Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
FMO Investigating Bangor Fire
(Bangor) The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning fire that occurred yesterday in Bangor. The Bangor Fire and Police Departments were called to a single family property at 75 4th Street shortly after 5:30 a.m. Monday. Authorities say the property had been condemned and was boarded up. No one was in the building when first responders arrived; however, they say a person who was in the house at the time the fire began sustained serious burns. He was taken to a local hospital and was expected to be transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland. Preliminary findings indicate a propane gas explosion was the likely cause of the blaze.
(Bangor) A propane gas explosion is being cited as the likely cause of a Monday morning fire that resulted in significant damage to a home on 4th Street in Bangor. Bangor Police and Fire Departments responded to the blaze at about 5:40 a.m. yesterday. It was reported the building, although condemned and boarded up, was occupied. Fire officials did a thorough check and found no one inside, although a person who was in the structure at the time the fire broke out received serious burns and had to be hospitalized. Two firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The Maine Fuel Board was called in to assist with the investigation.
Border Patrol Offers $20K Sign On Bonus
(Houlton) U.S. Customs and Border Protection is offering hefty sign-on bonuses across the U.S., including a $20K sign-on bonus here in Maine. The push comes as the agency rushes to meet the Trump Administration’s tough border enforcement orders. The federal agency says new hires will be allowed to work in their own communities. Maine’s international land and sea border encompasses 98 miles. The perks being offered also reflect the difficulty faced by all law enforcement agencies in finding enough competent staff to fill positions.
Hancock County Probate Judge Again Faces Child Support Charges
(Ellsworth) William Blaisdell, IV, a Hancock County elected probate judge who resides in Ellsworth, has once again been found in contempt of court for not paying child support owned to his ex-wife. The Bangor Daily News reports Blaisdell has been ordered to pay $17K to his former spouse for overdue child support and attorney’s fees, along with an order to continue paying the $848 a week that he was previously ordered to pay. In the ruling, the judge declared, “The court finds that the defendant has had the ability to satisfy his child support obligation and the interest owed in full, but has chosen not to.” Blaisdell reportedly declined comment Monday when contacted by the newspaper.
Investigation Into Drug Activity Leads to Multiple Arrests in Bangor
(Bangor) An investigation into illegal fentanyl trafficking in the greater Bangor area resulted in three people being arrested last week for Aggravated Trafficking. Arrested and taken to the Penobscot County Jail were 48 yo Joseph Rusaw and 37 yo Meghan Sulinski of Holden and 20 yo Geiser Baez of the Dominican Republic. During the arrests, agents say they seized drugs with a street value of more than $40K. The investigations took place at various Bangor hotels. Police say charges against the three were aggravated by drug weights.
(Bangor) Three people were arrested and taken to the Penobscot County Jail last week, following an investigation into illegal fentanyl trafficking at at least two hotels in the greater Bangor area. 48 yo Joseph Rusaw and 37 yo Meghan Sulinski of Holden and 20 yo Geiser Baez of the Dominican Republic face charges of Aggravated Trafficking after authorities reportedly seized drugs with a street value of more than $40K. Police say charges against the three were aggravated by drug weights.
Local Politics
Committee Votes to Expand State Police Patrol Coverage in Rural Areas
(Augusta) The Maine Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a pair of bills that would expand State Police patrol coverage in rural Maine. Republican Representative Will Tuell reports Senator Marianne Moore of Calais sponsored LD 461, which advanced on a 9-3 vote. The legislation would add four new MSP patrol officers to the beat in Washington County. LD 477, which also advanced on a 9-3 vote, was sponsored by Representative Jack Ducharme and would add four MSP patrol officers to the beat in six rural counties, including Washington County. The bills now go to Appropriations.
Bill to Improve School Funding Formula Clears Education Committee
(Augusta) A bill sponsored by Republican Representative Will Tuell of East Machias would improve the state’s school funding formula. The bill cleared the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support. Under the bill, per pupil count used to calculate school subsidy would be based on a three-year average of a school’s October 1st enrollment OR a single year October 1st enrollment total, whichever is greater. Tuell said for rural schools, the formula would create greater certainty in school funding and would smooth out some of the wilder swings in what a school is expected to receive from the state. It would also allow urban schools, which are more prone to sudden enrollment spikes, to be compensated more quickly for students coming into the district.
Collins, King Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Working Parents
(Washington, DC) Since 1990, the cost of childcare and preschool has increased by 263%, forcing many families to make difficult decisions, such as not working, cutting back on hours, or delaying payment of bills. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King are co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to make child care more affordable and accessible to Maine families. The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act would strengthen existing tax credits to lower child care costs and increase the supply of childcare providers. The bill would also increase the size of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and strengthen the Dependent Care Assistance Program to allow families to deduct 50% more in expenses, up to $7500.
Secretary of State’s Office Releases 2025 State Calendar
(Augusta) The Maine Secretary of State’s Office has released the 2025 State Calendar, as required under state statute. The calendar is to be consulted by all state agencies and whenever possible, in order to avoid scheduling meetings or public facing events on those days. The calendar includes religious holidays celebrated by people in Maine that might make it difficult to attend work-related meetings or events.
Economy
Main Street Maine Visits, Highlights Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Downtown Ellsworth had some VIP visitors this past weekend. Members of Main Street Maine were in town to promote Ellsworth’s shops, dining, cultural, architectural, and outdoor offerings. MSM’s Thierry Bonneville and others who visited commented, “the beautiful historic city is quite impressive!” noting Ellsworth is a year-round community and one of Maine’s eleven nationally accredited Main Street America communities, thanks to the incredible work of Heart of Ellsworth. Main Street Maine posted photos and a link to help visitors from across the state and across the country plan their visit.
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth is on the map, literally, thanks most recently to Main Street Maine. Visitors from the organization were in town this past weekend to highlight our year-round community, and to share photos of restaurants, shops, outdoor recreation, and Ellsworth’s beautiful architecture – the Grand, the Ellsworth Public Library, and City Hall, among other sites – on their far-reaching social media pages. Ellsworth is the newest of Maine’s eleven nationally accredited Main Street America communities, thanks to the efforts of Heart of Ellsworth. MSM shared the photos and a link for folks state- and country-wide to plan their visits to Ellsworth’s vibrant downtown.
Education
Ellsworth EMS STEM Night
(Ellsworth) Family STEM Night is coming up this month at the Ellsworth Elementary Middle School. The March 26th event will engage students and their families in hands-on activities that foster problem-solving, critical thinking,and other skills valuable across the board in every career choice. STEM Night will have an Open House-type format from 5 to 7 p.m. and will showcase all types of businesses and community partners to expose Maine students to the many great opportunities afforded them right here in Maine. If your organization would like to help by volunteering or even developing your own STEM activity to share, let the great educators at EEMS know!
(Ellsworth) STEM Education – Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Computer Science – is a huge part of learning today, fostering problem-solving, critical thinking, and other skills valuable across every career field. Students and families are invited to see it in action on March 26th at the Ellsworth Elementary Middle School STEM Night. The 5 to 7 p.m. event will showcase all types of businesses and community partners to give students an overview of the career opportunities available to them right here in Maine! Bring the family and enjoy hands-on activities and learn about career options in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, the arts and other fields. If your organization would like to participate, either by volunteering or presenting your own STEM activity at the Open House, reach out to khollenback at ellsworth schools dot org, or give the school a call.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Pies on Parade to Benefit AIO Food and Energy Assistance
(Rockland) Who doesn’t love a parade? Especially when it involves pie! Pies on Parade is back, this weekend, March 14-16 in Rockland. The community-wide event is an opportunity for people to sample delicious pies over “Pi Day” weekend, while providing critical support for AIO Food and Energy Assistance, which serves all of Knox County. Hundreds of pie enthusiasts can spend the weekend sampling the delicious desserts, while visiting more than 50 participating “Pie Stops” in Camden and Rockport on Saturday and in Rockland and Thomaston on Sunday. Kick off the weekend with a viewing of “Life of Pi” at the Strand Theatre in Rockland. Tickets for Pies on Parade are $20 for one day, $35 for both. Get tickets and find a list of participating pie stops at a i o food pantry dot org.
(Rockland) This Friday is Pi Day – 3.14 for all you mathematicians. In the Rockland area, it’s a whole “pie weekend”! Pies on Parade is back for its 35th year. Kick off the weekend with a special viewing of “Life of Pi” at the Strand in Rockland. On Saturday, the 15th, visit any or all of more than two dozen stops in Camden and Rockport, where you can sample sweet and savory desserts – fruit, cream, and other pies. Then on Sunday, follow your nose to pie stops in Rockland and Thomaston. Proceeds support AIO Food and Energy Assistance to help Knox County’s most vulnerable with critical food and fuel assistance. For a list of participating schools, businesses, and more and to purchase tickets – visit a i o food pantry dot org.
Sports
Celtics beat the Utah Jazz last night 114-108. The Celtics are off tonight. They’re on the home court Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Bruins at TD Garden tonight to put the sticks to the ice against the Carolina Panthers.
The Red Sox off yesterday – they’ll be rested up for a go against the Phillies this afternoon as Spring Training continues down in Florida.
Cooper Flagg’s Duke University is now the Number One men’s basketball team in the national AP poll. It’s the first time the Blue Devils have topped the poll since November 2021.