Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
MDEA Agents Arrest Seven in Portland Drug Bust
(Portland) Maine Drug Enforcement Agents and Portland Police this week executed a “high risk” search warrant and arrested seven adults on drug charges. Authorities say over the past two months, police responded to an apartment building at 658 Congress Street, fielding more than a dozen “calls for service”, including suspected drug trafficking, threatening display of weapons, and disorderly persons. The building’s landlord had filed for and was granted a right to evict, but the offending tenants reportedly refused to leave. Following the search, the seven, ranging in age from 25 to 50, were detained, arrested and taken to the Cumberland County Jail.
(Portland) A Portland landlord said “enough is enough” when dealing with suspected drug trafficking at a multi-unit apartment building he owned at 658 Congress Street. The owner filed for and was granted a right to evict, but the tenants reportedly refused to leave. Authorities say they fielded more than a dozen calls for service in the past two months, including suspected drug trafficking and weapons displays. On Tuesday, Maine Drug Enforcement Agents executed a “high risk” search warrant, arresting seven adults. During an investigation, it was learned several renters were distributing illegal drugs form an apartment and in common hallways and the entrances to the building. The seven were taken to the Cumberland County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.
Kittery Carbon Monoxide Incident
(Kittery) The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a potential carbon monoxide incident at a daycare in Kittery. Investigators were called to the Building Blocks Daycare shortly before 3:20 yesterday afternoon. Seven people were taken to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. The Kittery Fire Department reports there were 27 children and ten staff in the building at the time of the call. They say children were safely reunited with their parents. Authorities have not yet determined a cause.
FMO Investigates Fatal Fire in East Millinocket
(East Millinocket) A Wednesday morning house fire in East Millinocket proved fatal to a resident. The Fire Marshal’s Office was asked to respond to 17 High Street shortly before 9:15 yesterday morning to assist the East Millinocket Fire Department with controlling the blaze. Once on the scene, investigators confirmed one person had died in the fire. Investigators remained on the scene throughout the day yesterday. The body of the deceased was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine a positive identification. The cause of that blaze remains under investigation.
(East Millinocket) Investigators were on the scene of a house fire in East Millinocket most of the day Wednesday, following the discovery of a body inside the home that burned. Crews were called to 17 High Street shortly before 9:15 yesterday. Upon finding the body, the East Millinocket Fire Department requested the help of the Fire Marshal’s Office. The body of the deceased was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine a positive identification. The FMO is working to determine a cause of that blaze.
AMHC/Ellsworth PD Partnership Already Seeing Results
(Ellsworth) The partnership between the Ellsworth Police Department and Aroostook Mental Health Center is just a month in, but Chief Troy Bires says things are going so well, they’re already looking at expanding the program. AMHC Social Worker Olivia Brown became an honorary member of the Department last month and began responding to calls with officers to assist with mental health situations. Brown joined officers on 15 calls in January, eight of which were related to her field, and all of which reported her assistance as helpful. The Ellsworth American reports Brown spends 36 hours of her work week at the police station and works four “flex” hours at AMHC, where she can still respond to calls as needed.
(Ellsworth) An innovative partnership between the Ellsworth Police Department and Aroostook Mental Health Center is already seeing results, just a month into the collaboration. The Ellsworth American reports AMHC Social Worker Olivia Brown became an honorary member of the Department in January, responding to calls with officers in order to assist with mental health situations. All the officers she’s assisted say the results have been positive. Chief Troy Bires said he hopes to have two social workers on the force within the next month or two. AMHC has previously partnered with two other nearby police departments, both of which also reported positive results.
Local Politics
Maine Dems Push Through Budget, but Stop Short of Enacting It
(Augusta) Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday passed a short-term budget that fills a $118M MaineCare funding gap, but stopped short of enacting it because of a lack of Republican support that could have meant delayed payments to health providers. Republicans Tuesday released a statement saying Democrats failed to demonstrate even a basic level of fiscal responsibility. They say they worked with Democrats in good faith to shape every aspect of the budget, but that legislative leadership blocked key components that would impose necessary controls on escalating welfare spending. Governor Mills responded that Republicans “reneged on their part of the unanimous bipartisan approval given by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.” The Maine Legislature and State Offices are closed today because of the weather.
(Augusta) The impending snow and sleet storm has caused the Maine Legislature and State Offices to close today, perhaps allowing for a cooling off period among lawmakers, as well as in the weather. On Tuesday the budget battle came to a head, with both sides accusing the other of failing to act sincerely and with integrity. Republicans issued a statement saying they worked with Democrats in good faith, but that legislative leadership blocked key components necessary to reign in spending. Governor Mills countered that Republicans “reneged on their part of the unanimous bipartisan approval given by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.” Democratic lawmakers late Tuesday passed a short-term budget that fills a $118M MaineCare funding gap, but stopped short of enacting it because of a lack of Republican support.
King Takes Stand Against Gabbard, RFK, Jr.
(Washington, DC) While Senator Susan Collins said she supports Trump’s nominations of Tulsi Gabbard to serve as Director of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Senator Angus King took a firm stand against both. King issued a statement saying the National Intelligence position boils down to judgement and management, both essential traits the Senator said Gabbard lacked. King gave examples of what he considered her lack of discernment, including seeking to drop espionage charges against Edward Snowden, even though ample evidence demonstrated Snowden’s egregious compromise of the country’s security. King also took to the floor Wednesday evening to deliver an impassioned argument against Kennedy, citing his controversial views on vaccines and his lack of any kind of healthcare expertise that would qualify him for that position.
USAID Cuts Lead to Potentially Millions in Wasted Food
(CBS) Almost $500 million in food aid is at risk of spoilage as it sits in ports, ships and warehouses after funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, was paused by the Trump administration, according to a Feb. 10 report from a government watchdog. The report from USAID’s inspector general highlighted the risks of “safeguarding and distribution” of $8.2 billion in unspent humanitarian aid after the Trump administration ordered almost all staff to be placed on leave and ordered a review of U.S. foreign assistance programs.
(CBS) While the White House rails against government waste, almost $500M in food aid is at risk of spoilage. A February 10th report from a government watchdog reports after funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, was paused by the Trump administration, food that was to aid developing countries sits in ports, on ships, and in warehouses, at risk of ruin. The report from USAID’s inspector general highlighted the risks of “safeguarding and distribution” of $8.2 billion in unspent humanitarian aid after the Trump administration ordered almost all staff to be placed on leave and ordered a review of U.S. foreign assistance programs.
Environment
COA Becomes First School in the U.S. to Eliminate Plastic Foodware
(Bar Harbor) College of the Atlantic, known for its eco-sensitivity, has become the first school in the U.S. to fully eliminate disposable plastic foodware in all its retail dining operations. A reusable to-go ware program launched this winter is expected to keep more than 50K pieces of disposable plastic out of the waste stream and help the school meet its Break Free From Plastic pledge. The school is utilizing stainless steel reusable to-go containers, insulated tumblers, sporks, and an app-based checkout system for the items. And congratulations to COA for reaching its goal in Tuesday’s 24-Hour Challenge. More than 550 donors helped the college exceed its goal of raising $100K, helping to unlock generous matching gifts.
(Bar Harbor) Plastic ware is out at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor. The eco-friendly campus is the first school in the U.S. to fully eliminate disposable plastic foodware in all retail dining operations. A reusable to-go ware program launched this winter is expected to keep more than 50K pieces of disposable plastic out of the waste stream and help the school meet its Break Free From Plastic pledge. The school met another goal this week – Tuesday was COA’s Annual 24 Hour Challenge. They say friends, community members, alumni, faculty, staff and students helped the school exceed its goal of 550 donors contributing $100K to unlock generous matching gifts. Totals from that day-long fundraiser will be released next week.
Health
Flu Cases Continue to Sicken Mainers
(Maine) Love is in the air – and so are those pesky viruses. The CDC says the number of flu cases in Maine nearly doubled over the past two weeks. The Maine Center for Disease Control reports 1900 cases for the week ending February 8th, bringing the total number of cases this year to nearly 7,000. Flu severity was highest in Hancock and Piscataquis Counties.
(Maine) It isn’t just love that’s in the air this Valentine’s Day; it’s that pesky flu virus. The Maine Center for Disease Control says the number of cases reported this year stands at more than 6900 – with the number of flu cases nearly doubling in the past two weeks. The CDC says nearly 1900 cases were reported for the week ending February 8th. Flu severity was highest in Hancock and Piscataquis Counties.
Grant Will Allow Dental Care for Veterans to Continue
(Augusta) Maine Veterans will continue to be eligible for dental care this year, thanks to a $300K grant from Northeast Delta Dental. The Maine Veterans’ Dental Network is an oral health safety net for Maine veterans who aren’t able to pay out of pocket for dental care and who do not have dental insurance. Since its launch in 2021, MVDN has provided oral health services for nearly 1500 Maine veterans, many of whom say it was their first time receiving dental care since leaving the military.
(Augusta) The Maine Veterans’ Dental Network is all smiles these days, thanks to a $300K grant from Northeast Delta Dental. The Maine Veterans’ Dental Network is an oral health safety net for Maine veterans who aren’t able to pay out of pocket for dental care and who do not have dental insurance. Launched by Governor Mills and NDD in 2021, the program has provided oral health services for nearly 1500 Maine veterans, many of whom say it was their first time receiving dental care since leaving the military.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Winter Parking Ban
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Public Works Department has declared a winter parking ban from midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Monday. City plow truck operators report during recent parking bans they’ve faced difficulties navigating streets due to vehicles being left parked on streets and ways. Remember, during a winter parking ban, parking is prohibited on all public streets, ways and city-owned parking areas, with the exception of the center spots of the Lower City Hall parking lot. Those not in compliance risk being towed at the discretion of the Ellsworth Police Department. And the Ellsworth Fire Department asks folks to please make sure those fire hydrants are cleared of snow – just in case.
(Ellsworth) As those snow banks pile up, so does the work for the Ellsworth Public Works Department. The City has declared a winter parking ban from midnight to 6 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Monday. Plow truck drivers have expressed frustration with those who continue to leave vehicles on streets, ways, and city owned parking areas during the bans – such vehicles are subject to being towed at the discretion of the Ellsworth Police Department. The City does allow parking in the center spots of the Lower City Hall parking lot only during winter parking bans. And the Ellsworth Fire Department asks folks to please make sure those fire hydrants are cleared of snow – just in case.
Sports
These local high school basketball teams scheduled for tournament play this weekend at the Cross Insurance Center. The Ellsworth Boys’ basketball quarterfinal is tomorrow night at 8:30 – Ellsworth taking on the #7 seed. On Saturday, the number 4 Ellsworth girls take on number 5 Mount Desert. The #4 Mount Desert boys will play the 5th seed. Also on Saturday, the #10 Jonesport Beals Royals take on #2 Central Aroostook – that’s both the girls’ and boys’ teams.
The Celtics beat the Spurs last night 116-103. Celtics now have a week off.