Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Ellsworth Fire Department Participating in Ice Water Rescue Training
(Ellsworth) If you’re out and about on the Shore Road and Pump Station Road in Ellsworth today, the City asks that you use extra caution. Members of the Ellsworth Fire Department will be on Leonard Lake for Ice Water Rescue training at Pump Station Point. Crews will be working throughout the day to ensure they’re well prepared for any such emergencies.
(Ellsworth) Members of the Ellsworth Fire Department are serious about keeping the community safe – even if that means being in frigid water on a cold day like today to practice Ice Water Rescue training. Crews will be out on Leonard Lake at Pump Station Point throughout the day today, ensuring they’re well prepared in case of such emergencies. The City of Ellsworth asks if you’re out and about on the Shore Road and Pump Station Road today, please use extra caution to help keep those firefighters safe, as well.
Readfield Incident Update
(Readfield) Authorities have released more details about that Wednesday morning tragedy in Readfield that left one woman dead, another critically injured. Police responded to a home on Giles Road about 10 a.m. February 19th and found the two women. The deceased woman has been identified as 32 yo Margaux Whittemore of Belfast. Her death has been ruled a homicide. Margaux and her husband, 34 yo Samuel Whittemore, who police consider a suspect, were reportedly visiting his parents’ home when the incident occurred. The injured woman has been identified as Samuel’s mother, 67 yo Dorothy Whittemore. She was taken to a hospital, where authorities say her condition has since been upgraded. Samuel had reportedly fled the scene before deputies arrived, but was quickly located, arrested and taken to a hospital for evaluation. Neither a cause of death nor a motive is being released at this time. Samuel Whittemore is scheduled to make an initial court appearance today.
(Readfield) The suspect in that Wednesday morning Readfield incident that left one woman dead, another critically injured, is scheduled to make his initial court appearance today. Authorities say 32 yo Margaux Whittemore and 34 yo Samuel Whittemore of Belfast were visiting his parents’ home when the tragedy occurred. Margaux’s body was found outside the home – her death has been ruled a homicide. Samuel’s mother was found severely injured inside the home and was taken to a hospital, where authorities say her condition has improved. Deputies say when they arrived on the scene, Samuel had fled but was found nearby, arrested and taken to a hospital for evaluation. They say Samuel’s father was not inside the home when the tragedy occurred. Police not yet releasing a cause of death or a motive.
Rockland Gives Knox County Chance to Rebuild Dispatch Staff
(Rockland) A new plan by Knox County for hiring dispatchers at the struggling Knox RCC has prompted a reprieve from the City of Rockland’s plans to dissolve its membership in the regional 9-1-1 communications system and build its own. The four week plan gives the Knox RCC only until March 12 to prove its success. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the town’s fire and police chiefs say they don’t want to break away, but after a nearly two year cycle of problems, including a period where Knox County calls were fielded through the Waldo County RCC, they say they feel there is little choice.
(Rockland) The Knox County RCC is facing a four week deadline to hire a full complement of staff and get back on its feet. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the Knox RCC has struggled with staffing for at least two years. At one point, calls had to be fielded through the Waldo County RCC for several months. If issues are not resolved by March 12, Knox County has said Rockland will dissolve its membership in the regional 9-1-1 communications system and build its own. The town’s fire and police chiefs say they don’t want to break away but say they feel they have no other option.
Local Politics
Senator Angus King Blasts “Thoughtless” Cuts at VA, Impacting Veterans’ Benefits
(Washington, DC) Federal employees who inspect people, animals, and plants for dangerous pathogens at the nation’s borders have received pink slips. Hundreds of FAA employees were cut, following one of the nation’s worst air disasters. And thousands of IRS workers have been laid off at the beginning of tax season. Maine’s Independent Senator Angus King is firing back at the firings – particularly scorning the recent layoffs of a thousand employees at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. King took issue with the claim the cuts were done in a “thoughtful” way with reviews, and called for data verifying that such care took place, expressing particular concern about veterans being vulnerable to the VA’s quest to “reduce inefficiencies”. Maine has one of the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, with Senator King perennially acting as a staunch advocate for their well-being.
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King took to the Senate floor Thursday to share his growing concerns over the Trump Administration’s “largely unconstitutional and unprecedented overreach.” King held nothing back, saying the President was usurping Congressional Authority that has now reached the constitutionally directed “power of the purse.” He discussed what he called the detrimental impacts of reckless, indiscriminate government cuts on federal functions like management of the national parks and care for veterans. The Senator then discussed the critical vulnerability of Congress relieving its duties to the courts – an abdication he said that would be hard to reverse, no matter what administration is next elected to office.
Senator Susan Collins Warns Trump, Musk About Violating U.S. Constitution
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, has warned Elon Musk and the White House budget office their move to block spending already approved by Congress, is a clear violation of Article One of the Constitution. Maine’s Republican Senator made the remarks in an interview as legislators work to negotiate a deal to avoid a government shutdown in less than a month. Collins said if certain actions continue, “You would see lawsuits,” and added, “A lot of these issues are going to end up in court.” Collins also broke ranks with other members of her party by criticizing the cuts across federal agencies made by the President and DOGE, calling the massive firings “indiscriminate”.
(Washington) One of Washington’s most powerful and well-respected Senators in an interview warned Elon Musk and the White House budget office their attempts to block spending already approved by Congress is a clear violation of the U.S. Constitution. In the interview, Republican Senator Susan Collins said if certain actions continue, “You would see lawsuits,” and added, “A lot of these issues are going to end up in court.” Collins, Chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, made the remarks as legislators work to negotiate a deal to avoid a government shutdown less than a month from now. Collins also criticized massive cuts made across federal agencies made by the President and DOGE, calling the firings “indiscriminate”.
Economy
Fiore Under New Ownership
(Bar Harbor) Fiore Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars is under new ownership. The Mount Desert Islander reports longtime staff member Frank Kelly has purchased the now-16-year-old business that features extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars and many other specialty products. Kelly began working at the food boutique almost ten years ago, when he was just 19. Founder Nancy O’Brien said during his tenure, Frank has gained a deep expertise in the store’s operations and embraces their commitment to quality and customer experience, making him the ideal successor. Fiore has brick and mortar locations in Bar Harbor, Freeport and Rockland, but ships their classic products to loyal foodies worldwide.
(Bar Harbor) Fans of Fiore Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars won’t see much change in the store’s boutique products they swear by, but the purveyor of extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars and other specialty products is under new ownership. New owner Frank Kelly is anything but new to Fiore – he began working at the store almost ten years ago, when he was just 19. The store’s founder, Nancy O’Brien, says he’s since gained a deep expertise in the store’s operations and embraces Fiore’s commitment to quality and customer experience. O’Brien told the Mount Desert Islander, that makes Kelly the perfect person to continue the store’s unique market niche. Fiore has brick and mortar locations in Bar Harbor, Freeport and Rockland, but ships their classic products to loyal foodies worldwide.
Commissioners Approve Multi-Million Dollar Project at Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport
(Trenton) County Commissioners have approved a multi-million-dollar project at the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, despite concerns from airport officials involving obtaining federal grant money. Airport Manager Leroy Muise (Muse) told the commissioners the facility is in desperate need of a structure that can properly house snow removal and other equipment. Commissioner William Clark said the airport had been approved for an Airport Infrastructure Grant, but Muise expressed concern the airport could be put at financial risk since they’ve yet to receive the funding. It’s unclear when construction would begin.
(Trenton) Hancock County Commissioners have given the green-light to a multi-million-dollar project at the Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton, in spite of the fact the airport does not have the funding for that project in hand. Airport Manager Leroy Muise (Muse) told the commissioners the facility is in desperate need of a structure that can properly house snow removal and other equipment. Commissioner William Clark said the airport had been approved for an Airport Infrastructure Grant, but Muise expressed concern the airport could face financial risk since they’ve yet to receive the funding. No date has been set to begin that construction.
Steuben Reconsiders Blushift Development
(Steuben) Another Downeast town could ground a Brunswick company’s plans to develop rockets for sending satellites into orbit from the town’s shores. The Bangor Daily News reports voters in the Washington County town of Steuben will decide next month whether to ban commercial rocket launches. BluShift approached the town a few years ago about building a base, after initial interest centered around Jonesport was met with strong opposition. Jonesport residents cited the potential impact of rocket launches on commercial fishing as the reason for pushback, though BluShift said such effects would be minimal. A March 11th vote, if approved by Steuben voters, would bar the company from either building rockets in Steuben or launching them from the town’s coastline. BluShift officials say the company would launch from specialized barges offshore.
(Steuben) Plans by a Brunswick space tech company to launch from Steuben may never get off the ground. The Bangor Daily News reports BluShift approached the Washington County town about being a base for developing rockets to send satellites into orbit. BluShift first approached the town of Jonesport, but was met with opposition from fishermen there worried about launches affecting the fishery, even though BluShift insisted impact would be minimal. A March 11th vote, if approved by Steuben voters, would bar the company from either building rockets in Steuben or launching them from the town’s coastline. BluShift has said it planned to launch from specialized barges offshore.
Environment
Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Scallops Strategic Planning Session
(Rockport) The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking input for the development of a Scallop Strategic Plan. One of the four sessions planned is scheduled to take place during the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport, scheduled for Thursday, February 27th, from 1 to 4 at the Samoset Resort. The public can also respond through an attendance form on the MDMR website.
(Rockport) The New England Fishery Management Council wants the input of scallop fishermen in order to help develop a Scallop Strategic Plan. One of four visioning sessions planned will take place during the February 27th Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. The session will run from 1 to 4 that day at the Samoset Resort. The public can also respond through an attendance form that can be found on the MDMR website.
Health
RFK to Examine Child Vaccine Schedule
(AP) In order to earn the votes needed to become the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a promise to Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana physician with deep misgivings about Kennedy’s stance on vaccines. Kennedy vowed he would not change the nation’s current vaccination schedule. But speaking to thousands of U.S. Health and Human Services agency employees this week, the AP reports he promised to investigate the childhood vaccine schedule that prevents measles, polio and other dangerous diseases. While Kennedy did not directly call for changes in the vaccination schedule, skeptics say his plan to investigate it raises questions about his commitment to the science that has helped prevent and/or wipe out a host of serious and sometimes deadly diseases.
Sports
High school basketball tournament play continues this evening as the Caribou girls take on Erskine in the Class B regional final. That’s followed by the Class B boys basketball regional final with Orono taking on Caribou.
In the Class C boys semifinals last night at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, boys, #3 Madawaska defeated #7 Calais 46-36, and it was #1 Mattanawcook over #5 Fort Kent 83-51.
The Celtics beat the 76ers last night 124-104. Celtics and Knicks play Sunday in Boston. The Bruins home tomorrow to skate against the Anaheim Ducks.