Crime/Public Safety

Castine Gale Warning

(Castine)  Strong winds Thursday afternoon prompted a Gale Warning from the Castine Fire Rescue Department for coastal waters from Stonington to Cape Elizabeth, down to parts of coastal Massachusetts.  The warning was in effect from 2 p.m. yesterday until 5 a.m. this morning.  Officials said strong winds would cause hazardous seas that could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.  Mariners were advised to remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure their vessels for severe conditions.

Iraqi Suspect Arrested in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  An Iraqi man was taken into custody in Ellsworth last month after he allegedly overstayed his visa and provided false statements on background check paperwork while attempting to purchase guns, including a 9 mm pistol and an AK-47 assault rifle.  The Bangor Daily News reports the man, whose name was not given, was arrested October 20th in Ellsworth, though it’s unclear where he attempted to purchase the weapons. The investigation reportedly began in Holden and involved U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents from Calais.  Ellsworth Police said Thursday they had no information about the case, but that the arrest had happened in the parking lot of the Home Depot.  

Oyster Theft

(Falmouth)  The Maine Marine Patrol is investigating the suspected theft of aquaculture equipment and up to 40K oysters from a site near The Brothers Islands in Casco Bay.  NewsCenter Maine reports a Portland man reported the oysters and 14 aquaculture cages missing after checking the site on November 22nd.  The oysters were  ready for sale.  The loss is estimated at $20K.  The perpetrator faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact their local Marine Patrol Officer.

Sumner Fatal Fire

(Sumner)  Authorities are working to positively identify a man they believe died in a fire at an off-grid home in the Oxford County Town of Sumner on Wednesday.  Crews who were called to the Valley Road location about 5 p.m. on December 3rd encountered significant challenges, including a roughly one-mile approach requiring the use of all-terrain vehicles and 4 x 4 pickups.  Firefighters found the body of an adult male outside the home. They say the structure is a total loss.  The State Fire Marshal’s Office is working to determine a cause, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will try to determine a positive ID of the victim.  

Maine Among Safest When it Comes to Identity Theft,  Fraud – WalletHub

(Maine)  A new survey by WalletHub reports Maine is among the safest states in the country when it comes to identity theft and fraud.  Researchers at the personal finance website compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 15 key metrics, including identity theft complaints per capita and average monetary loss caused by fraud.  Florida was ranked most vulnerable, with Maine coming in at number 47 and Vermont the least vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.  Authorities caution it’s still critical to remain vigilant, especially when working online.

SWHPD Institutes Quietside Morning Program

(SW Harbor)  Growing older, especially for retirees, can be isolating, particularly this time of year.  Often, people just need to know someone cares. The Southwest Harbor Police Department is certainly demonstrating they do, this week rolling out the Quietside Good Morning Program. Officer Rick Graham tells Downeast Digest, the free, volunteer effort is modeled after a program used by the Bar Harbor Police Department the past several years.  Each Monday through Friday morning between 8 and 10, officers and dispatchers make a brief morning call to registered participants, just to check in.  If they are unable to reach someone, they check further to verify their safety.  Officer Graham says the program is a real team effort that has received excellent reviews.  Call recipients love to hear from their staff – and sometimes just need a listening ear, over that first cup of coffee.  Great people doing good things in Downeast Maine.  

Local Politics

Ellsworth Tables Plan for Potential Dissolution of Assessing Department

(Ellsworth)  Significant growth in recent years has continued to strain the Ellsworth Assessing Department.   The City this week tabled a conversation about dissolving the department in favor of outsourcing the responsibilities to an independent firm. Instead, Ellsworth for now plans to seek an outside contractor to simply assist current staff and recommend improvements.  The Ellsworth American reports a new Request for Proposals was released Tuesday, seeking proposals from assessing contractors or firms to work with staff and others to fulfill the City’s statutory obligations for property tax assessment and administration.  Unlike the RFP released in the fall, the new one is written to be flexible so the firm would not act as the City’s sole assessor, but would support the work of current assessor Larry Gardener, who will remain in that position.  

Somali Immigrants Display Fear and Resolve

(Lewiston)  Members of Maine’s largest Somali immigrant population are calling on elected officials to stand up for them, following rhetoric this week by President Donald Trump.  In a cabinet meeting Tuesday, the President said Somalis “contribute nothing” to America, reportedly adding, “I don’t want them in our country.  Their country is no good for a reason.”  The Bangor Daily News reports Somali Americans in Lewiston say many of them are longtime residents or citizens who have followed every rule, but that the President’s words leave them feeling a mix of fear, disappointment and betrayal.

Economy

Loss of Entrance Fees Could Impact ANP Park Projects

(ANP)  A loss of entry-fee income during the record-breaking government shutdown could negatively impact future projects at Acadia National Park.  Friends of Acadia estimates the park generated about $1.5M in entry fee revenue in October 2024. The Mount Desert Islander reports even as park staff were furloughed and entry fee stations closed, visitation to the park was up a little over 5% this year.  Based on those numbers, Acadia lost about $1.75M in entry revenue in October alone, not to mention fees lost during the first two weeks of November as the shutdown dragged on. Projects in peril include the East-West Connector Trail on Cadillac Mountain and the Liscomb Pit parking lot, among others.

Ellsworth Business Closes After Death of Owner

(Ellsworth)  The Clock Infirmary on Water Street in Ellsworth has closed, following the death of owner Felix Duschek in September.  The Ellsworth American reports anyone with timepieces waiting to be picked up should contact Rebecca Sargent at Jones, Kuriloff & Sargent.  Duscheck  emigrated to the US from Germany in 1963, where he had trained as an apprentice under harsh conditions, opening the Clock Infirmary in 1976.  Felix was quoted as saying, “In the old days, a timepiece was a true luxury item; if you have one in the house, it meant you were doing quite well.”  

Mano e Mano in Milbridge a Resource for More Inclusive Maine

(Milbridge)  Mano e Mano in Milbridge is thanking the many hands and hearts they say help them realize their vision of a stronger, more inclusive Maine.  On Giving Tuesday, supporters helped them raise more than $16,700 for families and children of the workers they support. Mano e Mano, which means “hand in hand”, provides immigrants and farmworkers – essential to Maine’s economy – with the support they need, ensuring equitable access to medical care, government aid, housing, and other services, including serving as advocates for migrant agricultural and fishing workers and their families through additional educational support for families often on the move during the regular school year.  Learn more and support their work at mano maine dot org.

City of Ellsworth Budget Planning

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth is beginning preparation of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.  The Fiscal year begins July 1, 2026.  Applications are now being accepted for funding requests from committees, commissions, outside agencies and groups, with a submission deadline of 6 p.m. on Monday, January 5th, 2026.  Get a move on, because the City says no applications can be submitted after that deadline.

Education

Conners-Emerson School Building Project Receives Potential Good News on Tax  Credits

(Bar Harbor)  The new Conners-Emerson School building project in Bar Harbor received some potentially good news this week.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the school’s geothermal energy system may be  in line to recoup more savings through tax credits than previously anticipated.  The building team had originally thought the system would generate over one megawatt of energy when fully operational, adding various financial requirements regarding labor.  But because one of the six pumps was built into the system as a redundancy, the output as a whole was lessened.  And while the project has still overspent the contingency budget after delays with permitting and other factors early on, Superintendent Mike Zboray noted the finance team had also found another $40K in savings over the last month.  

Human Interest

Criterion Marquee Gets Facelift

(Bar Harbor)  The next time you drive through Bar Harbor, take a look at the Criterion Theatre marquee.  Yesterday, crews were busy giving the signage some much-needed love.  The Eli Young Band will be there Saturday night if you need a warm spot to spend a cozy winter evening.

Machias Parade of Lights and Fireworks

(Machias)  Multiple towns and cities kicking off the holidays with Christmas parades this weekend, including Machias. The parade lineup begins at 5 p.m. Saturday at the high school, stepping off at 6, and traveling down Court, Broadway, Colonial Way, then east on Route One across the Dike.  The festivities will be topped off with a fireworks show, launched from Middle River Park.   In Sullivan, the Christmas Tree Lighting will be held from 4-5 p.m. Sunday at the Gazebo.  The Ellsworth Tree Lighting and Parade are also happening this Saturday evening.  

Farnsworth “Share the Wonder”

(Rockland)  The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland will welcome the community to its annual holiday celebration tonight, “Share the Wonder”.   The 4 to 6 p.m. event is free and features a dazzling display of artist-designed holiday trees, live jazz, artmaking activities, cookie decorating and more festive fun for everyone.  Sip hot cocoa, hang a wish on the Museum’s Wish Tree, and sing along to holiday favorites!  Get there early – a  news release from the Farnsworth says the first 100 guests will receive a complimentary sketchbook.  

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