Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Day of Scallop Fishing Turns Tragic on Vessel from Corea
(Corea) A day of scallop fishing turned tragic for crew members aboard the vessel “25 to Life” from Corea Saturday. The U.S. Coast Guard reports the scallopers were off the coast of Massachusetts when a rope snapped and struck two of them. The victims were taken to a hospital where 26 yo Jaxson Marston, who reportedly suffered a broken neck, later died from his injuries. A Go Fund Me has been set up for his girlfriend and one year old daughter. The other fisherman who was injured is reportedly recovering from a concussion and possibly broken ribs.
(Corea) Two young scallopers from Downeast Maine were seriously injured Saturday while working off the coast of Massachusetts. The U.S. Coast Guard reports two members of the vessel “25 to Life” out of Corea were working when a rope snapped, striking the two. A Coast Guard helicopter and small vessels quickly responded to the scene and transported the men to a local hospital. 26 yo Jaxson Marston reportedly suffered a broken neck and later succumbed to his injuries. A Go Fund Me page has been set up for his pregnant girlfriend and their one year old daughter. The other injured fisherman is reportedly recovering from a concussion and may have broken ribs as well.
FSU Students Urge Action After Deadly Shooting
(AP) Students at Florida State University in Tallahassee are taking action after this month’s deadly shooting in which a 20 yo killed two people and wounded six others. The students are urging lawmakers to vote against an effort to lower the gun buying age. The Associated Press reports students also want to ensure classrooms have locks on the doors, that there is funding for mental health resources, and active shooter training.
Local Politics
ATV Use Sparks Controversy in Lubec
(Lubec) ATV use on town roads is a hot button issue in Lubec. The town is divided on the matter, with some saying allowing ATV’s on town roads will spoil the quiet nature and charm of the village, while others contend Lubec has to progress and that allowing such use will add tourism and other dollars. Still others say it will drive AWAY investment. The Select Board has set a Public Hearing for 6 p.m. on Tuesday May 7th at the Town Office to discuss the issue.
King Aims to Protect Social Security Access in Maine
(Washington, DC) Every day, some 170,000 people visit a Social Security office for assistance. Senator Angus King and dozens of his Senate colleagues are raising concerns from constituents about proposed closures of Social Security Administration field offices across Maine and the U.S. The coalition on Friday sent a letter to Commissioner Leland Dudek demanding offices remain open and accessible to those seeking in-person assistance. King has condemned the dismissal of thousands of SSA employees, calling the layoffs “disrespectful, destructive, and dangerous.”
Mills Signs Bill to Lower Costs for Veterans’ Organizations
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has signed a bill from Ellsworth Senator Nichole Grohoski that will lower costs for veterans’ organizations in Maine. LD 466 extends the expiration date for a law that allows veterans organizations, such as the American Legion or VFW, to switch between commercial and residential electricity rates in order to avoid high-demand charges. LD 466 is considered emergency legislation and, thus, went into effect immediately.
Collins Leads Bipartisan Delegation to Pope’s Funeral
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins led a bipartisan delegation of U.S. Senators attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome Saturday. Collins said it was an honor and that the Pope truly embodied God’s boundless love for all. The delegation also included Democrats Dick Durbin of Illinois and Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Republicans Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Eric Schmitt of Missouri.
Economy
Blue Hill Addresses Housing with Tiny House, Farming Space
(Blue Hill) Blue Hill is thinking small when addressing the housing shortage. A new project will offer space for tiny homes and farming. With housing prices skyrocketing, the community has planned the Tiny Seed Village, a new development that mixes tiny houses on wheels and agriculture. Tiny homes are 400 square feet or less, with some being mobile. Developer Angela Faneuf (FAN-uff) says the village will include shared land for growing food and raising chickens. The Bangor Daily News says the idea grew out of the Blue Hill Cooperative Ecovillage along Ellsworth Road, where Fameuf’s lived the past ten years. Fourteen tiny home lots will be available at a monthly cost well under half the local rent price, according to Zillow data.
(Blue Hill) With housing and food costs soaring and Maine’s aging population facing inflation and isolation, a new trend is turning downward – in size that is. Tiny Seed Village is a new development planned for Blue Hill that mixes tiny houses on wheels and agriculture. The Bangor Daily News reports developer Angela Faneuf got the idea from her own living space at the Blue Hill Cooperative Ecovillage along Ellsworth Road. Tiny homes are 400 square feet or less, with some being mobile. The new Blue Hill community will offer shared land for growing food and raising chickens. Faneuf says it takes a village to have a thriving, fulfilled life and to help people feel it’s not just “us against the world”.
Education
Ellsworth Public Library Funding Update
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Public Library is located in the beautiful, historic Tisdale House. And while that’s a treasure, it also means work needs to be done to bring the building up to code and make it more accessible to the many patrons who count on Ellsworth’s invaluable resource. The library has submitted applications for close to $1.4M in congressionally directed spending, which must be matched by the City and includes $500K from the library’s fundraising. Some of the necessary upgrades include adding three ADA accessible bathrooms, replacing boilers, and upgrading electrical and HVAC systems in the more than 200-year-old facility. A meeting is set for Noon on June 5th to gather input from the public.
Environment
Orono Boardwalk Reopens this Week
(Orono) The Orono Boardwalk reopens for the season this Thursday. Crews have been hard at work leveling and stabilizing certain sections and rebuilding a bent toe rail for which they had to remove a whole section in order to set it straight. There’s still work to do to get ready for the May 1st opening. If you’d like to help, be at the cabin at 9 tomorrow morning to help with the To Do List of tasks that still need to be completed.
High Tide Flood Alert
(Bar Harbor) As if the drenching downpours weren’t enough to flood streets, rain out Earth Day cleanups, and turn rivulets into raging streams, the National Ocean Service issued a warning about high tide flooding in Bar Harbor and other locations along the east coast on Sunday. NOAA said coastal flooding and erosion were possible yesterday in coastal locations in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Messenger Animal Rescue Closes on Construction Loan
(Harrington) There will soon be one more dedicated compassionate animal rescue facility in the area. Sarah Strout, ACO and Founder of the Messenger Animal Rescue in Harrington, posted she closed on the construction loan for the new shelter last week. She says it’s not too late to become a founding sponsor, and asks that you please continue to drop off those recyclable cans and bottles at their donation bins throughout Hancock and Washington Counties.
UMaine Professor to Compete on Jeopardy
(Orono) We’ll take contestants from Maine for a thousand. Kara Peruccio, a University of Maine professor, will join host Ken Jennings for an episode of Jeopardy next month. Kara teaches in the Department of History and in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program at UMaine. Area fans can watch the episode on Channel 7, WVII at 7:30 on Friday, May 9th.
Hundreds Gather to Welcome Home Honor Flight Maine Vets
(Bangor) Hundreds were on hand at the Army Reserve Base in Bangor yesterday to give this month’s Honor Flight trip a welcome home. NewsCenter Maine reports the trip was the first time an Honor Flight Maine flight has been based in Bangor. Sunday’s return home to Maine was the largest to date with 78 veterans and guardians.
Ellsworth Mother’s Day Raffle
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth is hoping you’ll enter for a chance to spoil Mom and support the Christmas for Kids Fund. Now through May 6th, enter the Mother’s Day Gift Basket Raffle at the City Clerk’s office. Tickets are just a dollar apiece, six for $5, 13 for $10, or 30 for just $20 bucks. The drawing will be May 7th, with proceeds benefiting the fund to ensure area children in need don’t go without this Christmas.
ICE Deports Immigrant Mother and Three Children Who Are U.S. Citizens
(AP) Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers recently deported three children ages 2, 4, and 7 who are U.S. citizens, along with their Honduran-born mothers. Lawyers for the families say the women were arrested at routine check-ins at ICE offices and given no opportunity to speak with their attorneys or family members. The 4-year old is suffering from a rare form of cancer, according to multiple sources. The ACLU and others called it a “shocking but increasingly common abuse of power.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister: “Greenland Will Never Be Bought By Just Anyone”
(AP) Greenland’s new Prime Minister Sunday said the mineral-rich Arctic Island “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.” Jens-Frederik Nielsen made the remarks in defiance of President Trump’s continued insistence on taking control of the strategic territory, calling the threat disrespectful. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
Russia Launches Sweeping Drone Attack Against Ukraine
(AP) Russia launched a sweeping drone assault and airstrikes across Ukraine early Sunday, killing at least four people. At least 150 drone strikes were reported. President Trump in an earlier meeting with Ukraine President Zelensky had expressed doubt about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war. Trump wrote on social media there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns over the last few days.