Happy Summer!
Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Sullivan Woman Arrested on Domestic Assault
(Sullivan) A Sullivan woman was arrested Wednesday on a domestic assault complaint. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Star 97.7, officers responded to the complaint at a residence about 11:30 that morning. An investigation led to the arrest of 47 yo Sherri Butler. Butler was charged with domestic violence assault and taken to the Hancock County Jail. Gouldsboro Police assisted in the incident.
Summer Heat Prompts Warnings from Vets
(Maine) As summer heats up, especially with much higher temps predicted next week, veterinarians are issuing their annual warnings about the dangers of leaving pets in cars. The Veazie Veterinary Clinic says after 30 minutes, even an outside temperature of just 70 degrees can reach 104 inside your car. At 80 degrees outside, interior car temps reach 114; and at 95, that car interior soars to a deadly 129. And, they say, don’t rely on leaving that pet inside the car with the air running – or if you do, make very frequent checks.
EFD Reminds Residents of the Importance of Displaying House Number
(Ellsworth) While you’re working on those outdoor chores this summer, don’t forget your house number. That may seem like a small detail, but the Ellsworth Fire Department reminds everyone that making sure it’s clearly visible is crucial for emergency responders. They say properly displaying your address helps police, fire, and EMS find your home quickly when every second counts. In Ellsworth, that means numbers must be three inches tall on a five inch background and easily seen. If your home is within 50 feet of the road, they suggest using contrasting colors for your numbers, such as black numbers on a white background. If more than 50 feet off the road, you need to place an address sign at the end of your driveway that should feature white reflective numbers on a blue background. For more tips, contact the awesome first responders at the EFD.
Camden Initiates Public-Private Ambulance Service
(Camden) For the past dozen years, Camden has had no ambulance based in town. The Pen Bay Pilot reports that changes July 1 when a North East Mobile Health Services ambulance will be stationed at the Camden Fire Department, ready to roll to emergencies as needed. The change is part of a public-private initiative the Select Board cemented at its June 17th meeting. NEMHS is based in Saco and operated a station in Rockport from 2013 to last winter when that town established its own EMS service. With the departure from Rockport … Camden, Hope, and Lincolnville faced concerns about increased costs. Ambulance services across the board, especially in rural areas, continue to struggle with staffing, funding, and a lack of timely reimbursements from Medicaid and other insurance.
Local Politics
Pingree Calls on Coast Guard to Save Buoys
(Washington, DC) Let’s hear it for the buoys! Visual navigation markers are essential to maritime economies and communities. Fishermen, passenger vessels, and recreational boaters all use the buoys as a reliable safety measure to maneuver through inclement weather and sporadic access to technology while on the water. Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and a bipartisan group of legislators this week called on the US Coast to preserve the critical navigational buoys along the Northeast coast. The lawmakers warned removing the buoys, as proposed, could jeopardize maritime safety. They urged the USCG to ensure modern navigation technology works alongside, rather than in place of, the traditional markers.
State Budget
(Augusta) A $320 million budget now sits on Governor Mills’ desk after passing the state legislature on Wednesday night. WABI reports lawmakers met for the final scheduled day of the 132nd legislature. Wednesday morning, about a half dozen Democrats voted against the budget, causing it to fail. But after a caucus meeting, it passed in both chambers along party lines. Republicans have remained steadfast that they will not vote for any budget that increases taxes.
Economy
Concert Ticket Pricing
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills this week signed into law a proposal aimed at increasing transparency for concert ticket pricing. The Bangor Daily News reports the measure followed debate that touched on a larger dispute between Ticketmaster and StubHub. While the proposal initially attempted to prevent sellers of concert and event tickets from not allowing buyers to transfer tickets to a third party, an amendment took out the prohibition on transfer limits, replacing that with consumer protections, such as requiring fees be disclosed up front and preventing resellers from adding more than 10% to the original ticket price. The new law will take effect in 90 days.
Sullivan Receives $10K AARP National AARP Challenge Grant
(Sullivan) AARP this week announced it’s awarding communities $4.2M through its 2025 Community Challenge. Among the 383 project recipients, Age Friendly Sullivan will receive $10K to renovate the Town Gazebo at Sumner Park, along with the Municipal Parks and Recreation Committee. Built in 1990, the Gazebo continues to be a central focus for public events that bring residents together. The grants are given to projects designed to make communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults. Age Friendly Sullivan’s Candy Eaton tells Star 97.7, 45% of this year’s funded projects are in rural communities.
Heart of Ellsworth Main Street Recognition
(Ellsworth) Another first for Heart of Ellsworth – this week, they were officially recognized as a 2025 Accredited Main Street America Program by the Maine Downtown Center and Main Street America. Director Cara Romano notes the accreditation reflects Heart of Ellsworth’s commitment to strengthening Downtown Ellsworth through preservation-based economic development and community engagement. The recognition signifies they met MSA’s standards of performance in 2024 – a set of six core principles that guide local revitalization programs focused on historic downtown and commercial districts. Congratulations, and thanks for helping to make Ellsworth a great place to live and work.
Governor’s Lobster Roll Day
(Ellsworth) Next Wednesday is Lobster Roll Day at all Governor’s Restaurant locations! Every year on the special day, the eatery sells more than 20K Lobster Rolls across their six stores … while they last – and, as you can imagine at $10.66 each, they DON’T – so get there early! The rolls start rolling out at 8 a.m., Governor’s says they generally get really busy about 10:30, and then it’s crazy until about 2:30. Thus, before 10 or between 2 and 4 are your best options. They ask if you have an order of 25 or more that you call ahead so they can have that ready for you. Otherwise, call-in orders (25 or more only) really slow them down, so they stress “come by” if you can! That’s $10.66 lobster rolls – June 25th at Governor’s.
Environment
Summer Arrives!
(Maine) Today’s the day! The official start of meteorological summer here in the Northern Hemisphere. Granted, sources say that technically it arrives at 10:42 pm. – but it’s still the longest day of the year. The shortest day reserved for the Southern Hemisphere. The timing of the summer solstice isn’t based on a specific calendar date or time. Instead, it depends on when the Sun reaches that northernmost point from the equator, directly overhead at noon, 23 and a half degrees north … or just above the Tropic of Cancer. It can fall between June 20th and 22nd. Statistics aside, enjoy it while you can – Maine summers weatherwise are always way too short.
(Maine) June 20th – this year, it’s the longest day of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. The summer solstice has been celebrated by cultures around the world for centuries. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, in Ancient Egypt, the summer solstice coincided with the rising of the Nile, as it was crucial to predict its annual flooding…so it also signaled the start of the Egyptian New Year. In centuries past, the Irish would cut hazel branches on solstice eve to be used in the search for gold, water, and precious jewels. And many European cultures hold what are known as Midsummer celebrations, including gatherings at Stonehenge, and the lighting of bonfires on hilltops. Definitely a day worth celebrating.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Maine’s Growing Foster Care Population
(Maine) New federal data shows the foster care population increased in only six states between 2019 and 2023. The state with the highest rate of increase during that period? Maine, according to The Maine Monitor. A DHHS official attributed the increase to changes following the highly publicized deaths of several children in 2017 and 18 and said the department is working on ways to be less reactive. Two-thirds of Maine children put into foster care in 2023 were placed there due to neglect. Governor Janet Mills recently signed legislation that changed the state’s definition of child neglect, creating an exception for parents who can’t provide necessities simply because of economic hardship.
(Maine) New federal data shows Maine was the state with the highest rate of increase in its foster care population between 2019 and 2023. Some officials say the increase is likely due, in part, to reaction to the highly publicized deaths of several children in 2017 and 18. Reportedly, DHHS is working on ways to be less reactive. The Maine Monitor writes 2/3 of children put into foster care were placed there because of neglect. But a growing consensus reveals in many cases, removing children from homes in neglect cases can result in more long-term harm than leaving them and then connecting families with resources and services. The state also has a higher rate of children leaving the system through adoption than the national average.
Carver Memorial Library Kicks Off Summer Reading
(Searsport) The Carver Memorial Library in Searsport is bubbling over with creative fun to launch their summer reading program! From 10:30 to 12:30 this morning, the Bubble Party Kickoff will feature lawn games, crafts, … and, of course … LOTS of bubbles! It’s also a chance to pick up a Carver Memorial Library Summer Reading Kit, which will be available after the party at the circulation desk if you can’t make it this morning. Searsport Librarians say, “Adventures can be found in a good book, as well as your backyard – and the “Read, Play, Explore” summer program challenges you to experience both!”
Sports
High School Baseball State Championships
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Eagles baseball team hits the field at UMaine Orono at 1 p.m. Saturday as they take on the Greely Army Rangers for the Class B North State Championship. That game followed by Class D North Bangor Christian against St. Dominic at 4:30. In Class A North, it’s Biddeford running the bases against Mt. Ararat at 1; then Class C North, Washington Academy leading off against Monmouth Academy at 4:30 Saturday – both those games at St. Joseph’s College.