Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Vigils Held Statewide for Activist Charlie Kirk
(Maine) The assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk sparked vigils across the country Friday, with those in attendance denouncing political violence. In Maine, supporters gathered in Augusta, Bangor, and Portland, with attendees sharing the hope that the sobering spike in violence would be enough to stun the country into toning down the increasingly divisive rhetoric. Authorities Friday arrested 22 yo Tyler Robinson and charged him with Kirk’s murder. Sources say Robinson was a member of the Mormon church; a former straight A student who had no criminal record but had become more politically active and may have been involved with The Groypers, a white nationalist group led by Nick Fuentes that has attacked other conservative groups and individuals whose agendas they view as too moderate.
Bomb Threat
(Augusta) The Speaker of the Maine House Thursday was the subject of a reported bomb threat. The Portland Press Herald writes Ryan Fecteau issued a statement Friday saying law enforcement received a threat of an explosive device at the Speaker’s home in Biddeford. Police responded and confirmed there was no danger to Fecteau’s family or the community.
Blue Hill Assault
(Blue Hill) The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate an alleged assault that happened shortly before 6:30 Friday evening at the Walgreen’s in Blue Hill. They say no injuries were reported as a result of the incident, but authorities are reportedly continuing to look for more evidence.
LifeFlight of Maine Helps Rescue Stranded Hiker
(New Hampshire) Crews with LifeFlight of Maine this weekend helped save a hiker who collapsed on Pine Mountain in New Hampshire. The Bangor Daily News reports Gorham Fire and EMS received a call about a 70 yo man who was unconscious and not breathing some one thousand feet up a trail. Fellow hikers retrieved an AED from the nearby Horton Center and began CPR, reviving the victim before rescuers reached the scene. Because of his condition, LifeFlight of Maine was called in to transport the man to a hospital.
Vehicle-Buggy Crash in Aroostook County
(Sherman) Authorities are investigating an Aroostook County crash between a vehicle and a horse-drawn buggy. The crash happened shortly before 8 a.m. Friday morning on the Benedicta Road in Sherman. An initial investigation indicates a Toyota pickup was attempting to pass the wagon, but didn’t have enough room to do so and struck the buggy. The driver of the buggy was thrown from the wagon, which was destroyed. He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The horse received a laceration to its leg. The driver of the pickup, 42 yo Lindsay Duffy-Stanley of Benedicta, was not injured. She was cited for driving to endanger.
Local Politics
Bar Harbor Chamber Seeks Applications for Board of Directors
(Bar Harbor) The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is seeking applications for persons interested in serving on their Board of Directors. Each year, prior to their Annual Dinner, the Chamber holds elections for four seats on the Board, with each Director elected to a term of three years. Applications must be submitted by this Friday, September 19th, at Noon. Ballots will be sent out on September 23rd.
MaineCare Budget Woes
(Augusta) A top fight at the Statehouse this year was a supplemental budget bill that went almost entirely to cover a $118M shortfall in Maine’s Medicaid program. The Portland Press Herald reports lawmakers could be looking at another shortfall when they reconvene in January, with deficits continuing for years once federal cuts from the President’s One Big Beautiful Bill kick in.
Collins, Shaheen Urge Accountability on Destruction of Lifesaving Aid
(Washington, DC) Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen are expressing concern about reports that millions of dollars of lifesaving commodities, including food aid and contraceptive supplies, have been allowed to expire and/or are targeted for destruction, rather than being made available to those in need. The Senators are requesting Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of State compile a list of all such commodities by the end of September, as required by an Act passed by Congress this year. The Senators are demanding to know the rationale behind the destruction and the Department’s plan to prevent such waste in the future.
Economy
Former Eastport Cannery for Sale
(Eastport) For sale – prime oceanfront property in downtown Eastport, featuring a 30K square foot all-brick building with multiple rooms and large windows overlooking the strait that separates the U.S. and Canada – only $150,000. Of course, there’s a catch. The Bangor Daily News reports the building is a former sardine manufacturing plant at 15 Sea Street that has fallen into much disrepair. Eastport and Lubec were once home to the largest number of sardine canneries in the US. But federal regulations and other problems led to the closure of the last cannery in 2010. The owners of the property say they’ve worked out a proposal for fixing up the building in hopes of making it a vibrant part of a city that continues to grow, thanks to a budding cruise ship economy.
Fill the Grand, Act IV a Success
(Ellsworth) Another big thank you to our amazing community for a successful Fill the Grand, Act IV, benefitting the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. All 400 seats were filled at donations of $35 each, which will continue to help stem food insecurity in Hancock County. You can still donate at loaves and fishes ellsworth dot org.
New Englanders Paying the Price for Divisive US Political Climate
(Maine) Meanwhile, the Bangor Daily News writes the contentious climate caused by the country’s extremism continues to keep Canadian tourism numbers way down. Across Maine and other northeastern states, business owners and state officials have worked to maintain economic connections, despite tariffs and ongoing rhetoric from the White House. The BDN reports the President’s aggressive trade war, aggressive immigration enforcement and talk of making their country the 51st state have offended many of Maine’s northern neighbors. Tourism hubs from Hawaii to New York are said to be feeling the effects.
Health
Mills Issues Order for COVID Vaccines
(Augusta) Governor Janet Mills has directed the Maine CDC to issue a standing order authorizing qualified healthcare professionals to administer the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine. The order includes pharmacists and serves as a prescription for all Mainers to receive the vaccine at clinics, healthcare offices, and pharmacies across the state. It ensures Maine people no longer need to obtain a prescription through their healthcare provider in order to receive the vaccine. State-regulated Maine health insurance carriers are required by law to provide full coverage of the cost of the vaccine. The order comes after the Trump Administration, including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., restricted access to the vaccines, which Mills says undermines the nation’s public health infrastructure.
Human Interest
Maine Lighthouse Day
(Maine) Like the beacons they were created to be, lighthouses across the state drew visitors on Saturday for Maine Open House Lighthouse Day. The annual event is a rare opportunity to climb inside and explore the history of the safeguards for seafarers. The Portland Press Herald reports Lighthouse Day attracts over 15,000 visitors a year. To keep up with news about the state’s treasures, visit lighthouse digest dot com. Surprisingly, Maine is not the state with the country’s most lighthouses. That honor goes to Michigan, which boasts about 130, compared to Maine’s, which number between 65 and 68.
Fall Turkey Season Opens
(Maine) Maine’s Fall Turkey Season opens today. The state is divided into different zones, with hunters allowed to shoot up to five birds for the season. Wildlife management zones 1 through 5 and 9 are closed for hunting purposes. Fall hunting allows for the shooting of males and/or females. Those hiking the woods or walking their pets are advised to adorn themselves and their animals with blaze orange during any hunting season.
CNB Celebrates 150th Anniversary by Volunteering
(Maine) Camden National Bank closed its offices and banking centers at Noon last Wednesday to celebrate their 150th Anniversary. There was no big party; just groups of employees heading out in their respective communities to volunteer as part of Community Well-Being Day. The Pen Bay Pilot reports in Gardiner, staff did roadside cleanup at the Boys and Girls Club; others supported the Travis Mills Foundation by stacking wood, cleaning their gymnasium, and detailing the vehicles of veterans. In all, some 600 CNB employees participated.
Common Ground Fair Starts Friday
(Unity) One of the state’s most popular fairs gets into full swing this Friday – the Common Ground Fair in Unity. The state’s only organic-focused agricultural fair will feature the usual crowd-draws this year, but also promises the new and unusual, including Skioring, a winter sport where a person on skis is pulled behind a horse; as well as talks on enjoying traditional Maine woods activities in sustainable ways, and a focus on homesteading, with a demonstration for kids on how to churn butter. The fair runs Friday through Sunday.