Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
MSP Investigate I-95 Crash in Sidney
(Sidney) Three people were injured in a van crash on I-95 in Sydney Thursday morning. Maine State Police say about 8:30, they began hearing complaints about a white van traveling southbound at a high rate of speed and driving erratically. Shortly after, the van crashed into a guardrail, rolling over and injuring the three occupants. The driver and a juvenile passenger were taken to a hospital in Augusta for minor injuries and later released. A third occupant sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was LifeFlighted to Portland. The driver, 28 yo Shawn Stone of Presque Isle, was summonsed for Operating Under the Influence, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Reckless Conduct, and Aggravated Driving to Endanger.
Fatal Pedestrian Crash
(Van Buren) A child was killed Wednesday when struck by an ambulance in Van Buren. Maine State Police were called to the crash near Kennedy Terrace shortly after 4 p.m.. They say the ambulance, driven by 46 yo Amanda Skidgel of the Van Buren Ambulance Service, was heading north on Main Street when eight-year-old Emma Cormier attempted to cross the road and was struck, suffering life-threatening injuries. Ambulance personnel rendered aid at the scene, though the child, who lived nearby, succumbed to her injuries. The ambulance was not responding to a call, and police say speed is not believed to have been a factor. The crash remains under investigation.
Overdose Awareness Day Event at Knowlton Park
(Ellsworth) In 2024, 490 Mainers lost their lives to drug overdoses, leaving behind grieving families, friends, and communities. A reminder that this Sunday, Healthy Acadia is hosting a Drug Overdose Awareness event at Knowlton Park in Ellsworth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The gathering, which is open to the public, will include a moment of silence and reflections from those whose lives have been impacted by overdose. A display of 490 puzzle pieces will be installed on the fence between now and Sunday as a powerful visual tribute. There will also be a memory board on which attendees can post messages or photos in honor of loved ones.
Maine Surpasses 1K Orders Under Extreme Risk Protection Law
(Augusta) The Maine Department of Public Safety said yesterday more than a thousand dangerous weapons seizures orders have been issued under the state’s Extreme Risk Protection Order, or Yellow Flag law. Co-sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans, the law was enacted in 2019 with near unanimous bipartisan support, and was strengthened through legislation passed and signed into law in 2024. The order allows law enforcement personnel who have taken individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis into protective custody to have them undergo a brief mental health assessment to determine if they are a danger to themselves or others and then seek an order from a judge to temporarily remove their dangerous weapons, in order to protect both the public and the individual.
EFD Safety Reminder
(Ellsworth) Ever come upon an accident where someone is trapped and wonder what to do? The Ellsworth Fire Department says spinal injuries are common in vehicle accidents. They say, therefore, unless the vehicle is on fire or there’s another life-threatening issue, the safest place for a victim is in the car. Pulling a person out, rolling a flipped car back onto its wheels, or the patient moving around on their own can possibly paralyze them. The fire department has cervical collars and extrication equipment to move and remove victims safely. They say they know we all want to help, but warn Good Samaritans not to risk altering a life in a negative way. Instead, call 9-1-1 and wait for the experts.
Cameras Are Everywhere – for Better or Worse
(Undated) For better or worse, cameras are everywhere. They can capture a burglary in progress, a dangerous speed situation on the road, a wedding celebration … even take us to far off lands through Google Earth. Cameras can also be controversial. The Bangor Daily News reports data reveals a handful of staff – from police, code enforcement, and other Houlton town departments last year made regular use of controversial security cameras installed by the town to access details about people and vehicles – sometimes during off duty hours. The Associated Press reports one of the nation’s leading operators of automated license-plate reading systems – Flock Safety out of Illinois – announced this week it has paused operations with federal agencies under concerns about how captures are being used by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security investigations.
September is National Preparedness Month
(Undated) September is National Preparedness Month. The American Red Cross of Northern New England urges everyone to protect their loved ones by getting their households ready for disasters now. So far this year, the Red Cross says it has responded to more than 180 disasters across Maine – the vast majority related to home fires. River and coastal flooding and winter storms also pose threats to the Pine Tree State. Some tips from the Red Cross – Make sure you have a place to go if needed, gather and organize critical supplies like food, water, and medicine – they say, have at least three days’ worth – customize your kit to include family pets with carriers, litter and food for them as needed. And finally, make a plan to reconnect with loved ones if separated. Find more tips at red cross dot org forward slash get help.
Old Town to Use A I to Track Residents, Visitors
(Old Town) The move is bound to spark controversy, but Old Town plans to use an artificial intelligence program later this year to track residents and visitors to the city to learn how they’re spending time in the area. The Bangor Daily News reports the program, Placer dot a i, uses data collected from smartphones of those in a specific area, including where they were before entering the area, how long they spend there, and personal information like annual income. According to Placer dot a i’s website, the identity of the person being tracked is not disclosed and none of the information is accessible in real time. Old Town is one of multiple communities in Greater Bangor that reportedly plans to use the information to direct marketing and inform the city about what people are interested in in downtown.
Economy
Record Attendance Not Felt by Bar Harbor Businesses
(Bar Harbor) While Acadia National Park is reporting a record number of visits in July – close to 800,000 – NewsCenter Maine reports in Bar Harbor, businesses are reporting that surge isn’t translating to sales. Park Spokesperson Amanda Pollock said park attendance closely correlates to weather … and the sunny, mild July had tourists and residents flocking. But business owners say many of those visitors are not staying or spending in town, but instead are renting out space in the smaller coastal towns, where costs are lower. Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Everal Eaton also attributes June’s wet weekends, a cruise ship disembarkation limit, and geopolitical concerns with OVERALL LOWER summer tourism figures.
Education
UMaine Launches Outdoor School for All
(Orono) This fall, thousands of Maine students will participate in overnight outdoor educational experiences at no cost to their districts. The Pen Bay Pilot reports Maine Outdoor School for All is launching, thanks to $450K secured from private foundations and bipartisan legislation, which helped establish the program. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will administer MOSA, making grants available to certified outdoor learning centers and enabling them to provide students in grades four through eight immersive, three-day, two-night outdoor educational experiences. When fully funded at $6M annually, the program will be accessible to all students in those grades across the state.
Back to School with Big Enrollment for UMaine
(Orono) It’s back to school for more than 25,000 students Tuesday when the University of Maine System begins Fall classes. Maine’s public universities have grown enrollment for six consecutive semesters, defying demographics. UMaine officials say that’s thanks to affordability, admission, and academic innovations, along with relevant programming. An official count of students won’t happen until October, but administrators say enrollment so far is an increase over last year … and the most since 2021.
Health
Northern Light Health/Anthem May Go to Mediation
(Bangor) Northern Light Health ended negotiations with insurance giant Anthem earlier this month. But with much at stake, most critically for patients who are Anthem subscribers, the two may turn to a third party mediator. MaineBiz reports Anthem reached out to Northern Light last week about the possibility of bringing in a mediator, and Northern Light agreed. If the two are unable to agree to terms, Northern Light will be out of network with Anthem for physicians and ancillary services October 31st and out of network with Anthem hospital-based services at the end of the year.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Donor Purchases 1917 Steinway for Criterion
(Bar Harbor) Music to the ears of the patrons of The Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor – a generous donor has purchased a 1917 Steinway for the theatre. Staff didn’t name the generous benefactor, but say the beautiful grand piano will bring joy and inspiration to the Criterion community for years to come.
Libitzki School of Dance Kicks Off 53rd Year
(Ellsworth) A local studio is dancing into its 53rd year! The Libitzki School of Dance is a family-owned dance studio here in Ellsworth that has shared the joy of dance with generations of Downeast Maine children and adults, and they’re currently enrolling for fall classes. From 10 until 2 tomorrow, the school is opening their doors for kids to come visit the studio, meet the teachers, shop previously loved dance attire, and register for classes this season! Enjoy face painting and ballerina buns – and if you visit during the open house, you’ll be entered to win a month of free tuition. From ballet, tap dance and jazz – tiny dancers at age 2 and a half to teens, adults, and seniors wanting to try something new. The Libitzki School of Dance is located at 75 Washington Street in Ellsworth.
Ellsworth Plans to Build Downtown Bathroom
(Ellsworth) Recently, the City of Ellsworth installed a public restroom near the City Hall parking lot. It’s just a porta-potty for now – but it’s a step in the right direction for visitors who in the past had to rely on that rare downtown business that allowed them to use the facilities. The Bangor Daily News reports, come this spring, the City plans to build a permanent public restroom. Economic Development Director Twila Fisher says that while the city does have public facilities at its parks and the marina, those are generally open just from dawn to dusk and closed during the winter months. And public buildings such as City Hall are closed weekends. It hasn’t been determined exactly where the restroom will be built, but the plan is for construction somewhere in the parking lot area of City Hall.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution to Cease Print Publication
(NYT) One of the nation’s oldest print publications plans to print its last copy at the end of the year. The NY Times reports The Atlanta Journal Constitution said the time is right to pour all its resources into its online news operation in order to get its journalism “in front of the most people”. The company has published in print since 1868.