Crime/Public Safety

Jonesboro House Fire

(Jonesboro)  A Go Fund Me account has been set up for a family that lost everything in a house fire in Jonesboro last Thursday.  Crews were called to 755 US Route One shortly before 4 p.m. and were forced to close Route One in the area for several hours while they battled the blaze.  Investigators returned on Friday and determined the fire had originated beneath the pellet stove vent.  No one was home at the time of the blaze, which was ruled an accident. The family was reportedly restoring the home and did not have insurance. Clothing donations are being accepted at Too Good to Toss in Columbia Falls.

Deer Isle Volunteer Fire Department Still Faces Funding Hurdles

(Deer Isle)  The Deer Isle Volunteer Fire Department has gone as far as it can with the design of what they say is a sorely needed new fire station.  The Weekly Packet reports the primary funding for a project of its size is Congressionally Directed Spending, federal grants for state and local projects that are tied to federal appropriations bills.  The town has reportedly applied but been turned down for CDS funding twice.  They’re now awaiting word on a third, and likely final application that cuts the request from half the cost of a new station to just a third, with the rest covered by a loan. Town officials hope to continue to make residents aware of the issue.  They say whatever the source of funding, the need is critical, but voters will have the final say on whether or not to approve the project.

Local Politics

Bucksport Town Council Agrees on Cuts

(Bucksport)  While still a work in progress, the Bucksport Town Council has agreed to $251,000 in structural cuts offered by Town Manager Jacob Gran.  The River Observer reports the cuts would result in a 9.6% total increase to property taxpayers. Funding requests by social agencies and community organizations totalling some $63K are yet to be considered, with Council trying to support the nonprofits while contending the proposed tax increase is  still unacceptable.  The proposed cuts include opting to not hire three seasonal employees from the waterfront, not filling a public works position after an expected retirement, and the restructuring of recreation services.

King, Collins Remain Divided Over Iraq War

(Bath) While US Senators Angus King and Susan Collins both said during a tour of Bath Iron Works they’ll work together to pressure the Trump Administration and Congress to order more U.S. Navy ships built at the Maine naval yard, the two remain divided on their positions on the Iran war.  The Bangor Daily News reports the Independent King is pushing for a war powers resolution to reassert Congress’s authority and rein in President Trump’s war against the Middle East country, while critics are blasting what they see as the Republican Collins’s soft critique of Trump’s inflammatory threats of destroying an entire civilization. Collins is running for a sixth and, she says, final term in the Senate.  King said while the President has an inherent power to defend the country from an imminent threat, there was no imminent threat from Iran.  

Mills Hesitant on Statewide Ban of Data Centers

(Augusta)  If Maine decides to fund an 18-month ban on large data centers, it would be the first state in the nation to do so.  But the Bangor Daily News reports Governor Janet Mills has reservations about such a ban. The Governor is primarily concerned with how data centers could affect electricity rates, but said a planned center at the former paper mill in Jay would provide much needed jobs to the area.  The ban passed both chambers of the Legislature last week but is awaiting funding.  Bangor City Councilors this month indicated they plan to fast-track a local ordinance that would ban data centers in the city for the next six months, citing concerns about water use and a relatively low number of jobs such a center might create.

Economy

Ellsworth Chamber Offers PFML HR Session

(Ellsworth)  Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave goes live in less than three weeks on May 1st. The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce says now is the time to be prepared. The day of the roll out, they’ll be offering a seminar to help Ellsworth employers move from awareness to action.  The seminar will focus on key leave laws impacting business, how PFML works with existing policies, common challenges and how to prepare, and steps for your business to stay compliant.  Join them on Friday, May 1st, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Moore Community Center.  RSVP for the event at katelin at ellsworth chamber dot org.  

City of Ellsworth Considers Dog Park

(Ellsworth)  Would you like to see a dog park in Ellsworth?  That question posted by the City on FB is drawing mixed reviews.  The proposed park space would have a section for smaller dogs, a splash pad, and other amenities.  Whether the idea gets your tail wagging as a passionate supporter or you feel like growling about the whole idea, show up at the April 30th public workshop to make your woof heard,.  That’s Thursday, April 30th from 5:30 to 7 at the Moore Community Center.  

Fancy Plants Maine to Return

(Ellsworth)  Great news for fans of Fancy Plants Maine in Ellsworth, the Latin-inspired plant-based lunch food truck!  You may recall at the end of last year’s season, owner Jeff Tague announced his wife had accepted a position in Nova Scotia; so the establishment, the easternmost vegan establishment in the Continental US, was up for sale. A buyer was found; and this year the keys were passed to Brianna Adams, who shares a passion for high quality delicious vegan food.  Details are still being worked out on location, menu, and opening dates, but you can now follow the new owner on social media, still at Fancy Plants Maine, so you don’t miss out!

Environment

Tick Season

(Maine)  Last week, it was the bears emerging and the osprey returning.  This week, a cautionary tale about ticks coming back with the warm weather, as well.  Researchers at the University of Maine say ticks have pretty much adapted to warming winters and are a concern year-round.  But there’s no doubt even more so as spring arrives and folks wander out onto the trails and into the woods.  The Midcoast and Penobscot Bay region, prominently Hancock, Knox, Waldo, and Lincoln counties, continues to be Maine’s epicenter for tick exposure and the five bacteria, tick parasite, and virus that can cause grave illness in humans.  Experts say remember to cover up, use Premethrin or another repellant, and check yourself and your pets regularly after being outside.  If you find a tick, they say remove it carefully.  For a small fee, you can send it to the tick lab at the University of Maine to be tested for Lyme.

Health

Tick Vaccine Study

(Rockport)  In 2023, a number of Midcoast residents began taking part in an international Lyme disease vaccine study through MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Clinical Research in Rockport.  The study was led by Pfizer and a French company, and the vaccine candidate proved 70 to 73% effective in preventing confirmed Lyme disease after a four dose series.  Although it fell short of the study’s goal, Pfizer said the study strengthened confidence in the vaccine.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports a year-long extension of the study is now in progress at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital, including only participants enrolled in the first phase of the study.  As of this month, there were 393 cases of Lyme Disease reported so far in Maine in 2026, with 48 of those cases reported in Hancock County.  In addition, eight cases of anaplasmosis, and nine cases of Babesiosis have been reported across the state.  We’ve posted recommended guidelines for protecting yourself on our social media pages.

Human Interest  

Castine Resident Presented Boston Cane

(Castine)  On September 13th this year, Castine resident Doris Russell will celebrate turning 100 years old.  Last week, the Castine Select Board presented her with the Boston Post Cane as the town’s oldest living resident.  The River Observer reports the tradition of the Boston Post Cane goes back to 1909 when  the publisher of that newspaper sent 700 canes to towns throughout New England, each to be awarded to the oldest resident, and then passed on. Russell reportedly received a warm round of applause and many hugs from those in attendance – we’re sending you ours, as well, Doris!

Stonington Town Hall Cuts Hours

(Stonington)  Get in early this week if you need to do business at the Stonington Town Hall.  Penobscot Bay Press reports the town has cut its operating hours and will close to the public at noon daily for the foreseeable future. They say the change is a temporary measure, designed to allow staff time to manage administrative tasks.  Residents needing to do business regarding licensing, vital records, tax payments or other tasks requiring in-person visits will need to visit in the mornings until further notice.

City of Ellsworth Hires New Water Superintendent

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth has a new Water Superintendent.  Eric Nystrom will take over for Mike Harris, who has been doing double duty, also serving as Wastewater Superintendent and Public Works Director. Nystrom, a native of Lincoln, Maine, has worked in both Maine and overseas, serving with the US Army in the Marshall Islands for 25 years before returning to Maine to work.  With the construction of a new water treatment plant, continued expansion of distribution infrastructure, and other upgrades, Ellsworth continues to make significant investments to ensure the City’s water system remains strong for decades to come.  The City says Nystrom will play a central role in overseeing daily operations while helping to guide the long-term future of the system.

National News 04/13/26

UN Ceasefire Talks End Without Agreement

(AP)  President Trump on Sunday said the U.S. Navy would “immediately” begin a blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, after US-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement or next diplomatic steps in sight.  The Associated Press reports a U.S. blockade could further rattle global energy markets and prices for oil, natural gas, and related products.  Trump claimed other nations would be involved in the blockade, but refused to name them, saying, “It’s going to be all or none, that’s the way it is.”

Artemis II Crew Lands Safely

(Undated)  The crew of Artemis II splashed down safely in the Pacific Friday night, after completing an historic flight to the dark side of the moon, going further into deep space than any other humans.  When asked what impression the crew had as they saw earthrise during the mission, Astronaut Christina Koch said what struck her wasn’t necessarily just Earth, but all the blackness around it, adding the complete darkness surrounding our planet reminded her, “we are all living on a lifeboat hanging undisturbingly in the universe.”  

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