Crime/Public Safety

El Faro Victims Remembered

(Castine)  It was ten years ago today 33 crew members perished when the El Faro sank after encountering Hurricane Joaquin near the Bahamas.  The crew members included 27 Americans, five of whom were Maine Maritime Academy graduates, and five Polish nationals.  Its loss remains one of the worst US maritime disasters.  A remembrance ceremony was held Saturday in Rockland.

Maine Man Files Lawsuit Against Maine State Police

(Limerick)  A man from Limerick has filed a $100M lawsuit against Maine State Police, claiming police brutally beat him during an arrest at his home in March 2024.  WGME reports Justin Savage was handcuffed and pinned down when troopers punched him in the face. Savage and his live-in partner, Shawna Morse, allege troopers falsely claimed Savage tried to escape and Morse used force against them in order to justify their actions.  Maine State Police reportedly cleared the officers of any wrongdoing.

Local Politics

Dunlap Could Launch Primary Run Against Golden 

(Augusta)  US Representative Jared Golden could find himself facing a challenge from state auditor and former secretary of state Matthew Dunlap.  The Portland Press Herald reports if Dunlap runs and qualifies for the ballot, Golden will be forced to spend time and resources defending his record, which is not particularly popular with his base, before setting his sights on former Governor Paul LePage, who has historically enjoyed strong support in the state’s more rural, conservative areas.

Economy

Maine Housing Home Loan Program

(Augusta)  With the median cost of a home in Maine now at $500K, the dream of home ownership may seem more out of reach than ever.  But there are far less pricey homes out there, and MaineHousing’s First Home Loan program makes it easier and more affordable to buy a home by providing low, fixed interest rate mortgages.  MaineHousing says there are options with little or no down payment required.  And they say if you still need help with cash for closing costs, they also offer a downpayment and closing cost assistance option.  Learn more at maine housing dot org.

Winter Harbor 5 & 10 Under New Ownership

(Winter Harbor)  It’s official – the Winter Harbor 5 & 10 is soon to be under new ownership.  Current owners Peter and Sandy Drinkwater say they’re looking forward to retirement.  While remaining mum on who the new owners are, pending closing later today, the Drinkwaters say they’re not local.  But they remind followers they weren’t local either when they moved back to Sandy’s hometown in 1989 and purchased the store … and, Peter says,  that turned out pretty well.  We’ll have the scoop on the new owners later this morning; and you can meet them this Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Winter Harbor Masonic Lodge.

Moving Day for Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic

(Holden)  It’s the final moving day at Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic!  The clinic closed Tuesday and began moving from Brewer to its new location at 820 Main Road, right on US One in Holden.  They’ll still have the same phone number and hope to reopen at 5 p.m. tomorrow evening.  Clinic staff say they’ll have the same hours for now, but hope to be 24/7 as they expand their team.  In the meantime, if you have an emergency, the nearest clinic is Midcoast Animal Emergency Clinic in Warren or AEC of Mid Maine in Lewiston.

Milbridge Featured In Islands Magazine

(Milbridge)  From summer concerts at the marina, to a first class venue for arts and entertainment at the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center, to Mano e Mano and their support of the migrant workers who come to harvest the area’s blueberries, to the bright pink petunias that line the main street for Milbridge Days. The town of Milbridge got some well-deserved recognition in a recent issue of Islands Magazine, a national publication that highlights travel destinations.  Islands called Milbridge “a small town that encapsulates the spirit of the state’s coast with beautiful hiking trails and stunning fall foliage”, gives a shout out to the town’s eateries like Chipman’s Wharf, and gives mention to Wyman’s, the family-run company that for more than a century has transformed Milbridge’s wild blueberries into a global export.  Read the article at  islands dot com. 

Friends in Action Welcomes New Executive Director

(Ellsworth)  Friends in Action has welcomed McKayla Peers as its new Executive Director.  Peers most recently served as Director of Volunteer Services and steps into the Director’s role previously held by John Lindquist, who is retiring.  Friends in Action serves the area’s older adults through a variety of services.  Peers brings experience in grant writing, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and developing connections with government agencies and local resources.

West Branch Cafe & Baker

(Machias)  Good news for folks headed to work in the Machias area.  The West Branch Cafe & Bakery is now open at their new location, 125 Dublin Street, so you can stop in and grab a coffee, a breakfast sandwich, or pastries on your way into the office.  Currently open 7 to 2 daily,  they say longer hours and curbside pickup are in the near future.

Environment

Wind Turbines Bring Business to Washington County Landowners

(Columbia)  Thirty wind turbines are now up and running in Washington County.  MaineBiz reports the turbines generate 126 megawatts of energy…and a boost to the county’s economy.  Last week’s ribbon-cutting for the Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy project’s operations signaled the start of community benefit payments to local governments.  The turbines are spread across the town of Columbia and unorganized territories in the county, which was selected for its interested landowners, access to existing transmission lines, and a strong wind resource, according to an Apex spokesperson.

Human Interest

Autumn Gold Jumbo Jackpot Drawing

(Ellsworth)  Somebody is going to be $2500 richer after today’s Autumn Gold Jumbo Jackpot drawing.  The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce sold 500 $10 tickets for a chance to win the lucrative prize, courtesy of First National Bank.  I’ll post the winner later today on my FB page.  

Infrastructure

Ellsworth Trash Pickup

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth wants folks to know they’re working on the issues some residents have been experiencing with trash pickup.  They say they’ve been in touch with Casella and things should be running more smoothly; but that if you do continue to experience problems like missed pickups, you can reach out to the City so they can follow through and get things resolved for you.

Health

Dog Owners Warned About Surge in Parvo-Virus

(Maine)  Has your dog been vaccinated against parvo-virus?  The highly contagious disease has been diagnosed in dogs from Houlton to Bangor, and veterinarians say it’s cause for concern.  Canine parvovirus spreads by dogs coming into contact with infected feces, is difficult to kill, and can live for years on many surfaces.  There is no cure, and the disease may require hospitalization, although one source said with proper treatment, 90 percent of dogs diagnosed survive. Until puppies complete the full vaccine series at four months, experts say they are at highest risk for contracting parvo.

National News Headlines

Agents Ramp Up Immigration Enforcement in Chicago

(Chicago/AP)  Even as President Trump threatens to send troops to what he calls “war ravaged” Portland, Oregon, residents of Chicago found themselves greeted this weekend with the sight of armed, camouflaged, and masked Border Patrol Agents making arrests near famous downtown landmarks.  According to the Associated Press, Trump called the escalation in major “blue” cities necessary.  Leaders in Chicago, the nation’s third largest, say it amplifies concerns about the administration’s growing federal intervention across US cities.

Trump/Hegseth Meet with Military Leaders

(Virginia)  More than 800 of the country’s top brass gathered Tuesday in Virginia at the summonsing of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.  The military leaders were met with partisan lectures from both President Trump and Hegseth.  The New York Times reports Trump told Hegseth to use American cities – notably in blue states – where he has deployed troops as “training grounds for the military.”  Hegseth is said to have lectured those in attendance on military standards, declaring an end to what he called “woke” culture in the military, while Trump told the mostly silent generals to “join a war from within”.  Most in attendance reportedly sat stone-faced, with several later expressing criticism of the cost of flying and housing military leaders from as far away as Japan and the Middle East.  Officials report the bill is likely to run into millions of dollars.

Government Shutdown

(Washington, DC)  Democrats and Republicans in Washington remained gridlocked over how to fund the government, leading to a shutdown as of midnight last night.  While the Senate Tuesday planned to bring up a House-passed bill to keep the government funded for another vote, Democrats refused to support it, insisting the current proposal is an extreme Republican effort to rip healthcare from millions of Americans.  President Trump has threatened to make “irreversible cuts” to healthcare related programs as a result of the shutdown.  During a shutdown, “essential” services continue, and Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ benefits are delivered without interruption.  However, national parks, such as Acadia, could be faced with  limited to no staffing, which officials say poses significant safety concerns, especially during the crowded leaf-peeping season.  We’ll keep you posted.

Prizer to Lower Drug Prices

(The Hill)  President Trump yesterday announced drug maker Pfizer has agreed to lower drug prices for Medicaid recipients.  The Hill reports the announcement comes a day after the administration required companies to respond to his “Most Favored Nation” Executive Order that required companies to sell drugs in the US at the lowest price they sell in other developed countries.  Trump sent the order to Pfizer and 16 other drugmakers.  It’s unclear whether the others will follow Pfizer’s lead.  Some of the company’s most popular medications will also be sold to all consumers at heavily discounted prices and will be available for direct purchase at TrumpRx, a website operated by the federal government.