Crime/Public Safety

Two Die of Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

(Wade)  Officials are warning people once again to check their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, after a couple was found dead in their home in the Aroostook County town of Wade last Tuesday.  Authorities responded to the home on Wade Road around 11:15 a.m. on November 18th for a welfare check and found the bodies of 64 yo Brian Merchant and 56 yo Laura Ridgway, who lived together at the residence.  The State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the furnace exhaust pipe inside the home was improperly installed, had become disconnected, and allowed exhaust fumes to vent directly into the home.  

Rockland Student Dies After Being Hit by Bus

(Rockland) An RSU 13 student has died after being struck by a school bus on Friday afternoon.  Rockland Police say the pedestrian was struck on Broadway at the intersection with Eliza Steele Drive around 2:20 p.m. and flown to Maine Medical Center in Portland with life-threatening injuries.  The crash remains under investigation, and no further details were being released.  A Go Fund Me page set up to help the family cover funeral expenses identifies the student as 12 year old Brayden Callahan.  The district says counseling services will be available to students and staff needing support.  

Local Politics

Bar Harbor Approves Updates to Rules on Short-Term Rentals

(Bar Harbor)  The Bar Harbor Town Council has approved two ordinance amendments regarding short-term rentals and general assistance.  One of the amendments changes rules for short-term rental registrations, updates requirements for verifying primary residence, adjusts ownership eligibility, and clarifies enforcement procedures.  That amendment takes effect on December 18th, 2025.  The second amendment revises the maximum benefit levels for General Assistance, retroactive to October 1st of this year.  Copies of both amendments can be found online or obtained at the City Clerk’s Office.

LePage Makes Stop in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  Former Maine Governor Paul LePage made a campaign stop in Ellsworth on Thursday.  LePage, who took questions from voters during a meeting of the Hancock County Republicans, said he’ll work for more affordability for Mainers in energy, insurance, food, and other areas.  LePage is running for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, a seat currently held by Democrat Jared Golden.  Golden has said he does not plan to run for a fifth term.

Economy

Safe Harbor to Purchase Front Street  Shipyard

(Belfast)  Safe Harbor Marinas plans to purchase Front Street Shipyard in Belfast.  The deal is set to close by the end of this year.  The Midcoast Villager reports the deal would fold one of Maine’s most successful modern shipyards into the world’s largest marina operator.  Dallas-based Safe Harbor already owns and operates facilities in Harpswell, Rockland, and Kittery.  The company said the purchase should assure Belfast residents and boat owners the property will remain a working marina and boatyard and not become a redeveloped waterfront hotel or luxury complex.  Safe Harbor has pledged $5M in new investment over the first three years of ownership.

MOFGA to Raise Funds for Orchard Project

(Unity)  The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is working to preserve rare apple varieties in Maine.  The John Bunker Fund, named for the renowned apple expert, has set a goal of raising $365K by year’s end toward a planned $2M endowment for its Maine Heritage Orchard project.  According to the Midcoast Villager, the orchard is a 10-acre preserve created in 2015 on what was previously an abandoned gravel pit on the group’s campus in Unity.  It’s home to more than 360 varieties of apples and pears traditionally grown in Maine, from all 16 counties, with some dating back as far as 1630.  New and old varieties are added to the orchard each year.  

Belfast Accepts Donation of Land for Dog Park

(Belfast)  The Belfast City Council last week accepted a local man’s donation of a 94-acre, off-leash dog park he’s spent nearly a decade building off Route One.  Village Soup dot com reports Charles Beck offered to donate Fristad Trails, in part because he’s no longer able to maintain it.  Beck said he wanted it to remain a public dog park and walking area.  City officials hailed the donation and said the property will become a major new park space for Belfast, also preserving a swath of undeveloped land near the commercial corridor.  

Small Business Saturday

(Downeast Maine)  While you’re filling in those Black Friday lists on Amazon, don’t forget to add Small Business Saturday to your shopping plans. The shops of Ellsworth, Blue Hill, Stonington, Machias, Bucksport, Belfast, and others will have their doors decorated and open on November 29th, welcoming you AND your business.  Remember, these are the folks that support our school teams, served up meals during the SNAP delay, and who really know their customers, providing individual attention when you just can’t decide what to buy!

Environment

Maine’s Scallops at a Turning Point

(Maine)  Sea scallops are the most valuable single-species fishery in the United States.  The income draws fishermen out despite harsh winter conditions and licensing hurdles.  For that reason, the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries in Stonington is partnering with the Department of Marine Resources, the University of Maine, and others to monitor supply along the coast and to test methods that could support future population enhancement.  Learn more, including information on how to best cook scallops and why dayboat scallops taste different at coastal fisheries dot org.  

Snowy Owls

(Maine)  Snowy owls – we all long for the opportunity of seeing one.  But experts caution folks it’s not wise to run a-”fowl” by harassing them.  The Portland Press Herald reports the coveted creatures who are here winters only have already made an appearance in Maine this year.  Experts say most of the snowy owls we see here are young birds looking for areas with less competition in the winter. The inexperienced young are often pushed off their parents’ or other adults’ territories, so they journey south in search of food.  Unfortunately, people often approach the vulnerable birds more closely than they should, sometimes flushing the resting birds.  Because they’re trying to conserve energy, repeated flushings can become deadly if they’re forced to continue escaping gawkers. They say keep your distance and keep the elusive guests coming to Maine.  

ANP Sees Surge in Visitors, Despite Government Shutdown

(ANP)  Leaf peepers didn’t let a federal government shutdown or the long-term drought that threatened autumn’s colorful display keep them from visiting Acadia National Park in October.  Nearly 600,000 people traversed the trails and lolled along the Loop Road to enjoy the park’s vibrant beauty.  Although many buildings were closed and only a skeleton crew maintained park facilities and safety, the sightseers meant the park enjoyed almost 4 million visits by Halloween.  The Bangor Daily News reports the only time Acadia has surpassed that mark in any calendar year was in 2021, during a post-COVID uptick in outdoor recreation.

Health

Mindfulness at Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center

(Ellsworth)  The Maine Cancer Foundation says one in three Mainers will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.  That’s a sobering statistic that guides the mission of the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center in Ellsworth.  Because the holidays can be particularly stressful for those facing cancer and their families, on Friday, the Center held a special Stress Reduction for the Holidays workshop.  Leader Jen Harry said treatment-related fatigue can make even simple tasks like cooking seem overwhelming.  NewsCenter Maine reports the workshop focused on breathing techniques, awareness exercises, and other tools.  If you’re in need of support, reach out online or to the Center in Ellsworth.

Human Interest

Castine Woman Turns 105

(Castine)  A belated happy birthday to Ann Miller of Castine, who turned 105 years old on  Friday.  Born November 21st, 1920 in Cincinnati, she and her husband began spending summers in Castine in 1958 and moved there full time 18 years later.  The town turned out to celebrate her last week and laud her many accomplishments.  Along with others, Miller helped build the Castine Yacht Club. She served as President of the Board of Community Health and Counseling and the Castine Historical Society.    

National News

Marjorie Taylor Greene Says She’ll Resign from Congress

(Washington, DC)  Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was once one of President Trump’s most avid loyalists, often mocked for supporting conspiracy theories and groups such as QAnon..  But when the Epstein scandal began drawing new attention, Green became an  unlikely leader, calling for full release of the files that reportedly contain damaging information on several prominent figures, including the President.  On Friday, Greene announced she would be stepping down from Congress on January 5th, calling it “unfair and wrong” that Trump has viciously attacked her for disagreeing with him. Greene said she didn’t wish to defend the President against potential impeachment “after he hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me,” adding, “I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better.”

Trump Administration Limits Degrees considered “Professional”

(Undated)  The dictionary defines “professional” as someone engaged in a specified activity as one’s main paid occupation, rather than as a pastime – someone who is competent, skillful, or assured.  The Trump Administration last week redefined which educational degrees are considered “professional”.  Among those cut: nursing, physical therapy, audiology, and social work.  The implications are more than a matter of respect.  Under the new guidelines, those seeking professional degrees can borrow up to $50K a year for school.  Those seeking degrees not considered professional can borrow just $20,500.  With the nation already facing a nursing shortage, opponents of the move say it will further endanger the availability of essential high-quality care, especially for those in rural and other underserved areas.

JFK’s Granddaughter Reveals Terminal Cancer Diagnosis

(AP)  JFK’s granddaughter, Tatiana Schlossberg, on Saturday disclosed she has terminal cancer.  The daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg revealed the sad news in an essay in The New Yorker, almost 62 years from the day her grandfather, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in Dallas. The Associated Press reports the cancer was discovered after she gave birth to her second child.  One of her doctors told the 34 year old she might live for about another year. In the essay, Kennedy detailed her diagnosis and criticized policies pushed by her cousin, Health and Human Services Director Robert Kennedy, Jr..  

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