Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Brunswick Fuel Spill
(Brunswick) Crews spent most of the day Wednesday cleaning up a fuel spill on I-295 northbound in Brunswick after an early morning truck rollover. Authorities say the tanker was carrying 2900 gallons of off-road diesel when it went off the road shortly before 3 a.m., spilling all but about 500 gallons of its load. Clean Harbors and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection responded to the scene to manage cleanup efforts. The travel lane near mile marker 26 was closed most of Wednesday.
(Brunswick) A truck carrying 2900 gallons of off-road diesel left the roadway and overturned early Wednesday morning, spilling all but about 500 gallons of the fuel. The accident happened about 2:43 a.m. when an Irving Oil Company truck rolled over near mile marker 26 on I-295 northbound in Brunswick. The driver of the truck was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The travel lane was closed most of the day while Clean Harbors and the Maine DEP worked to clean up the spill.
Farmington Double Homicide
(Farmington) Maine State Police and the Maine Attorney General’s Office have completed their investigation of a Farmington double homicide that occurred at the Pawsitive Dog Kennel in December 2023. Autopsies determined 76 yo Jean Robinson and her daughter, 53 yo Allison “Joy” Cumming, died of sharp force injuries. In a related incident the following week, 56 yo William Neville Cumming, Jr. was found dead at the Bar Harbor home of his father. The Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide. William was the son and brother of the homicide victims. Authorities say evidence led to his being considered responsible for the women’s deaths and that he would have been arrested and charged had he not taken his own life.
State Fire Marshal Investigating Two Fatal Fires
(Harpswell/OOB) The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a pair of fatal fires, both of which occurred on March 9th. In the first case, crews were called to a home on Sea Mist Lane in Harpswell shortly before 1 a.m. The residence was believed to be seasonal and unoccupied, but investigators found the body of a deceased male inside the structure. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine an identity. Shortly before 9:30 that same morning, police and fire responded to a medical call on Usen Lane in Old Orchard Beach. A victim, 70 yo John Chadbourne, was found deceased inside that residence, and first responders determined a fire had occurred in the home. The cause and circumstances of both fires remain under investigation.
(OOB/Harpswell) The State Fire Marshal’s Office is working to determine causes in the case of two fatal fires that happened last Saturday. Crews were called to a Sea Mist Lane residence in Harpswell shortly before 1 a.m. The residence was believed to be seasonal and unoccupied. However, once the blaze was extinguished, the body of a deceased male was found inside. The victim was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to try and determine a positive identification. A second March 9th fire happened in Old Orchard Beach shortly before 9:30 that same morning. In that case, first responders were called to a cardiac event, but the victim, 70 yo John Chadbourne, passed away before help arrived. His body was found in the living room. Investigators determined a fire had occurred inside the residence. Investigations into both fires are ongoing.
Local Politics
Collins Addresses Senate on the Need to Continue Support for Ukraine
(Washington, DC) Maine Senator Susan Collins this week joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to deliver remarks on the Senate floor, advocating for continued support for Ukraine in its fight to repel what the Senators called the unjustified invasion of Vladimir Putin and Russia. Collins said as a result of the invasion, Eastern Europe is pivoting away from Russia’s energy sources, and NATO allies are upping their defense spending. She also credited the brave Ukrainians who pushed back the initial Russian invasion and continue to hold the line, though outnumbered by Russian troops and munitions. The coalition strongly urged President Trump to continue support for Ukraine, repeating the warning that Putin would not stop with Ukraine, but would continue to be a threat to Moldova, Georgia, the Baltic States and others.
(Washington, DC) Maine Senator Susan Collins joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues this week to deliver remarks on the Senate floor, strongly urging renewed support for Ukraine. Collins cited the brave actions of Ukraine in its fight to repel what the coalition called the unjustified invasion of Vladimir Putin and Russia. She noted critical support from Eastern Europe and NATO Allies, and said the United States ranks just 17th in its support for Ukraine, behind Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and others who have committed more than $185B to buy weapons and defense systems produced in the US. Collins further warned Putin would not stop with Ukraine, as evidenced by past aggression toward Moldova, Georgia, the Baltic States, Poland and Finland, and his overt threats of recreating the Soviet Union.
Steuben Voting Results
(Steuben) Voters in the Town of Steuben Tuesday said no to bluShift, a Brunswick based aerospace company that hoped to use the town’s coast as a launching point for its rocket forays. The vote was 264-141. Proponents had hoped to stimulate the area economy with jobs and a more robust tax base, but others expressed concerns about launches disturbing the area’s fishery. A second referendum regarding the right to grow and produce one’s food independently passed 310-74.
(Steuben) Votes on a pair of referendums in Steuben this week were both given a yes; but that meant a “no” to Brunswick based aerospace company bluShift, which had hoped to use the town’s coast as a base for its rocket launches. Proponents said the company would stimulate the area economy with jobs and a more robust tax base, but opponents expressed concerns about the launches’ effect on the area fishery. The vote was 264-141. On the other issue, a right to food referendum, voters say yes to folks being able to produce, process, sell, purchase, and consume local foods. The vote on that referendum was 310-74, with those in favor saying the measure protected self-reliance and local family farms.
Republicans, Governor Mills Weigh in on Supplemental Budget Vote
(Augusta) The state’s supplemental budget again failed to pass with a ⅔ vote Tuesday, which would have provided immediate MaineCare relief to healthcare providers and patients. Governor Janet Mills accused Senate Republicans of turning away from a bipartisan agreement passed by the House. She called the vote by Republicans senseless and counterproductive. Senate Republicans countered that the supplemental budget failed to address the issues that led to a $450M shortfall in the current biennial as well as a half-billion dollar gap in the upcoming biennium budget. Among other proposed amendments, Republicans had asked for a freeze on enrollment for able-bodied adults until enrollment fell by 10% and adding community engagement requirements for childless, able-bodied adults who receive MaineCare benefits.
(Augusta) Both Governor Janet Mills and Senate Republicans weighed in yesterday, after the legislature again failed to pass the state’s supplemental budget with a ⅔ vote, a requirement in order to provide immediate MaineCare relief to healthcare providers and patients. Republicans had proposed a freeze on enrollment for able-bodied adults until enrollment fell by 10% and adding community engagement requirements for childless, able-bodied adults who receive MaineCare benefits, among other amendments they say were not included in the budget. They say the measures are necessary, claiming on its current trajectory, MaineCare is headed for collapse. Governor Janet Mills said Republicans turning away from the bipartisan agreement, unlike their House counterparts, was causing harm to MaineCare recipients.
Maine’s Federal Judges Recuse Themselves in Libby Lawsuit
(Auburn) Republican Representative Laurel Libby sparked a firestorm last month when she posted an unblurred picture of a transgender high school athlete, along with the student’s name, prompting concerns for the student’s safety. In response, the Maine House last month censured Libby, who has now filed a lawsuit challenging her censure, which effectively removed her floor privileges. The case will be moved to a Rhode Island court, as all Maine’s federal judges have recused themselves from the case. No explanation was given for their decisions.
Environment
Ellsworth Tree Pruning Workshop
(Ellsworth) Saturday looks to be a beautiful day to get outdoors for some yard work, specifically pruning those trees that have become overgrown this winter. But where to begin? The Ellsworth Arbor Commission is holding a tree pruning workshop from 10 a.m. to Noon Saturday at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth. The free workshop is led by Community Tree Steward Michael Otzwirk and Certified Arborist, Tabatha White, who also serves on the Ellsworth City Council. Once you complete the workshop, they’d love for you to join the community of Citizen Pruners to help care for the “growing” community of trees around the city. They say wear gloves, and it would help if you RSVP to tree steward at ellsworth maine dot gov, although day-of participants are also welcome!
Total Lunar Eclipse on Tap
(Maine) If you don’t mind waking up pretty early tomorrow morning, you can catch quite the phenomenon in the dark skies. Maine’s full moon will undergo a total lunar eclipse. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7, the eclipse will begin at 1:09 a.m. Eastern, with totality between 2:26 and 3:31 – maximum at 2:58. The bright moon will turn an eerie reddish brown as the earth, moon, and sun align so that the moon passes into the Earth’s shadow. You’re invited to join the viewing from 12:30 to 5:30 tomorrow morning at the Astronomy Center’s Clark Telescope, weather permitting. The eclipse will end at 4:47 a.m. Maine will have experienced both a total solar eclipse – last April 8th – and a total lunar eclipse within less than a year. The last lunar eclipse in New England was clouded out; the next one doesn’t occur until 2029.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Witham Properties Recipient of Chamber’s Top Drawer Award
(Ellsworth) Each year, the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce presents a number of awards to outstanding individuals and businesses making a positive impact on the community. This year’s Top Drawer Award goes to Witham Family Properties. The company has been an integral part of both Ellsworth and Bar Harbor, contributing not only to local communities, but also to a variety of charitable and sustainable initiatives. With seven area hotels and a new Home2 Suites under development in Ellsworth, the company provides more than 140 year-round and 300 seasonal jobs each year, and they’ve been named to the list of Best Places to Work in Maine for three consecutive years. The award will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on May 8th.
(Ellsworth) Witham Family Properties contributes more than 140 year round and 300 seasonal jobs in Ellsworth and Bar Harbor, and they’ve made the list of Best Places to Work in Maine three consecutive years. However, it’s about more than jobs – Witham is committed to sustainability, implementing 27 initiatives in recent years that reduce plastic waste and contribute in other ways to the environment. And the company is known for giving back to local causes, such as the Free Lunch Program during the pandemic, the Witham Charitable Christmas, and many other community causes. This year, the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce is honoring Witham Family Properties with their Top Drawer Award, recognition reserved for an outstanding business or individual making a positive impact on the community. The award will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on May 8th.
Parent Negotiations
(Undated) New research shows parents spend around 67 hours per year “negotiating” with their child. Topping the list of battles? Mealtime meltdowns over eating their vegetables. Complaints about not wanting to eat veggies were the number one reason for dinnertime strife, followed by disliking the smell of the meal and “not liking the way it looks”
(Undated) Parents know to pick their battles – and that sometimes means letting kids pick their vegetables. New research shows parents spend more than three full days – 67 hours – each year “negotiating” with their child. Top on the list of battles? Mealtime meltdowns over eating their vegetables, followed by arguments over not liking the smell of a meal – liver and onions comes to mind – and not liking the way it looks. Maybe add a sprig of parsley or two as they do in those fancy restaurants. Or better yet, a burger on the side …
Sports
Oklahoma thundered past the Celtics last night, 118-112. The Celtics in Miami Friday to shoot hoops with the Heat.
Bruins in Ottawa tonight to put sticks to the ice against the Senators.
Red Sox beat the Twins yesterday in Spring Training, 6-5. Red Sox take on the NY Mets this afternoon down in Florida.