Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Winds, Drifting Snow Cause Multiple Vehicles to Go Off Road
(Orland) The winds will subside today; but combined with the blowing snow, they proved a formidable force for multiple vehicles in Orland this week. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies responded to the area of Cedar Swamp and Front Ridge Roads Monday on a report of multiple vehicles off the roadway. The windblown snow caused snow drifts to form in the roadway, making travel in the area treacherous. In all, six vehicles had to be pulled back onto the roadway in that area during the afternoon hours. Three towing companies, Maine DOT, and the Maine Marine Patrol assisted in the rescues.
(Orland) Strong winds and blowing snow forced half a dozen vehicles off the road Monday in the area of Cedar Swamp and Front Ridge Roads in Orland. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies were called to the area after the snow/wind combination caused snow drifts to form in the roadway, making travel in the area treacherous. In all, six vehicles had to be pulled back onto the roadway in that area during the afternoon hours. Officers were assisted by three towing companies, the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Marine Patrol.
Blue Hill Fire
(Blue Hill) Firefighters responded to a blaze on Allen Point Lane in Blue Hill Tuesday afternoon. The fire was reported shortly before 4 p.m. on the road that connects to Route 172 near the Sedgwick town line. The lane is a connector for a small group of homes overlooking Salt Pond. The Blue Hill Fire Department reports a barn located on the property was a total loss and there was damage to the house. Surry, Sedgwick, Brooklin, Penobscot, and Brooksville fire departments assisted in putting out the blaze, while Orland, Deer Isle and Stonington provided station coverage. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
(Blue Hill) Multiple departments responded to a barn fire Tuesday afternoon at a property on Allen Point Lane in Blue Hill. Firefighters say the road connects to Route 172 near the Sedgwick town line. Homes on the road overlook Salt Pond. The road was closed for a time while first responders battled the blaze. They say the barn was a total loss and the home was damaged as well. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Local Politics
Maine AG Files to Suspend Temporary Injunction on Gun Purchase Waiting Period
(Augusta) The Maine Attorney General’s Office has filed a motion to temporarily suspend enforcement of a court-ordered preliminary injunction to halt the state’s 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases. Last week, a federal judge put a hold on the three-day waiting period for gun purchases in Maine after reviewing a lawsuit filed by gun rights groups. WMTW reports the Attorney General wants the court to restore the waiting period while the appeal process plays out. The Maine Gun Safety Coalition argues the waiting period allows for a cooling off period for those contemplating suicide, the leading cause of gun deaths in Maine.
(Augusta) Gun rights advocates and those who take a more moderate stance are firing back at each other through the courts. WMTW reports last week, a federal judge put a hold on the three-day waiting period for gun purchases in Maine, put into place following the Lewiston tragedy. The ruling came after a Trump-appointed judge reviewed a lawsuit filed by gun rights groups. The Maine Attorney General’s Office has filed a motion to temporarily suspend enforcement of the preliminary injunction to halt the state’s 72-hour waiting period. The Maine Gun Safety Coalition argues the waiting period allows for a cooling off period for those contemplating suicide, the leading cause of gun deaths in Maine.
Patrick Keliher Retires as MDMR Commissioner
(Augusta) Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher is retiring. Keliher is the longest-serving commissioner in DMR history, serving in the position since 2012. Governor Janet Mills called Keliher a tireless advocate for Maine’s fishing industry and marine resources. Keliher’s last day will be March 14th.
(Augusta) Maine’s longest serving MDMR Commissioner is retiring. Patrick Keliher has served as the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources since 2012. News of his retirement drew praise for his years of service from Governor Janet Mills, who said the state’s commercial fisheries, seafood industries, and working waterfronts are better today because of Keliher’s leadership. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representative Chellie Pingree also praised Keliher, calling him a steadfast champion who tirelessly supported the state’s coastal communities. Keliher’s last day will be March 14th.
Economy
Economic Blackout Planned
(Undated) Attendees at the President’s Day protests against the Trump Administration’s policies on Monday said the nationwide protests were just the beginning. Organizers have planned an economic blackout on February 28th. They’re asking opponents of Trump’s job cuts and other actions to not buy anything on that date unless it’s from a small business. They say they’ll start with the one day buying freeze and go from there. Pushback centers on the massive firings and cutbacks that have resulted in thousands of layoffs and a hiring freeze that has affected the region locally at Acadia National Park and elsewhere. Protestors say they also object to Elon Musk and the DOGE team being granted access to the sensitive, personal information of millions of American citizens.
(Undated) While thousands across the country turned out Monday in protest against Trump Administration policies instituted in his less than a month in office, organizers of those protests say President’s Day was just the beginning. An economic blackout is planned for February 28th, with protestors asking like-minded individuals to refrain from making any purchases that day unless it is from a small business. Pushback centers on efforts by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to access the personal, sensitive data of millions of Americans through the Social Security Administration and other agencies. They say they’re also protesting a hiring freeze that’s hitting home locally – the freeze preventing Acadia National Park from beginning the seasonal hiring process of at least 150 employees needed to staff the park during peak tourist season and resulting in the laying off of eight full time park staff on Friday.
State Republicans Address Objections to Governor Mills’s Supplemental Budget
(Augusta) Last week Governor Janet Mills’s supplemental budget barely passed the House with a 74-71 party line vote. Republican Representative Will Tuell said what the budget does not include – a deletion to which he and many other Republicans object – is a promised 1.9% COLA increase for direct care workers Tuell said was withdrawn weeks before it was set to go into effect on January 1st. Tuell praised Senator Marianne Moore of Calais, a Republican who represents all of Washington and much of Hancock County, for adding the provision back in at one point on Tuesday. But he says the provision was ultimately stripped by majority Democrats in the Senate. Tuell praised Senate President Mattie Daughtry for changing joint rules that he said led to much of the drama on Tuesday.
(Augusta) Republicans and Democrats continue to be at odds over Governor Janet Mills’s Supplemental Budget. The budget passed the House by a tight 74-71 vote along party lines last Tuesday, but was not put into effect because of strong opposition by Republicans. Republican Representative Will Tuell said one sticking point is a Republican demand that General Assistance eligibility be limited to three months, a measure he noted was vehemently opposed by cities like Bangor, Lewiston, and Portland. Republicans also sought to include language they say would prioritize fiscal responsibility. Tuell praised Democratic Speaker Ryan Fecteau, who he said has been overseeing an “open frank, civil debate where both sides of the aisle could express their views without hostility”.
Economy
Oceanside Animal Hospital Finds Buyer for Vet Practice
(Trenton) Oceanside Animal Hospital in Trenton shared some good news this week. They say they have found a veterinarian to buy the practice and will stay open until the new practitioner takes over in April. Until then, Dr. Daryl Burmeister and the team say they’ll be open varied hours Mondays through Thursdays. They say the new vet will set her own hours. The practice advised current clients they still have all pets’ medical records in their system, even if pet parents had requested them or requested they be transferred due to the anticipated closing of Oceanside. Dr. Burmeister announced in January his wife had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, and that the practice would close February 14th unless a buyer was found.
(Trenton) Oceanside Animal Hospital in Trenton sharing some welcome news this week. Following his wife’s diagnosis with a serious illness, Dr. Burmeister announced the practice would be closing in February unless a buyer was found. This week, the beloved veterinarian announced a replacement veterinarian has been found that she will take over the practice in April. Oceanside will now continue to be open Mondays through Thursdays until the new vet arrives – likely April 1st – and that she will set her own hours. The practice advised the medical records of all current clients’ pets are still in their system, even if clients had requested them in anticipation of the practice closing. We’re all surely hoping and praying for a good outcome for Dr. Burmeister, his wife, and family.
Education
Maine Seacoast Mission Awarded $50K Grant for Youth Programming
(NE Harbor) Maine Seacoast Mission has been awarded a $50K grant to support the EdGE after school program. The grant from the Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation will benefit the innovative program that also provides summer, in-school, and leadership programming for close to a thousand students, grades kindergarten through college, in Washington County’s Downeast coastal region. Five programs provide education, social, and outdoor experiences, as well as the Mission’s Journey and Scholarships programs for 7th through 12th graders.
(NE Harbor) Maine Seacoast Mission’s EdGE program enriches students at all grade levels, through education, social and outdoor experiences; personal, career and post-secondary aspirations, and scholarships. Now the EdGE program itself has been enriched through a $50K grant from the Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation. The monies will benefit the EdGE after school program, which also provides summer, in-school, and leadership programming for close to a thousand students, grades kindergarten through college, in Washington County’s Downeast coastal region.
Sports
In the high school basketball Class B North semifinals, this afternoon, the number 4 Ellsworth Lady Eagles take on number 1 seeded Caribou at the Cross Insurance Center. Game time 3:30. On the boys’ side, number 4 MDI takes on #1 Caribou at 8:30.
In the high school basketball Class C North semifinals, number 7 seeded Calais takes on number three seeded Madawaska tomorrow evening at the Cross Insurance Center. The Calais boys took it into overtime against number 2 seeded Machias Monday, upsetting the Bulldogs in a thrilling 48-47 victory. On the girls’ side on Tuesday, #5 seeded Calais beat #4 Mt. View 36-30. The Calais girls take on #1 PVHS Thursday.
The Celtics in Philly Thursday to take on the 76ers. The Bruins back on the ice Saturday. They’ll host the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden.