Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Two Rescued After Falling From Canoe
(Orrington) Two people were rescued Thursday after they reportedly fell out of a canoe in the Sedgeunkedunk Stream. Orrington Fire and Rescue responded to a call about 4:45 p.m. and found the pair stranded on a tiny island in the stream. Brewer and Holden responded with backup, and Brewer firefighters launched a rescue boat, bringing the victims to safety. The two were taken by ambulance to be evaluated and were later released.
Community Continues to Turn Out for Missing Clam Digger
(Milbridge) The Downeast community continues to uplift the Wallace family as they continue the search for missing clammer Alton Wallace. On Sunday, a crowd of hopefuls gathered to fan out and search islands and shorelines. 2 TAC Air OPS Drone Services stayed a fourth day to continue the search on Monday, along with Marine Patrol Aircraft, noting the clear conditions made it possible to see some depth into the water. Alton went missing a week ago Sunday after leaving to go clam digging in Narraguagus Bay. Alton’s sister, Sheila, has asked the public to let the drones and pilots do their jobs and to allow the family privacy in such a difficult time; but also expressed extreme gratitude for the community’s support.
Sullivan Man Arrested
(Sullivan) A Sullivan man was arrested Sunday on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in Ellsworth District Court. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, 29 yo Justin Kane was also found to be in violation of his probation conditions. He was taken to the Hancock County Jail without incident.
Pittsfield Fatal Fire
(Pittsfield) An overloaded power strip is being blamed for a fire that claimed the life of a Pittsfield woman Sunday. The Pittsfield Fire and Police Departments responded to a reported structure fire at 111 Cardinal Street shortly before 4 p.m. Once the fire was suppressed, they found a body believed to be that of 58 yo Gili Brown, who lived at the residence. An autopsy will be performed to determine a positive i.d. The Fire Marshal’s Office was called to the scene to determine the cause of that blaze.
New Boating Laws in Effect
(Maine) Memorial Day weekend signals the official start of the summer recreation season, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources reminds boaters of a law that took effect last year. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1999, must be at least 12 years old and take a boater safety course in order to operate a recreational boat with a motor that’s 25 horsepower or greater on coastal or inland water. This year, the requirement applies to those between the ages of 12 and 26. Those boaters must possess and, upon request, present a boating education certificate to a Marine Patrol Officer or MaineGame Warden for inspection. For more information, visit the MDMR website.
Political
Grohoski Works to Protect Coastal Waters
(Ellsworth) Senator Nicole Grohoski, a Democrat from Ellsworth, continues her work to protect coastal waters and regulate the marine finfish aquaculture industry. The Senator sponsored LD 465, signed this month by Governor Janet Mills. As enacted, the bill increases annual wastewater discharge fees for such facilities and certain large stormwater systems. The fees were last updated more than 20 years ago and no longer covered the state’s costs for licensing, compliance, and enforcement of marine finfish aquaculture facilities.
(Ellsworth) Maine has 3500 miles of coastline, with waters that are an integral part of the state’s cultural heritage and economy. Within those waters, are currently 13 net-pen marine aquaculture facilities in waters Downeast, each of which pays annual wastewater discharge fees. Those fees were reportedly last updated more than 20 years ago and no longer cover the state’s cost for licensing, compliance, and enforcement. A bill sponsored by Senator Nicole Grohoski, an Ellsworth Democrat, was signed this month by Governor Janet Mills. LD 465 increased the annual wastewater discharge fee for these entities from $275 to $1,682. Another fee increase affects Maine’s 40 municipal separate storm sewer systems, increasing the discharge fees for MDOT, the Maine Turnpike Authority, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and some colleges from $362 to $1,306.
Economy
Patagonia Drops Lawsuit Against Marden’s
(Maine) Outdoor retailer Patagonia has dropped its lawsuit against Marden’s. The suit claimed the Maine-based salvage retailer sold products under counterfeit Patagonia labels. A Marden’s spokesperson said the store was originally unaware of the issue, but immediately removed the counterfeit clothing upon learning of the suspect items. Marden’s also said it would issue full refunds to customers who returned the inauthentic items.
Healthy Acadia Bids Farewell to Long-time “Food Lady”
(Machias) For 17 years, Regina Grabovac’s name has been practically synonymous with Washington County Food Systems. First as Healthy Acadia’s Farm to School coordinator, and then branching out to encompass food security and access, Regina ultimately served as Washington County Food Programs Manager, leading FoodCorps, Food for All AmeriCorps VISTA supervision, and so much more. This month, Regina is passing the produce to the next generation of leaders. Healthy Acadia invites you to honor her legacy with a contribution to the work she so passionately engineered. Visit Healthy Acadia to learn more.
Treasury to Discontinue Minting Pennies
(Undated) Save your pennies – the U.S.Treasury Department will stop minting the coins early next year. The Treasury has placed its final order for penny blanks, the raw material used to create the coins. Once those are used up, no more pennies will be produced. Those in circulation will still be accepted, but businesses will gradually need to round prices to the nearest five cents. These days, it costs about 3.96 cents to mint a penny. The Treasury expects to save around $56M a year by phasing out the lowly coin.
Bangor Mall Continues to Fall into Disrepair
(Bangor) If you think the infrastructure around Ellsworth is a bit of a mess right now, at least it’s in a state of repair. The Bangor Daily News reports the same can’t be said for the crumbling infrastructure at the Bangor Mall. The entity that owns the mall, Namdar, has reportedly made no visible upgrades to the ongoing issues that caused the city to sue last year. Bangor, in fact, filed two lawsuits in 2024, citing code violations that included a leaking roof, large potholes, a dilapidated sign and stormwater drainage. The BDN says Namdar officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Environment
Outstanding Tree Farm Award Honors Cornville Couple
(Cornville) A Cornville couple is apparently barking up the right tree when it comes to sustainable forestry practices on their tree farm. During Arbor Week last week, Governor Janet Mills presented Jay and Kathryn Libby with the 2025 Maine Outstanding Tree Farm Award. The award honors their exemplary practices in their forest, a diverse, thriving ecosystem of maple, white pine, spruce, fir and other species. The Libbys say their goals are to improve timber quality, maintain recreational access for family and friends, and preserve the natural character of their land for future generations.
Tree City USA Awards
(Ellsworth) From Auburn to Yarmouth, nineteen Tree City USA Awards were presented in Maine last week during Arbor Week. Farmington and Westbrook have qualified the longest at 48 years each. Cumberland is the newest Tree City USA in Maine – 2025 was that city’s first year to qualify. Ellsworth received its 4th year award, having become a Tree City USA under the guidance of certified arborist and City Council member Tabatha White and the Ellsworth Arbor Commission.
Education
Trenton Students Work to Restore Salt Marsh
(Trenton) Last fall, students at Tremont Consolidated Elementary School decided to take on a real-world science project just steps from their studies. The Salt Marsh Restoration Project focuses on restoring and protecting the fragile coastal ecosystem bordering their school on Mount Desert Island. This year, 7th and 8th graders are exploring how sea level rise is affecting coastal communities, investigating how such salt marsh restoration can help mitigate the effects of rising seas and how they can take meaningful local action to support climate resilience. That included unboxing a thousand native salt marsh grass plugs this spring for replanting in a degraded section of the marsh. The project is made possible through a collaboration with Acadia National Park and other entities.
Infrastructure
Water Service Disruption
(Ellsworth) Hopefully, you heard our Star 97.7 on-air folks telling you about this all weekend so you planned ahead and stored some water if you live on Surry Road, Hillside, Mountain View,or Black House Drives, Springhouse Lane, or Edaco Court in Ellsworth. The City says there will be a temporary interruption in water service on those streets due to construction in the area from 8 this morning until 4 this afternoon. The City says once water is restored, if you notice some discoloration, you’ll want to run the tap until the water is clear and no longer appears yellow or dirty. Contact the Ellsworth Water Department if you have questions.
Ellsworth Road Work
(Ellsworth) Here are some new areas of Ellsworth to avoid this week due to road work. Today, the end of Deane Street where it intersects with High Street will be closed while Public Works conducts work on Water Department boxes in the southbound lane of High Street in that area. Southbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane through the work zone, with drivers traveling Deane toward High redirected. That will be happening primarily this morning. Tomorrow morning, Wednesday, Public Works will close both southbound lanes of High Street in front of Pizza Hut beginning at 1 a.m. for the same type of work on Water Department boxes. Alternating one way traffic will be in place to allow travel in both directions.
Human Interest
EHS Student Sets School Record
(Ellsworth) When you say “jump”, Ellsworth High School’s Taylor Libby says,”How far?” At a track meet last week, Libby broke the previous school record that she just happened to break three weeks earlier in the triple jump. The new school record is 32’ 5” – a full inch further than her previous record-setting jump.
Searsport Sea Captain Statue Update
(Searsport) The Penobscot Marine Museum is now open for the season, but a statue slated for dedication at the museum on July 4th is running a bit late. Dr. Karen Kelley, who is spearheading the Sea Captain statue project she and the late Natalie Knox envisioned, has updated Star 97.7. Dr. Kelley says the statue, which is being made in Hong Kong, and will be installed in front of the museum, has been delayed, due to the tariff situation. So while the Captain won’t be arriving for the 4th, he’ll eventually set sail for the perfect port – Searsport. Dr. Kelley has promised to keep us all updated.