Crime/Public Safety

Trenton Fire Destroys Route Three Motel

(Trenton)  At least fourteen local fire departments responded to a massive blaze at the Open Hearth Motel on Route 3 in Trenton Saturday, with multiple other departments providing backup.  According to the Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, crews were called to 1147 Bar Harbor Road just before 3 a.m., arriving to find a fully involved inferno.  Operations were complicated by downed, live electrical wires in the area, with Versant Power ultimately securing the area.  Firefighters also had to battle frigid temperatures and slippery surfaces.  All guests at the motel were safely evacuated, but the main buildings are a total loss, although several smaller cabins appear untouched.  Trenton crews cleared the scene about 11:30 a.m..  The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

(Trenton)  The previous Wednesday, firefighters from Trenton had been called to a reported dumpster fire at the same location.  Crews arrived shortly before 11:30 p.m. that night and found a roll-off dumpster fully involved.  The dumpster was located near the sign for the Open Hearth Motel, but there were reportedly no other nearby exposures threatened by that blaze, which was quickly brought under control.  The dumpster appeared to include construction debris and furniture, and Trenton crews remained on the scene through the late evening, clearing shortly after midnight.  Then, Sunday morning, crews were called back to the scene for a rekindle in the buildings, arriving to find smoke and hot spots in an adjoining roof line.  Multiple layers of shingles that had been installed had allowed heat and fire to extend in concealed areas.  Crews performed an additional overhaul, and confirmed those areas were fully extinguished.

Belfast Arson Arrests

(Belfast)  Authorities on Friday arrested two nineteen year olds and charged them with Arson in relation to a structure fire in Belfast.  Investigators say the fire on Patterson Hill Road was reported at 2:45 a.m..  The two men, Isaac Cummings and Rowan Locke, both of Belfast, were located nearby.  The fire marshal’s office ultimately determined the fire had been intentionally set.  Further investigation led to the arrests Friday afternoon.  Cummings and Locke were taken to the Somerset County Jail where they are being held on $10K cash bail.

Local Politics

No Kings Protests Draw Huge Crowds

(Ellsworth)  Ellsworth, Bucksport, Belfast, Bar Harbor and beyond.  Thousands turned out locally on Saturday for the third No Kings Day, prompted by ongoing concern with the current administration’s overreach of executive power.  And it wasn’t, of course, just in Downeast Maine.  Sources report more than 3,000 rallies nationwide, with massive demonstrations in Minneapolis-St. Paul , Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, DC. and worldwide.  Key issues included opposition to the brutal tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the war with Iran, and the ongoing trampling of Constitutional values.  The day was described as a “national day of nonviolent action”.  

Beals Dilemma

(Beals)  The Washington County town of Beals is facing a real dilemma.  According to the Maine Monitor, Terry Beals, the town Treasurer, has tried to retire for years, but stayed on because the town has been unable to find a replacement.  This year, Terry says she’s out … regardless.  According to a FB post by resident Amanda Smith, the future of the town isn’t looking great unless people willing and qualified step up  … to step into roles of leadership needed in order for the town to legally function.  Unless someone steps up, sources say the town could lose local control over such things as vehicle and voting registrations.  Town officials are hoping someone agrees to run for the elected position before its annual town meeting on April 10th.  But the position is not one just anyone can step into.  It requires training and certification and often garners low wages for the demands of the position.

Bath Iron Workers Reach Contract

(Bath)  Workers at Bath Iron Works ended a five-day strike Saturday, ratifying an agreement for a new four-year contract.  Members of  the Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association had rejected an initial proposal the previous weekend, and hundreds began picketing outside the shipyard last Monday.  The new contract includes wage increases of 10.5% in the first year and 5% increases in the following years.  Also included, proposed healthcare benefits that keep flexible work schedules and the ability to work from home, as well as options to purchase additional vacation time.

Economy

Gas Prices

(WaPo)  Gas prices were averaging $2.70 per gallon at the end of last year.  But the United States attacked Iran four weeks ago; and since then, prices at the pump have soared.  According to Triple A, the average price per gallon last week was $3.98 and rising faster than at any point since 1990.  Part of the problem is a worldwide shortage because oil takers are idled near the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes.  And while the United States does produce oil, the type produced here can’t be refined at our refineries, so it’s been cheaper to export it to other countries. 

Brooksville Cleanup

(Brooksville) Representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency were in Brooksville this month to update the community on the status of the EPA’s Superfund cleanup at the Callahan Mine.  The Weekly Packet reports the EPA now expects cleanup and remediation to be completed in Fall 2027, seventeen years after the EPA first began the project. Yet to be completed after the dredging of Goose Cove, the EPA will plant and seed the bank and salt marsh area of Dyer Cove and will also install the final cover material over a repository.  The EPA says it will also dispose of any remaining construction waste and then continue to provide long-term monitoring of the site.

Health

MaineHealth Waldo Hospital Honored

(Belfast)  MaineHealth Waldo Hospital has been ranked number one in Maine and 20th in the nation for social responsibility and number one in the state for Health Equity and Avoiding Overuse. Avoiding overuse means the hospital actively prevents care where the potential for harm or financial cost outweighs the potential for improvement in health – in other words medical services, such as tests, procedures, and treatments, are performed only when likely to benefit patients.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports the recognition comes from the Lown Institute.  MaineHealth Waldo Hospital is also in the Top 10 in the Nation for Avoiding Overuse and received “A” grades across multiple categories in the organization’s 2025-26 Index. The Lown Institute’s independent index evaluates more than 800 critical access hospitals nationwide.

WHRL Offering Nursing Scholarships

(Milbridge)  If you’re a nursing student who plans to dedicate your life to helping others, Women for Healthy Rural Living in Milbridge encourages you to apply for the Elaine Hill Memorial Scholarship.  Scholarships are offered to residents of Washington and Hancock counties who are pursuing a post-secondary nursing education, including an associate’s degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Scholarships are valued at up to $2,500 and are renewable for up to three additional years.  Applicants may be high school seniors or current undergrad students enrolled in a nursing program.  For the first time this year, you can apply online, but you must do so by May 1st at w h r l dot org.  

Infrastructure

MaineDOT to Begin Bangor I-95 Overpass Replacement Work

(Bangor)  Work on the Bangor I-95 Overpass replacement will begin a week from today.  The Maine Department of Transportation reports it will begin clearing and preparing the median between I-95’s northbound and southbound lanes on April 6th, in order to begin the process of replacing three major I-95 overpasses in Bangor.  A median crossover utilizing the new northbound alignment will be put in place to maintain through traffic during construction.  Expect periodic short-term closures of Stillwater Avenue and Exit 186 ramps requiring detours, but MDOT says access to businesses and the pedestrian path will be maintained at all times.

Human Interest

Nite Show to Honor George Hale

(Bangor)  The Nite Show with Dan Cashman is coming back for one night only in a live event honoring long-time broadcaster George Hale.  Hale, who for years co-hosted a talk show with Ric Tyler on WVOM, was notified while on vacation last week that he would not be part of the station’s restructuring.  Hale was on Maine’s first television station the year they signed on and has been a beloved voice and presence on radio and television for many years; so the move did not go over well with the public  – especially, comments indicate, the way it was handled by Blueberry Broadcasting. Tickets for the April 22nd show went on sale Saturday.  The special will include Brian Nadeau and The Nite Show Band, along with many prominent guests, and is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Brewer Community School Performing Arts Center.

Woodlawn Seeks Volunteer Tour Guides

(Ellsworth)  Woodlawn in Ellsworth is looking for volunteer tour guides for The Black House Museum for the summer 2026 season.  No experience is needed – training will be provided.  If you’d like to be involved in helping to make history come alive, visit their website and learn how you can volunteer.  woodlawn ellsworth dot org.

Where in the World April Fooi’s Week

(Undated)  Congratulations to Linda Barrett-Zissulus, winner of last week’s “Where in the World is Sonnie?”  Thanks to everyone who entered and correctly guessed we were in Winter Harbor.  Wednesday being April Fool’s Day, we thought we’d have even more fun than usual with this week’s contest by posting a bunch of random photos with NO defining landmarks.  Make your guess as wild, funny, or random as you like – EVERY entry this week will be entered to win a $25 gift card from Pugnuts in Surry – is there any more fun place for ice cream?  Pugnuts is opening this Friday – so get your guess in at the link on our social media pages by midnight on April 3rd.  Have fun, and Happy April Fool’s Week!

National News 03/30/26

Congress Goes on Two Week Recess

(Washington, DC)  TSA workers should once again be receiving paychecks today, but other federal workers will continue to go without as Congress goes on a two-week recess and the partial government shutdown continues.  House Republicans on Friday moved to extend the six-week shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, snubbing a bipartisan Senate bill that would have funded the vast majority of DHS agencies through September and moving ahead with a plan of their own that stands little chance of becoming law.  According to Politico, the agency shutdown is now the longest funding lapse in US history.

Iran Warns Against US Sending Ground Troops

(AP)  A top Iranian official Sunday warned the United States against a ground invasion, saying its troops would be “set on fire” as regional diplomats met in Pakistan in hopes of opening direct talks and ending the month-long war.  The Associated Press reports Iran’s parliament speaker said forces were awaiting the arrival of US troops to set them on fire and dismissed the talks as a cover, after some 2500 US Marines trained in amphibious landings arrived in the Middle East.  Iraqi residents say they are living in fear their homes might be targeted and described relentless airstrikes as Iranians continue crossing into Iraq and urge the U.S. to end the war.

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