Crime/Public Safety

Thomaston Launches Weekly Calls to Seniors

(Thomaston)  Thomaston is the latest community to launch a program of weekly phone calls to seniors.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports a number of senior residents in the community live alone, with families often living too far away to swing by.  Police have always checked on a person when asked to do so; but the new system, dubbed the Community Comfort Line, doesn’t wait for a person to express concern.  Not only is it a safety check, it’s also an opportunity to say hello and socialize a bit for those who can feel isolated.  Beginning next week, those enrolled will receive one scheduled phone call each week from the Thomaston PD’s new administrative assistant.  Other towns with similar programs include SW Harbor, Lisbon, and Eliot.  The Ellsworth Police Department has a program where the elderly can check in daily, and Waldo County’s “Waldo Calling” connects seniors with volunteers for friendly, weekly conversations.

National Weather Service Extends Forecast Offshore

(Gray)  Beginning mid April, the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Gray will assume forecast, watch, and warning responsibility for the coastal waters from south of Stonington to the Merrimack River, from 25 to 50 nautical miles offshore.  According to the Pen Bay Pilot, routine forecast services for those waters were previously the responsibility of the Ocean Prediction Center.  The NWS website notes the change is part of a regional improvement that will result in all forecasts and warnings for coastal waterways within 60 nautical miles of shore originating from the weather forecast office across the entire contiguous US.  Monitoring for those within 25 nautical miles will not change.  

Local Politics

Gouldsboro Planning Board Meeting Draws Crowd

(Gouldsboro)  A Planning Board meeting in Gouldsboro this week generated a lot of interest and a packed house.  At issue, a site plan review application for the Bell Buoy Seafood and Takeout food trailer.  The Ellsworth American reports owners Dan and Melissa Rodgers were granted a conditional permit to operate for one year in 2025.  The trailer drew complaints about increased traffic and parking along the roadway.  Some longtime residents said most complaints came from those newly moved to the area or who were not full-time residents; some say a common issue in Maine.  Ultimately, a compromise was made, with the business approved as long as operations remained tightly tied to the hours and proximity of the Rodgers’ other business, a commercial fishing and tour entity on the waterfront.  Small “no parking”  signs will be put in place along the road, as well.  The decision drew loud applause from those who attended in person, most of whom supported the food trailer.

Surry Voters Discuss Newberry Neck, GSA Tuition

(Surry)  Voters in Surry this week had the opportunity to hear different views about whether an elevated Newberry Neck Road with guardrails would be a viable solution for protecting the road from big storms, such as those that did major damage in 2023 and 24.  The town has proposed a plan to raise the surface level of the road at Carrying Place Beach from 8.9 to 15 feet above sea level.  Cost of the project would be 75% congressionally directed funding with a 25% match and is tied to the pending Homeland Security bill.  Other discussion centered around George Stevens Academy’s additional tuition funding request, with differing views on that issue, as well.  Residents will have the final say on both issues at the April 10th election.  

Economy

Residents Scramble to Preserve Scenic Blueberry Barrens

(Maine)  Residents in coastal Maine towns are scrambling to preserve scenic blueberry barrens after Jasper Wyman & Son, the state’s largest blueberry producer, decided to sell off hundreds of acres in the midcoast.  The Portland Press Herald reports Northport residents are set to vote on a moratorium on RV parks that could be built on barrens there that were sold to a Massachusetts couple who want to build a glampground. …  A group of Searsport women called the Wild Blueberry Collective, is working to raise $750K to purchase and preserve land there …  and a nearly 250-acre parcel in Belfast, owned by Allen’s Blueberry Freezer, is on the market for $1.8M, despite pleas from community members to protect it for public use. The sale of lands is economically driven.  Last season’s crop yields were devastating, with blueberry producers losing $8M to severe drought and spring rains that hindered pollination.  Last year, a Blue Hill nonprofit, Save the Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens, successfully purchased land back from a developer who planned to build luxury homes on a site there. 

Health

Ellsworth Clinic Could Provide Access to New Opioid Treatment

(Ellsworth)  A proposed methadone clinic could soon give Ellsworth residents access to a form of opioid treatment that up until now has not been available in Hancock County.  The Bangor Daily News reports Everest Recover is set to open at 190 Bangor Road.  The center could offer methadone, bupreNORpheene and counseling services to people who struggle with substance use disorder.  While several programs in Ellsworth offer medication-assisted treatment though buprenorphine, federal methadone regulations require patients to take daily in-person doses.  The Bangor Daily News says it wasn’t immediately clear when the center was scheduled to open, but a public hearing on renovation work at the facility is set for March 31st.

Bangor Nonprofit Receives $2M to Build Tiny Homes for the Homeless

(Bangor)  Dignity First, a local homelessness nonprofit, will receive $2M in congressionally directed spending from Maine Senator Angus King.  King’s office told the Bangor Daily News the money will help build tiny homes for people who are homeless.  The award is the largest received by the group to date and will launch the initial phase of the project.  King said people are discovering that if you can get homeless people into housing, you can begin solving other problems associated with homelessness, adding the concept has been proven nationwide and that he feels it’s important to get started in Bangor.

Infrastructure

Acadia National Park Update

(ANP)  Looks like we’re going to get some warmer weather next week; but along with that, some rain … and that means it’s time for trail closures at Acadia National Park.  Carriage roads are now closed to all users in order to protect the trails during spring thaw.  Also, the Cadillac Summit Road is closed by construction for all uses, including pedestrians and cyclists, from the Park Loop Road to just before a parking lot at the summit.  And, of course, it’s still closed to vehicles as well.   Also, remember that several trails remain closed to protect peregrine falcons that are nesting – those include Jordan Cliffs, Penobscot East, Precipice, and Valley Cove Trails, as well as the parking lot for the Precipice Trail – and those closures are strictly enforced by park rangers.  

Acadia East-West Connector Trail

(ANP)  Friends of Acadia has partnered with the park to begin the first phase of building the East-West Connector Trail, an accessible path at the summit of Cadillac Mountain.  When the popular summit road is open during peak season, visitors (which must have reservations between May and October) are directed to park in the west and east lots connected to scenic overlooks.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the trail will offer a safe path for anyone to trek from one lot to the other, with access for strollers and wheelchairs, and without trampling sensitive vegetation.  For updated information on road and trail closures, construction, reservations and more, visit n p s dot gov.  

Health

New Hire at MaineHealth Waldo Hospital

(Belfast)  There’s an adorable new hire at MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast.  Ellie, a certified pet therapy dog, is now on staff with her handler, Anna Phillips.  The two have worked together since 2025.  Ellie is a three and a half year old standard poodle registered through Pet Partners of Eastern Maine, whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond.  The volunteer service is also offered at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport.

Human Interest

NatGeo Photographer Turns Maine’s Route One Road Trip Into Film

(Maine)  From Kittery to Fort Kent … with stops at Ellsworth’s candlepin bowling alley, the Blueberry Heritage Center’s giant blueberry in Columbia Falls, the Maine Solar System model, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and other unique treasures … National Geographic Photographer Bob Krist filmed them all, as part of a tribute to Route One’s 100th year.  The Portland Press Herald reports Krist, who lives in Boothbay Harbor, chronicled the sites along the roadway designated in 1926 as part of the country’s new numbered highway system.  Along the way, he filmed and interviewed the people behind the path’s unique offerings, including D’Amanda’s in Ellsworth owner Autumn Mowery.  The film debuted last night; but in case you missed it,  “100 Years of Route One: A Centennial Road Trip” will air again Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 Sunday and is streaming on PBS Passport at mainepublic dot org.  

Free Historic Window Restoration Workshop

(Ellsworth)  Repairing traditional wooden windows is an increasingly rare craft, yet critically important to historic preservation.  Applications are open through April 20th for a free, hands on workshop led by Maine master craftsman Les Fossel.  The workshop is open to tradespeople, homeowners, and preservation activists, with space limited to 15 participants, to be selected from applications received.  The workshop is organized by The Ellsworth Historical Society as they begin their major ReViatalize ME Downtown project to rehabilitate all the windows in the Old Jail.  Proponents say with simple repairs, routine maintenance, and properly fitted storm windows, historic wood windows can be just as energy efficient as modern replacements – and often more durable.  Applications can be made through the link we’ve posted with this story on our website, downeast digest dot news.  https://rb.gy/194vi9

Heart of Ellsworth in Atlanta

(Ellsworth)  Heart of Ellsworth members continue to learn and grow and bring that expertise back to the City.  Most recently Executive Director Cara Romano and others attended the Common Ground Grantee Gathering and Park Pride Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  The trip was funded by the Trust for Public Land, and they say it was one of the best conferences they’ve attended.  Parks and Recreation Director Roddy Ehrlenbach says they connected and learned alongside six other grantee communities from around the country, got a first look at TPL’s new toolkit, and enjoyed tours of beautiful greenspaces.  

National News 03/27/26

Trump Continues to Insist Ceasefire in Works

(AP) President Trump again issued a warning to Tehran on social media, this time telling Iranian leaders to “get serious soon” on negotiating a deal to end the war.  Yesterday’s post comes a day after Trump said a deal to end the war was near, although Tehran adamantly dismissed his 15 point ceasefire plan and accused Trump of lying in order to  manipulate the market.  Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports the United States was preparing for the arrival of thousands of troops that could be used on the ground in Iran, though Trump has repeatedly denied the possibility of using ground troops.

Pressure Mounts to fund DHS

(Washington)  Congress is under pressure to fund the Department of Homeland Security ahead of Monday’s spring recess.  The Associated Press reports the Transportation Safety Administration may have to shut down operations at some airports if the budget impasse drags on.  The shutdown has taken a toll on TSA workers, with almost 500 quitting altogether, according to DHS.  ICE officers Thursday continued patrolling major airports, including LaGuardia, which continues to register the most flight delays and cancellations among US airports – more than 300 in 24 hours as of Thursday, according to the tracking website Flight Aware.  U.S. Coast Guard members are also among those going without paychecks. 

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