Crime/Public Safety

Crash Closes Washington Junction Road

(Ellsworth)  A Sunday morning collision on the Washington Junction Road in Ellsworth caused authorities to close that road for nearly two hours yesterday.  Authorities have not released details, but those at the scene said the head-on crash occurred just before 10 a.m..  The road was closed for nearly two hours while police reconstructed the crash.  We’ll bring you more details as they become available.

Two Arrests Made in Drug Overdose Deaths

(Hancock) A year and a half of investigative work by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office last week led to the arrest of two men in connection with a drug overdose death.  The incident happened in January 2024 after two men were found unresponsive in a residence in Tremont, one of whom did not survive.  Officers say evidence led to the arrests last week of 60 yo David Baker of Franklin and 55 yo Nicholas Parlatore of Tremont.  The two face multiple charges, including aggravated furnishing of scheduled drugs resulting in serious bodily injury.  The men were taken into custody and transported to the Hancock County Jail. Bail was set at $15K each. 

Trenton Volunteer Fire Department Responds to Hazmat Situation

(Trenton)  Members of the Trenton Volunteer Fire Department Saturday responded to a hazmat situation near 1061 Bar Harbor Road.  Upon arriving at the scene, crews found a passenger vehicle had struck a carpenter’s metal speed square, puncturing the vehicle’s gas tank and causing a significant amount of gasoline to leak from the puncture.  Crews quickly established a safe perimeter, eliminated ignition sources, and deployed absorbent material.  Maine DEP was contacted and assisted with cleanup and disposal.  The vehicle was stabilized and towed from the scene.  No injuries or fire were reported. 

Local Politics

Maine Federal Workers Receive What Could Be Their Last Paycheck During Shutdown

(Augusta)  Federal workers across the state received what could be their last paycheck Friday, as the government shutdown drags on.  The Portland Press Herald reports as many as 14K US government employees are affected across Maine.  Programs across the state are stepping up to offer help, including offering no-interest loans, unemployment benefits, and opportunities for jobs within state government.

Mills to Join Race to Unseat Senator Susan Collins

(Augusta) People familiar with Maine Governor Janet Mills say she plans to announce a run for the Senate seat held by Republican Senator Susan Collins as early as today.  The Associated Press reports Mills was the top choice of national Democrats to unseat the long-serving Senator, who has held the seat since 1997 and who has never missed a vote in the Senate.   Democrats need to pick up a net of four seats in the Senate in 2026 in order to take back a majority.  

Ellsworth Appoints New Communications Director

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth has a new Communications Director.  Amy Kenney will head up the City’s media relations and public information beginning October 20th.  Kenney replaces Former Director of Communications, Maura Condon, who left in June after filling the position for two years.  Kenney most recently served as Director of Marketing and Communications at Northern Light Health.

Economy

Ellsworth Farmers’ Market Has New Home

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Farmer’s Market has a new home.  They are now located at the Union River Center for Innovation, right by Harbor Park.  They’ll be there Saturdays from 9:30 to 12:30 with plenty of parking, right up to the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  

SNAP Cuts Hit Mainers Hard

(Maine)  Food pantries and other relief organizations are bracing for the biggest cuts to SNAP benefits in history.  As prices continue to rise, the Portland Press Herald reports tens of thousands of Mainers will see their monthly benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reduced or eliminated altogether.  President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”, signed into law this summer, slashes benefits for, among other groups, veterans, homeless people, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, by removing exemptions to the 80-hour-a-month work requirement for able-bodied adults.

Maine Will Need More Skilled Workers

(Maine)  Maine manufacturers currently need up to 3,000 more skilled workers.  That’s according to a recent study released by the Manufacturers Association of Maine and others.  MaineBiz reports the study documents a workforce shortage primarily in engineering, production, and production management and includes a strategic roadmap for strengthening that sector that aligns education, training and industry to help make manufacturing a career of choice for more Mainers.  Some initiatives in the report are already underway, including added industrial tech courses at Maine Community colleges and investments by the Maine Department of Labor to expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in manufacturing and other key areas.

Education

HCTC Educator Honored

(Ellsworth)  Tara Mason is a tireless educator when it comes to students in HCTC’s Business Leadership & Hospitality.program.  Now, she’s been honored as the 2025 Maine CTE Teacher of the Year at the statewide CTE Fall Conference.  Her peers at the Hancock County Technical Center in Ellsworth say she works hard to build industry partnerships, create college pathways for her students to gain credit, and ensure each of her students has an internship that matches their goals.  Congratulations, Tara!

Maine DOE Launches “Back to Basics” Plans

(Augusta)  The Maine Department of Education is launching two “back to basics” plans it hopes will help schools improve students’ reading and math skills.  The Portland Press Herald reports the initiatives focus on training teachers, providing new instructional resources and workshops, and collaborating with schools to set reading achievement goals in early grades and “real world” applications in math.

Environment

Storm Prompts High Surf Warnings

(Maine)  A storm making its way up the east coast has prompted a high surf advisory for Coastal Hancock and Washington Counties.  The Hancock County Maine  Emergency Management Agency reports the advisory is in effect from 8 a.m. this morning until 8 p.m. Tuesday.  They say expect nearshore waves to build to between 6 and 9 feet, with a high risk of rip currents.  Officials warn if you plan to be along the shoreline, keep your distance from the water and, they say, never turn your back on the ocean.  

Human Interest

Woodlawn to Host Enchanted Forest Family Festival

(Ellsworth)  Look for fairies this Saturday at Woodlawn in Ellsworth!  It’s an Enchanted Forest Family Festival, featuring nature themed crafts, fairy house building, family friendly activities, and WingDings Food Truck.  The event runs from 10 to 1.  For more information, visit woodlawn ellsworth dot org.

Two Mainers Among MacArthur Fellows

(Maine)  Two Mainers are part of a class of 22 “exceptional, creative, and inspiring people” to be named MacArthur Fellows.  Artist Jeremy Frey, a Passamaquoddy  weaver, and Margaret Wickens Pearce, an indigenous cartographer, were both named as fellows.  Each will receive an $800K reward  from the Foundation.  The Portland Press Herald reports the honor is often referred to as a “Genius Grant”.

Ellsworth American to Celebrate 175 Years

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth American has been covering local news for 175 years, and they invite you to help them celebrate on October 25th at 3 p.m. at Fogtown Brewing.  The event will kick off a yearlong birthday celebration with a commemorative beer brewed just for the occasion.  Fogtown has crafted a special pilsner, the First Amendment, which will make its debut at the party and be available while supplies last.  No RSVP or cover charge needed – just stop by, raise a glass, and “enjoy the First Amendment:  the beer and your constitutional right!”

Indigenous People’s Day at the Abbe Museum

(Bar Harbor)  A reminder the Abbe Museum is celebrating Indigenous People’s Day today with activities going on from 10 until 3, and it’s pay-what-you-wish.  A special drum group will perform, and there will be crafts using sweetgrass and tours for all ages.  Visit abbe museum dot org for more information.

National News

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Wins Nobel Peace Prize

(Undated)  This year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Maria Corina (Kuh-REE-nuh) Machado (Muh-CHA-dough), who built Venezuela’s biggest opposition movement and who lives in hiding from Venezuela’s current authoritarian government.  The 58 yo is the eldest daughter of a prominent family in Caracas and attended a boarding school in Wellesley, Massachusetts.  In bestowing the honor, the Nobel Committee warned, “Democracy is also in retreat internationally.  Democracy is understood as the right to freely express one’s opinion, to cast one’s vote, and to be represented in elective government as the foundation of peace, both within countries and between countries.”

Vance Says Trump Not Ruling Out Invoking Insurrection Act

(Washington, DC)  The White House is not ruling out invoking the Insurrection Act that would allow the deployment of military troops on US soil.  The Administration claims such action might be needed in order to stem what it calls domestic unrest in Democrat controlled cities.  Vice President JD Vance confirmed the possibility Sunday on Meet the Press as legal challenges continue to push back on the President’s threats of sending National Guard troops to cities such as Chicago and Portland, Oregon. 

Actress Diane Keaton Dies

(Undated)  Actress Diane Keaton has passed away.  The always gracious, self-deprecating actress won an Oscar for the Woody Allen comedy, Annie Hall and appeared in dramas like The Godfather and Reds and comedies such as The First Wives’ Club.  Keaton never married, citing her love for her independence, but did adopt two children later in life.  She was 79.  

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