Happy May Day!
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Madison Explosion Sends One to Hospital
(Madison) An explosion in Madison sent one person to the hospital Wednesday morning. WABI reports an employee at the Madison Schools transportation garage was using a plasma cutter about 9 yesterday morning. The worker was reportedly using the cutter on a metal barrel that had previously held windshield washer fluid when the explosion occurred. A spokesperson for the Fire Marshal’s Office said the incident was ruled accidental. The employee who was injured was treated at a local hospital and released.
Burlington Man Indicted for February Incident
(Burlington) A Burlington man who authorities say caused an hours-long incident in Lowell in February has been indicted by a Penobscot County Grand Jury. WABI reports 55 yo Andrew York is charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and threatening display of a weapon. The charges stem from a February 23rd incident in which a woman reported a domestic violence situation with her husband. She was able to escape the residence; but when State Police responded to the home on West Old Main Road, they say York refused to come out. He was arrested the following day and taken to a hospital for evaluation before being transported to the Penobscot County Jail.
Holden Man Indicted in Domestic Violence Incident
(Bangor) A Holden man who authorities say was involved in a domestic violence case and evading arrest has been indicted by a Penobscot County Grand Jury. WABI reports 30 yo Thorr Ellis faces multiple charges, including domestic violence criminal threatening and assault. Police say Ellis ran from a home in Pittston in February as State Police tried to take him into custody. He was later found in nearby woods and arrested on a warrant for violating conditions of release and tampering with a victim from a domestic violence incident.
Machiasport Safety Training
(Machiasport) Area first responders are serious when it comes to being prepared. Crews on MDI recently staged a mock-disaster training, and the SW Harbor Fire Department was just approved for a training area site next to their station. The Machiasport Fire Department is the latest to stage a realistic scenario-based training. This week, the crew practiced building skills such as ladder raises, tool selection, search and rescue, hose deployment and flowing water. Area heroes say it’s important to utilize consistent drills in order to become confident in their ability to respond as trained, thinking firefighters and other emergency personnel.
Local Politics
Senator King Channels Former Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Independent Senator Angus King used President Trump’s 100th day in office to invoke former Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith. Speaking on the Senate floor this week, King commemorated the 75th anniversary of Smith’s “Declaration of Conscience” speech delivered in June 1950 … a defining moment in which a Republican stood up to her own party in defense of American democracy. King called on members of both parties to remember her legacy and “stop thinking politically as Republicans and Democrats about elections and start thinking patriotically as Americans about national security based on individual freedom.”
(Washington, DC) Maine’s Independent Senator Angus King has been one of a handful of congressional leaders that has not been shy about sounding an alarm about what he called the “totalitarian techniques” of the Trump administration. King used the President’s 100th day in office to invoke the words of former Senator Margaret Chase Smith. Smith’s June 1950 “Declaration of Conscience” speech marked a turning point as the Republican stood up to her own party in defense of American democracy. King called on both parties to put patriotism before politics and continued to warn of what he said was the administration’s defiance of the Constitution and unbridled attempts at concentration of power.
Legislators to Consider More Restrictive Voting Measure
(Augusta) While the major parties weigh the pros and cons of the so-called SAVE Act, Maine’s legislature is set to hear what the League of Women Voters Downeast calls voter suppression legislation of its own. A public hearing on LD 1149 is set for Friday at 11 a.m. Opponents say the proposal goes beyond the SAVE Act, would obstruct qualified voters, and would essentially end absentee and mail-in voting in Maine. The League has long opposed voter ID legislation but says the bill is even more dangerous than the photo ID requirement. You can read the proposal at legislature dot maine dot gov.
Secretary of State to Suggest Phase-In for Real ID
(Augusta) Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is expected to join Maine legislators today in making a formal request to the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security for a phased-in approach to the Real ID Act implementation. The Act is set to go into effect May 7th, and will require airline passengers to have a federally recognized ID like a passport or Real ID in order to travel domestically. Lawmakers say they’re concerned about its impact on the busy tourist season. Public officials are expected to request the TSA to issue warnings in order to allow Mainers to travel
Maine, Others Sue Over Dismantling of Americorps
(Augusta) Maine this week joined two dozen other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration over what they call the illegal dismantling of AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteer services. The suit alleges the administration cancelled hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding for state and community projects across the U.S. The Bangor Daily News reports Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency illegally gutted the agency created by Congress and reneged on already congressionally approved funding for which AmeriCorps’ state and national programs had budgeted $557M.
US/Ukraine Sign Economic and Reconstruction Deal
(NYT) The United States and Ukraine late yesterday signed an economic and reconstruction deal. The New York Times reports the deal is intended to give the U.S. access to proceeds from Ukraine’s reserves of rare earth minerals in exchange for continued support against Russian aggression.
Economy
Maine Food Convergence Project
(Undated) If you work in the local food system as a farmer, producer, distributor, school nutrition staff, institutional buyer or other community partner, Maine Food Convergence wants to collaborate with you! MCP is launching the Local Food Switchboard – a Maine-based initiative dedicated to strengthening the state’s local food system by connecting fishermen, farmers, and food businesses with infrastructure, markets, and resources. The project will utilize an easy-to-use online platform fostering communication between institutional buyers, K-12 schools and colleges, healthcare systems, local retailers and more. Learn firsthand this spring at gatherings and focus groups to be held across the state. Find out more at maine food convergence dot org.
Economy Shrinks in First Quarter
(Undated) The U.S. economy shrank in the first quarter of the year, according to official data. While Trump again placed blame on his predecessor, economists say it was driven largely by a surge in imports, as consumers braced for the impact of tariffs. The GDP, a key measure of the US economy, contracted point 3% in the first three months of 2025, down from growth of 2.4% in the last quarter of 2024. Democrats said it was evidence of the new administration’s poor handling of the economy. The data has triggered fears of an American recession and a global economic slowdown.
Environment
Maine Awards $3M for Farmers Impacted by PFAS
(Augusta) Maine’s PFAS Fund has awarded $3M to researchers to conduct studies designed to help commercial farmers make informed decisions about utilizing agricultural property impacted by PFAS. The chemical contamination stems from the application of municipal sludge and other sources. Sludge from wastewater treatment plants was applied to fields as a low-cost, abundant fertilizer until it was banned in Maine in 2022. It has impacted at least ninety Maine farms in varying degrees. Researchers from the University of Maine, Harvard University, and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association are among those that applied for and will share the monies distributed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.
Versant Power Works to Protect New Osprey Nest
(Winter Harbor) During the recent storms, a citizen noticed a pole in Winter Harbor where a pair of osprey had built a nest was sparking. She called the Versant Power osprey hotline. Within hours, the Versant team was there to remove the nest and put up a safe platform for the pair, like the one Versant built on a pole on Mud Creek Road after an electrical fire destroyed a nest there in August of 2020. The Winter Harbor nest was reportedly built just last year by a pair of young osprey. Observers report the pair has quickly accepted the new platform and is rebuilding the nest for breeding. It’s important to note the nest that was removed did not contain eggs, as Versant will never remove a nest that contains eggs or chicks.
Moosehead Officially “Ice Out”
(Greenville) It’s officially “ice out” on Moosehead Lake. That’s the report from Currier’s Flying Service as of April 29th. WABI reports ice out is when you can go from one end of the lake to the other without coming into contact with course-altering ice. Past ice out dates on Moosehead Lake were April 20 in 2024, April 25 in 2023, and as late as May 4 back in 2020.
Infrastructure
Bangor Airport Closures
(Bangor) Expect a series of 55-hour runway closures at Bangor International Airport between now and mid-June. The airport says the closures are necessary in order to begin Phase II of the runway rehabilitation project. The first closure was from 8 a.m. Monday to 3 p.m. Wednesday. They say closures will not affect travel over the Memorial Day Weekend. Find a schedule of closure dates and times at fly bangor dot com.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Momo’s Cheescakes Honored with Paul Harris Award
(Ellsworth) Momo’s Cheesecakes in Ellsworth has been honored with the Paul Harris Award by the Rotary Club of Ellsworth. Momo said she was happy to have all three of her sons at the ceremony where she was presented with the award. The Paul Harris Award is a prestigious recognition given to individuals who have made significant contributions, either through monetary donations or through outstanding service that aligns with Rotary ideals.
Conclave to Choose New Pope to Begin May 7th
(NYT) About 130 Cardinals will be able to vote on a successor to Pope Francis. A 2/3 majority is needed to elect the new head of the Roman Catholic Church. The conclave to elect the next Pope will begin on May 7th. The NYT writes during the conclave, onlookers outside watch a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel for voting results. If no consensus is reached after a vote, black smoke is emitted; a plume of white smoke is sent forth when a new Pope is chosen.