Crime/Public Safety

Bomb Squad Neutralizes Object in Limerick

(Limerick)  The Maine State Police Bomb Squad responded to the Number One Road in the York County town of Limerick Monday evening, after an individual reported finding what appeared to be a grenade near a dumpster along the roadway.  Authorities located the object and identified it as potentially hazardous.  Out of an abundance of caution, the item was destroyed on site.  Public Safety officials say the device closely resembled a military-style M67 hand grenade, although it appeared to have been altered.  You can see a picture of the object on our social media pages.  

Protection Order Violation

(Brooksville)  A reported protection order violation in Brooksville led to the arrest this week of an Orono man.  The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Downeast Digest that based upon their investigation, 73 year old Edward Hildreth was arrested Monday and taken to the Hancock County Jail.  

Local Politics

Maine Library Commission Rule Could Restrict Libraries’ Access to State Support

(Augusta)  The Maine Library Commission last week reviewed a draft rule that would impose new requirements on the state’s libraries, including annual training for library trustees.  After strong pushback from smaller libraries on a rule proposed last year that would have required paid directors, the commission said it discovered many of the actions of the state library had been happening under an approach that was not enforceable.  The commission said library staff members need clear guidance and that they’ll begin a potentially yearlong rulemaking process to establish enforceable standards.  Under a draft unveiled Monday, libraries would need to process more than 100 interlibrary loan materials annually in order to remain eligible for van service. Under new rules, libraries would also need to have at least two persons on site whenever open, as a safety measure.  According to the Maine Monitor, there will be a great deal of time provided for public comment on the proposed rulemaking..

DOJ to Return Monies from Cryptocurrency Scheme

(Augusta)  The Department of Justice will return close to $471K to two Maine victims of a cryptocurrency investment scheme.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports records show more than $800K belonging to the victims was transferred to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by criminal actors in 2022.  The FBI seized much of that and traced it to the victims’ payments.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office warns that cryptocurrency investment schemes are all too common, with scammers often using a fake identity and cold contact through social media, dating apps, or other platforms.  

Bar Harbor Attempts to Balance Tourism with Livability

(Bar Harbor)  In an attempt to balance the economic impact of tourism with resident quality of life, the town of Bar Harbor is developing a Sustainable Tourism Management Strategy.  MaineBiz reports up to four million visitors crowd into Acadia National Park each year, bringing high-season traffic, a crowded downtown, and housing shortages – often headaches for year-round residents, and all issues the STMS will be tasked with addressing.  A key goal will be economic diversification, focusing on fostering a year-round economy that provides jobs outside the peak summer months.

Sedgwick Voters Say Yes to GSA, No to Retail Marijuana

(Sedgwick)  Sedgwick voters at their March town meeting said yes to GSA tuition, but weren’t so lit when it came to a question of retail marijuana establishments.  The Weekly Packet reports the marijuana opt-in question failed by a vote of 127 to 85.  Voters did approve a request from George Stevens Academy for supplemental tuition of $1,530 per student for the 26-27 school year.  The vote helps secure funding for roughly 31 Sedgwick students.  Brooksville also approved GSA’s tuition request, while voters in Surry and Penobscot have said no. 

Economy

Gas Prices Jump

(Undated)  The national price of gasoline has jumped close to sixty cents per gallon in just the past week, reaching $3.45 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.  The spike comes amid the military conflict in the Middle East, particularly with Iran closing off the Strait of Hormuz to the U.S. and its allies following attacks by the US and Israel that began on February 28th. About one-fifth of the world’s oil supply flows through the Strait.  While the United States does have a supply of oil, it is primarily not usable because of a mismatch between the light sweet crude produced by U.S. shale oil fields and the heavy crude US refineries were designed to process decades ago.  As a result, the U.S. exports most of its domestic production and imports the heavier, cheaper-to-refine product.  As of Tuesday, oil prices were trading around $104 per barrel, with a barrel being 42 gallons … just in case you’re wondering.

Owner of Subway Shops Files for Bankruptcy

(Machias)  The company that owns Subway Sandwich shops in Blue Hill, Calais, Machias, Hampden, and eleven other locations in Maine has filed for bankruptcy.  The Bangor Daily News reports MTF Subs operates shops in the various leased locations, at least seven of which were abruptly closed by the Maine Revenue Service for several days last December.  MTF reportedly has a reorganization plan to get out of bankruptcy; but according to court records, that plan depends on being able to continue operating its 43 franchises along the east coast.  The company reportedly owes thousands in back rent at its Maine locations, with the exceptions of Bucksport and Lisbon Falls.  It’s unclear as of now how the filing will affect the long-term operations of shops the company runs here in Maine. 

Data Center Ban Could Affect Plans at Jay Mill

(Jay)  Yesterday we reported the state legislature is considering a bill that would temporarily ban data centers.  Opponents of such centers say among other issues, the centers use an inordinate amount of electricity and water.  The Bangor Daily News reports if the bill should pass, it could spell doom for a data center planned at the former paper mill in Jay, even before work there begins in July.  The project’s owner hopes to occupy a million square feet on two floors of the former mill.  Backers say the proposed Jay data center has its own energy source and would not increase cost to ratepayers.  Legislators say the proposed moratorium would allow legislators to come up with regulations to address concerns about AI megacenters.

Education

Chicken Tending Class

(Ellsworth)  Chicken tenders tend to be popular.  So, apparently, is chicken TENDING.  The Ellsworth American reports Chris Woodcock, a self-proclaimed hippy, recently offered a class on caring for chickens through RSU 24 Adult Education in Sullivan – a class to which multiple folks flocked, confirming the growing interest in backyard farming.  Woodcock told the Ellsworth American, chickens are low maintenance and don’t eat as much as other animals.  She added paying for food is the biggest obstacle, with the price of grain recently having gone up. The class included information on city and town ordinances, protecting the birds from predators, bedding and other details, with Woodcock cautioning if you want to be a good egg, you can’t be afraid of getting your hands dirty.

Infrastructure

Winterport Still Trying for Public Access to Penobscot River

(Winterport)  The Penobscot River forms the entire eastern border of the town of Winterport.  Yet, finding a place for public access continues to be elusive.  The Bangor Daily News reports every other town along the lower stretch of the river has some sort of access point on the river, whether a boat launch, walking trail, park, or nature preserve.  It’s not for lack of want, but rather every effort to provide public access in Winterport has been stymied – by COVID, legalities, or lack of funds to purchase available waterfront property.  The town is now hoping for a revival of a once-motivated Waterfront Access Committee.  Officials say with the recent influx of young people to Winterport, it’s bound to happen.

Human Interest

Levitt Family Foundation Announces 2026 Festivals

(Portland)  The Levitt Family Foundation has announced the 2026 winners of grants that support free outdoor music festivals.  Only one festival in Maine, the August 1st BPM Drum Festival, was awarded funds.  The Portland area festival is presented by the Bayside Neighborhood Association, is set along an urban trail, and spotlights the powerful energy of open-air, synchronized group drumming.  Each of the 55 awardees nationwide receives up to $5K to help light up small town main streets, major city parks, and waterfront docks with festivals that celebrate music.  

Maine Maple Sunday Weekend

(Washington, DC)  President Trump on Tuesday fumed in a post, “We do not need the help of anyone” to break Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz.  The tantrum comes after allies, most of whom Trump has repeatedly bashed, name-called, and hit with tariffs, turned a deaf ear to his call for support in securing the strait through which 20% of the world’s oil flows.  Analysts say it’s extremely dangerous for vessels to pass through the Strait as the US-Israeli war continues against Iran.  Many insurance companies have pulled their support of vessels carrying oil through the Strait, even though Iran has promised safe passage to all but America’s allies. 

National News

President Fumes at Lack of Support from Allies

(Washington, DC)  President Trump on Tuesday fumed in a post, “We do not need the help of anyone” to break Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz.  The tantrum comes after allies, most of whom Trump has repeatedly bashed, name-called, and hit with tariffs, turned a deaf ear to his call for support in securing the strait through which 20% of the world’s oil flows.  Analysts say it’s extremely dangerous for vessels to pass through the Strait as the US-Israeli war continues against Iran.  Many insurance companies have pulled their support of vessels carrying oil through the Strait, even though Iran has promised safe passage to all but America’s allies. 

National Counterterrorism Chief Resigns

(AP)  The Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, announced on Tuesday he is resigning.  Kent said he, “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump Administration’s war in Iran.  The Associated Press reports on social media, Kent added that Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.  A special forces combat veteran with ties to right-wing extremists, Kent was considered as much of a loyalist as Trump could have in the government’s top counterterrorism post. 

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