Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Crisis Negotiator Convinces Northport Shooter to Surrender
(Northport) Law enforcement officers often find themselves in situations with people in crisis. Maine State Police negotiators this week were confronted with such a case in Northport, but were able to diffuse what they say was a domestic violence case. The Waldo County Sheriff’s office reports the incident began when a woman called 9-1-1 from a home on Small Lane. She was then able to escape and met with deputies at a safe location. Officers went to the residence and attempted unsuccessfully to communicate with the suspect, 50 yo Thatcher Silar, who they say began shooting a firearm through windows and the front door. The negotiator was able to reach Silar by phone, leading to his ultimate surrender. Deputies say they utilized Maine’s Yellow Flag law and confiscated five firearms from the residence.
(Northport) A domestic violence incident in Northport ended peacefully, this week, although authorities say the suspect fired at least 13 rounds before being taken into custody by police. The Waldo County Sheriff’s office reports the incident began when a woman called 9-1-1 from a home on Small Lane. Officers responded and found the woman had escaped. Inside, the suspect, 50 yo Thatcher Silar, began shooting off firearms through windows and a door. A Maine State Police negotiator was able to reach Silar by phone, a search warrant was obtained, and Thatcher ultimately surrendered. Officers say they invoked Maine’s Yellow Flag law and confiscated five firearms from the residence.
Former Federal Work from Maine Joins Lawsuit Against Trump’s DEI Policies
(Maine) Just one day after Trump’s inauguration, workers at the Office of Personnel Management were placed on Administrative Leave. This week, they were fired. Among those, a woman from southern Maine … Mahri Stainnak, who worked for the federal government for more than 16 years. Stainnak is a plaintiff on a class action complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, DC, that alleges the employees were fired because of their involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Stanniak said, “The Trump Administration has illegally, inappropriately targeted me and tons of other folks because of assumptions they’re making about our values.”
(Maine) A southern Maine woman is part of a complaint filed by the ACLU in Washington that alleges she and other employees were illegally fired by the Trump Administration because of their stance on DEI, or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Mahri Stainnak worked in the federal government for more than 16 years, most recently at the Office of Personnel Management. She says the day after Trump’s inauguration, she and fellow workers were placed on leave. This week, they were fired. Stainnak said she and her colleagues want to be able to go back to their jobs working for the health and safety of everyone who lives in this country. In filing the lawsuit, the ACLU said the workers were unconstitutionally targeted by the administration because of their perceived political beliefs.
Local Politics
Maine Not Backing Down on Following Human Rights Act Policy
(Maine) Mainers say the law is on their side, and they’re not backing down. The Maine Principals’ Association and Greely High School said yesterday they will not sign an agreement proposed by the Trump Administration demanding Maine prevent transgender athletes from competing in girls’ high school sports. The President has threatened legal action, including withholding federal funding from the state. Officials say they’re in compliance with Maine’s Human Rights Act. Deadline to sign the agreement was Thursday.
(Maine) The Maine Principals’ Association and Greely High School said yesterday they will not sign an agreement proposed by the Trump Administration demanding Maine stop allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ high school sports. The President has threatened legal action, including withholding federal funding from the state. Officials say they’re in compliance with Maine’s Human Rights Act. The deadline to sign the agreement was Thursday.
Maine Lobster Association Loses Long-time Board Member
(Little Cranberry Isle) A familiar face on the Board of Directors of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association has stepped down. The Mount Desert Islander reports Jack Merrill has represented the Little Cranberry Island lobstering community for some four decades. Merrill said time commitments and the need for a younger perspective figured into his decision. Richard Howland of Islesford was elected to take Merrill’s place.
(Little Cranberry Isles) Increasing regulations by the federal government, Maine lobster being red listed by a conservation organization, and the growing costs involved in harvesting the sea – those are a few of the challenges Jack Merrill confronted in his 40-some years representing Little Cranberry Island on the Board of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. The Mount Desert Islander reports Merrill stepped down recently, saying while it was well worth it, the time commitment made it time for him to step aside. Richard Howland of Islesford was elected to fill the position left vacant by Merrill’s decision.
King, Colleagues Push for USDA to Reinstate Food Shipments to Food Banks
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King this week joined colleagues in pressing the US Department of Agriculture to reinstate previously approved shipments of food to Maine food banks. In a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the legislators requested concrete reasoning behind cancellation of congressionally approved funding upon which some 250 food security organizations in Maine depend in order to combat food insecurity. King said the cancellation takes food away from hungry Maine people already facing high grocery prices and hurts Maine farmers being squeezed by tariffs and other cuts to domestic markets.
(Washington, DC) Senator Angus King and colleagues this week say they’re hungry for concrete answers as to why the US Department of Agriculture cut previously approved shipments of food to Maine food banks. The legislators sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, urging her to reinstate funding critical to some 250 food security organizations in Maine as they work to combat food insecurity. King said the cancellation denies food to hungry Mainers facing high grocery prices and further hamstrings farmers already squeezed by tariffs and other cuts to domestic markets.
Economy
Now’s the Time for Scallops
(Maine) If the very thought of succulent, fresh-off-the-boat Maine sea scallops sets your mouth watering, the Bangor Daily News advises now’s the time to get them. They say unless you live in the midcoast or Downeast and perhaps know a fisherman, you may have a hard time pleasing your palate with those freshly-sourced-from-the-sea scallops; but it’s worth a drive to the coast. Be prepared to pay, though. One local fish market this week was offering fresh “dayboat” scallops at $32.99 per pound for mediums – a mix of 10-20 per pound, $38.99 for jumbos weighing in at fewer than a dozen per pound.
(Maine) Fresh-off-the-boat sea scallops – they practically melt in your mouth. Just the thought may have your mouth already watering! The Bangor Daily News reports, if you want truly fresh scallops, now’s the time … but be prepared to pay to please your palate. They say while Atlantic sea scallops are available pretty much year round, most have been sitting on ice for a week or more before reaching market. In contrast, the fishermen who participate in Maine’s near shore state waters scallop fishery – or dayboat scallopers – leave the dock before daybreak, harvest through mid-day, and return with a load of shucked scallops that can go to market as soon as the day they’re harvested. Last week, depending on size, fresh-from-the-sea scallops in the Bar Harbor area were going for between $33 and $39 per pound.
Education
Application Period Open for Davis Maine Scholarships
(Cherryfield) Beginning Monday, March 31st, through Sunday, April 13th students can apply for Maine Seacoast Mission’s Davis Maine Scholarship. First generation college students from Washington and Eastern Hancock Counties are eligible to apply and are chosen during the spring of their junior year. Davis Maine Scholars receive full cost of attendance for four years at one of three partner colleges – Clark University and Wheaton College in Massachusetts, and the University of New England here in Maine. The colleges were chosen because of their commitment to supporting first-generation students, including those from rural communities. For more information and to apply beginning Monday, visit seacoast mission dot org.
(Cherryfield) First generation college students who are currently juniors in Washington County or at Charles M. Sumner in Sullivan and who have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply for Maine Seacoast Mission’s Davis Maine Scholarship. The application period begins Monday, March 31st through Sunday, April 13th at seacoast mission dot org. Davis Maine Scholars receive full cost of attendance for four years at one of three partner colleges – Clark University and Wheaton College in Massachusetts, and the University of New England here in Maine. The colleges were chosen because of their commitment to supporting first-generation students, including those from rural communities.
University of Maine Suspends Financial Offers to Graduate Students
(Orono) The University of Maine is temporarily pausing any new financial offers to graduate students for the upcoming academic year. They say the move was prompted by increasing funding uncertainty, not only at the federal level but with a state budget that flat-funds the University of Maine System for the next two years. The measure means no more assistantships offered to graduate students. UMaine officials say the move is in line with other public and private universities across the nation. The University says it will continue to make offers of admission and that it intends to honor any financial commitments already made, though they caution such commitments will be dependent on available funding.
(Orono) With increasing uncertainty in federal and state funding, the University of Maine System plans to temporarily pause any new financial offers to graduate students for the upcoming academic year, including not offering assistantships to graduate students. University officials say unprecedented cuts at the federal level, coupled with a state budget that flat-funds the UMaine System for the next two years were major factors in the difficult decision. The University began notifying students in a written message on Thursday and plans to provide an update in early April before the April 15th traditional “decision day” for graduate programs.
Environment
Acadia Youth Conservation Corps Cancelled
(ANP) The Acadia Youth Conservation Corps at Acadia National Park was abruptly canceled this month when those who had been accepted into the program for 2025 received a message rescinding their offers. The Mount Desert Islander reports the Park has been home to the 8-week program for teens for the last 55 years. Participants work to replace bog walks, clean drainage, paint park signs and provide other critical upkeep in the park. Park officials say the program had grown in popularity and was expected this year to include a full-time staffer to lead programs year-round. Friends of Acadia said the summer’s cancellation comes down to staffing. An earlier hiring freeze delayed the Park’s efforts to hire staff needed to oversee the program.
(ANP) A program that has benefitted local teens and Acadia National Park for more than five decades won’t happen this year. The Mount Desert Islander reports the Acadia Youth Conservation Corps was abruptly canceled on March 19th. That’s when those who had been accepted into the 8-week program received a message saying their offers had been rescinded. Teens in the program work to paint gates and signs, remove invasive plants, and help with other projects critical to park maintenance. Friends of Acadia President and CEO Eric Stiles said the decision came because of an earlier hiring freeze that delayed their being able to hire staff to oversee the program. Stiles called it another victim of the volatility coming out of Washington.
Health
MDI Hospital Closing Labor and Delivery Unit
(Bar Harbor) MDI Hospital is closing its Inpatient Labor and Delivery Unit. The hospital cited a decline in the number of births, financial pressures, and the challenge of maintaining specialized staff for such low-volume care. The hospital said in 2024 just 33 babies were delivered – that’s down from 100 just a decade ago. They plan to close the unit July 1st and say anyone currently receiving prenatal care at MDI Hospital should discuss options with their provider, who will help them transition to a hospital that can support a safe delivery.
(Bar Harbor) As of July 1st, no more babies will be born at MDI Hospital. That’s because the provider is closing its Inpatient Labor and Delivery Unit. The hospital cited a decline in the number of births, financial pressures, and the challenge of maintaining specialized staff for such low-volume care. The hospital said in 2024 just 33 babies were delivered – down from 100 just a decade ago. They say the Emergency Department at the hospital will remain equipped to handle emergency births. MDI Hospital officials say they are working with regional hospitals to coordinate care and ensure smooth transfers for deliveries.
Sports
Tonight’s the night – the University of Maine Men’s Hockey team is in Allentown, Pennsylvania to face Penn State in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The four regional winners will move on to the Frozen Four, where the semifinals will be held on April 10th, followed by the national title game April 12th in St. Louis.
#1 Duke defeated #4 Arizona 100-93 last night as March Madness moved into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Freshman standout Cooper Flagg had 30 points and 7 assists. Duke will face #2 Alabama in the Elite Eight tomorrow night at Prudential Center in New Jersey.
Bruins and Celtics both have the night off. Bruins in Detroit tomorrow to put the sticks to the ice against the Red Wings. Celtics in San Antonio tomorrow, hitting the hardwood against the Spurs.