11/04/25

Crime/Public Safety

Photographers Ordered Off Deer Isle Bridge

(Deer Isle) Photographers often go to great lengths to get that perfect shot, but authorities say there’s a limit when it comes to safety. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Downeast Digest officers received a suspicious complaint this past Sunday regarding two men who were climbing the Deer Isle bridge. Turns out the pair were looking for that perfect capture with their cameras. Deputies ordered them to look for a different vantage point and not to climb the bridge.

Rescued Owl

(Orland) Law enforcement officers sometimes find themselves in the business of animal rescue. Such was the case last Friday when Deputy Wyatt Lord with the Hancock County Sheriff’s office came upon a wounded owl in Orland. Lord was able to secure the raptor in his cruiser and transport it to someone who could give it the proper care needed.

Local Politics

Election Day

(Undated) It’s Election Day in Maine. Many voters have already weighed in through absentee ballots – a perk that could be affected by Issue One, which seeks to place restrictions on that and other voting procedures. Voters will also be asked to weigh in on a “red flag” gun law. In Washington County, voters are being asked to approve a bond that would keep County services, such as the jail, law enforcement, and 9-1-1 running after a series of missteps by the previous administration put finances there in jeopardy. Many municipalities face decisions on everything from a new fire station in Blue Hill to three seats on the Ellsworth City Council that are up for grabs. Polls are open til 8 in most cases, but smaller towns can close early, so be sure and know your town’s hours.

Judges’ Rulings Force Partial Funding of SNAP Benefits

(Washington, DC) Rulings from a pair of judges forced the Trump Administration on Monday to say it will partially fund SNAP, the food aid program that helps feed 1 in 8 Americans. The USDA had planned to freeze SNAP benefits during the shutdown, even though more than $5B in contingency funds is set aside for just such a scenario. It’s unclear how much beneficiaries will receive, nor how quickly funds will be distributed. Most states, including Maine, have boosted aid to food banks, and hundreds of restaurants and other businesses have stepped up to help fill the need. The AP reports last year, SNAP assisted nearly 42 million people, about ⅔ of whom were families with children.

Economy

Heating Aid Could Be Delayed Due to Shutdown

(Maine) While many Mainers continue to grapple with the postponement of SNAP benefits, the prolonged government shutdown is bringing more chilling news. The Portland Press Herald reports funding from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program could be impacted by the shutdown. LIHEAP serves people in all 50 states, including some 45K households in Maine. The President proposed zero funding for the program in his budget, but it was anticipated Congress would fund LIHEAP for the budget year which began October 1st. Since Congress hasn’t yet passed a full 2026 spending bill, states haven’t yet received their new allocations. Maine Housing says agencies will continue processing applications for LIHEAP assistance, but that payments will not be issued until the shutdown ends.

TD Bank to Close Ellsworth Location

(Ellsworth) TD Bank will be closing its Ellsworth location early next year. Customers received letters Monday saying the store at 217 High Street would be closing January 29th. Customers were advised their account information would remain the same and were assured they could find another TD Bank location nearby or continue to bank online. Downeast Digest reached out to the Ellsworth location, but they declined to comment further.

Maine Community Foundation Steps Up to Feed Those in Need

(Ellsworth) While SNAP benefits could be partially funded beginning tomorrow, sources say it can take up to two weeks to reload those debit cards used by SNAP beneficiaries. Businesses and agencies continue to step up, including the Maine Community Foundation which is giving $250,000 to provide the Good Shepherd Food Bank with a month of food. Like so many others who have donated, Maine CF President Deborah Ellwood reiterated the sentiment that no one in Maine wants to see their neighbor go without food.

Cilantro Indian Bistro Open in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth) Fans of Indian food were saddened by the news that Serendib in downtown Ellsworth would be closing. But a bit of bright news, Cilantro Indian Bistro and Bar is now open in the old Jasper’s location, 200 High Street … and they’re getting rave reviews. Offering plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, as well as traditional meat dishes, the restaurant is open every day but Tuesday. It also has a full bar and free wifi. Check out the reviews – and then support our newest local restaurant with an evening out.

Environment

Clear Skies Hoped for Year’s Brightest Supermoon

(Maine) Fingers crossed for clear skies tomorrow night. November 5th brings the Beaver Moon, the largest and brightest supermoon of 2025. The full moon will orbit closer to Earth than the other full moons this year, and will appear larger and more orange, rising about the same time for several nights. According to NASA, a supermoon occurs when the moon’s orbit is closest to the earth at the same time the moon is full, giving it the illusion of being bigger and brighter. The Beaver Moon is named for the time beavers typically begin to build their dams, after signs of frost appear on the grass and before the ground freezes.

Gale Warning Issued

(Maine) A gale warning is in effect for coastal waters from 1 a.m. this morning to 9 p.m. tonight. The warning affects waters from Stonington and Penobscot Bay to Port Clyde to Cape Elizabeth and Casco Bay. Experts say strong winds will cause hazardous seas that could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

Health

Maine Health Inadvertently Sends Condolence Letters to Patients

(Maine) An error in its computing system caused MaineHealth to send letters to more than 500 patients expressing condolences that included information on how next of kin could resolve their estates. The problem? Those patients were alive, if not all of them necessarily well. A spokesperson for the nonprofit system that includes hospitals and clinics in Maine and New Hampshire said it “sincerely regrets” the error.

Education

Ellsworth High School Celebrates the Arts

(Ellsworth) STEM education – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – is no doubt critical for students today. Equally important but sometimes not as widely recognized are the arts. Tomorrow evening at 6 p.m., the Ellsworth High School Performing Arts Department will induct 22 to new members to their respective honor societies – International Thespian, National Art Honor, and Modern Music Masters. The public is invited to join them in the EHS Auditorium to celebrate these amazing young people – we’re all so proud of you here at Nice and Easy radio, and we’ve shared your names on our social media pages.

Davis Maine Scholars Named

(Washington County) Maine Seacoast Mission announces four Washington County students have been named as recipients of Davis Maine Scholarships. The Class of 2030 students,, all first generation college students from rural communities, will receive mentoring and full, four-year scholarships at one of three partner colleges. This year’s awards go to Washington Academy’s Megan Ford of Pembroke, Narraguagus High School’s Fatima Zamora Paniagua of Harrington, Calais High School Senior Dana Peasley from Charlotte, and Shead High School’s Isaac Sullivan from Eastport. Congratulations to all of you!

Booker Prize Expands

(Positive News) Organizers of the prestigious Booker Prize have announced a new award for children’s fiction – an award to be judged by young readers as well as adults. Positive News reports the Children’s Booker Prize will launch in 2026, celebrating the best contemporary fiction for children ages 8 to 12. The Booker Prize Foundation says their goal is to inspire more people to read the world’s best fiction because, “…if you can imagine a different world, you can help create a better one.”

Human Interest

Vaccine Clinic for Veterans

(Holden) The Maine Veterans Project is partnering with Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic to bring a clinic for veterans and their pets to Holden on November 25th. EMEV will offer basic vaccines and wellness checks to veterans who may be struggling right now. The clinic is for cats and dogs only and limited space is available – reach out to MVP at 262-6061 for assistance in scheduling.

Viewing Art “Boosts Our Well Being”

(Positive News) Speaking of the arts, a first-of-its-kind study contends looking at art in a gallery provides an immediate boost to our wellbeing. The research at King’s College London recruited 50 volunteers to view art in a gallery or reproductions in a non-gallery setting. Those viewing art experienced a 22% drop in cortisol, the stress hormone, as opposed to just 8% for the other group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are linked to chronic diseases including heart disease, also dropped by up to 30%. Who’s up for a trip to the Farnsworth?

National News

Airport Delays

(AP) Travelers experienced dozens of flight delays over the weekend, due to the ongoing shutdown. If you plan to fly anytime soon, the Associated Press has these tips. They say you can check your flight status before you go at n a s status dot f a a dot gov, because it’s better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than at the airport. If you’re already at the airport, get in line or go online to find another flight. Airlines will rebook you on a later flight at no additional charge. And if worse comes to worst, consider another mode of travel, such as car or train. If you decide on that option, they say the airline is legally required to refund your money, even if you bought a non-refundable ticket, no matter why your flight was cancelled.