Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Lamoine Man Arrested on Indecent Conduct, Drug Possession
(Lamoine) A Lamoine man was arrested Tuesday and charged with indecent conduct and illegal possession of drugs. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports to Star 97.7, deputies were called to Lamoine shortly before 8 p.m. on a suspicious complaint. An ensuing investigation led to the arrest of 47 yo Kyle Langworthy. Langworthy was taken to the Hancock County Jail without incident.
MaineWorks Gives Folks a Second Chance
(Portland) Margo Walsh grew up in Maine, attended college, and worked as a recruiter for Goldman Sachs investments in New York. Despite her outward success, Walsh had a dark secret – a fondness for serious drinking. Once she got sober, Walsh decided to put her past – and her skills – to work, founding the Portland-based MaineWorks staffing agency in 2011. Like most such agencies, MaineWorks helps folks find jobs. But unlike others, all its employees are in recovery from alcohol and/or drug abuse or are re-entering society from jail or prison. The agency even provides support with housing, transportation, clothing, food, healthcare and other basic needs. MaineBiz reports last year MaineWorks placed 133 workers in jobs at a minimum of $20 an hour, with just a few reports of minor incidents.
EMS Awards
(Augusta) Every first responder is a superhero and worthy of being honored. Today in Augusta, The Maine Board of EMS will honor EMS clinicians and partners in five award categories. Local winners of the EMS Excellence Award include John Lennon of Lamoine and Hulls Cove’s Sean Hall, both of whom work for the Bar Harbor Fire Department, along with Joseph Thompson of Roque Bluffs and William Wiegmann of Deer Isle. Local winners of the EMS Merit Award include Genice Billings of Little Deer Isle and Mike Drinkwater of Belfast. The awards recognize those who have made significant contributions to EMS education, administration, patient care, service involvement, and quality. I’ve posted the complete list of winners on my FB page.
Politics
Bill Before Legislature Would Seal Certain Criminal Records
(Augusta) A bill currently before the Maine Senate would automatically seal certain criminal records. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the bill has prompted a debate between supporters, who say the legislation would give those with a criminal history a second chance, and opponents, who worry the bill goes too far. Criminal records sealed under court order aren’t erased, but aren’t disclosed to employers, lenders, landlords, school admissions officers, and other third parties. LD 1911 is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and would expand the list of eligible convictions to include all misdemeanor crimes, with notable exceptions, including sexual assault, stalking, and cruelty to animals.
U.S. Supreme Court Votes to Restore Libby’s Voting Privileges
(AP) The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday ruled 7-2 that the Maine legislature must count the votes of GOP lawmaker Laurel Libby, who was censured after she openly identified a transgender teen athlete on her social media page. The court majority sided with Libby and against lower courts that ruled she was in the wrong. The two noted dissents were Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, who said the justices should have let lower courts continue to deal with the case, since there are no significant upcoming votes where Libby’s vote could change the ultimate outcome.
Jones Announces Run for Governor
(Augusta) The race to become Governor of Maine in 2026 continues to sport a growing field. This week Republican David Jones threw his hat into the ring. The 69 yo Jones, who owns a real estate firm, joins Senator Jim Libby, Leeds lawyer Bobby Charles, and former Paris selectman Robert Wessels, all vying to be the GOP’s choice in Maine. On the Democratic ticket, it appears voters will choose between former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and Angus King III, son of U.S. Senator Angus King. Other names being bandied about include Owen McCarthy and Garrett Mason on the Republican ticket and Hannah Pingree, rumored to be considering a run on the Democratic side.
Golden to Stick with Congressional Run
(Washington, DC) Congressman Jared Golden is making it official – he’s running for reelection to Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Golden says while he considered many options for how to best continue serving the people of Maine, running for reelection is “the surest way for Democrats to win back balance in Washington.” Last year, Golden won a fourth term in Congress after narrowly defeating Republican State Representative Austin Theriault.
Medicaid Work Requirements
(The Hill) House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said this week Republicans are eyeing early 2027 as the target date for the new Medicaid work requirements in the large budget package intended to advance and solidify President Trump’s agenda. According to The Hill, the timeline for the bill’s new work requirements remains up in the air, as Republican leadership continues to negotiate with warring factions of the conference over details of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act — which would extend Trump’s tax cuts and boost his border funding priorities while reforming Medicaid and food assistance programs.
Economy
Survey Shows Significant Concerns Among Main Street Business Owners
(Ellsworth) More than 1500 business owners in over 500 cities and 47 states responded to a survey by Main Street America, of which Ellsworth is one of the newest members. The survey focused on businesses that operate within downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors. Research found the businesses tended to be small, with modest staffing and limited revenue. 93% reported having fewer than 20 employees, including part and full time, seasonal, or temporary positions. The survey showed most operate on tight budgets, with more than half generating less than $200K annually. Such businesses are often the backbone of their communities, serving as important employers, community amenities, gathering spaces, and regional destinations. Just another reason to shop local.
(Ellsworth) Healthy Main Streets, filled with local businesses, help stabilize local economies and position communities to attract more growing business A recent report by Main Street America – Ellsworth is one of the newest members – reveals Main Street business confidence nationwide has fallen dramatically compared to previous years. More than 1500 small business owners from across the US were surveyed. When asked about confidence in the economy in the next three months, scores averaged 6.7 out of 10. Respondents reported feeling uneasy, with each week bringing a new wave of price increases, shipping delays, freight increases, and the ever-changing tariff situation, making it hard to plan. To learn more about Main Street America’s commitment to meeting the needs of small business owners, including the availability of grants, educational resources, and networking opportunities, reach out to the Heart of Ellsworth staff.
Annual Reports Due June 2nd
(Augusta) A reminder that annual reports for businesses and nonprofits on file with the Secretary of State’s Office as of December 31, 2024 are due Monday, June 2nd. Information about filing and fees for various entities can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.
Environment
Ellsworth Second Graders Plant for the Future
(Ellsworth) A group of second graders from Ellsworth Elementary Middle School did some branching out from the classroom on Tuesday. Under the direction of Ellsworth Arbor Commission’s Tabatha White, the students and their teachers planted 80 more trees at the Jordan Homestead Preserve. It was the fourth year students have participated in helping to green Ellsworth and was just one of the activities the City had planned to celebrate Arbor Day in Maine.
Health
Medicaid Cuts Especially Impact Rural Areas
(Undated) The current federal budget proposal foreshadows potentially massive cuts to Medicaid. Professor Joan Alker from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, tells Star 97.7, a recent study looked at who would be especially impacted by such cuts. (((Medicaid 1 “…closer to 30%, 28.5%.”))) The study looked nationally at women of childbearing age – 19-44 – who we know are also being negatively affected with the recent proposed closings of birthing units at area hospitals.
(Undated) Maine is not alone when it comes to the recent closings of birthing facilities at local hospitals. Since 2021, KFF Health News reports more than a hundred rural hospitals have stopped delivering babies. We asked Joan Alker, a nationally recognized expert on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, how looming cuts to Medicaid in the federal budget compound the problem for many women of childbearing age. (((Medicaid 2 “…52% of rural hospitals are not offering these OB services.”))). Alker says such cuts would likely impact everyone living in rural areas, especially those who are pregnant and need consistent care and access to labor and delivery rooms.
(Undated) According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, obstetric units are often the biggest financial drain on rural hospitals; and, therefore, frequently the first to close when a hospital is struggling. Joan Alker is the leading author of the annual report on children’s health care coverage trends. She says proposed cuts to Medicaid in the federal budget would further impact coverage, especially for those in rural areas. (((Medicaid 3 “…to ensure that women are getting the coverage they need.” :26))). Alker adds Medicaid provides an affordable path for women before, during, and after pregnancy, and it’s crucial they continue to be able to afford healthcare throughout their lives.
Human Interest
Book Launch Highlights Work of Inmates
(Ellsworth) You never know what leads someone to commit a crime, ending up in jail. Some who have found themselves in the Hancock County Jail over the past two decades have channeled their problems into art and writing. This Saturday, the Ellsworth Public Library invites you to view those works. Beginning at 10 a.m. in the Riverview Room, come enjoy the mixed media art pieces and creative writing in which inmates convey their thoughts, ideas, and insights in an evocative and engaging manner. Again, the show and book launch kicks off May 24th at 10 a.m. in the Riverview Room at the Ellsworth Public Library.