Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Patagonia Sues Marden’s
(Maine) Outdoor gear maker Patagonia is suing Marden’s Surplus and Salvage, claiming trademark violations. Patagonia outerwear and other products named for the famous mountainous region of South America that straddles Chile and Argentina and that’s known for its dramatic landscapes, including mountains, glaciers, fjords, and steppes. The clothier has become synonymous with adventure hiking in such regions. The Portland Press Herald reports the company claims the bargain retailer knowingly sold counterfeit products at locations across Maine. The General Manager for Marden’s says the company had no idea the products with their famous mountain logo were inauthentic and says they’ve been removed from stores.
(Maine) Outdoor gear retailer Patagonia is suing Marden’s Surplus and Salvage for alleged trademark violations. The company with the famous mountain logo has become synonymous with adventure travel, hiking, and outdoor activities. Patagonia is named for the rugged Andes region of South America that encompasses parts of Chile and Argentina. The region is known for its dramatic landscapes, and the clothier prides itself on manufacturing and selling gear suited for such adventures. The Portland Press Herald reports Patagonia claims the bargain retailer knowingly sold counterfeit products at locations across Maine. The General Manager for Marden’s says the company had no idea the products were inauthentic and says they’ve been removed from stores.
Local Politics
Maine Lawmakers Work to Advance Budget
(Augusta) Democratic lawmakers Thursday began advancing an $11.3B state budget, over Republican opposition. This after a short-term deal to bail out MaineCare fell apart earlier this month. The Bangor Daily News reports it represents another case of Democrats and their narrow majority in recent years passing spending plans without GOP votes needed for the spending to become immediately available. If enacted this month and then technically adjourning the body before returning for more work into the summer, the budget will go into effect July 1st. Republicans called it a brazen but predictable act of partisanship that adds almost $230M of new spending into the next biennium.
(Augusta) After a short-term deal to bail out MaineCare failed earlier this month, Democrats in Augusta began advancing an $11.3B budget on Thursday. Republicans called it a brazen but predictable act of partisanship that adds almost $230M of new spending into the next biennium. The Bangor Daily News reports it represents another case of Democrats and their narrow majority in recent years passing spending plans without GOP votes needed for the spending to become immediately available. If enacted by the Governor and Democrats, the budget will go into effect at the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1st.
Economy
Heart of Ellsworth to Host Maine Seaweed Week in Downtown Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth is excited to announce a unique community event celebrating Maine Seaweed Week, April 25th through May 4th, in Downtown Ellsworth. The week is an annual statewide festival presented by Heritage Seaweed and Maine Sea Grant, celebrating Maine’s seaweed harvest. Maine Seacoast Vegetables is sponsoring the event locally. Heart of Ellsworth is looking for businesses and organizations to participate in a variety of ways, with all participants being promoted on Heart of Ellsworth’s digital platforms. Contact Program Coordinator Zabet NeuCollins by March 31st if interested. Ellsworth is the first accredited Main Street Community in Maine to spotlight Seaweed Week.
(Ellsworth) Downtown Ellsworth just got another reason to celebrate our coastal heritage! April 25th through May 4th, Heart of Ellsworth will host special events during Maine Seaweed Week, an annual statewide festival presented by Heritage Seaweed and Maine Sea Grant to celebrate the state’s seaweed harvest. Sponsored locally by Maine Seacoast Vegetables, Heart of Ellsworth is looking for businesses and organizations to participate by being part of a downtown seaweed walk, where participants can sample and learn about seaweed products, being featured in a Seaweed Shopping List guide, or hosting your own Seaweed Week event, with support from Heart of Ellsworth. Contact Program Coordinator Zabet NeuCollins by March 31st if interested. Ellsworth is the first accredited Main Street Community in Maine to spotlight Seaweed Week.
Education
Researchers, Educators Raise Alarm Over Potential Cuts
(Trenton) Researchers at the MDI Biological Laboratory say they’re concerned about proposed cuts by the Trump Administration. The Bangor Daily News reports the lab currently has more than 60% of its indirect costs reimbursed. The Trump Administration wants to cut that to 15%. Maine Universities are equally concerned with the anticipated loss of funding – they say they’re unable to access USDA funding for women in STEM – that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. According to a spokesperson with the University of Maine System, UMaine officials believe the awards are “under review for alignment with the new administration’s priorities.”
(Trenton) Federal spending cuts continue to alarm everyone from researchers to educators to libraries and nonprofits tasked with providing food with those in need. The Bangor Daily News reports researchers at the MDI Biological Laboratory currently receive more than 60% of their indirect costs reimbursed. The Trump Administration reportedly wants to cut that to 15%. And Maine Universities say they’re currently unable to access USDA funding for women in STEM – that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. A spokesperson with the University of Maine System says it believes the awards are “under review for alignment with the new administration’s priorities.”
Maine Press Association Awards Scholarships
(Maine) The Maine Press Association has awarded six scholarships totaling $10K to high school and college students to help them in their pursuit of a career in journalism. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the program was established in 1864, and works toward promoting ethical journalism, protecting the freedom of the press and the public’s right to know. This year’s recipients are Elora Griswold, Emily Bontatibus, Tilia Baratta, and Alexa Rose Perocillo of the University of Maine, Grace Kirk of American University, and Lincoln Academy’s Dylan Burmeister.
Maine Maritime Academy Names New President
(Castine) Maine Maritime Academy embarked on a nationwide search for a new President; but in the end, came full circle back home to fill the position. Craig Johnson has served as the Academy’s Chief Operating Officer for the past almost three years and as Interim President since last June. The Board of Trustees ultimately decided Johnson was the perfect fit. Johnson is a 1991 MMA grad who told the Pen Bay Pilot his life trajectory was altered by attending the academy, and he’s honored to oversee the young men and women who choose a career in the maritime world.
Health
mRNA Technology Discouraged by NIH
(KFF) In a move that signaled the agency might abandon a promising field of medical research, National Institutes of Health officials have urged scientists to remove all references to mRNA vaccine technology from their grant applications. The mRNA technology is under study at the NIH for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including flu and AIDS, and also cancer. It was deployed in the development of covid-19 vaccines credited with saving 3 million lives in the U.S. alone — an accomplishment about which Donald Trump bragged in his first term as President.
Infrastructure
Extensive Road Repairs Expected for Ellsworth This Spring
(Ellsworth) Uneven paving on Main Street, work on sections of Foster, Elm, Oak and Hancock Streets – those are just a few of close to twenty road projects slated for Ellsworth, beginning this Spring. Northeast Paving will be making the repairs beginning in April. Public Works Director Mike Harris told the Ellsworth City Council he expects the work to be completed within a year. Council accepted a local roads paving bid of approximately $1.6M to repair or repave the nineteen roads and/or areas, according to the Ellsworth American.
(Ellsworth) Look for road improvements in the Ellsworth area in the coming year. At this week’s meeting, City Council accepted a local roads paving bid of approximately $1.6M to repair or repave nineteen roads and/or areas, including sections of Western, Bayview, and Birch Avenues, Route 180, Industrial Road and Oak Street. The Ellsworth American reports uneven paving on Main Street will be remedied, and the dirt parking lot behind the library and the Peters Block buildings will be paved to prevent erosion into the river when the city plows the area in the winter. Northeast Paving will begin the work in April. Public Works Director Mike Harris said he expects the work to be completed within a year.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Pageant Queens Prepare Dinner for Sarah’s House Residents
(Dedham) Being a pageant queen is about more than just another pretty face. Recently USOA Mrs. Maine, Jennifer Goddard, and USOA Miss Maine, Brooke Pirie, stopped by Sarah’s House to prepare a nutritious and delicious dinner for the home’s guests. On the menu: turkey meatloaf, green beans, and blueberry cocowhip cups. Sarah’s House says their guests loved chatting with both amazing women and learning more about pageant life. Pays to be beautiful inside and out. Sarah’s House serves as a “home away from home” at no charge for Maine cancer patients receiving treatment in the Bangor area.
(Dedham) Guests at Sarah’s House of Maine were treated like royalty BY royalty this week. USOA Mrs. Maine, Jennifer Goddard, and USOA Miss Maine, Brooke Pirie, stopped by Sarah’s House to prepare a nutritious and delicious dinner for the home’s guests. The gals cooked up turkey meatloaf, green beans, and blueberry cocowhip cups. Sarah’s House, a no-cost “home away from home” for Maine cancer patients receiving treatment in the Bangor area, said their guests loved chatting with the two amazing women, whom they dubbed beautiful inside and out.
Maine Maple Sunday Weekend
(Maine) The days are growing longer, Spring has officially arrived, and the sap is running freely. This is Maine Maple Sunday weekend, celebrating the state’s maple syrup producers. Most sugarhouses will be offering maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure Maine maple syrup is made. And you’ll find games, activities, treats, sugarbush tours, and more at many area farms. Not sure where to find a local sugar shack? Check the Maine Maple Producers Association website and social media pages. They’re ready to welcome you and show you just how “sweet” spring in Maine can be!
(Maine) This Sunday is the fourth Sunday in March – and, of course, that means it’s Maine Maple Sunday weekend…the sweetest weekend of the year. More than a hundred maple syrup producers will have the sap boiling and the sweet treats ready at sugar shacks all across the state. You’ll find a list of participating producers at maine maple producers dot com. Stock up on the real thing – experts say unopened, pure maple syrup can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year, and once opened, simply refrigerate it – then heat it in the microwave next November to pour over a stack of warm, buttery pancakes. It’s truly the sweetest weekend of the year.
Sports
March Madness underway with the NCAA First Round continuing today. Cooper Flagg’s #1 Duke takes on #16 St. Mary’s this afternoon at PNC Arena in North Carolina. Flagg is expected to be back on the court.
Spring Training winding down as the Red Sox and the Pirates run the bases this evening in Florida (6:05).
Celtics in Utah tonight to shoot hoops with the Jazz
Golden Knights skated to a 5-1 win over the Bruins last night in Las Vegas. The Bruins in San Jose Saturday to put sticks to the ice against the Sharks.
The University of Maine Men’s hockey team beat Northeastern University 4-3 last night at TD Garden in a Hockey East semifinal. The win secures a place for the Black Bears to play for a Hockey East Championship tonight for the first time since 2012.
Congratulations to Ellsworth High School Senior Cheerleader Olivia Leighton who’s been named Hancock County Technical Center’s Student of the Year. Leighton plans to study nursing at the University of Maine beginning this fall.
The Boston Celtics are under new ownership. The team was purchased by a group led by Symphony Technology Group, which agreed to a purchase price of $6.1B dollars.