Crime/Public Safety

Cutler’s Attorney Seeks Client’s Release

(Ellsworth)  Eliot Cutler’s defense attorney on Wednesday asked a Hancock County judge to release his client on a “reasonable bail”, a motion denied by the judge. Cutler, a former candidate for Governor of Maine, was arrested in February after allegedly being caught with pornographic materials. Cutler was convicted in 2023 for possessing child sex abuse materials, reportedly possessing more than 140K images and videos of child sex abuse on his personal devices, more than half of which involved children under the age of 12.  District Attorney Robert Granger requested on February 20th that the defendant’s bail be fully revoked. Cutler had been held without bail since.  And again, yesterday, a judge denied the bail amendment, meaning Cutler remains in jail.  

Local Politics

Lamoine Attorney Will Run as Write-In Candidate

(Lamoine)  Lamoine attorney Brian Thomas will run as a Democratic write-in candidate for Hancock County Probate Judge.  Former District Attorney Matt Foster, a Republican, is also hoping to replace current Probate Judge William B. Blaisdell IV, who is not seeking reelection.  Thomas has been an attorney in Hancock County for more than a decade. He and his wife moved to Maine from Georgia in 2013.  Thomas served as a State Representative in the Georgia District Assembly District representing metro Atlanta from 2005 until his move to the Pine Tree State.  Thomas’s name will not be on the ballot for the Democratic Primary, though he can become the party’s nominee for the general election should he receive 300 or more write-in votes.  

Surry Residents Head to Polls Friday

(Surry)  Residents of Surry will head to the polls tomorrow to weigh in on two major issues.  According to The Weekly Packet, the first three ballot questions center on a proposed plan to elevate a vulnerable portion of Newbury Neck Road at Carrying Place Beach.  The change is aimed at maintaining access during extreme high tides and storm surge, and is tied to a potential $2.93M federal funding request.  Question 4 appears on the ballots of all towns on the Blue Hill Peninsula which send students to George Stevens Academy.  Voters are being asked to maintain tuition payments of a little over $1500 per student for up to 21 students enrolled at GSA for the ‘26-’27 school year.  It also requests voters consider a change in how those payments are handled.  Polls will be open Friday, April 10th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Economy

Bangor Savings Bank Earns Recognition

(Ellsworth)  Congratulations to Bangor Savings Bank, recently recognized as one of Forbes’ World’s Best Banks 2026.  It’s the eighth straight year Bangor Savings has received the honor, earning a spot among the Top 20 banks in the U.S.  The prestigious list evaluates traditional brick-and-mortar institutions, alongside online-only banks, in order to identify those providing the best customer experience.  

Summer in a Lighthouse

(Boothbay Harbor)  Looking for the ultimate summer gig?  MaineBiz reports the Maine Department of Marine Resources is hoping two volunteers will step up to serve as island caretakers this season at Burnt Island Light, an historic lighthouse about a half mile offshore from Boothbay Harbor.  Whether a retired couple, friends or partners, the ideal pair will live on the island and help manage daily operations during the 2026 season.  They say last season, the island saw more than 4,000 visitors, reflecting how much the community values the treasured resource.  Contact MDMR if interested.

Education

Ellsworth Schools Will Look for Property in the City to House Busses

(Ellsworth)  The current Bucksport Road location where Ellsworth school buses are housed lacks storage capacity, meeting spaces, and bathrooms.  But for now, at least, the Department plans to stay.  This week, the School Board voted to authorize Superintendent Amy Boles to finalize a three-year lease extension of the current property.  Earlier this year, the City and School were negotiating purchase of a property in Hancock to house the buses, along with the City’s Water Department and a spare fire truck.  But multiple residents and City Councilors expressed concerns over utilizing a property outside the City.  Boles told the Ellsworth American the owners of the Bucksport Road property have been more than fair and reasonable when discussing some of the schools’ concerns.  City Manager Charlie Pearce, City Council, and the School Board hope to meet in the near future to discuss long-term bus storage plans that could include purchasing a property within city limits, possibly as a site for a new build.

Ellsworth School Board Approves Budget

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth School Board has approved a $34.6M budget for the 2027 fiscal year, a 7.4% increase over 2026.  The Ellsworth American reports the amount to be paid by local taxpayers amounts to  a $1.2M increase.  The budget reflects increases across the board … from special education, to career and technical education, to debt service.  Four teaching positions were cut, reflecting enrollment numbers, and one first grade teacher will be added.  A major decrease in the budget came from Adult Education, which dropped by nearly 11%.  The budget will now go to City Council to be voted on during a special meeting tonight.  If approved, a referendum will be held in June for voter approval.

HCTC Named National Model of Excellence

(Ellsworth)  It’s the first time a Maine school has earned the honor.  Hancock County Technical Center has officially been named to the list of SkillsUSA National Models of Excellence for 2026. HCTC is one of only 24 schools nationwide to be so recognized.  Administrators say it’s a full representation of the staff, students, and all the hard work going on in their halls daily.  In addition, the school is one of just eight champions recognized in the Personal Skills component of the Skills USA Framework.  Those in the know say to make it to this level is extremely difficult and very stringent – but if you follow them, like us, you’re not at all surprised.  Congratulations!

Environment

Celebrate Earth Day with The Shaw Institute in Blue Hill

(Blue Hill)  This Saturday, celebrate Earth Day with the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill.  Along with Blue Hill Heritage Trust, they’ll be bringing the community together to honor and protect the incredible environment we share.  From hands-on activities and interactive exhibits, to learning about conservation efforts and exploring shorelines to discover how you can protect our oceans and ecosystems, the event promises plenty of fun and education, no matter how young or old you are!  Participate in the Dear Community Kids Letter Project and get published in the April 16th issue of The Weekly Packet.  We’ve shared more on our social media pages, or visit The Shaw Institute on FB and at shaw institute dot org.!

Infrastructure

Bangor Road Work

(Bangor)  If you’re heading to Bangor today, be aware MDOT has temporarily closed the on-ramp from NB Route 202 to westbound I-395 until 4 p.m. for a concrete deck replacement.  Drivers headed NB on 202 towards I-395 are advised to use Exit 3B on I-395 onto Main Street in Bangor and take the next on-ramp to get onto I-395 westbound.  Message boards are in place advising of the closure.

Utility Billing Office Closure

(Ellsworth)  A quick note to help you plan ahead.  The Ellsworth Utility Billing Office will be closed from Tuesday, April 21st through Wednesday, April 29th.  During the closure, you can drop payments at the City Clerk’s office, mail them in to 1 City Hall Plaza, or pay online anytime.  

Human Interest

Nice & Easy Welcomes Rick Foster!

(Brewer)  We here at Nice and Easy Radio are pumped about the addition of Rick Foster to our lineup!  Beginning this weekend, Rick will bring his incomparable wit, humor, and knowledge of all things music to the airwaves Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10!  Pop Favorites with Rick Foster will include your musical favorites, plus Maine history and oddities you likely won’t hear anywhere else – at least, not the way Rick tells ‘em.  Download the free Live 365 app and search for Nice and Easy Radio or visit nice and easy radio dot com to listen, learn, and laugh with Rick Foster – Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10, beginning April 11th.

Appalachian Through-Hiker Saves Stray Heeler

(WCYB)  How about a heartwarming story to wrap up the newscast today?  Rebecca Pepin at WCYB in Virginia shared this story about an Appalachian through-hiker who saved a dog while heading northbound on his way to Maine.  Matthew Price, trail name Sunrise, helped a weak and hungry Heeler mix, now named Stitch, carrying her for three miles upon finding her starving and struggling, alone on the trail.  Matthew posted on an area Lost and Found Pets group, and people began responding within minutes, offering to foster and help the little girl get much-needed vet care. She’s now in the care of Happy Tails Animal Rescue, where you can check in for updates.  Meanwhile, we’re hoping to welcome our hero Matthew in Maine sometime in August.

National News  04/09/26

Ceasefire Collapses

(Undated)  Israel on Wednesday launched more than 100 airstrikes on Lebanon in ten minutes, killing at least 300 and wounding hundreds of others.  In response to the Israeli strikes, Iran again shut down the Strait of Hormuz.  Pakistan’s Prime Minister, the ceasefire mediator, says Lebanon was absolutely included in Tuesday’s deal, but U.S. President Donald Trump is denying that, claiming a joint US-Iran venture to charge tolls on those shipping through the Strait; a claim about which no one else seems aware.  Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance remains in Hungary, pushing pro-Putin talking points on behalf of that country’s far-right dictator ahead of Hungary’s elections, an election the current regime seems poised to lose .  And back at home, according to the Meidas Touch, the Department of Justice is working to block former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s deposition before the House Oversight Committee on the Epstein files.  

American Journalist Freed

(AP)  An American journalist kidnapped in Iraq on March 31st has been released.  The Associated Press reports Shelly Kittleson was freed Tuesday; that’s according to an Iraqi official who had direct knowledge of the situation.  Kittleson was released on condition that she “must leave the country immediately” upon her release.  The 49-yo Kittleson, a freelance journalist, had lived abroad for years, using Rome as a base for a time and building a respected journalism career across the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Iraq.  As a freelancer, she often worked on a shoestring and without the protections afforded by large news organizations to their staff.

Trump’s Threats Spark Fears of Nuclear War

(US)  Calls for Congress to invoke the 25th Amendment, used to remove a sitting President who is no longer capable of leading, grew louder this week after Trump on Tuesday used his social media posts to threaten the “annihilation” of Iran.  The President warned “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” sparking fears of nuclear weapons being used if Iran did not meet his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.  The UN Security Council said the statement was a clear threat of war crimes. Shortly before Tuesday’s deadline, Trump announced a two-week ceasefire, pausing that threat. That ceasefire broken Wednesday as Israel again attacked Lebanon and Iran then closed the Strait. Democrats and even some Republican lawmakers, including Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, expressed concern the rhetoric went too far, with public outcry calling the President “bloodthirsty”, “unhinged”, and incapable of leading the country.  

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