Crime/Public Safety

Car Fire on Route 3 in Trenton

(Trenton)  Quick work and teamwork kept a bad situation from becoming much worse Sunday morning when a vehicle being towed behind a motorhome caught fire on Route 3 in Trenton.  The incident happened just before 10 a.m.  Pictures seem to indicate the blaze started in the engine of the SUV.  The driver of the RV pulled into the parking lot of the Trenton Medical Center, near Country Store Antiques, and crews from both the Trenton and Ellsworth fire departments were quickly on the scene.  No one was injured.  No other details were available.

Local Politics

Mills Takes Polling Lead Over Platner in Latest Survey

(Augusta)  Governor Janet Mills has taken the polling lead over Democratic primary challenger Graham Platner in the 2026 Senate race seeking an opportunity to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins.  The latest SoCal Strategies Maine poll, released Saturday, found Mills garnering 41% to Platner’s 36%, a marked turnaround following controversial revelations about previous social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which Platner has since changed.  Platner released a lengthy video in which he made no justifications for his actions, but did apologize, blaming them on his time as a troubled young man who deployed to brutal conditions as a soldier.  The poll involved 500 likely Democratic primary voters between October 21 and 25, according to The Hill.  Platner retained a wide lead over Mills with voters age 18-29.

Tax Increment Financing 

(Ellsworth)  Everywhere you turn these days, people are concerned about taxes.  So, what exactly is Tax Increment Financing, also known as TIF?  Find out at a public meeting on November 6th in Ellsworth City Council Chambers, beginning at 6 p.m.  In short, a TIF is a public financing tool used to fund improvements in a specific district.  The property tax revenue from the district is frozen at the “base year” value.  The purpose is to encourage development in a specific area that might otherwise be financially unfeasible by funding necessary public improvements.  Learn more about this upcoming town hall meeting by contacting Twila Fisher at the City offices.  

Economy

Rotary Club Hosts Food Drive for Loaves and Fishes

(Ellsworth)  Whether it’s a pancake breakfast, a craft fair, or a food drive, you know the Rotary Club of Ellsworth is going to do it right.  This year’s Annual Food Drive is set for Saturday, November 15th from 9 until 2 and will benefit the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Ellsworth.  The Club’s goal is to collect a “ton of turkey” for the holiday season, along with food goods and monetary donations to support those in need.  You’ll see Rotarians at the tent in the Hannaford parking lot, or you can leave donations at the pantry.  If needed, a Rotarian will even pick up your donation.  Visit ellsworth rotary dot org to learn more.  

Heating with Electricity Expected to be More Costly This Winter

(The Hill)  You may want to think twice before using that heat pump to heat your home this winter.  Heating U.S. homes with electricity is expected to be more costly than heating with natural gas or heating oil, according to a report in The Hill.  In projections published this month, The Energy Information Administration said the average U.S. consumer who relies on electricity to heat their residence will see costs rise 4% from November through next March, with the price of electricity per kilowatt hour expected to be 5% higher overall.  About 42% of US households report using electricity to heat their living spaces.  The report says those of us in the Northeast will pay an additional 24 cents or more per kilowatt hour – the highest rates in the country.  

Environment

Hurricane Melissa Threatens Catastrophic Flooding in Northern Caribbean

(Kingston, Jamaica)  Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane over the weekend, with the possibility of intensifying to a Cat 5 storm last night.  The storm was expected to dump torrential rains – up to 30 to even 40 inches, causing catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including in Haiti and Jamaica, according to the National Hurricane Center.  Residents were warned to be prepared to ride out the storm over several days.  No impacts to the mainland U.S. are expected from the storm. 

Infrastructure

Ellsworth Public Restrooms Closed

(Ellsworth)  If you’re headed for one of the city parks in Ellsworth, officials remind you to use the bathroom before you go.  Because cooler temperatures are approaching, all seasonal park public restrooms are now closed for the season.  They’ll reopen in May.  Port-a-potties will be available at Knowlton and Harbor parks for the winter season. 

Parking in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  If you love shopping and dining locally, but are concerned about parking in Ellsworth, check out the great map provided by Heart of Ellsworth!  You’ll find a giant copy on the wall inside the Franklin Street Parklet, and we’ve posted a handy downloadable one on our Nice & Easy Internet Radio FB page!  

Glen Mary Pool Update

(MDI)  The Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association updated the town council last week on the Glen Mary Pool redevelopment project. The Mount Desert Islander reports the group has spent over $30K in engineering costs over the past two years; and while it remains committed to the project, they’re not where they had hoped to be.  The VIA also manages the Shore Path, which was heavily damaged by storms two years ago, unexpectedly costing thousands in repairs.  Hotelier David Witham, the project’s lead, told the council the original plan for the pool came in at well over $5M, despite cost cutting efforts, making it “financially unattainable”.  A new scaled-back design lowers the cost by 1.4 million.  The group will look for grant funding, and the conversation will continue as part of the town’s annual budget process, with voters ultimately having the final say on how the project plays out.  

Human Interest

Dancers Kick off Halloween in Portland with Michael Jackson’s Thriller

(Portland)  Dancers of all ages kicked off the lead up to Halloween in Portland last week with a flash mob rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.  It was the thirteenth year for the event.  A huge crowd gathered to watch the zombies, vampires, and bride of Frankenstein, along with a Jackson clone, pull off a terrifyingly perfect coordination of dance steps.  Thanks to listener Shirley Dennison who passed along a video of the frightening feat, which I’ve shared on my FB page.

Bells to Ring Out at EPL on December 3rd

(Ellsworth)  Few things are more beautiful or more appropriate to ring in the holiday season than a performance by the Acadia Handbell Choir!  Mark your calendars for a December 3rd performance at the Ellsworth Public Library.  Nice & Easy Internet Radio is a proud sponsor of the event.  We’ll keep you posted with more details as the date approaches.

Ellsworth Christmas Parade

(Ellsworth)  Speaking of the holidays, have you, your business, and/or organization signed up for this year’s Downtown Ellsworth Christmas Parade?  The parade is set for Saturday, December 6th, beginning at 4 p.m.  The theme is Christmas in Whoville, and the annual tree lighting will be held at City Hall after the parade.  For more information, contact Kimberly Fitch at 812-0172.  

Healthy Acadia/Heart of Ellsworth After School Halloween Event

(Ellsworth)  If you’re between the ages of 14 and 21, you’ll want to stop by Heart of Ellsworth this Thursday for a special Halloween pre-party designed just for you!  Healthy Acadia will be taking over the upstairs place from 2:45 to 7:30 on October 30th for movies, art, snacks, and plenty of spooky fun!  Grab your friends, don your costumes for bonus points, get creative, and learn more about the awesome youth support services offered by Healthy Acadia.  The event is free, fun, and all about you!

National News   

Arrests Made in Louvre Heist

(Paris)  Authorities have made arrests in the case of the daring daylight heist of precious jewels at the Louvre Museum last week.  No word on how many arrests were made, but officials say one person in custody was preparing to leave the country via Paris’s Roissy (Wraw-SEE) Airport when apprehended.  Thieves posing as construction workers used a crane to hoist themselves up the museum’s facade shortly after it opened on October 19th, and in less than eight minutes broke a window, smashed cases, and absconded with priceless Napoleonic jewels.  According to CBS News, investigators did not comment on whether the stolen items were recovered, but one piece – an emerald set imperial crown with more than 1300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum, damaged but recoverable.  

Social Security COLA to be 2.8% in 2026

(Undated)  Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living increase in 2026.  That amounts to an average of about $56 a month for most, beginning in January.  While beneficial, experts say the increase does little to make up for rising inflation.  AARP says Social Security is the primary source of income for about 40% of older Americans.  

Trump Threatens to Hike Tariffs on Canada Over Ad

(AP)  President Trump on Saturday threatened to hike tariffs on imports of Canadian goods by an extra 10% because of an anti-tariff ad aired by Ontario.  The Associated Press reports the ad used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize US tariffs, angering Trump, who first said he would end trade talks with Canada.  The ad ran Friday and Saturday during the first games of the World Series, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford saying he would pull the ad after the weekend.  Trump called the ad “a curious misrepresentation of the facts, [sic] and hostile act.”

Republican Redistricting Hits Snag in at Least Two Red States

(AP)  President Trump’s pressure on Republican led states to redistrict in order for him to maintain control of the US House in next year’s midterm has hit a snag in at least two red states.  The Associated Press reports despite weeks of campaigning by the White House, Republicans in Indiana and Kansas say their party does not have the votes to pass new, more GOP-friendly maps.  It’s a rare stance in states with Republican-led legislatures, most of whom have caved to pressure from the Administration.  North Carolina voters are asking a federal court to step in there after Republican lawmakers last week pushed through what they say was an “unnecessary, mid-decade redistricting” that dismantles Black opportunity districts.  States typically redraw the boundaries of their congressional districts every ten years, based on census data.  

June Lockhart Dies

(Undated)  We knew her as the Mom everyone coveted on “Lassie” and “Lost in Space”.  But June Lockhart made her stage debut at just 8 years old and also starred on Broadway before becoming a television icon.  Lockhart has died of natural causes, passing away at her home in California.  She turned 100 last June.

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