be a wise idea to register for that one! Place your bets – we’re betting you’ll be winging your way to a LOT of fun! That’s Superb Owl Weekend – this Saturday from 11 to 3:30 – at the Ellsworth Public Library.
Environment
Ellsworth Welcomes New Community Tree Steward
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth has a Tree-mendous new partner. Michael Ortwirk joins the city as its new Community Tree Steward. Ortwirk will work with the Arbor Commission, conducting city-wide research on right-of-way widths, managing a city blog to keep residents informed on urban forestry initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and project progress, and undertaking site assessment for the planting of 80-plus trees. Community Tree Steward is part of the Maine Conservation Corps Program and is fully funded by AmeriCorps.
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth has a new partner in its goal of going green through urban forestry. Michael Ortwirk has joined the City as its new Community Tree Steward, a Maine Conservation Corps program fully funded by AmeriCorps. Ortwirk grew up in suburban Chicago, working for a tree service company and earned dual bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University. Among other tasks, he’ll update the street tree inventory, undertake site assessment for the planting of 80-plus trees, and manage a city blog to keep residents informed about urban forestry initiatives, volunteer opportunities and project progress.
Free Fishing Weekend
(Maine) Here’s another thing to love about Valentine’s weekend next week! February 15th and 16th make up Free Fishing Weekend in Maine, where any person may fish without a license except those whose license has been suspended or revoked. Check the ice, go with a friend, and try ice fishing for the first time. Or check out a new fishing spot through the monthly fishing and stocking reports on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website – m e fish wildlife dot com. You’ll also find information on what gear you need to get started, where to buy baitfish or smelts, and lots more, including information on determining ice safety.
(Maine) Treat your loved one to something special this Valentine’s Day, and they may just push you out the door and let you enjoy that ice fishing trip on Saturday and Sunday. After all, February 15th and 16th is Free Fishing Weekend here in Maine, when any person can fish without a license, except those whose license has been suspended or revoked. Not sure where to go, how to check the ice, or what gear you’ll need? Find all that information and more on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website – m e fish wildlife dot com.
Sports
Celtics home tonight against the Dallas Mavericks.
Bruins fall to the NY Rangers 3-2. The Bruins off now until Saturday when they’ll host the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden.
Local high school basketball games this evening – games likely postponed, due to the impending snowstorm – the Narraguagus Knights face the Deer Isle/Stonington Mariners – both the boys’ and girls’ teams in that matchup; and these girls’ teams on the schedule – the Jonesport-Beals Lady Royals take on the Machias Bulldogs, Calais vs. Woodland, and the GSA Lady Eagles hit the hardwood against the Mattanawcook Lynx.
In local high school basketball last night, these boys’ teams reporting in – Ellsworth over MDI 57-44, Bucksport defeats GSA 54-43, Bangor Christian decimates Deer Isle/Stonington 74-11, and a thrilling finish in that Jonesport-Beals/Sumner game, with the JB Royals pulling off a 60-58 win.