Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Sailor’s Death Investigated
(Bremen) The U.S. Coast Guard Monday recovered the body of a sailor near Long Ledges in Bremen. The Pen Bay Pilot reports 74 yo Mark Metzger of Waltham, Massachusetts was reported missing by friends after they failed to locate him aboard his 19-foot sailboat, which was anchored at Bremen Long Island. His body was found about 1:30 p.m. Monday by Good Samaritans, taken to shore by the Coast Guard and released to a local funeral home. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will try to determine a cause of death.
Milbridge Residents Raise Concerns About Spraying
(Milbridge) Milbridge residents are raising concerns about pesticide spraying planned by Worcester Holdings. Worcester sent a letter to citizens saying they would be conducting aerial herbicide application at their property using drones. The area being sprayed, reportedly for hardwood weed control, includes about 33 acres in northern central Milbridge, west of Route One and surrounding the Good N Plenty building. Worcester said their drone operators are fully licensed and are working closely with the Maine Board of Pesticides Control as they spray between now and October 5th. But some worry about safety to wildlife and pets, as well as the possibility of the pesticide seeping into groundwater. In fact, the letter warns not to allow pets in treated areas for 12 hours after application. Concerned residents are urged to call Alex at Worcester Holdings or the Maine Board of Pesticides Control.
Education
UMaine Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Achieves Prestigious Recognition
(Orono) They’re only the second land-grant University to achieve the prestigious recognition. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab recently achieved Core Accreditation through the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN). The designation highlights the lab’s commitment to excellence in plant disease diagnostics and protecting Maine’s agriculture and ecosystems, helping to safeguard the state from invasive pests and pathogens. The winning team is led by Assistant Diagnostician Stephanie Shea and Director Alicyn Smart.
Teacher of the Year Narrowed Down to Four
(Augusta) And then there were four. The Maine Department of Education Tuesday announced the four finalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the year. They are choral music teacher at Poland Regional High School Julia Edwards; Benjamin Johnson, a Latin teacher at Hampden Academy; Lincoln Academy English teacher Bridget Wright, and Dawn Lee, a school library/media and unified literacy teacher at Morse High School. The four represent Androscoggin, Penobscot, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties, respectively. The 2026 Teacher of the Year will be named in October.
Economy
Mainers See Grim Economic Outlook
(Maine) Higher prices are the talk of the town these days, and while outlook varies based on political affiliation, the Portland Press Herald reports only about 19% of Mainers believe they’re better off than they were a year ago. The numbers come from a University of New Hampshire survey that also indicates Republicans are split on some economic issues, while Democrats are more aligned. One person reported every shop owner with whom she has spoken this summer said tariffs have already had a negative impact on their business.
Ellsworth Walking Tour
(Ellsworth) Join Heart of Ellsworth this month on a historic walking tour of Ellsworth’s original commercial district. The September 18th walk will be led by Kleinfelder, the consultant hired to prepare the downtown’s National Historic Register nomination. The tour will provide public engagement about the historic value of buildings downtown for that nomination. Kleinfelder will highlight buildings on Main, Water, and State Streets, beginning with snacks at Provender at 5:30 on the 18th. Participants should plan on about two hours. Sign up through Heart of Ellsworth.
Schoodic Development
(Gouldsboro) It was Downeast Maine’s best kept secret for many years. While crowds flocked to Bar Harbor and MDI, residents of Sullivan, Gouldsboro, and Winter Harbor enjoyed quiet hikes and stunning scenery on the Schoodic Peninsula. But with affordable housing at a premium in Hancock County, the Bangor Daily News reports towns east of Ellsworth are hoping to encourage development there. The Hancock County Planning Commission is specifically looking to have two properties assessed to see if they might be suitable for multi-unit housing development – a Gouldsboro parcel on West Bay Road about a mile and a half from the village of Prospect Harbor; and a parcel on Tunk Lake Road in Sullivan about the same distance from Route One. The commission has solicited RFP’s to see if either site is suitable.
Environment
Green Ellsworth Talks Trash
(Ellsworth) Green Ellsworth is getting ready to talk trash. On Saturday, September 13th, they’ll be hosting the Trash Talking Fair. The fair will include fun, engaging, and informative activities to highlight ways individuals, families, businesses, schools, and the City can pre-cycle, recycle, repurpose, and reuse in order to reduce the environmentally unsustainable and expensive disposal of trash. Participants are encouraged to bring items to contribute to a school and craft supply swap table and a food share table of excess garden produce or non-perishable food for Loaves and Fishes. That’s September 13th from 10 until 2 at the Moore Community Center.
Fall Color Forecast
(Undated) The forecast for fall color is calling for an early change. Experts say the trees are stressed due to drought, which will not only push change earlier, but also shortens the timeline. Jim Salge, a former meteorologist at the Mount Washington Observatory, told NewsCenter Maine beech leaf disease is also a factor – Salge calls its spread across Maine “horrifying”. Beech trees are among the last to turn color and hold their leaves the longest. He says that late fall canopy is in jeopardy in the years ahead.
Late Bloomers are Pollinators
(Undated) Hold the mowers and rakes as you’re doing fall yard cleanup. Experts say goldenrod and asters often get chopped down to make things look “neat”; but those late bloomers are the pollinator equivalent of a Thanksgiving feast, writes Paul Avellino, aka The Garden Guinea. Monarchs fuel up on them before migrating. Native bees bulk up before going dormant. Birds rely on the seeds. Strip them away in the name of tidiness, and Avellino says the buffet is cleared right when it’s needed most. He says if you want a yard alive with life, let those wildflowers stand tall. They might not match the manicured lawn aesthetic, but they’ll give you something better – butterflies, bees, and a healthy ecosystem that actually works the way nature intended.
Maine DEP Considers Changes in Wetlands Protections
(Maine) Maine is rich with wetlands that harbor significant wildlife habitat, peatlands, and critically imperiled plant communities. Such areas are known as Wetlands of Special Significance. Because of their nature, only a limited list of activities is permitted within them. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection says these and other wetlands can be hydrologically connected over large distances. A proposed rule would allow the Department to permit additional activities within WSS wetlands. It would also classify rivers, streams, or brooks as Wetlands of Special Significance. Learn more and weigh in on the proposed changes on wetlands and waterbodies protection at maine dot gov.
Public Hearing on Water Quality Standards
(Augusta) The federal Clean Water Act and Maine law require states to hold a public hearing at least every three years to review water quality standards and to modify and develop new ones as needed. The public is invited to attend the next month’s meeting with the Maine Board of Environmental Protection to offer oral testimony and submit written comments on proposed changes. The hearing will be held at the Augusta Civic Center on October 16th, beginning at 9 a.m.
Naturalists Call for Help in Stopping Spread of Invasive Species
(Augusta) Naturalists have put out an urgent call for Maine residents to help stop the spread of one of the most aggressive invasive plants ever seen in the state – Japanese stiltgrass. State Horticulturalist Gary Fish tells Star 97.7, the plant crowds out native species, alters the natural balance of forests, and leaves behind dry fuel that makes woodlands more vulnerable to fire. They’re asking the public’s help in finding and reporting Japanese stiltgrass before it spreads further. We’ve posted pictures on our Star 97.7 FB page – a telltale silver strip sets it apart from other grasses. If you come across the invader, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Conservation asks that you document it, map it, remove it safely, and clean boots, tires, and gear before leaving the infested area.
Infrastructure
Versant Planned Outage
(Lamoine) A heads up for Lamoine residents. Versant Power has scheduled electrical system maintenance for tomorrow, September 4th, beginning at 11 a.m. The work should take just about an hour, but customers on Birchlawn Drive in particular may experience service interruptions while the work is being performed.
Versant Upgrades in Deblois/Beddington Area
(Deblois) Beginning this month, Versant crews will be upgrading equipment along Route 193 in the Deblois and Beddington area. They’ll be installing devices to replace aging fuses and improve reliability in the area that has experienced frequent outages. Versant says if a tree or branch falls on the line, the new devices will trip the line several times, opening and closing sections of the circuit. Since there’s no need to wait for a crew to arrive on site to make repairs, the upgrades allow for quicker restoration times. Use caution if you see those linemen at work.
Major CMP Outage Hits Hancock County
(Hancock County) Virtually every CMP customer in Hancock County experienced a major power outage Tuesday. Of the nearly 65 hundred customers in Bucksport, Castine, Orland, Penobscot and Verona Island, all but about 20 lost power shortly after noon yesterday. Star 97.7 reached out to CMP – they were only able to confirm the outage was caused by “animal contact”. Power was restored just before 2 p.m.
Human Interest
Maine a Top Inbound State for Those on the Move
(Maine) Little wonder there’s a need for affordable housing – Maine was recently ranked the number seven “inbound” state for those on the move. That’s a drop from its No. 1 spot in 2021 as pandemic fears spread; but still a strong draw, according to Atlas Van Lines, which tracks migration data. Wallet Hub ranked Maine as the 4th most charitable state – no surprise there; fifth most environmentally friendly, 13th best state to live in, and 14th best to retire to. But you probably should get married before you consider moving here. The Pine Tree State ranked way down when it comes to not being hitched, as the 34th best state for singles.