Man arrested in connection with Skowhegan homicide<\/b><\/p>\n
After a multi-state pursuit, Maine State Police have arrested a man in connection to the death of a woman found dead at a home in Skowhegan.<\/span><\/p>\n Officers were called to the home for a person not breathing and when they arrived, they found 46-year-old Nicole Jackson of Skowhegan dead.<\/span><\/p>\n The autopsy from the chief medical examiner in Augusta determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma and sharp force trauma.<\/span><\/p>\n Police say they arrested Jackson\u2019s boyfriend 55-year-old Dane Burke of Skowhegan Saturday in Lowell, Massachusetts after a\u00a0 pursuit started there into New Hampshire.<\/span><\/p>\n Burke was arrested on a Maine warrant charging him with murder.<\/span><\/p>\n Congress approves funds for Maine Law Enforcement and Public Safety<\/b><\/p>\n $14.5 million has been secured by Sen. Susan Collins to fund Maine law enforcement and public safety projects.<\/span><\/p>\n Hancock County public safety will receive $2.3 million for public safety equipment for agencies across Hancock county.<\/span><\/p>\n Washington County will receive $187,000 for public safety equipment for law enforcement agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n Waldo County will receive $688,000 for public safety equipment across the county as well.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.collins.senate.gov\/newsroom\/congress-approves-more-than-145-million-for-maine-law-enforcement-and-public-safety-projects-secured-by-senator-collins<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Maine pausing new federal license plates<\/b><\/p>\n The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles halted plans on issuing new confidential license plates to federal agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the BMV recently got a request from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for undercover Maine plates after Maine officials say they\u2019re preparing for potential ICE operations in the state.<\/span><\/p>\n WABI news reports Bellows said\u00a0 the state has not revoked any plates already in use however the new plates will not be issued until it’s confirmed they won\u2019t be used for \u201clawless purposes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2026\/01\/18\/maine-pauses-new-federal-license-plates-amid-ice-activity-concerns\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Maine DOT considers traffic light along route 1 intersection<\/b><\/p>\n The busy interchange off Route 1 in Orland has been a hotspot for collisions and injuries have been reported in recent years.<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s why the Maine Department of Transportation is considering installing a traffic light where route 1 intersects Upper Falls and School House roads according to the Bangor Daily News.<\/span><\/p>\n There will be a public online presentation available for residents to review from Jan. 19 to Feb. 4 according to the publication.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2026\/01\/16\/hancock\/hancock-government\/dangerous-intersection-route-1-orland-maine-joam40zk0w\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n City of Ellsworth and Heart of Ellsworth collaborate for community events calendar<\/b><\/p>\n Sometimes it\u2019s hard keeping up with all of the community events in the region or finding accurate details so a collaboration in Ellsworth is aiming to make that easier.<\/span><\/p>\n The City of Ellsworth in partnership with Heart of Ellsworth has launched a new community events calendar for you to discover what\u2019s happening in the city.<\/span><\/p>\n The city will include fun events, activities and programs.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ellsworthmaine.gov\/residents\/things-to-do\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Speed Puzzling for Kids series<\/b><\/p>\n The Ellsworth Public Library is calling on kids in the area who enjoy challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n On Friday, Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. the Ellsworth Public Library will host their speed puzzling for kids series.<\/span><\/p>\n Participants will work individually or as a team to build problem-solving skills while racing on the clock.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a friendly competition with a supportive environment for kids to explore new skills!<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019ll take place on the fourth Friday of every month at 3.<\/span><\/p>\n