Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Overdose Awareness Day
(Ellsworth) More than 600 lives were lost to overdose in Maine in 2023. August 31st is Overdose Awareness Day. In recognition, Healthy Acadia’s INSPIRE Recovery Center will host a remembrance event to honor lives lost and to support friends and families who were affected. The event will feature speeches, a candlelight vigil, and a moment of silence. All are welcome at the memorial, which starts at 5 pm at the Center, 24 Church Street in Ellsworth. In the days surrounding the event, more than 600 roses will be set up on the fence at Knowlton Park, symbolizing the number of lives lost to overdose deaths in Maine last year.
(Ellsworth) In 2023, more than 600 people in Maine died in drug-related overdoses. To support those left behind, Healthy Acadia is hosting a remembrance event on Overdose Awareness Day, Saturday, August 31st. Beginning at 5 p.m., the event will include speeches, a candlelight vigil, and a moment of silence. In the days surrounding the event, 607 roses will be set up on the fence at Knowlton Park – one for each life lost to overdose in Maine last year. The Center is located at 24 Church Street in Ellsworth, and all are welcome to participate in the August 31st vigil.
Waterville Homicide Update
(Waterville) An update on that homicide in Waterville. Authorities have identified the victim of Sunday’s stabbing as 43 yo Charles Bellows of Waterville. Bellows’s body was found at a home on Cool Street on Sunday. 41 yo Thomas Lowrie of Waterville is charged with his murder. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
(Waterville) An update on that homicide in Waterville that happened Sunday. Authorities say while the investigation is still active and ongoing, they can now release the name of the victim – 43 yo Charles Bellows’s body was found at a home on Cool Street on Sunday, the victim of an apparent stabbing. 41 yo Thomas Lowrie was arrested and charged in connection with that incident. Lowrie made his initial court appearance on charges he murdered Bellows on Monday.
Unified Command Established for Brunswick Toxic Release
(Brunswick) Officials today continuing cleanup efforts in Brunswick. On Monday, a fire suppressant system at the Brunswick Executive Airport released nearly 15,000 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam, mixed with 50,000 gallons of PFAS-containing chemicals known as (A-triple F) AFFF at one of the airport’s hangars. The release made its way into an oil/water separator and several nearby ponds, sparking concerns about potential impacts on nearby private drinking wells, ponds, and aquatic life. Yesterday, the Department of Environmental Protection established a Unified Command and Information Center to coordinate response and disseminate information about the spill. More information on the incident is available through the Maine DEP.
(Brunswick) Concerns continue to surface about that toxic spill Monday morning at Brunswick Executive Airport. About 5:30 AM, a fire suppressant system released nearly 15,000 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam, mixed with 50,000 gallons of PFAS-containing chemicals known as AFFF (A-Triple F) at one of the hangars. The release made its way into a retention pond, sparking concerns about impacts on nearby private drinking wells, ponds, and groundwater. In response, on Wednesday, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection established a Unified Command and Information Center to coordinate response and disseminate information about the spill. More information is available through the Maine DEP.
Local Politics
King, Collins Join Call for OSHA Rule Exemption
(Washington, DC) Senators Angus King and Susan Collins have joined colleagues in calling for an exemption for volunteer fire departments from parts of a rule they say would put burdensome regulations on those departments here in Maine and across the country. The new rule, proposed earlier this year, would require fire departments to furnish new reports, training, equipment, and health services. The Senate coalition says for many volunteer departments, the rule would render a significant share of their equipment non-compliant and would be a prohibitive financial burden. They say the rule must be revised to provide volunteer departments with the flexibility to perform their duties unencumbered by impractical requirements.
(Washington, DC) A new OSHA rule proposed by the Secretary of Labor would require fire departments to furnish new reports, training, equipment, and health services. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have joined a bipartisan coalition in calling for an exemption for parts of the rule for volunteer fire departments. The coalition says for many of those smaller, more rural departments in particular, the rule would render a significant share of their equipment non-compliant and would be a prohibitive financial burden. The Senators said the rule must provide volunteer departments with the flexibility to perform their duties unencumbered by impractical requirements.
Sources: RFK, Jr. to Drop Out of Presidential Race
(ABC News) Sources say Robert Kennedy, Jr. is planning to drop out of the Presidential race by the end of this week. According to ABC News, sources say Kennedy is leaning toward endorsing Donald Trump, though they caution the decision is not yet finalized and could change. The Washington Post last week reported Kennedy had tried to set up a meeting with Presidential candidate Kamala Harris to discuss the possibility of serving in her cabinet in exchange for an endorsement. The meeting apparently never materialized, and the next day, Kennedy posted he “has no plans to endorse … Harris for President.” Democrats dismissed the idea of working out a deal with Kennedy, whose poll numbers have continued to decline.
(ABC News) Cornel West will be on Maine’s ballot as a Presidential Candidate come November – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. may NOT be. ABC News yesterday reported sources as saying Kennedy, Jr. is planning to drop out of the Presidential race by the end of the week; and that as of yesterday was leaning toward endorsing Donald Trump. The Washington Post last week reported Kennedy, who entered the race as a member of the “We the People” Party, had attempted to meet with Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris to discuss the possibility of serving in her cabinet in exchange for an endorsement. Democrats dismissed the idea of working out a deal with Kennedy, whose poll numbers have continued to decline.
Bigelow Lab Receives Federal Funding for Algal Research and Innovation
(East Boothbay) The Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay has received $7M in federal funding to build a cutting edge research facility to study the potential of algae. Bigelow will work with the MDI Biological Laboratory, University of New England, Colby College and others to streamline state-of-the-art algae innovation in the agriculture, aquaculture, and pharmaceutical industries. In announcing the award yesterday, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins noted it would help Bigelow harness the power of algae, unlock new potential for its use, and open the door for workforce opportunities between local farmers, algal companies, and research institutions.
(East Boothbay) The Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences will use $7M in federal funding to build a state-of-the-art research facility to study the potential of algae. The East Boothbay based lab will work with MDI Biological Laboratory, the Maine Technology Institute and others to streamline cutting edge algae innovation. In announcing the award on Wednesday, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins noted it would help Bigelow harness the power of algae, unlock new potential for its use, and open the door for workforce opportunities between local farmers, algal companies, and research institutions to benefit the agriculture, aquaculture, and pharmaceutical industries.
Health
West Nile Virus Found in Birds in Bar Harbor
(Bar Harbor) Cases of West Nile virus have been identified in crows from Bar Harbor and Skowhegan. WMTW reports officials from both towns this week received notice from the Maine CDC stating the agency recently identified the mosquito-borne disease in crows in the two towns. The Maine CDC also said on July 31st it was investigating the case of a Waldo County resident who contracted the virus while traveling outside the state. The CDC urged people to protect themselves from mosquitoes and to contact their veterinarians for tips on how to protect their pets.
(Bar Harbor) It’s more important than ever to protect yourself from those pesky mosquitoes. This week the Maine CDC notified two towns in which they had identified cases of West Nile virus in crows. WMTW reports crows in both Bar Harbor and Skowhegan tested positive for the disease. The Maine CDC also said on July 31st it was investigating the case of a Waldo County resident who contracted the virus while traveling outside the state. They say it’s important to wear long sleeves, rid your property of pools of standing water, and contact your veterinarian for tips on how to protect your pets.
FDA Approves Epinephrine Nasal Spray
(CBS) Great news for EpiPen users. Last week, the FDA approved Neffy, the first nasal spray to be used as an emergency treatment for the tens of millions of Americans at risk of potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder reports the nasal spray, like the injection, contains epinephrine, and is approved for adults and for children over 66 pounds. It should be on the market in the next eight weeks. Cost is expected to be about $25 for those with commercial insurance, $200 out of pocket, and may be at no charge for some uninsured or underinsured. Medical experts say users should still follow up with an emergency room visit as recommended with the injectable EpiPen.
(CBS) Great news for the tens of millions of Americans at risk of potentially life-threatening allergic reactions, but who hate the thought of those Epi-Pen injections. The FDA has approved Neffy, the first nasal spray to be used as an emergency treatment in place of the needle-tipped Epi-Pen. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder reports the nasal spray, like the injection, contains epinephrine, and is approved for adults and for children over 66 pounds. It should be on the market in about eight weeks. Medical experts say users should still follow up with an emergency room visit as recommended with the injection.
Human Interest/Entertainment
First National Bank Calendars Feature Local Photographers’ Work
(Ellsworth) Come mid-November, you can walk into any First National Bank branch and pick up a calendar for the coming year … a calendar with a local flavor. Each month features a picture that was a winning entry from the bank’s 17th Annual Customer Photo Calendar Contest. Katie Busick of Salsbury Cove’s photo of a hummingbird hovering over a flower at Thuya Garden graces the calendar’s cover. January features a picture of Little Island by MDI’s Kenn Chandler. Jo Andrews of Brooksville took the winning shot for May, Winston Shaw of Trenton, July’s photo, and Don Dunbar of Eastport perfectly captured the December scene. Other locals featured include Laurie Churchill of Calais and Tony Mollison of Orland.
(Ellsworth) Some people just have an eye for detail. Such is the case with the winners of First National Bank’s 17th Annual Photo Calendar Contest. On the cover of the 2025 calendar is Katie Busick of Salsbury Cove’s photo of a hummingbird hovering over a flower at Thuya Garden. January features a picture of Little Island by MDI’s Kenn Chandler. Jo Andrews of Brooksville took the winning shot for May, Winston Shaw of Trenton, July’s photo, and Don Dunbar of Eastport perfectly captured the December scene. Other locals featured include Laurie Churchill of Calais and Tony Mollison of Orland. The 2025 calendars will be available at First National Bank branches in mid November.
Sports
The Red Sox have the night off tonight. They beat the Houston Astros last night 4-1. They’ll be back at Fenway tomorrow night to begin a weekend series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. No preseason play for the Patriots tonight – this week’s game is Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
No preseason play for the Patriots tonight – this week’s game is Sunday against the Washington Commanders.