Crime/Public Safety

Crews Battle Blaze in Turner

(Turner)  Weekend fires kept crews busy in the Androscoggin County town of Turner and at a campground in Farmington.  Public Safety Department Spokesperson Shannon Moss tells Downeast Digest, on Saturday about 5 p.m., the Turner Fire Department responded to a structure fire at a single family residence.  Crews arrived to find two small sheds fully involved.  The sheds were adjacent to each other and were a total loss, but the fire did not reach any residential structures.  The cause of that fire remains under investigation.

Farmington Campground Fire

(Farmington)  Meanwhile firefighters in Farmington were called to 283 Red Schoolhouse Road, location of the Troll Valley Campground, about 2 p.m. Sunday on a reported structure fire.  Several area departments responded to that blaze and quickly brought it under control.  The Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire was accidental.  They say it originated in a confined space in the ceiling between the building’s basement and first floor.  The building sustained significant damage, but no injuries were reported, although authorities say a cat perished in the fire.

Ellsworth PD Welcomes Newest Officer

(Ellsworth)  A warm welcome to Officer Kerrigan Shorey, who was sworn in Monday as the newest Ellsworth Police Department recruit.  Shorey will attend the Maine Criminal Justice Academy early next year.  Until then, the EPD says she’ll be in training with several of the Department’s Field Training Officers.

Crow Found Dead in Bangor Carried West Nile Virus

(Bangor)  A crow found dead in Bangor recently is confirmed to have been carrying the West Nile Virus.  The Maine Center for Disease Control confirmed discovery of the mosquito-borne disease in the bird.  Experts say while the colder weather is slowing mosquito activity, it still pays to take precautions such as using bug spray, covering exposed skin, and preventing standing water on your property.

Local Politics

Blue Hill “Starts Over” with New Town Staff

(Blue Hill)  The Town of Blue Hill has an almost entirely new staff to end the year.  The Bangor Daily News reports Blue Hill has filled many of the open positions left after several key staffers resigned, including Town Administrator Julie Atwell.  Also leaving at various times, the town clerk, deputy clerk, and code enforcement officer.  The losses meant reduced hours and a backlog of services.  The Town Administrator position remains open, with the Select Board saying it wants to “let the dust settle” before advertising for a replacement.  Atwell was reportedly the third town administrator to resign since the town created the position in 2019.  

Economy

Home Sales Rose in September, but Prices Fell

(Maine)  It was a bit of good news/bad news for the housing market in Maine last month.  Sales of existing single-family homes rose a bit more than 5% compared to the previous September, while the median sales PRICE eased slightly to $402,500, a drop of 1.35%.  The number of homes for sale has been rising consistently, offering buyers more options, with the market showing signs of cooling after several years of extreme competition.  Experts say Maine’s housing market is stabilizing, moving toward a more balanced environment compared to the frenzied “pandemic era” market. 

Businesses in Maine Step Up During Food Crisis

(Undated)  The USDA posted a notice on its website saying no federal food aid would go out on November 1st, but local businesses are stepping up to fill the void.  Provender Kitchen and Bar in Ellsworth posted on social media any families affected by the shutdown impacting EBT or SNAP benefits can get free prepared meals for the entire month of November.  Owner Daron Goldstein writes, “No one should go hungry. Period.”  Some area bakeries are offering a free loaf of bread to those in need.  And all  Blaze locations are offering 50% off their entire menu for EBT/SNAP cardholders for lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday and Sundays 2 to close.  The SNAP program helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries.  The Associated Press reports the Trump Administration could tap roughly $5B in contingency funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing into November, but is choosing not to do so.  

URCI Welcomes Waldo County Action Partners

(Ellsworth)  Great news for those in need of public transportation here in Hancock and Washington Counties!  The Union River Center for Innovation has welcomed Waldo Community Action Partners to its growing network, offering increased access to safe, reliable, and affordable travel options.  Waldo CAP’s program connects people to essential destinations, such as work, school, medical appointments, and shopping.  If you live in Hancock or Washington County and need a ride, call 664-0012 weekdays between 7:30 and 4.  

Loaves and Fishes Will Continue Offering “Cooking Matters”

(Ellsworth)  As part of federal cuts to the SNAP program, the USDA eliminated SNAP-Ed, the program’s nutrition-education component, as of the end of September.  The program, initiated in 1992, helped families make healthier food choices and stretch limited budgets, with nearly 22K Mainers participating in the program in 2024.  In the face of such cuts, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry’s Board of Trustees has elected to fund and continue offering “Cooking Matters”, teaching food skills to low-income neighbors and providing a team environment for sharing ideas.  Classes are free to pantry patrons, who will receive a bag of groceries after each class.  Sign up at the pantry or by calling Ellsworth Adult Education at 664-7110.  There’s currently a waiting list for the first series, but those interested are urged to call to help in planning the next series.

New Aroma Joe’s Planned for Downtown Bucksport

(Bucksport)  Aroma Joe’s is planning to open a new location in Bucksport.  The Bangor Daily News reports the new site would be the second in Hancock County, after Ellsworth.  The new location would be on Route One, next to Dunkin.  Bucksport’s Town Council on Thursday granted an easement along a portion of town-owned land next to the proposed site for pedestrian and vehicle access.  Plans are now awaiting review by the Maine Department of Transportation.  Aroma Joe’s has more than 120 locations along the East Coast, with plans to open 500 shops across the U.S. by 2034, according to the company’s website.

Environment

Hurricane Melissa Update

(Jamaica)  Meteorologists now say Hurricane Melissa will go down as one of the strongest on record, catastrophic for parts of Jamaica.  Sunday night, satellite intensity estimates jumped “off the charts”, provisionally reaching never-before-observed wind speeds of 190 mph in the Atlantic Basin, according to the Washington Post.  Winds Monday hit 165 mph, making it a Category 5 storm, but the strongest winds weren’t expected to hit the entire island.  Rain and flooding WERE expected to be island wide, and the biggest overall threat.  Cuba and Haiti are also in the storm’s path.  The Weather Channel reports Melissa was expected to cause life-threatening problems for days during its slow crawl through the Caribbean.  Moisture from Melissa could fuel a separate serious storm that could dump heavy rain from the Mid-Atlantic to New England as early as this weekend.  

Brookfield Renewable Blames “Overburdensome Fish Passage Requirements” for Sale

(Maine)  Brookfield Renewable this month told Maine regulators its decision to sell four dams along the Kennebec River was influenced by the state’s “overburdensome fish passage requirements” to relicense the four hydropower generators.  Environmentalists have long blamed the dams for unnecessary fish kills.  The Bangor Daily News reports The Nature Conservancy last month unveiled an agreement to buy the dams around Skowhegan and Waterville with the goal of decommissioning them and returning the river’s natural flow, allowing fish – including endangered  Atlantic salmon – to make their way to spawning grounds in its tributaries.

Education

College of the Atlantic Again Tops Princeton Review’s List of Green Colleges

(Bar Harbor)  College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor once again tops the Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges.  The 2026 publication says schools that make the top 50 list share superb sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education, and a healthy quality of life for students on campus.  Besides COA coming in at No. 1, Bates College in Lewiston made the list at number 15, and Bowdoin College in Brunswick came in at number 32.  

Human Interest

Ellsworth Jeweler is a True Gem for Hancock County Sheriff’s Charities

(Ellsworth)  Ellsworth Jewelers owner Kim Snow is truly a gem.  Last month, she held a “Diamond Dig” in memory of Deputy Luke Gross, who died in a tragic accident, leaving behind a wife and two children.  For $40, participants could “dig” through a trough of sand and jewels in hopes of finding one precious stone – a one carat Antwerp diamond.  The event raised $5,250 that was donated to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Charities, which is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of area youth and families.  

National News

China and U.S. Reach Framework for Trade Deal

(Washington, DC)  China and the United States have reached a framework for a trade deal.  The Washington Post reports Trump is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday.  The deal would avert Trump’s threat of imposing additional 100% tariffs on China.  Also, on Tuesday, the President made it clear as he continues his five day tour of Asia his desire to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.  Speaking to reporters, Trump also refused to rule out a bid for a third presidential term, saying, “I would love to do it.  I have my best numbers ever.”  The 22nd Amendment of the Constitution expressly forbids a President from being elected to the office more than twice.

Luxury Pumpkin Porches the Latest Trend in Holiday Decorating

(Undated)  Luxury Pumpkin Porches are the latest trend in holiday decorating.  The Washington Post reports clients are willing to pay hundreds of dollars – or more – to have their porch professionally decorated with – good gourd! – pumpkins.  LOTS of pumpkins.  According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are opting to spend more money than ever on decorations – more than on costumes or candy for the Halloween season.  The trend has created an opportunity for women, especially, with a creative flair.  Heather Torres of Dallas started Porch Pumpkins in 2020 with a goal of decorating 30 homes.  She ended up doing 250, with some display packages going for as much as a thousand dollars.  

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