Local Politics
Spitting Incident in Mount Desert
(Mt. Desert) Mount Desert’s new Town Manager, Alex Kimball, is not likely to forget his first Select Board meeting. The Mount Desert Islander reports Monday’s meeting began with Town Assessor Kyle Avila addressing and apologizing for a spitting incident that has circulated on social media. According to a September 10th post made by Adam Bradshaw, Avila allegedly spit on Bradshaw’s truck, while one of his crew members was sitting inside the vehicle. The FB post says, “When confronted, Kyle proudly admitted he does this to commercial vehicles and even bragged that he works for the town.” Avila offered a formal apology and added he would seek counseling for his behavior. Though some in attendance demanded he be fired, the Select Board took no action against Avila at Monday’s meeting.
Portland City Council Condemns ICE Conduct in the City
(Portland) Last week in Portland, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested a parent near an elementary school, further terrorizing children, staff, and even immigrants who are here legally. On Monday night, the Portland City Council passed a resolution condemning such tactics, including the use of unmarked vehicles and masked agents. The resolution calls for advance notice of such enforcement and implementation of identification standards for all field agents, along with transparency and a transparent concern for public safety.
Spitting Incident in Mount Desert
(Mt. Desert) Mount Desert’s new Town Manager, Alex Kimball, is not likely to forget his first Select Board meeting. The Mount Desert Islander reports Monday’s meeting began with Town Assessor Kyle Avila addressing and apologizing for a spitting incident that has circulated on social media. According to a September 10th post made by Adam Bradshaw, Avila allegedly spit on Bradshaw’s truck, while one of his crew members was sitting inside the vehicle. The FB post says, “When confronted, Kyle proudly admitted he does this to commercial vehicles and even bragged that he works for the town.” Avila offered a formal apology and added he would seek counseling for his behavior. Though some in attendance demanded he be fired, the Select Board took no action against Avila at Monday’s meeting.
Bellows Defends Pushback Against DOJ’s Request for Sensitive Voter Data
(Augusta) When President Trump’s first Administration requested voting data from states, no states complied. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said yesterday, this summer, the Department of Justice has expanded the President’s request in order to compile a database of all registered voters across the country, including their sensitive PII, or Personally Identifiable Information. The Trump Administration is suing two states – Maine and Oregon, although multiple others have also refused to comply with the request. Yesterday, Bellows again pushed back, noting the safety and integrity of Maine’s voting system. More than 92% of eligible Mainers are registered to vote. The Pine Tree State had the nation’s highest voter turnout in 2022; third highest in 2024.
Platner Continues to Fundraise, Raise Volunteers
(Sullivan) The relatively unknown – until now, at least – oysterman from Sullivan running to unseat Senator Susan Collins continues to raise funds … and volunteers. Democratic contender Graham Platner’s campaign has raised just over $2.5M in donations, 98% of which are reportedly under $100. Graham is not accepting any corporate PAC money. He says the campaign has now signed up more than 6,000 volunteers for phone banking and door knocking operations. Born in Blue Hill and raised in Ellsworth and Sullivan, Graham is a veteran of three deployments to Iraq with the US Marine Corps and later deployed to Afghanistan with the Army National Guard. On Wednesday, Platner picked up the endorsement of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, which represents 90K members throughout the US, including thousands of workers at Maine’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
King Calls on Armed Services Chairman to Hold Hearing on Urban Militarization Plans
(Washington, DC) Washington, DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis – threats from the Trump Administration to deploy armed national guard units to US cities continues to raise red flags regarding the legality of unnecessary force by the federal government and its semblance to tactics used by dictatorial governments. Senator Angus King this week sent a letter, calling on US Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker to hold a hearing on such deployments. The letter, with support from colleagues, encourages Wicker to work with the Department of Defense leadership to evaluate the ongoing military deployments and their impact on military readiness, American civil liberties, and public trust in the military.
Economy
Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign Continues in Orono
(Orono) The Maine Hire-A-Vet campaign continues next week in Orono. On Thursday, September 25th, an event will be held from 11 to 3 at the University of Maine Orono. The goal of the annual campaign is to have at least 100 employers hire at least 100 veterans and military family members during a 100-day period. This year’s campaign kicked off August 14th in Augusta. While focused on military veterans and their families, the events are open to all job seekers. Learn more by contacting the Maine Department of Labor.
MPUC to Hold Public Meetings on CMP Rate Increase
(Hallowell) The Maine Public Utilities Commission will hold two public witness hearings regarding Central Maine Power’s proposed $1.4B distribution rate increase over five years. In-person and remote participation will be available at both meetings, scheduled for Tuesday, October 14th at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, and Wednesday, October 15th at 6:00 p.m. at the Maine Public Utilities Commission in Hallowell. The increase, if approved, would mean significantly higher rates for CMP customers, beginning in October 2026.
Public Advocate Encourages Public to Speak Out on CMP’s Request for Increase
(Hallowell) Maine’s Public Advocate is urging customers of Central Maine Power to speak out about a CMP pending plan that would affect customers beginning a year from October if approved. Governor Janet Mills this week blasted the utility’s request for a five-year $1.4B spending plan. CMP hopes to increase its revenue by more than $438M over the five years. That would lead to significantly higher electric rates for customers, according to a news release from the PUC, which is also advocating for Maine residents to participate in the review process. Public Advocate Heather Sanborn indicated the request for the proposed increase is poor timing, with inflation already causing Mainers to struggle to pay for groceries, housing, healthcare and other expenses.
Harley Davidson in Trenton to Reopen for Weekend
(Trenton) Here’s some really exciting news for you Harley-Davidson fans in the Ellsworth-Trenton area.. We spoke with Brian Oliver, who also owns Central Maine Harley-Davidson in Hermon, this week. He tells us they’re working hard to open the Trenton location for a couple of weekends before the season ends. Right now, they’re working on getting the sign up at the site of the former Cheese House; IF that happens, they’ll be open just for this weekend and next – if not, they’re still shooting for next weekend. They say watch for the sign. And they’ll be open for the season for sure in May!
Deer Isle Proactive When it Comes to Waste
(Deer Isle) Deer Isle Town Manager Jim Fisher has watched as giant piles of contaminated ash, tires, and waste have been reduced to a small trash heap. The Bangor Daily News reports more changes are ahead, with the town’s plans to redesign the town’s transfer station for easier navigation. Deer Isle also plans to purchase a cardboard compactor and may expand its composting contract with the company that repurposes its crab waste in the Village of Surry. Officials say Deer Isle has made a concentrated effort to recycle and divert more waste away from the landfill; and while the changes don’t save the town money, they provide a practical response to uncertainty around waste disposal options across Eastern Maine.
Education
Pemetic Elementary Seeks New Principal
(SW Harbor) Pemetic Elementary School is beginning the year on the hunt for a new Principal. Current Principal Dr. Christina Gray, hired in 2022 when then-principal Mike Zboray became Superintendent of the MDI Regional School System, submitted her resignation just days into the new school year. According to The Mount Desert Islander, Gray sent a letter to the Board, explaining she was leaving to move closer to family in order to act as a caregiver for a family member. Gray added she would work with Zboray to ensure a smooth transition. Zboray said the District is working with the Maine Principals’ Association to find a full-time interim replacement to serve out the remainder of the school year.
Schoodic Institute Hosts Science Symposium
(Schoodic) It will be two packed and practical days of science and collaborations with educators, students, Acadia National Park Staff, and scientists. We’re talking about the upcoming Acadia Science Symposium, hosted by Schoodic Institute and the National Park Service. A Tuesday, October 7th, session will be virtual only and will look at what drives early-career environmental science professionals … through a series of ten-minute lightning talks. Then on Thursday, October 16th, a full day, in-person and virtual follow up is planned at the Schoodic Institutes’ Moore Auditorium. Learn more and sign up by contacting e albee at schoodic institute dot org.
Health
Husson Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic Opens for Fall 2025
(Bangor) Husson University’s SOARing Eagles Healthcare Clinic on Marshall Road in Bangor has reopened for the Fall semester. The pro bono clinic is run by students under the supervision of Husson professors and provides free physical therapy care to uninsured and underinsured patients, while preparing Husson students for the rigors of the workplace. Holistic, individualized treatment is available by appointment Wednesday and Thursday afternoons during the Fall semester.
Environment
Appalachian Mountain Club Adds 29K Acres to Holdings in North Woods
(Piscataquis County) The Appalachian Mountain Club has finalized acquisition of 29K additional acres of forest land to its conservation and recreation land holdings in the North Woods. MaineBiz reports, AMC now encompasses nearly 130K contiguous acres, making it roughly three times the size of Acadia National Park. The group was able to finalize the deal, thanks to a $10M gift from software developer MathWorks, one of the largest gifts in AMC’s nearly 150-year history. The property will remain on the tax rolls of Piscataquis County, largely because it supports jobs and the forest industry. The Barnard, a working forest that lies within the Pleasant River Watershed, will be part of the Forest Stewardship Council’s plans to rebuild older forest conditions and expand carbon stocking.
Human Interest
Treworgy Corn Maze Again Voted USA Today’s BEST(Levant) Not to sound “corny”, but we hear there’s more than a “kernel” of truth to this next story. The corn maze at Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant has once again been voted the Number One corn maze in the country by USA Today’s Ten Best Readers’ Choice Awards! It’s the fourth consecutive year the maze has won this honor. This year’s theme is “A Whale of a Tale”, inspired by Burt Dow’s seafaring adventure. Join Treworgy mornings through October 9th at 10:30 at the pond tent for a special reading of Robert McCloskey’s Burt Dow, Deep Water Man. September 20th and 21st, Maine’s commercial fishermen enjoy free maze tickets … and get 15% off if you live in a coastal Maine town.