Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Finding Our Voices March for Domestic Abuse Victims
(Bangor) The group “Finding Our Voices” is asking the public to join them this afternoon in a walk in Bangor in protest of domestic violence and abuse. The event was prompted by the death of 39 yo Virginia Cookson, who authorities say was killed last week by her boyfriend. Survivors and others will gather at 1:30 this afternoon in front of the Charles Inn and walk Main Street with protest signs. Participants are asked to wear yellow. A panel discussion at Eastern Maine Community College is planned following the walk.
(Bangor) October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. This afternoon, the group “Finding Our Voices” is asking the public to join them in protest of yet another domestic violence-related death. Authorities say 39 yo Virginia Cookson died last week at the hands of her boyfriend. Survivors and others are asked to gather at 1:30 this afternoon in front of the Charles Inn and walk Main Street with protest signs. Participants are asked to wear yellow. A panel discussion will follow at Eastern Maine Community College.
Legislative Committee Votes to Advance Nomination for State Fire Marshal
(Augusta) A legislative committee has voted unanimously to advance the nomination of Shawn Esler as State Fire Marshal. Esler served with the Waterville Fire Department beginning in 2008 and has been that department’s chief since 2018. Esler says he has already taken steps to reverse the negative climate stemming from allegations of a toxic work environment under outgoing state fire marshal Richard McCarthy, who retired this summer.
(Augusta) The vote was unanimous – a legislative committee yesterday moved to advance the nomination of Shawn Esler as State Fire Marshal. Esler will have his work cut out for him, presumably taking over a department rife with accusations of a toxic work environment under outgoing state fire marshal Richard McCarthy, who retired this summer. Esler has served with the Waterville Fire Department since 2008, heading that department as chief since 2018.
Ellsworth Police Department Promotes Officers
(Ellsworth) Congratulations are in order for several members of the Ellsworth Police Department. David Lord was promoted to Captain, Kelvin Mote to Sergeant, and McKay McLean to Corporal. The Department says the promotions are a testament to the officers’ commitment to the EPD, law enforcement, and the community. We’re guessing you’ll be able to congratulate them in person this afternoon at Ellsworth’s National Night Out – an opportunity to connect with members of the Ellsworth Police and Fire Departments. And that’s from 3 to 7 today in the WalMart parking lot.
(Ellsworth) National Night Out tonight will be extra special for three employees of the Ellsworth Police Department who recently received promotions. Kelvin Mote was promoted to Sergeant and McKay McLean to Corporal on Monday, and David Lord was promoted to Captain at an earlier date. The Ellsworth edition of National Night Out is today from 3 to 7 p.m. in the WalMart parking lot. Check out police cruisers and fire trucks up close, snap pictures, meet these everyday heroes, including Corporal Rob Angelo and his police K-9 Taggart, enjoy raffles and meet Lucy the Velociraptor up close at this family friendly event. It’s the perfect opportunity for parents, kids, and other community members to connect with our local heroes.
Environment
Upcycle Your Used Clothing
(Trenton) If you’re cleaning out your closet making room for winter clothes and find items that may not be worthy of donating, don’t just pitch them. Drop them in the big white bin outside the shop across the road from the old Cheese House on Route 3 in Trenton. Veteran-owned Apparel Impact accepts clean, dry clothing to upcycle for underserved communities. And College of the Atlantic has a club known as Mending Matters that upcycles old ripped clothing for new projects such as quilts and totes. 85% of clothing that can’t be donated ends up in the trash – help change that, a tee-shirt, pair of jeans, or sweater at a time.
(Trenton) Landfills are overflowing with used, unwanted clothing. Every year, 85% of clothing that can’t be donated ends up adding to the problem. Locals have an opportunity to change that. Veteran-owned Apparel Impact accepts clean, dry clothing to upcycle for underserved communities. You’ll find their large white bin on Route 3 in Trenton, across from the old cheese house. There’s also a club at College of the Atlantic, run by Lilia Machado. Mending Matters reuses old, ripped clothing and upcycles it to make new projects and repair perfectly fine clothing. Make a difference as you clean out those closets for the new seasons – one tank top, pair of capris, or vest at a time.
Economy
MDOL Launches Education Initiative Ahead of PFML Rollout
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Labor on Monday launched a statewide education initiative ahead of the 2025 rollout of the new Paid Family and Medical Leave Law. The multi-channel education campaign is designed to provide guidance and support to Maine’s workers, employers, and self-employed individuals. Information on the webinar series and how to register can be found on the MDOL website.
(Augusta) On January 1, the new Paid Family and Medical Leave Law goes into effect here in Maine. In order to provide guidance and support to the state’s workers, employers, and the self-employed, the Maine Department of Labor on Monday announced a multi-channel education campaign, consisting of webinars on various topics related to the new law. Information on the webinar series and how to register can be found on the MDOL website.
MDI Produce Exchange
(Bar Harbor) Beginning today, MDI residents can participate in the MDI Produce Exchange, a give-and-take produce trailer managed by Healthy Acadia’s Gleaning Initiative. The space allows community members to donate excess garden or farm produce or take home fresh food as needed, free of charge. The refrigerated trailer is located at the Peggy Rockefeller Farm on Norway Drive for drop offs of fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, or other homegrown items and for folks to take what is needed. Donors and recipients are asked to fill out a brief form to help keep track of what’s available. Enter via the Crooked Road entrance and follow the signs.
(Bar Harbor) What’s old has become new again – that sense of sharing and community. Beginning today, MDI residents have a place to donate excess garden or farm produce or take home fresh food as needed, free of charge. It’s the MDI Produce Exchange, a give-and-take produce trailer managed by Healthy Acadia’s Gleaning Initiative. The refrigerated trailer is located at the Peggy Rockefeller Farm on Norway Drive for drop offs of fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, or other homegrown items and for folks to take what is needed. Donors and recipients are asked to fill out a brief form to help keep track of what’s available. Enter via the Crooked Road entrance and follow the signs.
New Recreation Coming to Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Among the many exciting things happening in Ellsworth, the city will soon have some new indoor recreation – just in time to ward off those wintertime blues. According to a FB post, Ryan Lounder, owner of 207 Collectibles and his wife, Autumn, owner of D’Amanda’s, are remodeling the adjoining bar and lounge and adding two trackman and four indoor golf simulators. The new official name is Ellsworth Indoor Golf and Grill, and you can find more information on the FB page of the same name. Ryan and Autumn say they’ll update pricing, hours, membership information, and menu modifications, along with the official opening date. But if you’re interested in being one of the first to use the simulators, be sure to email them now at ellsworth golf 24 at gmail dot com to get in on the first bookings for their opening week!
(Ellsworth) Just in time to beat the upcoming winter blues, Ellsworth will soon have the Ellsworth Indoor Golf and Grill, located at 25 Eastward Lane. According to a FB post, Ryan Lounder, who owns 207 Collectibles, and his wife, Autumn, owner of D’Amanda’s, are remodeling the adjoining bar and lounge and adding two trackman and four indoor golf simulators. Watch their new FB page – Ellsworth Indoor Golf and Grill – for updates on pricing, hours, membership information, menu modifications, and a grand opening date. If you’d like to sign up to be one of the first to use the simulators – get your name in now before they open. Email them at ellsworth golf 24 at gmail dot com to get in on the first bookings for their opening week – they’ll contact you on a first come, first served basis.
Families First Community Center Dinner A Success
(Ellsworth) The Families First Community Center in Ellsworth reports their 7th Annual Dinner was a huge success, raising around $52,000 through sponsorships, the dinner, and auction. FFCC’s mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by equipping families with minor children with the skills needed to become self-sufficient. The non-profit works to stem the number one cause of homelessness in rural areas – generational poverty.
(Ellsworth) Volunteers, donors, bidders at the auction, and attendees made the Families First Community Center’s 7th Annual Dinner their best yet. FFCC reports the September 17th dinner raised around $52,000 to help toward their mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty. The non-profit works to equip and provide resources to families with minor children with the skills needed to become self-sufficient. Learn how you can continue to support them at families first ellsworth dot org.
Infrastructure
Versant Project on Pretty Marsh Road
(Mount Desert) Versant Power will be replacing power poles along Pretty Marsh Road in Mount Desert for up to the next nine weeks. The Town of Mount Desert reports the project began last Friday and extends 2.4 miles, starting at the intersection of Route 102. Expect traffic delays and some lane closures as the work progresses.
(Mount Desert) If you travel Pretty Marsh Road in the Town of Mount Desert, expect some traffic delays and lane closures for the next couple of months. The Town reports Versant Power will be replacing power poles, starting at the intersection of Route 102 and extending 2.4 miles. Work began last Friday and is expected to last about nine weeks.
Ellsworth Public Works Crews at Work Today
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth Public Works crews will be working in these areas today for curb box repair – 99 Oak Street, 55 Hancock Street, and 27 High Street. Also, they’ll be reducing the third section of Gary Moore Road to one lane for ditching, and will be doing culvert repair in the area of 20 and 21 McDonald Avenue on Wednesday. The City asks that you please drive with caution when in these areas.
(Ellsworth) A heads up about road work in Ellsworth this week. The City of Ellsworth asks you to use caution in these areas. Today, Public Works will be doing curb box repair at 99 Oak Street, 55 Hancock Street, and 27 High Street. Also, they’ll be reducing the third section of Gary Moore Road to one lane for ditching. They’ll be doing culvert repair in the area of 20 and 21 McDonald Avenue on Wednesday. The City asks that you please drive with caution when in these areas.
Sports
Banished baseball great Pete Rose has died. The long time Cincinnati Reds player was the career hits leader whose hits broke his hero Ty Cobb’s record, racking up 4,256 hits during his major league baseball career. Rose was 83.
Basketball legend Dikembe Mutombo has died of brain cancer at the age of 58. Mutumbo used his earnings to return to his home in the Democratic Republic of Congo and build a hospital and provide other healthcare resources for his native country.