Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Update on Carbon Monoxide Incident at Kittery Daycare
(Kittery) An update this morning on that carbon monoxide incident at a daycare in Kittery on Wednesday. The State Fire Marshal’s Office has confirmed the source of the carbon monoxide was a propane-powered concrete saw being operated in an adjacent suite and was not affiliated with the child care. Authorities say propane-powered gas saws are not intended for use indoors and are often labeled to prevent use in unventilated spaces. The Fire Marshal’s Office praised the staff of the Building Blocks Learning Center, saying they recognized a problem and took action, evacuating children and staff to safety and notifying the fire department as soon as they recognized something was wrong. Investigators say the CO likely traveled through the HVAC system. They say detectors in the area where the saw was operating had been covered.
(Kittery) Maine State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler had high praise for the staff of the Building Blocks Learning Center in Kittery. A carbon monoxide incident Wednesday sickened several people at the center, but Esler said the staff recognized a problem and took action, evacuating children and staff to safety and notifying the fire department as soon as they recognized something was wrong. An investigation revealed the source of the carbon monoxide was a propane-powered concrete saw being operated in an adjacent suite and was not affiliated with the child care. Authorities say propane-powered gas saws are not intended for use indoors and are often labeled to prevent use in unventilated spaces. Seven people were taken to a hospital, but none suffered life-threatening injuries.
Local Politics
Gun Waiting Period Ruling Angers Gun Safety Coalition
(Portland) A judge hearing the gun lobby’s lawsuit to roll back Maine’s 72-hour waiting period law for gun purchases on Thursday issued a ruling in favor of the gun lobby, putting a hold on the new three-day waiting period for gun purchases that was put in place after the Lewiston tragedy. In response, Nacole Palmer, Executive Director for the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, released a statement saying the coalition was deeply troubled by the decision of a Trump-appointed judge to roll back Maine’s gun safety laws. She said the common-sense law does not prevent anyone’s right to buy guns, but does help prevent suicide, the leading cause of gun deaths in Maine, by allowing a brief cooling off period for anyone in crisis. Palmer said she’s confident the state would appeal and the ruling would be overturned.
(Portland) The Maine Gun Safety Coalition Thursday issued a statement saying it was deeply troubled by a ruling on a lawsuit by the state’s gun lobby. A judge hearing the lawsuit to roll back Maine’s 72-hour waiting period law for gun purchases ruled in favor of the gun lobby, putting a hold on the new three-day waiting period for gun purchases that was put in place after the Lewiston tragedy . Nacole Palmer, Executive Director for the Gun Safety Coalition, said the common-sense law does not prevent anyone’s right to buy guns, but does help prevent suicide, the leading cause of gun deaths in Maine, by allowing a brief cooling off period for anyone in crisis. Palmer said she was confident the state would appeal what she called a poor decision that could cause more Maine families to lose loved ones to suicide and that the ruling would be overturned.
Economy
Hiring Freeze Likely to Impact Summer Season at ANP
(ANP) The hiring freeze instituted by President Trump is already hitting close to home. Acadia National Park has struggled to fill the 150 positions needed to staff the park’s busy season. And this year’s 90-day hiring freeze, implemented just hours into the Trump Administration, is likely to further curtail filling those positions, with even seasonal spots appearing to be on the chopping block. The Mount Desert Islander reports the park typically begins its seasonal hiring process this time of year, but visitors to the park’s website will find all job listings removed, replaced with the message, “No jobs open to the general public are available at this time.”
(ANP) The Downeast region’s tourist treasure, Acadia National Park, has had to put things IN park when it comes to seasonal hiring this year. This year’s 90-day hiring freeze, implemented just hours into the Trump Presidency, is likely to further curtail already difficult staffing attempts. Park officials say it looks like even seasonal spots are on the chopping block. The Mount Desert Islander reports the park typically begins its seasonal hiring process this time of year, but visitors to the park’s website will find all job listings removed, replaced with the message, “No jobs open to the general public are available at this time.”
Free Tax Help in Sullivan
(Sullivan) AARP and Age Friendly Sullivan have partnered with Frenchman’s Bay Library to offer free tax preparation services on March 6th. Help will be available from 9:30 to 3 that day at the Sorrento-Sullivan Recreation Center. They say the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program will get your tax returns filled out and filed – all for free. There are some requirements. For information and to schedule your first come-first served appointment, call Frenchman’s Bay Library (422-2307).
(Sullivan) Here’s something that may make tax season a little less taxing – especially for older adults with low to moderate income. AARP and Age Friendly Sullivan have partnered with Frenchman’s Bay Library to offer free tax preparation services on March 6th. The AARP Foundation Tax Aid program will help you get your tax returns filled out and filed at no cost. There are some requirements! Learn about those and schedule your March 6th appointment between 9:30 and 3 that day – first come, first served – by calling Frenchman’s Bay Library. (422-3207)
Developers of Proposed Glampground on Deer Isle Give Up Permits
(Deer Isle) Developers hoping to create a high-end glampground on Deer Isle have raised the white flag. First proposed in 2022, the Bangor Daily News reports the project was met with organized resistance from residents and eventually a lawsuit. It also led the town to consider strengthening its zoning laws. In a letter to the Town’s Select Board this week, developers behind the proposed Fox Hollow campground project revoked their own permits and gave up any future development rights on a 48-acre property overlooking Crockett Cove.
(Deer Isle) Developers behind the Fox Hollow glampground project proposed for a site overlooking Crockett Cove on Deer Isle have waved the white flag. The Bangor Daily News reports the project was first proposed in 2022, but was met with organized resistance from residents and eventually a lawsuit. In a letter to the Town’s Select Board this week, developers behind the proposed project revoked their own permits and gave up any future development rights on the property. The project was expected to cost around $2M and would have included cabins, tent sites, a bathhouse and renovation of an existing house and barn.
Environment
Brooksville Looks to Dredging for Access for Fishermen
(Brooksville) The Town of Brooksville has more than fifty miles of coastline, but not a single public access point commercial fishermen can use at low tide. The Bangor Daily News reports town officials are looking to change that with a plan to dredge out the area around its town landing at Betsy’s Cove. The town has reportedly been working on the plan for five years, but the 2023 yearlong closure of a private all-tide marina made implementing the project more urgent. Mike O’Shaughnessy, Chair of the town’s harbor committee, said fishing is a core part of the town’s and the region’s economy, and it’s important to make that accessible. The next closest public access points are in Stonington and Blue Hill. After determining the price tag of having the US Army Corps of Engineers complete the project was too costly, the town now hopes to carry out the dredging work itself.
(Brooksville) The Town of Brooksville boasts more than fifty miles of coastline – none of which has a public access point that can be used by commercial fishermen at low tide. The Bangor Daily News reports town officials hope to change that with a plan to dredge out the area around its town landing at Betsy’s Cove. The plan has been in the works for at least five years, with officials looking into having the dredging done by the US Army Corps of Engineers. That proved too costly, so the town now plans to do the dredging work itself. Deepening Betsy’s cove and building a new dock would give fishermen 24/7 access to load and unload bait and catch. The Maine Department of Marine Resources is currently accepting public comment on the plan, which is said to be a relatively small project.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Winter Community Day at the Abbe Museum
(Bar Harbor) Looking for activities for the kids during February break? The Abbe Museum will be open for Winter Community Day on Wednesday, February 19th. At 10:30, delve into the world of the Wabanaki with a reading of multiple children’s books, including The Canoe Maker, Thanks to the Animals, and Kunu’s Basket. At 11, Dr. Aaron Miller will share a collection spotlight, featuring some rarely seen items from the Abbe’s collection, and beginning at 12:30, visitors can join a guided tour of the People of the First Light Gallery. They’re even keeping the costs down – 2024 admission fees apply.
(Bar Harbor) Winter break is the perfect time to visit the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor. On Wednesday, February 19th, the museum will be open for Winter Community Day – with activities for all ages between 10:30 and 1:30, including readings of several children’s books on Wabanaki culture, a presentation that highlights some rarely seen items from the Abbe’s collection, and a guided tour of the People of the First Light Gallery. For admission fees and a specific schedule of times and events, visit abbe museum dot org.
Valentine’s Day
(Undated) It’s Valentine’s Day, a chance to celebrate the ones we love, be it family, friends or that special someone. According to some sources, Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian feast day to honor a martyr named Valentine, executed by the Roman Emperor Cladius II in the third century – how romantic?! Legend has it St. Valentine wrote the first “valentine” greeting to a young girl he tutored and fell in love with while imprisoned. Another legend says Valentine may have been a priest who secretly married couples, going against the emperor’s wishes. Whatever the origins, don’t go against YOUR Valentine’s wishes today – make sure he or she gets flowers, chocolates, jewelry … a special dinner, or whatever makes the moment special for them.
(Undated) Valentine’s Day conjures visions of Cupid, a winged creature from Roman mythology who carried a bow and arrows and is the equivalent of the Greek god of love and desire, Eros. The Romans’ Cupid is said to be the son of Ares, the god of war, and Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and desire…which makes sense, as Eros’s arrows were said to be his source of power – with golden arrows to inspire love and leaden arrows to inspire hate. Legend has it he shoots people with arrows to magically incite conflict and love stories. Here’s hoping this Valentine’s Day, arrows aimed your way are all golden ones. It probably wouldn’t hurt if you helped that along with candy, flowers, jewelry, or help around the house – whatever YOUR Valentine is “aiming” to receive.
Sports
In local high school basketball tournament action, Maine High School GIRLS’ basketball is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season – they evened that playing field way back in 1975, following passage of Title IX three years earlier. Congratulations to all the gals who have been a part of that! Tonight the Ellsworth boys take on Old Town at the Cross Insurance Center. Michael W. Hale will be in today and throughout the weekend with high school basketball tournament reports.
Newport native Cooper Flagg is in the running to earn this year’s John R. Wooden Award. The award is given annually to the most outstanding player in college basketball. Flagg has regularly turned in impressive stats for Duke this season. If he wins, the Blue Devil’s guard would be the youngest player ever to do so.