Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Hampden Care Home Faces Second Lawsuit
(Hampden) A Hampden care home is facing a second lawsuit, months after the Bangor Daily News detailed “grotesque and pervasive” abuse suffered by two of the home’s residents. Jeanette and Jonathan Larkin are parent and guardian of an adult non-verbal man with severe intellectual disabilities. The BDN reports they’re suing Lee Residential Care for allegedly turning a blind eye to their son’s “repeated and severe physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.” The suit alleges the man endured the abuse for roughly seven years and accuses the home of negligence, fraudulent concealment and seven other counts.
Waterville English Teacher Apologizes for Posts
(Waterville) A Waterville English teacher is apologizing for her April social media post calling for President Trump and his allies to be killed. The Morning Sentinel reports 37 yo JoAnna St. Germain has taught English for seven years at Waterville Senior High. St. Germain said she was suffering from insomnia and a mental breakdown at the time of the posts. Upon seeing the posts, she said her family brought her to the emergency room where she received help. St. Germain said she will be speaking this week with the Secret Service and plans to own what happened, a lesson she says she has tried to instill in her students.
Police K-9, Game Warden Find Missing Toddler
(Jay) A toddler who went missing in the town of Jay yesterday morning was found safe with the help of a police K-9. The toddler and her mother were reportedly outside, the mother doing chores, when she noticed the child was missing and called 9-1-1. Authorities say Game Warden Jake and his K9, Koda, located the child in thick brush about 300 yards behind the house. Apart from a few scratches from wandering in the thicket, the child was reportedly in good condition.
Thomaston Police Department Gets Raised Eyebrows in Review
(Thomaston) The Thomaston Police Department raised some eyebrows recently. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the Department, in partnership with the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, is undertaking an independent and comprehensive review of its police operations. The investigating commission reports they interviewed residents at local businesses, municipal offices, and other mutual aid law enforcement, expecting the usual 5 percent or so of upset citizens. But when asked, “What do you think of your local police department?” they report not one person responded in the negative. Like towns across the state and country, the Thomaston PD is short staffed, with officers working 48 hour shifts, with sleep time allowed. Thomaston residents six years ago voted to keep their police department – the review seems to indicate they’re happy with that decision.
FMO Investigates Arson at Bangor Business
(Bangor) A Monday night fire at a commercial building in Bangor is being called arson. The Bangor Fire Department was called to Bangor Braces on Harlow Street shortly before midnight on May 12th and noticed suspicious circumstances surrounding the blaze. The Fire Marshal’s Office was called in and determined the fire started on the building’s exterior near two plastic trash cans before igniting the interior. As a result of the investigation, a homeless man, 30 yo Kerry Smith, was located and arrested. Smith was taken to the Penobscot County Jail, where he is charged with arson. Officials say no injuries were reported, as the building was unoccupied; but the fire caused $20K worth of damage.
Local Politics
Golden Could See Challenge from State Auditor
(Augusta) Democratic US Representative Jared Golden could face a primary challenge next year from State Auditor Matt Dunlap. Dunlap issued a statement saying he feels compelled to consider challenging Golden, specifically because of foreign conflicts, a potential looming recession and the dismantling of programs by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which Dunlap notes Congress has done nothing to stop. Dunlap says the decision to run will be determined by feedback he receives from residents in the 2nd District, the District he would be representing.
Pingree Pushes Back on DOGE Plans to Cut NPS Funding
(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is sounding the alarm over what she says are illegal plans by Elon Musk’s DOGE to extend cuts to the National Park Service. Pingree argues many of the grants targeted for elimination, including two in Maine, are aimed at supporting indigenous tribes and protecting public lands from the impacts of climate change. Pingree, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the National Park Service, released a statement saying, “DOGE has no constitutional power, no codified mission, and absolutely no authority to rescind funding already approved by Congress.”
Maine House Passes Proposal to Designate January 6, 2021 as “A Day to Remember”
(Augusta) The Maine House on Tuesday passed a Democratic proposal to designate January 6, 2021, the day of the U.S. capitol riots, as “a day to remember.” The Bangor Daily News reports the day was marked by a mob of President Trump’s supporters breaching the U.S. Capitol, assaulting law enforcement officers, and disrupting Congress as it tried to certify Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 election, an outcome Trump still disputes, despite evidence to the contrary. One Navy veteran in attendance yesterday said it was his moment of disillusionment with America and who we deem to be safe and sound. The bill would direct the governor to issue an annual proclamation honoring the “resilience of democracy” that day. The House passed the bill along party lines 74-65.
Economy
General Store Reopens in Columbia Falls
(Columbia Falls) Columbia Falls residents are rejoicing in the reopening of the town’s General Store. The Bangor Daily News reports Columbia Falls General, which closed in 2020, is under the new ownership of Kate and Zach Gorrell, who also own Salt & Oak Farm in Harrington. Like the previous owners, the Gorrells plan to feature locally made goods in the Main Street store, including eggs and yarn from their farm and Precipice Coffee from Ellsworth. For now, the store is open five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday, but more staff and expanded offerings are expected. The new owners say they hope to stay open year round.
Environment
ATV Season Begins
(WGME) Most Maine ATV trails are expected to open up this week. WGME reports ATV and snowmobile operations contribute millions to the state’s economy each year. Maine has more than 6,000 ATV trails, from Fort Kent to Saco; trails they say depend almost totally on volunteers, who work year round, putting in up to 1100 hours annually to clear fallen trees, fill in ruts, and work with landowners. Speaking of whom, clubs ask that riders respect those landowners, many that allow trails to cross their properties. Statewide, ATV season runs from May 15th to Columbus Day; but clubs say it’s often up to them to monitor trail conditions as to when they’re usable for riders.
Health
ACA Registers Record Enrollment
(MH) A record 24.3 million people signed up for health insurance on federal and state-based marketplaces during the exchange open enrollment period for 2025. Fueled by enhanced subsidies enacted in 2021 and extended in 2022, Modern Healthcare reports the number blew past the record set a year ago by nearly 2.9 million — a 13% increase, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported this week. Barring a Congressional renewal, the more sizable tax credits will expire at the end of this year.
Technology
Maine Connectivity Authority Responds to Terminated Digital Equity Act Funding
(Maine) The Maine Connectivity Authority last week received notice that the federal government was terminating $35M in funding that provided digital skills and online safety for rural Mainers and others. MCA said the grant monies would have directly served 130,000 people here in Maine. In a statement released Tuesday, the Authority said the elimination of the funding will disproportionately impact older, rural residents, small businesses, veterans, students and those on low and/or fixed incomes. President Trump had previously vowed to end the Digital Equity Act, a Biden era law Trump claims supported “racist” initiatives.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Cooper Flagg Could Play for Dallas Mavericks
(Maine) While the NBA draft doesn’t happen for more than a month, it looks like Newport native Cooper Flagg could be headed for Texas come June 25th. The Dallas Mavericks won the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and they’re expected to select the Duke standout, who averaged 19 points per game and was voted the NCAA Player of the Year as a Blue Devil. Teams with the worst overall records in the league last year – the bottom 14 – are in contention for the first-round overall pick.
Finland Rated World’s Happiest Country
(NY Times) Finland has once again been rated the world’s happiest country. It’s the eighth consecutive year Finland has earned the rating by the World Happiness Report. Among other factors, researchers asked residents of the various countries to imagine their lives as a ladder and place themselves on the rung that represents where they stand, with the top rung being the best possible life, the bottom, of course, the worst. The New York Times reports Nordic countries, even with their long winters and weeks of darkness, dominate the top of the list, with Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Norway consistently in the top 10. The report shows the United States peaked at number 11 in 2012 and has tumbled ever since.
(NY Times) For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been rated the world’s happiest country by the World Happiness Report. A New York Times reporter set out to discover why. Among his findings, all government buildings in Finland have a sauna on-site. Nationwide, there is more than one sauna for every two Finns. Rules vary, including whether or not a swimsuit is required. Another marked difference is the country’s libraries. The main library in Helsinki features not only books, but a cinema and cafeteria on the ground floor and during one visit sported nearly two dozen children challenging each other to chess. It also offered electric and acoustic guitars for borrowing, a podcast studio, and kitchen space that could be reserved for cooking with friends. Finns take inconveniences in stride, unlike in the US where people stress at someone cutting in line. And in case you’re wondering, researchers say the US peaked at Number 11 back in 2012 and has tumbled downward since.
Spring Book Sale at Ellsworth Public Library
(Ellsworth) Stock up on summer reading at the Ellsworth Public Library’s Spring Book Sale, Thursday through Saturday in the Riverview Room. All proceeds benefit the library and the community, and they ask that you bring cash or checks only. Also, this Saturday at 1, the League of Women Voters of Maine will provide a nonpartisan overview of the very basics of how Maine communities govern themselves. Participants will gain a better understanding of chartered vs. unchartered communities, how cities and counties are governed, how statewide representation is set up and more. Learn about these and other wonderful programming offered for all ages at ellsworth library dot net.
Major League Baseball Ends Lifetime Bans for Pete Rose, Other Deceased Players
(Undated) Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced yesterday Pete Rose has been posthumously removed from the permanently ineligible list. Rose, the all-time MLB hits leader, was banned from baseball in 1989 after reportedly being caught betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. The ban was also lifted from “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, part of the 1919 scandal involving eight Chicago White Sox players who were allegedly bribed into throwing World Series games. Altogether, 17 now deceased players were removed from the ineligible list. The ruling came in part as a response to a petition from Rose’s family, according to m l b dot com.