Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Memorial Service Planned for K9 Preacher Killed in the Line of Duty
(South Portland) A memorial service is planned for tomorrow for the State Police K-9 killed in the line of duty one week ago in Portage Lake. WMTW reports K9 Preacher was shot during a standoff with a suspect. The suspect was later killed when he reportedly fired at other deputies who were on the scene. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Point Community Center in South Portland.
(South Portland) The heroic police K9 killed in the line of duty earlier this month will be honored at a memorial service Wednesday. WMTW reports K9 Preacher, a four year old Belgian Malinois, was shot while attempting to apprehend a suspect in a Portage Lake standoff. That suspect was later killed when he reportedly turned his weapons on other deputies. A service is planned for 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Point Community Center in South Portland.
Local Politics
King, Colleagues, Push Back at DOGE Access to Treasury
(Washington, DC) Pushback aimed at Elon Musk’s access to sensitive information at the Treasury continues. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined colleagues in demanding the Veterans Affairs Secretary protect veterans’ personal information. In a letter to Doug Collins, the Senators urged immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency”. The call to protect this data follows Musk’s takeover of the U.S. Treasury’s payment system and reports of DOGE employees accessing VA computer systems at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
(Washington, DC) Political leaders, pundits, and the public continue to push back against the free reign given to private citizen Elon Musk regarding access to sensitive information at the Treasury. Senator Angus King this week expressed special concern regarding protecting the personal information of veterans. King, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined colleagues in demanding the Veterans Affairs Secretary protect such information. In a letter to Doug Collins, the Senators urged swift action to protect the private information of veterans and their families.
Senator Collins Pushes Back on NIH Cuts
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins minced no words Monday in response to the President’s order to cap indirect costs on biomedical research funded by the National Institutes of Health. The Senator called it a “poorly conceived directive” and said she had heard from the Jackson Laboratory, the University of Maine, MDI Biological Lab and others that some cuts would apply retroactively to existing grants, stopping vital biomedical research and leading to job losses. The Senator said, “There is no investment that pays greater dividends to American families than our investment in biomedical research. In Maine, scientists are conducting much-needed research on Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, and more, helping to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and conducting other life-enhancing or life-saving research.” A U.S. Judge Monday temporarily blocked the research funding cuts.
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins did not mince words Monday when pushing back on the President’s directive to cap indirect costs on biomedical research funded through the National Institutes of Health. Calling it a “poorly conceived directive” that imposed an arbitrary cap on vital research, including research at the Jackson Laboratory, the University of Maine, MDI Biological Lab, and others, the Senator said no investment pays greater dividends to American families than biomedical research. Collins took exceptional issue with the fact some cuts would apply retroactively to existing grants, likely stopping research on such projects as Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and more. A U.S. Judge Monday temporarily blocked the research funding cuts
Attorney General Frey Sues Trump Administration for Defunding Medical and Public Health Research
(Augusta) A U.S. Judge has temporarily blocked the President Trump’s research funding cuts. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and 21 other attorneys general on Monday sued the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health for unlawfully cutting funds that support cutting-edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country. The coalition is challenging the Administration’s attempt to unilaterally cut “indirect cost” reimbursements at every research institution throughout the country. Frey said without such reimbursements, the lifesaving medical research in which the United States has been a leader could be compromised.
(Augusta) Attorneys General from 22 states, including Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, on Monday filed a lawsuit challenging what they say is an attempt to unilaterally cut “indirect cost” reimbursements at every research institution throughout the country. The cuts would hinder research on such diseases as Lyme, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and others being conducted at The Jackson Lab, the University of Maine, MDI Biological Lab and at other institutions throughout Maine and the nation. The lawsuit names the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health, seeking to prevent what they say is the Administration’s “reckless and illegal” conduct in cutting reimbursements to cover expenses that facilitate biomedical research. A U.S. Judge Monday temporarily blocked the research funding cuts.
Maine Legislature Considers Time Change Bills
(Augusta) The Maine legislature is wading through some 2400 bills this session, including a bill to designate the spring peeper as the state amphibian, the wood turtle as the state reptile, and a pair of bills that would keep Maine on one time schedule year round. Republican Representative Will Tuell reports LD 3 suggests pushing the clocks one hour ahead permanently each March, and not moving them back in November. LD 4 does the reverse – setting the clocks back an hour in November and leaving them there. 72% of those responding to a survey said they preferred LD 3, which would see no change during spring, summer, and early fall, but would mean a later sunset during late fall and winter. It would also mean darkness later in the morning during those times.
(Augusta) Those pesky twice-a-year time changes are hard on everyone. The Maine legislature this session will consider two bills aimed at keeping the same time year round. Republican Representative Will Tuell reports LD 3 suggests pushing the clocks one hour ahead permanently each March, and not moving them back in November. LD 4 does the reverse – setting the clocks back an hour in November and leaving them there. 72% of those responding to a survey said they preferred LD 3, which would see no change during spring, summer, and early fall, but result in a later sunset during late fall and winter. It would also mean darkness later in the morning during those times.
Reps Push for Elimination of Trade Penalty on PFAS-free Outdoor Clothing
(Augusta) Members of Maine’s congressional delegation are pushing to remove trade barriers to selling outdoor apparel that does not contain PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” Due to a loophole in trade laws, water-resistant clothing made with PFAS qualifies for a 7% tariff, while non-PFAS alternatives are subject to a 27% tariff. The Portland Press Herald reports “The Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act”, co-sponsored by Representative Chellie Pingree and introduced in the House last week, promotes safer alternatives to ensure waterproof garments aren’t contributing to the contamination of food and water supplies. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King previously introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
(Augusta) Experts say that water-repellant clothing you wear outdoors could be harmful to your health. But a loophole in trade laws means water-resistant clothing made with PFAS is generally less expensive, as it qualifies for a 7% tariff, while non-PFAS alternatives are subject to a 27% tariff. Maine’s congressional delegation is working to change that. The Portland Press Herald reports Representative Chellie Pingree last week introduced in the House “The Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act”. The legislation promotes safer alternatives for consumers, that they say also doesn’t contribute to the contamination of the nation’s food and water supplies. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King previously introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
Economy
Heart of Ellsworth Taps Expertise of Development Consultant
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth is once again growing its staff – this time drawing on the expertise of Development Consultant Elaine Theriault-Currier. Nicknamed “Elaine from Maine”, Theriault-Currier grew up the daughter of parents raised in mill towns, and says she’s acutely aware of the impact a struggling economic base can have. In 2021, Elaine launched Pen Name, a Maine grant writing and PR consultancy to help businesses and nonprofits shape their stories into compelling narratives that get results. She’s worked with a wide variety of entities, including farmers, manufacturers, and community-based organizations, to secure funding and media recognition. Welcome!
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth welcomes Development Consultant Elaine Theriault-Currier as their newest staff member. Elaine has spent her career promoting the people, places, and businesses of Maine through writing. While serving as an AmeriCorps member at the Lewiston Housing Authority, she wrote grants to fund after-school programs that benefited majority- immigrant children that called the development home. She also worked writing grants to improve municipal infrastructure and support local entrepreneurship in Waterville. In 2021, Elaine launched Pen Name, a Maine grant writing and PR consultancy to help businesses and nonprofits shape their stories into compelling narratives that get results. Welcome!
Education
COA 24 Hour Challenge
(Bar Harbor) Today is a big day on the campus of College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor! The country’s perennially ranked number one environmentally conscious institution is hoping to raise $100,000 from 550 donors in 24 hours. The fundraising kicked off at midnight last night with a 24 hour campfire on the front lawn. The public is welcome to join in the festivities going on all day today, and you can donate online, by phone, or by mail. Gifts postmarked today will be counted toward the 24 hour challenge and the goal of unlocking $150K in matching gifts from generous alumni and friends.
(Bar Harbor) More than 80% of students at College at the Atlantic in Bar Harbor receive some form of financial aid, so today is a huge day for the college, consistently ranked tops among environmentally friendly institutions for higher education. The year’s biggest fundraiser, the 24 hour challenge, began at midnight with a goal of raising $100,000 from 550 donors in 24 hours. If the goal is reached, it will be matched by an additional $150K from generous alumni and friends. The public is welcome to participate in all-day activities on the COA campus today, including a bonfire, breakfast, a student hockey game and more. You can donate online, by phone or by mail.
Lobster Fishing Gear Demonstration Postponed
(Jonesport) That demonstration of alternative lobster fishing gear in Jonesport has been postponed due to weather. The new date is February 18th. Demonstrations will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Jonesport Town Marina, there’s no charge, and fishermen and the public are welcome to drop in anytime during those hours. Then head over to Peabody Memorial Library for simultaneous informal discussions. Demonstrations and discussions will be based on the specific interests and needs of those who attend. The event is ponsored by SCEC and the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
(Jonesport) Weather postponed that demonstration of alternative lobster fishing gear scheduled for Jonesport. The new date is Tuesday, February 18th. Fishermen and the public can stop by the Jonesport Town Marina anytime between 1 and 5 p.m. that day and visit the Peabody Memorial Library for simultaneous informal discussions. There’s no fee, and demos and discussions will be based on the interests and needs of those attending. Sponsored by SCEC and the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
Sports
Legislators last week welcomed the Class B State Championship Volleyball team to the Capital. The Washington Academy Lady Raiders, coached by Corey Schwinn, capped off an undefeated 2024 campaign with their first ever Class B title, and have only lost one match in the past two years under Coach Schwinn.
The Celtics had no problem beating the Heat last night, winning over Miami 103-85. Celtics have the night off tonight. They’ll be home Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs.
Just one game this evening to wrap up the regular high school basketball season – the Washington Academy Lady Raiders take on the John Bapst Lady Crusaders.