Crime/Public Safety

Event Cancellations

(Ellsworth)  A couple of cancellations we want to let you know about … the screening of The Grocery List scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ellsworth Public Library has been canceled.  Funeral services for Grayson Mote, the young man who died in the paddleboarding accident on Graham Lake, are set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Ellsworth High School.  And don’t forget the fundraiser for the Mote family tomorrow night from 4:30 to 6:30 at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth.  Items for the silent auction can be dropped off at the Ellsworth Police Department.  We join the library in extending our deepest condolences to the Mote Family.

(Searsmont)  Also, due to the tragedies in Searsmont with the loss of a firefighter, and so many others injured, as well as the death of Game Warden Joshua Tibbetts, the death of fisherman Stephen Johnson, and the death of Grayson Mote, and the ongoing impact on so many in the Public Safety community, Maine EMS has coordinated with the Friends of EMS for Maine and made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Maine EMS Memorial and Awards ceremonies scheduled for this Thursday, May 21st in Augusta.  They say they hope to reschedule; and again, we join them in sending our thoughts to the families, responders, and loved ones at this difficult time for our Maine communities.

Robbins Family Members Among Those Hospitalized After Explosion

(Searsmont)  A family spokesperson Monday released a statement saying three members of the Robbins family, which owns the mill in Searsmont, are among those being treated following Friday’s explosion and fire at the mill.  Two of the owners and another family member were taken to the burn unit at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  According to a statement from Catherine Robbins-Halstead and the Robbins family, the three have a long road to recovery ahead but are in the best hands and are receiving excellent care.  The family asked that any fundraising monies be directed to local fire departments or Shriners in honor of those impacted by the tragedy.  The family said the company, founded in 1881, will rebuild.  The Maine Department of Public Safety on Monday released a list of those injured.  We’ve shared that on our social media pages.

Authorities Investigate Ellsworth Break-In

(Ellsworth)  Five people have been charged in connection with an alleged break-in Monday morning at Smokey Bear Tobacco and Beverage on High Street in Ellsworth.  According to a scanner report, the five were in a black Toyota Rav stolen out of Lewiston Auburn.  The suspects – an 18 year old and four youths – reportedly lead state police and others on a high speed chase at speeds over 100 mph while throwing glass bottles onto the road through the vehicle’s sunroof.  The five are suspected of smash-and-grabs at the dispensary shortly after 5:30 yesterday morning and a similar break-in at a Trenton business known as The Happier Choice. Sources say the males were arrested when the vehicle they were in crashed after state police were requested to set up spikes on Route 3.

EMS Week

(Undated)  This week is EMS Week, honoring the contributions of EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and out-of-hospital medical personnel.  The week was first formalized by President Gerald Ford in 1974, and this year’s theme is “Improving Outcomes, Together”, highlighting the crucial collaboration between EMS professionals, 9-1-1 dispatchers, public health agencies and others.  Members of Moosabec Ambulance Service in Jonesport will be visiting schools in Beals and Jonesport Wednesday and Thursday mornings and will host an Open House Saturday from 11-2 with burgers and hotdogs for sale to anyone who would like to stop by.  Speaking of stopping by, do visit your local ambulance providers this week and let them know they’re appreciated.   

Local Politics

Stonington Updates Comprehensive Plan

(Stonington)  The Town of Stonington is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, last updated in 2018.  The second of two public visioning sessions is set for tonight at 6 p.m. via Zoom only, and the public is encouraged to attend and offer input.  A comprehensive plan is a roadmap outlining where a community is currently, where it wants to go, and how it plans to get there.  Cities and towns are required to update such plans every ten years.  They say tonight’s visioning session is a key early step in planning,  and provides an opportunity for residents, property owners, and community members to share priorities, concerns, and ideas for Stonington’s future.  The town says its very successful 2018 plan has resulted in millions of dollars of investment in the town.  Contact the town office for a  link for tonight’s Zoom session.

Economy

Number of Mainers Using Snap Benefits Declines

(Maine)  The number of Mainers receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has plummeted by more than 11,000, according to state officials.  This, following sweeping changes enacted by Congress earlier this year.  The Portland Press Herald reports the new law shifted more of the cost burden to states, slashed benefits to certain groups of people, and ended work requirement exemptions for many others.  Hunger prevention advocates say rural areas of the state, where food insecurity rates are highest and more people tend to rely on the program, are being hit especially hard.

Environment

ANP Grows Quieter with Loss of Songbirds

(ANP)  Rachel Carson’s 1962 landmark book Silent Spring was a warning about man’s effect on nature.  Scientists say that effect is being felt at Acadia National Park, whose forests, research suggests, have grown quieter over the last half century, in part because of our fast-warming climate. The Portland Press Herald reports studies show some bird species are growing fewer in number, while others have disappeared altogether.  26-year-old researcher Gillian Audier spent last summer recording forest birds at Acadia for Schoodic Institute.  She says while most visitors today might not notice, the historical record clearly shows the woods were much louder with birdsongs when first catalogued by grad student Ron Davis in 1959. The results, Audier says, are sobering.  The park’s most common bird, the black-throated green warbler, is heard three times less often. To visitors the forest sounds lively.  To those who know its history, it sounds empty.

Infrastructure

Isle au Haut Ferry Schedule Change

(Isle au Haut)  If you utilize the Isle au Haut Ferry and Mailboat, you’ll want to make note of a schedule change.  The Spring service to Duck Harbor begins this Saturday, and they’ll begin Sunday Service on the 24th, leaving Stonington at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  On Memorial Day – that’s Monday, May 25th – they’ll be following the Sunday schedule.  You can buy your tickets at the Ticket Booth starting this weekend before boarding the boat in Stonington.  Visit their website, isleauhaut.com, for more details.

Ellsworth Line Striping

(Ellsworth)  A quick change to a story we told you about yesterday.  The City of Ellsworth now says there WILL be a bit of a road closure this morning – or at least High Street between McDonald’s and Town Fair Tire will be down to one lane while crews paint the crosswalk there.  Work will begin about 9 a.m. and is expected to take about two hours.  Also, R.F. Jordan will be doing sewer work near 260 Water Street, resulting in a single lane closure in that area for most of the day.  They ask motorists to expect delays, slow down, and if you do have to drive in those areas, please use extra caution.

Human Interest

Where in the World  Winner

(Undated)  Congratulations to this week’s “Where in the World” winner, Arlene Chandler of Cherryfield, who, like many others, correctly guessed we were in Machias last week.  We’ve sent Arlene a $25 gift card to Dunkin’.  This week, we’ve pulled a location from our archives – we’re sure you’ll find it easily recognizable.  And since it IS “Where in the WORLD…”, we’re a bit outside of Maine this week.  Check out our social media pages and register your guess at the link provided by midnight Friday for YOUR chance to win a $25 gift card to Dunkin’.  And thanks so much for playing!

Stonington Opera House Works to Make Live Performances Accessible to All

(Stonington)  Opera House Stonington in recent years has taken steps to make live performances more accessible to the community.  Island AdVantages reports they’ve reinstated Pay What You Can nights, and more than one quarter of their performances will have a ticket price of five dollars or less, thanks to grants and sponsors.  The moves are paying off, as evidenced by a packed house for this month’s performances of On Island, which drew nearly 500 people.  Executive Director Eric Sanger said it helped that many friends and neighbors were on stage, the subject matter was relevant and contemporary, and the play echoed lives on Deer Isle.  The 24-member cast included actors ages 10 to 80, with some having no previous experience in theater.

National News 05/19/26

US Halting Medicare Enrollments for Home Healthcare and Hospice Providers

(Reuters)  A senior administration official says the Trump Administration will temporarily block new home health and hospice providers from enrolling in Medicare, citing concerns about widespread fraud.  Reuters reports the Trump administration has singled out some Democratic-led states, including California and Minnesota, as not doing enough to combat fraud but also ramped up oversight of hospices in Georgia and Ohio in 2025.  In announcing the fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance in March, without providing evidence, Trump alleged incidents of fraud were higher in Democratic led states than in Republican led states. In Republican-dominated Florida, a software CEO was recently convicted in a billion dollar Medicare fraud scheme, representing one of the largest cases of its kind and resulting in a jury verdict on May 14th of this year.

Fund to Compensate Trump Allies

(AP)  While Americans continue to struggle at the pump, grocery stores and elsewhere, the Trump Administration on Monday announced the creation of a $1.7B fund to compensate allies of the Republican president who believe they were mistreated by the Biden Administration Justice Department. The Associated Press reports the nearly $2B so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is part of a settlement that resolves Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns and will allow those who believe they were targeted for political purposes to apply for payouts.   Democrats and government watchdogs called the move “corrupt” and unconstitutional. 

Trump’s China Trip

(AP)  In spite of stark private warnings from Chinese leader Xi Jinping over Taiwan and lingering regional conflicts, President Trump returned from his state visit to Beijing claiming “tremendous success”.  Trump pressed China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, to use its economic leverage to force Tehran into a peace deal.  While Xi offered to help broker peace and reopen the shuttered Strait of Hormuz, the Associated Press reports he gave no firm enforcement commitments but did assure Trump China would not provide military equipment to Iran.

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