Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Bangor Company Replaces Roof Damaged During Crime
(Bangor) A Bangor couple whose roof was heavily damaged during a crime spree received a new roof free of charge, thanks to a local company. WABI reports last month a man climbed onto homeowner Veronica Levesque’s roof and refused to come down for several hours. While there, the suspect took an axe to the roof, causing thousands in damage. A Bangor Company, Home Roofing Solutions, stepped up to offer free repairs. Managers Keith Rogers and Trevor Fabian said, “This really comes down to Mainers helping Mainers…” Repairs were expected to wrap up this past weekend, just in time for the rain to set in on Sunday.
Maine Joins A Dozen Other States in Expanding Definition of Domestic Abuse
(Maine) A recent change in Maine law may further protect victims of domestic abuse. The Maine Monitor writes although victims may not suffer physical harm, they can suffer what’s known as coercive control. The term refers to a range of non-physical tactics used by abusers to alter the behavior of a vulnerable partner, including stalking, intimidation and financial abuse. Governor Janet Mills signed the bill earlier this summer, adding the term to Maine’s protection-from-abuse statute. Deer Isle Representative Holly Eaton proposed the legislation after hearing from a constituent whose close family member had faced years of emotional and psychological abuse.
NewsMax to Pay $67M to Settle Dominion Defamation Lawsuit
(NYTimes) NewsMax has agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $67M for allegedly broadcasting false claims the voting machine company had rigged votes in the 2020 Presidential election. The right-wing cable channel agreed to the judgment in order to settle a liable lawsuit brought by Dominion. In related news, President Donald Trump on Monday said he will lead a movement to end mail-in voting and get rid of voting machines ahead of the 2026 mid-terms, claiming they lead to voter fraud.
Northern Maine Newspaper Pulled from Hannaford Due to Nazi Ad
(Fort Fairfield) A northern Maine newspaper was pulled from Hannaford supermarket shelves earlier this year after the paper reportedly ran an ad for a Nazi-style book burning planned during Pride Month. The Bangor Daily News reported the ad in the Fort Fairfield Journal read, “June Book Burning – during Pride Month, New England White Network is going to party like it’s 1933.” Although the papers were quickly removed, it just recently came to light the Journal was still, as of last week, listing Hannaford on its website as one of its distributors. Hannaford said it is dedicated to ensuring all customers and associates feel valued, safe, and respected in their stores and offices. Local Hannaford stores have visible signs of support for the LBGTQ-plus community.
Local Politics
Nomination Papers Deadline Approaches
(Ellsworth) A reminder from the City of Ellsworth that candidates running for elective offices are required to submit a petition signed by at least 50 but fewer than 100 registered voters in the city. The papers are due back in a little under three weeks now, on September 8th at 5 p.m. There are three open seats on City Council, two on the Ellsworth School Board, and one on the Ellsworth Public Library Board of Trustees. All seats have three year terms. As of yesterday morning, ten people had taken out papers for City Council, one for Library Trustee, and three for School Board. We’ve posted their names below:
City Council – Earl Awalt, Dean Donovan, Frank Ojeda, Patrick Shea, Gordon Workman, John Linnehan, Robert McKenney, Jarad Wilbur, Carol P. Martineau, and Marina Smith.
Library Trustee – Judith Lyles
School Board Member – Paul Markosian, Connor Devine, Beverly Sargent
Blue Hill Voters to Decide on Purchase of Tenney Hill Property
(Blue Hill) The Blue Hill Select Board is hosting a public information session this Thursday at 6:30 at the Town Hall auditorium. At issue, whether the town should buy the former George Stevens Academy dorm on Tenney Hill as the site of a new Fire Station if residents approve the just under $2M purchase. The actual vote on whether to purchase the property will take place at a special town meeting on Sunday, August 24th. The town has created a website that details information about the plans – fire station dot blue hill m e dot gov.
Economy
Ellsworth Eateries Close Permanently
(Ellsworth) Two Ellsworth eateries are closing for good. The Bangor Daily News reports DragonFire Pizza in the Mill Mall closed; and yesterday posted “For Sale” signs. The owners say they’ve been trying to sell, but have had no serious inquiries since May and earlier this month hosted an equipment sale and open house. And Margaritas in downtown Ellsworth closed three months ago, reportedly the result of tax issues. Statewide Property Management is now trying to find a new tenant for the space on behalf of the property owner.
Ellsworth Planning Board to Consider Major Development
(Ellsworth) Some mighty big development plans to consider at the September 3rd meeting of the Ellsworth Planning Board. The Board will consider final plan reviews of both the proposed Union Farm Equipment Development at 215 Downeast Highway and the two-story Nova Plaza multi-use residential and retail development at 99 Bangor Road. They’ll also be conducting a preliminary plan review of a proposal to construct a commercial tractor and power equipment sales and service facility entitled Ellsworth Tractor & Equipment at 500 High Street. The September public hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.
Former Riverlily in Milbridge to Become Counter Service Café
(Milbridge) Something delicious is coming to the former Riverlily building on Main Street in Milbridge. Sue Licata Gallagher writes she and her husband plan to open a counter service café, offering sandwiches, soups, salads and a baked potato bar. They anticipate a late winter opening and hope everyone will stop by. A sign out front announces the opening of the 1899 Café in early 2026.
AARP and Social Security
(Augusta) As we shared with you yesterday, Social Security is turning 90 this month. It’s no secret people are concerned about its viability, especially, as AARP Maine State Director Noel Bonam tells Star 97.7, (((Soc Sec 1 “…the Social Security benefits from the program.” :18))) Bonam says it’s important to contact our Representatives and ask them to make the program a priority, even if you’re not quite at retirement age. He says it’s an earned benefit we’ve been paying into to help secure our future financial stability.
(Augusta) Social Security – most of us have paid into it throughout our working careers. It’s not an “entitlement”, but an earned benefit to which retirees are entitled. AARP State Director Noel Bonam tells Star 97.7, unless Congress acts quickly, you could lose those earnings. (((Soc Sec 2 “…now and not wait til the last minute.” :16))) Bonam says don’t think your letters and phone calls won’t be effective – it’s what drives our Congressional delegation to know what priorities need to be their top focus.
(Augusta) This Friday, AARP Maine State Director Noel Bonam will be in Augusta as Governor Janet Mills commemorates the 90th Anniversary of Social Security, a program earned benefits that has sustained retirees, the disabled and others. Will Social Security still be around a couple of decades from now? Bonam tells Star 97.7, it’s up to us to act to push Congress to act. (((Soc Sec 3 “…and not wait til the last minute.” :22))) We’ve posted contact information for Maine’s Congressional delegation below.
U.S. Representative Jared Golden
Bangor 207-249-7400 / fax 844-269-7569
Caribou 207-492-6009 / fax 207-493-4436
Lewiston 207-241-6767
Washington DC Phone 202-225-6306 / fax 202-225-2943
U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree
Portland: 207-774-5019 or 888-862-6500 / fax 207-871-0720
Waterville: 207-873-5713/ fax 207-873-5717
Washington, DC: 202-225-6116 / fax 202-225-
U.S. Senator Angus King
Toll-free: 800-432-1599
Augusta: 207-622-8292 / fax 207-621-0286
Bangor: 207-945-8000 / fax 207-945-5010
Biddeford: 207-352-5216 / fax 207-282-1009
Presque Isle: 207-764-5124 / fax 207-764-6420
Washington, DC: 202-224-5344 / fax 202-228-0824
U.S. Senator Susan Collins
Augusta: 207-622-8414 / fax 207-622-5884
Bangor: 207-945-0417 / fax 207-990-4604
Biddeford: 207-283-1101 / fax 207-283-4054
Caribou: 207-493-7873 / fax 207-493-7810
Lewiston: 207-784-6969 / fax 207-782-6475
Portland: 207-780-3575 / fax 207-828-0380
Washington, DC: 202-224-2523 / fax 202-224-2693
Education
Ellsworth School Department Seeks Stories
(Ellsworth) Everybody has a story, and the Ellsworth School Department wants to hear yours! They recently shared some positive stories about things happening in our local schools and with their students this past summer, and they’d like to keep that positive vibe going all year. They want to hear from parents, teachers, coaches, students, or anyone in Ellsworth who can shine a light on all the great things happening in schools every day – achievement milestones, community service, behind-the-scenes. Submit your stories at ellsworth schools dot org. Look for Good News, Ellsworth.
COA Wins Accolades from The Princeton Review
(Bar Harbor) College of the Atlantic has been named the #1 LGBTQ-Friendly college and the top school for “Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation” in the 2026 edition of The Princeton Review’s Best 391 Colleges. The college also ranks in the top 20 nationally across categories from most active student government to best campus food, and, of course, most beautiful campus. Some notables – COA ranked 6th most engaged in community service, 8th when it comes to friendliest students, and 15th for profs getting high marks. The Princeton Review rankings are based entirely on surveys of 170,000 students attending the 391 schools in the guide.
Environment
Coast Guard to Delay Removal of Navigational Buoys
(Washington, DC) Weeks after leading a bipartisan group of New England Senators in asking the US Coast Guard to delay plans to remove navigational buoys in the Gulf of Maine, Senator Angus King has received confirmation the Coast Guard will accept their recommendation. The original Coast Guard initiative proposed the discontinuation of 351 coastal buoys across New England. An additional 2,300-plus buoys and beacons are under review for future removal as part of the Harbor Buoy Modernization Initiative, expected to be phased in starting next year. New England fishermen were strongly against the proposed action, saying they rely on the buoys for visual reference and noting the sometimes unreliability of electronic navigation devices proposed as replacements. USCG Director of Marine Transportation Systems, Michael D. Emerson, said he agreed with King and the others and outlined the Coast Guard’s plan to modify and extend the removal process to better understand the impacts of the proposal.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Road Work
(Ellsworth) Watch for road crews today and tomorrow on State Street in the area between Western Avenue and the YMCA – workers will be installing poles there. There will not be lane closures, but the City asks drivers to use caution in the work zone. Also, the Highway crew may be finishing up work on Grant Street. It was unclear if they were able to complete that project yesterday.