Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Reports of Smoke Brings Multiple Crews to Darling’s Auto Mall
(Ellsworth) Reports of smoke in a garage bay at Darling’s Auto Mall on Kingsland Crossing in Ellsworth last night had crews from multiple departments rushing to the scene. Ellsworth, Trenton, Lamoine and others responded to the dealership about 7:20 Sunday evening. Sources say a waste oil furnace malfunction was the cause. The building was aired out and the situation reported under control in under an hour.
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Fire Department last night responded to reports of smoke in a garage bay at Darling’s Auto Mall in Ellsworth. The incident was called in about 7:19 and was resolved in less than an hour. Sources say a waste oil furnace malfunction was the cause. Firefighters from Hancock, Trenton, Lamoine, Orland and others provided mutual aid.
Maine State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on I-95
(Palmyra) Maine State Police continue to investigate a Saturday morning crash on I-95 in Palmyra that killed a Rhode Island woman. Authorities say the crash occurred around 7:15 a.m. on I-95 NB at mile marker 155. An initial investigation indicates 20 yo Tatiana Medeiros of East Providence was in the left hand lane when her vehicle left the road and crashed into the median. Medeiros was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fire Destroys Home in Monmouth
(Monmouth) The homeowners and their children were able to escape a Friday morning house fire in Monmouth, but authorities say the home is a total loss. The Monmouth Fire Department responded to the blaze at One Bonin Road about 11:15. They say it appears the fire began on the porch and was the result of accidental improper disposal of ashes. One adult suffered minor burns, but there were no other injuries. First responders from Leeds, Winthrop, and five other departments assisted in tackling the blaze.
Norridgewock Murder
(Norridgewock) A Norridgewock man is in custody, charged with murder in a Friday night incident that left one man dead and another with serious head injuries. Authorities were called to a home on Walnut Drive in Norridgewock around 11:30 Friday night and found the two victims inside the home. Area police were then notified to be on the lookout for 38 yo Kendall Purnell, who was reportedly driving the homeowners’ vehicle. Purnell was apprehended about 1 a.m. Saturday morning at an Irving Gas Station in Waterville. The deceased victim’s body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The other victim was listed in critical condition at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Names of the victims are being withheld at this time.
(Norridgewock) A Norridgewock man is under arrest this morning, charged with murder in the death of one man, and suspected of critically wounding another. Authorities say they were called to a home on Walnut Drive in Norridgewock late Friday night and found one deceased victim, another with serious head injuries. The body of the deceased was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The injured man was flown by LifeFlight to EMMC in Bangor, where he was listed in critical condition yesterday. Area police were notified to be on the lookout for 38 yo Kendall Purnell, who was reportedly driving the homeowners’ vehicle. Purnell was apprehended about 1 a.m. Saturday morning at an Irving Gas Station in Waterville. He was taken to the Somerset County Jail; names of the victims not being released at this time.
Local Politics
Senators Collins, King Join Colleagues in Calling for Prompt Implementation of SS Fairness Act
(Washington, DC) Those affected by the Government Offset Pension and the Windfall Elimination Act were elated last month when Congress passed the Bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act. That joy turned to disappointment for many upon accessing the Social Security website to find the agency “expects it could take more than a year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits owed.” Former Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Senator Susan Collins, who co-sponsored the bill, along with Senator Angus King and a coalition of 25 others have sent a letter demanding immediate implementation of the Act to provide prompt relief to the millions of teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public servants unfairly penalized by the two previous acts for more than four decades. The letter was sent to the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
(Washington, DC) For more than 40 years, teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public servants who paid into Social Security from other jobs held, were unfairly penalized by the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Offset Pension, which slashed benefits simply because they held other pensions. The Social Security Fairness Act, passed by Congress last month, ended the injustice. But hearts sank as recipients went to the Social Security website only to read the agency “expects it could take more than a year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits owed.” On Thursday, former Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Senator Susan Collins, who co-sponsored the bill, along with Senator Angus King and a coalition of 25 others sent a letter to the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, demanding immediate implementation of the Act, which was also supported by President Trump.
Bar Harbor Approves 180-Day Freeze on Lodging Development
(Bar Harbor) The Bar Harbor Town Council has voted to enact a full 180-day moratorium on the development of transient accommodations – that includes hotels, motels, B&B’s, resorts, inns, and other facilities that offer three or more lodging units for periods of less than 30 days. The Mount Desert Islander reports the ban will go into effect March 6th and run through September 2nd. The period between now and March 6th will be covered by the emergency moratorium Council voted to extend in January.
(Bar Harbor) The Town of Bar Harbor has a major advantage – tourism. It also has a major headache – tourism. While visitation continues to grow, locals sometimes find themselves avoiding the town and nearby Acadia National Park because of crowded streets and trails they say in peak season no longer offer the quiet solitude they once enjoyed. A battle over limitations on cruise ship disembarkation numbers has divided the town for months. The most recent attempt at reigning in the issue is a move by the Town Council to enact a full 180-day moratorium on the development of transient accommodations – that includes hotels, motels, B&B’s, resorts, inns, and other facilities that offer three or more lodging units for periods of less than 30 days. The moratorium goes into effect March 6th and runs through September 2nd.
Senator Collins Meets with President Trump at Mar-A-Lago
(Maine) Senator Susan Collins was among a group of Republican senators who met with President Trump this weekend at Mar-A-Lago. The Portland Press Herald reports the fact Collins was invited was a bit of a surprise, given her public breaks with the President. But as Chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, she’s also a key player in budget decisions.
(Maine) Senator Susan Collins is walking a fine line between supporting a Republican President and yet voting against some of his actions and nominees for Cabinet positions. This weekend, Collins met with President Trump at Mar-A-Lago. The Portland Press Herald reports the fact Collins was invited was a bit of a surprise, given her public breaks with the President. But as Chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, she’s also a key player in budget decisions.
Lobstermen’s Defamation Lawsuit Moves Forward
(Portland) A defamation lawsuit filed by Maine lobstering groups against a California aquarium can now move forward, after almost two years in limbo. In 2022, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation’s Seafood Watch program put New England lobster on a “red list”, condemning it as a food to avoid in order to protect the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale from lobstermen’s fishing gear. Maine lobstermen say the reasoning behind the listing is not only false but has harmed them and the Maine lobster brand economically. The Maine Lobstermen’s Association noted the aquarium overlooked Maine lobstermen’s concern for marine life, as it is a key component of their livelihood.
(Portland) Maine lobstermen are finally getting their day in court. A defamation lawsuit filed against Monterey Bay Aquarium has been in limbo for nearly two years, after MBA’s Seafood Watch put lobster on a “red list”, advising it was a food to avoid in order to protect the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale from entanglement in lobster fishing gear. Maine lobstermen say the reasoning behind the listing is not only false but has harmed the Maine lobster brand economically, in part because Whole Foods, Blue Apron, and others pulled Maine lobster from their brands. The Maine Lobstermen’s Association says the aquarium overlooked Maine lobstermen’s concern for marine life, as caring for the entire ocean environment is a key component of their livelihood.
Bill Would Eliminate Mandatory Yearly Vehicle Inspections for Many
(Augusta) A proposal before the Maine legislature would eliminate mandatory yearly vehicle inspections for most Mainers. Republican Representative Ann Fredericks of Sanford, the bill’s sponsor, says advancements in automotive technology and improved safety standards make the requirement unnecessary. The bill would exclude commercial motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers. Maine currently processes more than 1.3 million inspection stickers per year. Opponents say the repeal would weaken protections provided by the inspection, leading to safety concerns for everyone on the road.
(Augusta) The State legislature is considering a bill that would end mandatory annual state vehicle inspections for most Mainers. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Representative Ann Fredericks of Sanford, contends advancements in automotive technology and improved safety standards make the requirement unnecessary for many of the 1.3 million motorists who must qualify and pay for those inspections each year. The bill would exclude commercial motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers. Opponents say a repeal would weaken protections the inspection process provides, leading to safety concerns for everyone on the road.
Economy
Heart of Ellsworth Launches 2025 Downtown Grants Program
(Ellsworth) Another great opportunity for local entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses in downtown Ellsworth. Heart of Ellsworth has launched the 2025 Downtown Grant Program. The awards are available for start-up or expansion projects, and all downtown Ellsworth business owners and area entrepreneurs are eligible to apply. Supported projects include such things as hiring a consultant or advisor, website creation, marketing and brand development, attending a workshop, and more. There are three awards available, from five hundred to five thousand dollars. Apply at heart of ellsworth dot org. Grants are made possible with generous support from Franklin Savings Bank, Bangor Federal Credit Union, First National Bank, and Machias Savings Bank.
(Ellsworth) If you’re an Ellsworth business owner, entrepreneur, or start up interested in website creation, attending a workshop, developing your brand or logo, or hiring a consultant but just don’t feel you can spare the money, here’s a great opportunity from Heart of Ellsworth. They’ve launched the fourth round of the Downtown Grant Program. This year’s funding cycle is available to all downtown business owners and area entrepreneurs. Three awards are available for a variety of projects, ranging from $5K to $500 dollars. This year’s grants are made possible with generous support from Franklin Savings Bank, Bangor Federal Credit Union, First National Bank, and Machias Savings Bank. Apply by Monday, February 24th at heart of ellsworth dot org. Winners will be announced at the Downtown Grants Award Ceremony on March 25th.
Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles fly away with a 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in yesterday’s Super Bowl.
The Celtics take on the Heat tonight in Miami.
They did it again – the Ellsworth High School Cheerleaders made it a three-peat Saturday, bringing home top honors as the 2025 Class B State Champions. Congratulations to all the girls and their coaches. The MDI Cheerleaders placed 9th – their best standing in quite some time.
The Maine Principals’ Association will continue to allow transgender female athletes to compete, despite President Donald Trump’s Executive Order.
The Ellsworth High School Boys Swim and Dive Team are the 2025 PVC Champions, and Swimming Coach Jim Goodman was named 2025 PVC Boys Coach of the Year, and Ann Katherine Burns was named PVC Performer of the Meet at the 2025 PVC Championship Meet. Congratulations!