Crime/Public Safety

Maine National Guard Executes Rescue Mission on Bigelow Mountain

(Undated)  The Maine Warden Service worked with the Maine National Guard on a real-life rescue mission Tuesday. Maine Emergency Management posts Staff Sgt. Alex Black helped conduct hoist operations from a Black Hawk helicopter to rescue two stranded hikers from Bigelow Mountain, after receiving an early morning request for assistance.  The two women, both hikers from Pennsylvania, were taken to Sugarloaf Regional Airport where they were subsequently transferred for medical care.  According to a Press Release, the 24 yo was suffering from severe hypothermia.  Her hiking partner, a 35 yo, had called emergency services Monday night around 9:30.  Sources say temperatures were in the mid-teens, with 3-5 inches of snow on the mountain.

Ellsworth Fire Department Testing for FY 2027

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Fire Department is now testing for FY 2027 firefighters.  Applicants must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or GED, a valid drivers’ license, and the ability to obtain or maintain a Maine EMS license.  The job entails a 42 hour work week with good pay and benefits, uniforms provided, and a fitness incentive up to a thousand dollars a year. The EFD responds to more than 2400 calls a year, using modern apparatus, equipment, and training, and career growth opportunities.  Apply at ellsworth maine dot gov.  

High Fire Danger

(Undated)  It may seem like we’ve gotten a good deal of rain lately, but the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department reminds residents that fire danger often remains high, even on our drier days.  They say if you do burn, be sure you have a permit, don’t burn when it’s windy, and make sure all fires are extinguished properly and thoroughly.  A fire weather report is posted daily on maine dot gov.

Economy

Maine Seaweed Week

(Ellsworth)  This Friday, Heart of Ellsworth is kicking off Maine Seaweed Week, part of an annual, statewide festival and sponsored locally by Maine Coast Sea Vegetables and Frenchman Bay Conservancy.  Ellsworth is the first accredited Main Street Community in the state to spotlight Seaweed Week.  The week includes an open house and tours of Maine Sea Coast Vegetables from 4 to 6 on April 30th, a seaweed social and film by FBC on May 1st , a special seaweed-themed Jane’s Walk on May 2nd, and seaweed infused drinks and tasty bites at many local breweries and restaurants.  For more information, visit Heart of Ellsworth on FB.

Cannabis Sales Show Signs of Plateauing

(Maine)  This past Monday’s “4/20” date has come to symbolize the cannabis industry, but MaineBiz reports Maine’s adult-use cannabis market is showing signs of a plateau.  Following legalization, the industry experienced several years of rapid expansion, but growth has begun to level off as prices decline and competition among retailers increases.  Sales of adult-use marijuana in Maine slowed to a rate of just over 1%, with sales of about $246M in 2025 compared to $244M in 2024, according to the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy.  In case you missed it, sources say 4/20 is cannabis culture slang for cannabis consumption, coined back in 1971 by a group of high school students who often gathered around 4:20 p.m. outside the school to smoke.  Incidentally, the Portland Press Herald reports the tiny mountain town of Bethel, Maine has the highest concentration of cannabis businesses in the state – with about one dispensary for every 200 residents.

Maine Island Airline Owed $400K by USPS

(Maine)  A Maine island airline says the U.S. Postal Service owes it nearly $400K for mail deliveries dating back to 2023.  The Portland Press Herald reports in addition, Penobscot Island Air has ferried mail 75 days so far in 2026 without payment.  PIA said it had reached out to the government agency to no avail – that is, until it decided to take a small stand and refuse to deliver to midcoast islands on Tuesday.  By Tuesday night, that “small stand” had achieved its desired effect, with the air service saying mail delivery would resume on Wednesday after the USPS agreed to pay about 25% of its $388K balance by the end of the week.  Based out of the Knox County Regional Airport, Penobscot Island Air serves islands in Midcoast Maine through deliveries, as well as taxi and scenic flights.  

Heated Exchange Leads to Another Rejection for Medical Cannabis Dispensary

(Ellsworth)  Tempers flared at Monday night’s Ellsworth City Council meeting over an attempt to license a downtown marijuana business.  The Ellsworth American reports the business license for a dispensary at 71 Main Street has been tabled or denied multiple times, and was denied again April 20th, following a heated exchange between Council Chair Patrick Lyons and Frank Berenyi, owner of Marijuanaville, one of the largest cannabis chain stores in the state.  Council had previously expressed concerns over public health and whether the business meets the city’s newly adopted standards.  Berenyi said he has repeatedly tested his products after a complaint from a patient who allegedly experienced an “adverse health reaction” from the Waterville store.  In addition, Councilors ultimately decided the Main Street location is not a permitted use for such an establishment under current zoning.  Following the meeting, Berenyi said he would be meeting with his attorney, implying accusations of corruption and a potential lawsuit.

Education

UMaine English Professor Introduces Book on King’s Writings

(Orono)  How about a book recommendation on this National Library Week?  If you’ve ever wished you could be a fly on the wall as Stephen King penned his early novels – watching his creative process as he crafted such classics as Carrie, Pet Sematary, and The Shining – now you can enjoy the next best thing.  UMaine English Professor Caroline Bricks has published Monsters in the Archives:  My Year of Fear with Stephen King.  Through close readings of King’s early drafts and comparisons to the final products, Bicks explores how editorial choices and changes, large or small, can impact the pages that rein us in … to a reign of terror.  Bicks says she discovered King’s writing as a preteen in the Castine Public Library back in 2017, and ultimately came to meet the King of Creepy, who the University says has approved the book.

ALA – Working Against Censorship

(Undated)  Everyone should have the right to decide what they do and don’t want to read, or want their children to read.  But the American Library Association reports 92% of all book challenges in 2025 were initiated not for individuals, but by pressure groups and government officials.  That’s up from 72% in 2024.   ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked more than 4200 unique titles challenged in 2025, the second highest ever documented by ALA.  Of those, nearly 1700 represent the lived experiences of people of color and LGBTQ people.  Unite Against Book Bans is ALA’s national initiative to empower readers to stand together in the fight against censorship with an array of resources, tools, and actions.  Learn more at a l a dot org.

Environment

Burning Blueberry Fields

(Brooksville)  Centuries ago, the Wabanaki discovered that burning blueberry fields every few years boosted productivity.  According to the University of Maine, a two year cycle is now the common practice.  Penobscot Bay Press reports burning eliminates pests and keeps competitive vegetation under control.  Because 75% of the blueberry plant is underground, the plants can recover quickly.  Organic farmers typically prefer towed burners, which use specialized equipment pulled by a tractor and fueled by heating oil or propane. They say the method burns deeper and is more effective in eliminating pests.  However, fields can be burned using straw spread across the fields and then set afire.   Residents of Brooksville recently were able to observe a field across from the Town Office being thus burned with the help of the fire department, and of course with a burn permit.

Human Interest

Ellsworth Public Library Unveils New Branding

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Public Library has fittingly chosen this National Library Week to unveil its fresh, new logo. The new branding combines an outline of the historic Tisdale House in which the library is housed, with a forward-looking design that reflects the tagline, “For Every Chapter of Your Life” – a nod to the library’s commitment to lifelong learning, accessibility and community connection across all ages.  Communications Director Berit Becker told the Bangor Daily News the rebrand also addresses three practical priorities – strengthening the library’s marketing tools, proactively meeting accessibility standards, and showing up more consistently to better engage diverse audiences in today’s communication landscape.  You’ll find their fresh, new look as their profile picture on the library’s FB page.  

Spring Farm Day Seeks Volunteers

(Mildbridge)  Mill River Ranch and Better Milbridge are excited to invite folks to their free Spring Farm Day on May 2nd.  The event, which runs from 10 until 2, will include meeting the animals, a scavenger hut, earthworm dig, and crafts like turning pinecones into bird feeders, thanks to the group of homeschoolers and their parents who helped collect the pinecones for the event.  They’re looking for volunteers to help before, during, and after – managing the bunny-zone, craft area, food station, bouncy house, and other stations and brushing animals to get them ready for their close-ups on the 2nd.  Volunteer time can be used as community service hours for teens.  Contact Better Milbridge if you’d like to help out.

The Nite Show Honors George Hale

(Bangor)  Dan Cashman with an encore of The Nite Show played to an enthusiastic crowd last night at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre to honor long-time broadcaster George Hale.  Hale was dismissed from his job as morning show host at WVOM while on vacation last month, prompting public outcry against Blueberry Broadcasting and an outside “consultant” reportedly hired by the corporation.  The evening featured music by Brian Nadeau and the Nite Show Band and a lineup of guests who came together to reminisce and share about the legendary Hale’s more than 70 years in the local broadcasting market.

National News 04/23/26

House Floor Vote Could Gut Endangered Species Act

(Undated)  A House floor vote this week could gut the Endangered Species Act of 1973 – signed into law by President Richard Nixon in response to the alarming rate of species extinction from environmental hazards and land development.  For more than 50 years, the Act has saved 99% of species under its care from extinction.  The potential dismantling of the ESA is especially ironic on a week where citizens worldwide are celebrating Earth Day activities. If passed, HR 1897 will make it more difficult to protect imperiled species – monarch butterflies, Florida panthers, California spotted owls and others – along with  their habitats … and easier for industries to destroy wild places by enabling more clearcutting of forests, polluted waters, and disappearing wildlife.  Contact your Representative to make your voice known.

Ceasefire Extended

(AP)  President Donald Trump said yesterday the U.S. is indefinitely extending its ceasefire with Iran – a day before it was to expire – as a new round of peace talks in Pakistan was on hold.  According to the Associated Press, Iran acknowledged the extension but did not say Tehran was ready to attend a new round of talks.  Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday, throwing efforts to end the war further into question.  The Guard seized two of the ships and was bringing them to Iran, according to Iranian media.  Trump earlier had said the U.S. would continue to blockade Iranian ports, paving the way for continued disruption to traffic in the critical waterway.

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