Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Authorities Close Bangor Street in Police Standoff
(Bangor) Police in Bangor closed 14th Street yesterday morning after they say a person climbed onto a roof and refused to come down. Crisis negotiators responded to the scene, and people were asked to avoid the area. Perkins Street at 14th was also closed. Officers say they responded to the area about 4 a.m. when homeowners heard something on their roof. Authorities tell Star 97.7, 39 yo Stephen Nason eventually surrendered and was taken into protective custody about 11:30 a.m. Nason was transported to a hospital for evaluation. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated criminal mischief and creating a police standoff.
Great Whites Spotted in Harpswell
(Harpswell) Warnings were up at Cedar Beach in Harpswell yesterday after two documented sightings of great white sharks east of Bailey Island. Officials said beachgoers were still able to access the water, but warning flags were raised to help them make informed decisions. In 2020, 63 yo Julie Dimperio Holowach was fatally attacked by a great white while swimming in Mackerel Cove off Bailey Island. WGME reports officials are encouraging anyone who sees a shark in the Casco Bay area to take a photo and contact the Cumberland County RCC.
Ellsworth Harbor Channel Marker Adjustments
(Ellsworth) Mariners who travel the federal channel leading to Ellsworth Harbor are advised the US Coast Guard has made adjustments to the placement of some channel markers. The City of Ellsworth says the changes have been implemented to ensure the continued safety and efficiency of navigation within the harbor approach.
Local Politics
Senate Passes Bill with $9B in Spending Cuts
(AP) The Senate has passed some $9B in federal spending cuts requested by President Trump, including deep reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid, despite concerns from several Republican senators, including Maine’s Susan Collins. The legislation will have little impact on the nation’s skyrocketing debt, but major ramifications for the targeted spending, including cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and US food and aid programs abroad.
Election Division Concludes Allegations of Fraudulent Voting False
(Augusta) The Election Division yesterday sent a letter to the Maine Republican Party announcing the results of a full investigation into allegations that 51 Maine citizens voted twice in the same election. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows wrote that her office confirmed none of the 51 names provided by the Maine GOP had committed such fraud. Eleven of the names portrayed as being the same person were, in fact, different individuals and one of the accused had in fact voted in state and municipal elections last June; but the two were separate elections, even though held on the same date. Bellows encouraged anyone with concerns to bring them to the attention of her office, but expressed concern the 51 individuals had their names and addresses unfairly handed to the media.
Epstein Debacle Could Be Trump’s Achilles Heel
(NYT) The Epstein debacle could be President Trump’s Achilles Heel. According to the New York Times, for years, Trump spread conspiracy theories about disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The President is seen in numerous photos cozying up to Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. Multiple sources report many of the President’s loyal followers have revolted over the Justice Department’s conclusion in the case that there was “no client list”. One correspondent reports people are upset about the outright dismissal of such a list, which Attorney General Pam Bondi said just days ago was on her desk. Pro-Trump social media commentator Mike Cernovich wrote Sunday of the denial of such a list, “No one is buying it. No one is dropping it.” House Republicans on Wednesday tabled Democrats’ efforts to force a vote requiring release of all files related to Epstein.
Maine Joins Coalition of States Suing Over Ending FEMA Funding for Disaster Mitigation
(Maine) Yet another lawsuit against the Trump Administration that addresses drastic cuts in funding – this time, over ending FEMA funding for disaster mitigation. Maine joined a coalition of 20 states on Wednesday in filing the suit, which accuses the Federal Emergency Management Agency of unlawfully terminating the BRIC program without approval from Congress. The filing came two days after heavy rains inundated parts of New York and New Jersey and just two weeks after devastating floods ravaged Central Texas, claiming more than 130 lives.
State Lawmaker’s Speech about Transgender Athletes Draws Counter Protest
(Topsham) An event hosted by the Cumberland County Republican Committee this week drew supporters and protestors. WGME reports Representative Laurel Libby was in Topsham to speak about the fight to “protect girls’ sports and spaces and defend free speech.” Libby was censured by the House in February after she posted the name and an unblurred photo of a transgender athlete online, prompting Greeley High School to add additional security for that student and others. The US Supreme Court eventually ruled Libby’s voting privileges had to be restored. Outside the event, protestors used their free speech to voice dissent. Some of those protestors said Libby’s comments online about transgender students earlier this year crossed a line and that the issue has “furthered the bigotry and hatred” being spread.
Economy
International Tourism to Maine, U.S. Down Markedly Under Trump Administration
(Maine) Visits to the United States by international tourists were down by 90,000 last month compared to June 2024. The Portland Press Herald reports that includes visits to Maine by Canadians, which were down by a third, marking an accelerated decline in visitors since President Donald Trump took office. From February to June, about 865,000 people crossed from Canada into Maine – a drop of close to 340,000 compared to the same period last year. Prior to January, sources say Maine was on track to see more visitors than any of the three previous years.
Mount Desert Planning Board Approves Recreation Upgrades
(Mount Desert) The Mount Desert Planning Board has approved the town’s plan to renovate the municipal tennis and pickleball courts. The Mount Desert Islander reports the plan also includes installing additional EV chargers and an ice chiller, which would allow more consistent use of the seasonal skating rink during the colder months. Adding the chiller will reportedly make the rink usable by the community for up to five months each year. It’s hoped the additional recreation will allow more restaurants and shops to be open year round as well. Total debt service of the project is over $900K.
MDOL Provides Unemployment Insurance Guidance for Laid Off Federal Employees
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Labor has issued guidance and resources for laid off federal employees. Among tips for filing, they say prepare by printing recent paystubs and your 2024 W-2. File immediately, using their toll-free 800 number; even if you don’t have all your documents. Don’t panic about a zero dollar determination on your initial claim – wages are verified and updated regularly. And they say request a wage affidavit to speed up your claim if you don’t get a response within 12 days. Weekly Zoom sessions are held to go over information on health insurance options, training, and job search resources each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Contact MDOL for more information.
Snack Wrap Back After Nearly a Decade of Pleading
(Ellsworth) After nearly a decade of pleading by passionate consumers, the Snack Wrap is back at McDonald’s. CNBC reports the revival of the beloved menu item comes after the chain saw same-store decline in the first quarter. Snack wraps were first introduced 20 years ago, but were discontinued in 2016 because the company said it slowed kitchens too much in the fast food race, though some franchises kept the wrap on their menus until the 2020 pandemic hit. The new wraps are made with McCrispy Strips and come in two flavors: spicy and ranch.
Education
UMaine to Pilot Program to Address Workforce Shortage
(Orono) The University of Maine plans to help address the workforce shortage with a shortened degree program. The University announced this week it will seek approval to pilot a new kind of applied degree program with five 90-credit applied bachelor’s programs, specifically for adult learners who have not yet completed a door-opening degree and who have been out of higher education for at least two years. Traditional bachelor’s degrees require at least 120 hours. The programs will include degrees in Public Administration, Business Management, and Psychology among others.
Health
Jackson Lab Continues Work on Eye Test That Could Diagnose Alzheimer’s
(Bar Harbor) An eye test could soon help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, decades before patients start experiencing cognitive decline. WABI reports researchers at the Jackson Lab in Bar Harbor have been working on this since 2016 and are getting ready to start human trials. If everything goes as planned, the diagnostic could be implemented in doctors’ offices within just a few years.
Infrastructure
Public Bathroom Installed in Downtown Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Many people are flush with excitement at the latest installation in downtown Ellsworth. A new public restroom is just one more way the city is attempting to “bowl” over visitors to the vibrant downtown area. Heart of Ellsworth helped coordinate the 24/7 facility, which is located in the municipal parking lot in front of City Hall. You’ll find a sticker trail in the Franklin Street Parklet pointing the way to the porcelain. The restroom is under active surveillance, and the public is asked to respect the place that often gets little respect – unless you’ve over hydrated and find yourself faced with one “No public restroom” sign after another. In all seriousness, it really is one more way to make downtown more welcoming and accessible.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Lighthouse Play Comes to the Islands
(NE Harbor) The Penobscot Theatre Company is taking it overseas – well, just across the sea to some local, remote islands. After a successful three-week run at the Bangor Opera House, PTC has partnered with Maine Seacoast Mission to stage “Matinicus: A Lighthouse Play” on three of Maine’s unbridged islands. The play tells the true story of a young woman who single-handedly manned a lighthouse on Matinicus Rock in 1856, including operating it during a fierce winter storm that overtook the lighthouse. The actors and crew will travel aboard the Mission’s Sunbeam to Great Cranberry Isle on July 21st, Isle au Haut on the 22nd, and Matinicus on July 23rd. Plays are free and open to the public. Visit the Penobscot Theatre Company for specifics on the performances.
A Grand Weekend in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) It’s a Grand weekend in Ellsworth! Tonight at Knowlton Park, bring your own chair and enjoy Mufasa: the Lion King. Friday night, bring a picnic and a chair or blanket and enjoy a free concert by Crossroads Band at 6 p.m. at Union River Harbor Park. And Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, enjoy Shakespeare in the Park at Knowlton Park with Downeast Shakes & Shenanigans. The Bard has finally been translated to the modern Downeast Vernacular! All events are free and sponsored by the City of Ellsworth. Want to know more? Get details and support our wonderful Grand at your grand dot org.