Crime/Public Safety

Free Car Seat Safety Checks

(Blue Hill)  Nothing more precious than that sweet cargo riding in your child’s car seat – but just how safe is yours?  The Sullivan Fire and Rescue Department will offer free car seat checks from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25th.  They’ll be at the Blue Hill YMCA and Lawrence Family Fitness Center in Blue Hill that day for you to have your child car seats checked by Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.  No need to register, and everyone is welcome!

Sullivan Skate Park Design Meeting

(Sullivan)  If you live in Sullivan or are a fan of one of the area’s few skate parks, be sure to join the town’s third skatepark design meeting tomorrow from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Sullivan town office.  Community input is welcome, especially as the town decides on what might be one of the final choices for the new concrete skatepark design.  

Economy

Heart of Ellsworth Launches Downtown Housing Opportunity Project

(Ellsworth)  Communities across Maine continue to face challenges with affordable housing.  At the same time, downtown areas often have unused or underutilized space – storefronts, upper floor spaces, buildings with square footage that goes unused.  Ellsworth is no exception – except when it comes to doing something about the two.  Heart of Ellsworth, Main Street America, the City of Ellsworth and others have launched a Downtown Housing Opportunity Project, aimed at increasing housing availability, activating underutilized spaces, and supporting long-term economic vitality.  The project will analyze and document approximately 272 buildings within the downtown district, in order to identify underutilized spaces, redevelopment-ready properties, and opportunities for upper-floor housing, strengthening Ellsworth’s ability to attract developers, investors, and new businesses. Those looking for more information can contact Heart of Ellsworth Executive Director Cara Romano or visit heart of ellsworth dot org.

The project will be undertaken with funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Association of REALTORS Housing Opportunity Grant program, with additional support from the Midcoast Board of REALTORS and leverages Maine Street America’s Building Opportunities on Main Street (BOOMS) Tracker, a national tool designed to help communities better understand and activate their building environment.

Maine Companies Make Critical Parts for Artemis II

(Lewiston)  We’ll all be holding our breath for the splash down today as the crew of Artemis II returns to earth.  Did you know, a Maine manufacturer played a critical role in producing parts for the historic mission?  MaineBiz reports Elmet Technologies in Lewiston manufactured high-performance tungsten parts for the spacecraft that carried the four-person crew around the dark side of the moon.  The materials included heavy alloy components, designed to withstand extreme space environments.  The company also supplied components for the previous Artemis I mission.  

The Sweet Spot in Ellsworth Looks for Buyer

(Ellsworth)  Although it’s not yet officially on the market, Carolyn Corro says after six years of growing her popular Candy and Baked Goods shop, it’s time to take early retirement.  Corro posted on FB the success of The Sweet Spot is allowing her to step back and eventually open a farm stand with her daughter-in-law so she can get back to being the home baker and crafter where she began. The business moved to downtown Ellsworth in 2024 and operates out of a leased space, with rent Corro says is very reasonable for downtown Ellsworth.  She says sales have more than quadrupled in the six years she’s been in business, proving strong demand.  Corro plans to hang onto the business at least through the summer, but is currently welcoming serious inquiries, according to her FB page.  Stop in and talk with her if you’re interested!

Friendship Cottage Reaches Agreement to Purchase Facility

(Blue Hill)  In typical Maine fashion, folks have stepped up with funds and support to help preserve a lifeline in Blue Hill that houses much-needed adult day services.  Community Action in Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties this week reports they and others have reached agreement on the terms for the purchase and sale of the Friendship Cottage property.  So far, more than $500K has been raised in just over two months to support the $600K purchase.  Friendship Cottage has long been a safe landing spot for adults with physical, cognitive, or memory challenges, offering high-quality adult day services that allow individuals to remain safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible.  To learn more, visit acap dash m e dot org.

Environment

Maine to Require Recycling Options for Batteries

(Undated)  From security cameras, to cordless vacuums, to cell phones, to power tools … these days, our homes are filled with devices powered by batteries.  It’s all well and good until we need to get rid of them.  In spite of the fact it’s illegal to improperly dispose of such batteries, the Natural Resources Council of Maine says more than 820K pounds of batteries are thrown away in Maine each year, leading to fires and increased insurance rates.  Now, Maine has joined eight other states in requiring battery makers to provide recycling options for those single-use alkaline and lithium-ion batteries.  MaineBiz reports LD 474 updates the state’s current laws to require national battery manufacturers to set up drop-off locations and fund a statewide take-back program so those batteries can be safely disposed of and rare metals can be extracted for reuse.  

Chickadee Compost Helps Grow a Greener Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  Food scraps make up an estimated 30 to 40% of Maine’s waste stream.  When they end up in landfills, they release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.  In contrast, composting turns that waste into nutrient-rich soil that improves water retention, strengthens soil structure, and supports local agriculture.  Not into composting at home?  Last fall, the City of Ellsworth reports Chickadee Compost partnered with Green Ellsworth to launch a downtown curbside composting pilot, offering an easy way to participate.  For $20 a month, households get a compost bucket and weekly collection, helping to shrink their trash volume and contribute to a more sustainable system.  Ready to scrap an environmentally unfriendly practice?  Visit chickadee compost dot com, sign up, and give it a try!

Osprey Return!

(Lamoine)  They’re back!  Good news for osprey fans.  Osprey pairs arrived at both the Mud Creek/Lamoine and Bar Harbor nests on Thursday.  You can follow them with cameras set up by Versant and shared on Facebook.  Let the watch for this year’s young begin!

Human Interest

MDI Sophomores Make a Difference at The Jesup

(Bar Harbor)  National Library Week is coming up April 19-26.  The theme is “Find Your Joy”, and we’re sure some MDI high schoolers did just that this week … and spread a little joy of their own.  The group of sophomores from Mount Desert Island High School showed up in a big way at the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor.  Some read to the MDI YMCA Pre-K kids, others helped with a major picture book project that will be part of the new addition, and staff members at the Jesup say their art cart in the kids’ room never looked better.  Good job, high schoolers!

Ellsworth Public Library to Unveil New Visual Identity

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Public Library will begin rolling out its new visual identity during National Library Week, April 19th through the 26th.  EPL polled the public for input on the design that’s anchored by the tagline, “For Every Chapter of Your Life”.  The new brand reflects the library’s commitment to lifelong learning, accessibility, and community connection across the ages.  Stay tuned – we can’t wait to see the design and share much more as National Library Week approaches!  In the meantime, be sure you don’t miss out on any of the great programs offered by the library – visit ellsworth library dot net.  

Maine Library Commission to Draft New Public Library Standards

(Augusta)  The Maine Library Commission met this week for the first of two special meetings to begin drafting new public library standards.  The Maine Monitor reports the first meeting was intended to gather broad ideas – a discussion of “the kumbaya of all the things libraries do well”, before settling on mandatory minimum standards.  The second meeting, set for May 11th, is expected to focus on setting those standards.  Those in attendance agreed libraries should offer a place “where people can feel safe and be safe”, with most also agreeing libraries are arts, cultural, and literacy institutions.  A number of commissioners support requiring paid library directors – something criticized by some smaller, rural libraries in a prior draft.  State law requires the State Commission to set policies and minimum standards for public libraries; though all agreed on allowing a broad focus based on the needs of individual communities.

MaineHealth PenBay Partners with Rockport Public Library

(Rockport)  MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital is helping to take the stress out of those hospital visits by installing a small, free library on the ground floor of the Beebe Health Center.  The medical facility partnered with the Rockport Public Library to help make the waiting experience more comfortable for patients of all ages, allowing them to immerse themselves in a book before a scheduled appointment, according to the Pen Bay Pilot.  The shelf will be restocked once a week by volunteers from the Rockport Public Library.  The Hospital is one of three sites to receive a free library, along with the Midcoast Recreation Center and the Rockport YMCA, with each library designed, built, painted and installed by students from the Midcoast School of Technology in Rockland.

Hale Announced as Bangor Fourth of July Grand Marshal

(Bangor)  George Hale, the iconic broadcaster, Mainer, veteran, and legend, will serve as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Bangor Fourth of July Parade.  In making the announcement, parade officials note for more than 77 years, Hale’s voice has been the soundtrack of Maine.  But before the microphone, was the uniform, with Hale serving his country then spending the better part of a century serving his community with his talent, time, and heart.  His being fired from WVOM, especially the way it was handled by Blueberry Broadcasting, sparked ire throughout the broadcasting world and in his many fans.  

Infrastructure

Crews to Install Docks at Green, Branch Lakes

(Ellsworth)  As if the nice weather wasn’t enough to make us hopeful, the City of Ellsworth yesterday announced crews will be installing docks at Green Lake and Branch Lake beginning Monday, getting things ready for the season ahead.  They say early season boating can be beautiful, but comes with colder water and changing conditions.  Before you head out, they remind boaters to wear a life jacket, check your boat and motor, be mindful of water temperature, bring a charged phone or communications device, and watch conditions and other boaters.  Have fun and be safe out there on the water.

National News 04/10/25

Bondi May Not Testify in Epstein Files Hearing

(WaPo)  Former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not testify before the House about the Epstein Files.  That’s according to the Department of Justice.  But House Republicans signaled she may not be off the hook just yet.  According to The Washington Post, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted last month to subpoena Bondi, after several Republican members joined Democrats in airing frustration over the Justice Department’s handling of the congressionally mandated release of millions of pages of material from its Epstein files. The committee had scheduled Bondi’s appearance for April 14th; but Bondi was fired last week; some suspect to protect her from testifying; and the committee received a letter saying she would not show.  One official said if Bondi defies the subpoena, contempt charges would be filed in Congress, “because the survivors deserve justice.”

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