Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Slain Police Dog Honored
(Portage Lake) It was February 3rd when authorities surrounded an apartment in Portage Lake where a gunman was holed up with his infant daughter. The gunman eventually fled, shooting a deputy as well as Police K-9 Preacher, who did not survive. The residents of the small Aroostook County town were shattered – things like that just didn’t happen in their tiny community. So they recently came together to raise $3600 to purchase and install a granite tribute bench in the town. It wasn’t the first time the brave canine was honored. Mushers in this year’s Can Am International 250 Sled Dog Race, which goes through Portage Lake, also staged a tribute, and another memorial bench to the brave canine officer was installed at the Maine State Police barracks in Gray.
Buckle Up Before Hitting the Gas
(Ellsworth) We’ve all been there – wrestling with the seat belt as we head down the driveway, through the store parking lot, even halfway to our destination. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers while Olympic-style wrangling as you drive and attempt to buckle in may be impressive, it’s totally illegal. They say Maine law requires us to be buckled up BEFORE the vehicle is in motion. Before we hit the gas, roll three feet, or even, they say, think about “merging with traffic like a majestic bald eagle”. Why? Because seatbelts save lives. So buckle up first, drive second, and avoid awkward roadside chats with your favorite friendly, concerned local law enforcement.
Local Politics
Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Committee Revises Rules
(Lubec) The Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Committee has revised their decision on adding the names of a pair of lost fishermen to the memorial in Lubec. Chet and Aaron Barrett’s names have now been approved for engraving on the memorial. The two scallopers died in January when their vessel went down in a fierce storm as they were returning from an attempt at one last haul of the season. The Memorial Committee originally turned down a request to add the men’s names, as criteria required victims to have been “actively fishing”, rather than “in transit” when lost. The decision devastated the family and the fishing community. Stephanie Chambers, Chet’s sister-in-law, says the decision is bittersweet and she would love to see more community members step up to serve and make changes for future families.
(Lubec) Last month, the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Committee denied a spot on the memorial in Lubec to two fishermen lost at sea during a storm in January. The families of Chet Barrett and his son Aaron of South Addison were heartbroken that their loved ones’ names weren’t added and honored along with others at a July 21st ceremony for Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day. At issue was the Committee’s criteria that only the names of those who were “actively fishing” when lost be added. The Barretts were “in transit” when their ship went down. Now, Stephanie Chambers, whose sister is Chet’s widow and Aaron’s mother, has asked us to share that the Committee has revised their decision and will be adding Chet’s and Aaron’s names to the memorial. Chambers says she’s grateful, but the decision is bittersweet, as it took heartbreak and community backlash to make a change most feel never should have been an issue.
Collins Advances Nearly $2M in funding for MDI Biological Lab
(MDI) Senator Susan Collins yesterday announced she has advanced nearly $2M in Congressionally Directed Spending for the MDI Biological Laboratory in FY 2026. Collins noted that for more than two decades, the lab has offered educational programming and training for students, helping to grow the state’s STEM workforce. The legislation now awaits consideration by the full House and Senate.
Court Rules Maine Can’t Enforce Foreign Election Interference Law
(Augusta) A federal appeals court has ruled Maine cannot enforce a voter-approved foreign election interference law. WMTW reports the court said the law likely violates the Constitution by limiting political donations. The ban on donations by foreign governments and other foreign-related entities was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2023, but was on hold pending federal lawsuits from utility companies and media organizations that raised constitutional challenges about it.
Economy
Ellsworth Planning Board Approves Plaza Development
(Ellsworth) The Ellsworth Planning Board has approved an initial review of a plaza development on the Bangor Road. The Ellsworth American reports the applicant, JC Cowboys Realty, LLC, hopes to build a two story mixed use building at 99 Bangor Road, with four commercial units on the first floor – potentially retail and fast-casual dining spaces – and three residential units on the second floor. The proposed plaza will also hold a stand-alone observation platform. The plan must come before the board for final approval after some modifications. Nova Plaza will be named after the developer’s daughter. Tommy Tran says they’re here in Ellsworth for the long run and look forward to being a part of the community.
YWCA Asks City to Run Community Center
(Ellsworth) The Downeast Family YMCA has proposed a takeover-of-sorts for the Moore Community Center. The Ellsworth American reports the Y has managed the facility through a lease agreement with the city since 2014. In addition to the one dollar annual rental fee the Y pays the City, the lease stipulates the Y’s management is a type of “in kind” rent. But the YMCA says that’s become above-and-beyond costly and is hoping the City will renegotiate. Friends in Action and the Ellsworth Community Music Institute also use the building and pay rent. YMCA CEO Matt Montgomery met with Ellsworth City Council and plans to continue a discussion of the matter, along with the City’s newly-hired Recreation Director Roddy Ehrlenbach.
Hire-A-Vet Campaign Kickoff
(Augusta) The 2025 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign kicks off today at the Augusta Civic Center! Maine’s annual campaign is a statewide effort with the goal of at least 100 employers hiring at least 100 veterans and military family members during a 100-day period. While the campaign is focused on veterans and their families, the events are open to all job seekers. Today’s kickoff in Augusta is being held from 10:30 to 3, with events planned throughout the state monthly through November, as well.
Maine’s Low Unemployment Rates
(Augusta) Maine is at a real low point. But that’s a good thing! We’re talking about the unemployment rate. Recent federal data shows the state’s metropolitan areas have some of the lowest unemployment in the country. The Portland Press Herald reports the Portland-South Portland area had the third-lowest unemployment rate at 2.2%. Lewiston-Auburn tied for 19th with 2.9%, and the Bangor region tied for 28th at 3.0%. Contributing factors include increased housing in Lewiston, a growing life-sciences industry in Portland, and an increase in tourist traffic in Bangor. Maine’s older median population at near age 45 also figures in, as reports indicate older people tend to be more established and less likely to lose jobs. An aging population also means added jobs in the healthcare and professional services sectors. In the past 17 years, Maine has matched or exceeded the national unemployment rate just three times.
National ABLE Savings Day
(Augusta) Today is National ABLE Savings Day in Maine. ABLE ME was established in 2021 and is designed to help eligible individuals with disabilities save for qualified disability expenses on a tax-advantaged basis – without jeopardizing other benefits such as Supplemental Social Security Income and Medicaid. Contributions to ABLE accounts, which are administered by Bangor Savings Bank, can come from earnings, family, friends, and other sources. The program currently has nearly 1700 accounts and more than $10M in assets held.
Loaves & Fishes Fill the Grand Act IV
(Ellsworth) A month from today, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Ellsworth will host its annual “Fill the Grand” food and funds drive. Once again, they’re asking the community to fill every seat in the historic Grand with bags of food and funds to support the mission of ending food insecurity in Hancock County. Sponsor a seat for $35 by donating online anytime at loaves and fishes ellsworth dot org, or drop donations off at the Grand from 11 to 4 the day of the event. The pantry currently serves more than 5100 Hancock County neighbors, and it costs about $1500 a day to keep the shelves stocked and the lights on. Local businesses can also support the event by becoming a sponsor – contact Tracy at the pantry to find out how.
Education
COA Academic Hub Wins National Award
(Bar Harbor) When it comes to being green, nobody does it better than College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor. The latest honor for the eco-friendly school – recognition of the Atlantic Davis Center for Human Ecology as one of the most sustainable and forward-thinking buildings in the country. The campus’s 29K square foot building, which opened in 2021, was designed by OPAL, a Belfast architectural firm specializing in sustainable design. The honor was bestowed by the American Institute of Architects, which gave its Top Ten Award to the zero-emissions building that accommodates art studios, offices, teaching and collaboration spaces and more. The Center has now received both of the top honors offered by AIA, including the 2024 Architecture Award.
Human Interest/Entertainment
SPCA Pet Pals
(Trenton) Got your pet pal yet? Maybe you already have several little furry ones at home. Or maybe you’d love to adopt, but the time just isn’t right. That’s ok, says the SPCA of Hancock County! For just $10 a month, you can become a Pet Pal. That makes you a real hero to those awaiting their forever homes at the SPCA. You’ll even get a letter from your pal each month! Ten bucks a month – the price of a couple of cups of coffee – can make a real difference. Become a Pet Pal at s p c a hancock county dot org.
Families First Community Center Celebrates Ten Years
(Ellsworth) This September 18th, Families First Community Center in Ellsworth will celebrate a decade of helping families by providing a safe place for them to get on their feet while they attend school, parenting and other workshops, and jobs to better their lives and break the cycle of poverty. They welcome your support at the event, to be held at Big Cat’s Catering. In addition to delicious food, there will be unforgettable trips and other items up for auction, and they’re putting out a final call for sponsors as they prepare promotional materials. They say they don’t have any sponsors yet from the wonderful businesses in Washington County, one of their areas of outreach! If you’d like to be a sponsor, or purchase tickets for the September 18th event, visit families first ellsworth dot org – do it soon!