Crime/Public Safety

Crews Battle Massive Brush Fire in Greene

(Greene)  Firefighters yesterday battled a major 10-acre forest fire in the Androscoggin County town of Greene.  Reports say the blaze sparked heavy fire on both sides of the tracks and was spreading towards homes when they arrived at the scene near Sullivan and College Roads.  A helicopter was called in as the fire crowned in the trees.  The Auburn Fire Department reported 10 acres on one side of the tracks and an acre on the other.  Multiple fire departments responded and battled the blaze for several hours. 

Local Politics

Collins Breaks with Party on Iran War

(Washington, DC)  Maine Senator Susan Collins continues to break with her party when it comes to the war in Iran.  The Bangor Daily News reports Maine’s Republican Senator argues Congress must either formally authorize the war or bring it to a close.  As gas prices and inflation rise due to the oil crisis, the conflict is becoming increasingly unpopular; yet the White House continues to sidestep congressional oversight.  The stakes for Collins are high as she enters the 2026 race for a sixth term, likely facing off against Democrat Graham Platner, whose stunning popularity makes him odds-on favorite in the June 9th primary.

Federal Judge Overturns Part of Bar Harbor Cruise Ship Ban

(Bar Harbor)  A federal judge has overturned part of Bar Harbor’s cruise ship ban, calling the ordinance unconstitutional in all months except July and August.  In a 32-page order, US District Court Judge Lance Walker concluded the ordinance’s thousand passenger cap is not excessive in relation to its local benefits during peak summer season, but is clearly excessive in its shoulder seasons.  Bar Harbor officials planned to meet with legal counsel in executive session yesterday to review the decision and receive legal advice regarding the next steps.  The ordinance was the result of a citizen’s initiative passed by voters in November 2022, but has faced legal challenges since then from a group of business leaders known as APPLL and others.

Mills Endorses Pingree for Gubernatorial Primary

(Augusta)  Hannah Pingree picked up a huge endorsement Tuesday in her bid to become the Democratic candidate for Governor of Maine.  Current Governor Janet Mills called the former House Speaker the candidate best prepared to lead the state through future challenges.  Mills pointed to Pingree’s experience working in public service and policy, education, healthcare, climate issues, workforce development, and civil rights, calling her “a leader of courage, integrity, strength, compassion, and action.”  Pingree faces Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson, businessman Angus King III, and former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shaw in next month’s Democratic Primary.

Economy

Ellsworth Recognized for Economic and Cultural Renaissance

(Ellsworth)  MaineBiz and others this week recognized the City of Ellsworth as experiencing an economic and cultural renaissance, transitioning from a pass-through gateway to a thriving year-round destination.  Propelled by recent national historic designations, thanks to Heart of Ellsworth, along with strategic infrastructure investments, and an influx of local businesses, the city has added more than $700M in new property valuation in the past five years.  Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places unlocks historic tax credits to fuel further preservation and business investment without imposing restrictive new zoning regulations. A downtown housing project is targeting underutilized spaces to increase housing availability, the Arbor Commission has undertaken an ambitious tree planting program, and the Ellsworth Public Library, a hub of programs and resources, anticipates federal CDS funding for much needed expansion and upgrades.

Education

Maine to Hold Citizens’ Assembly on Education

(Bangor)  Next month, Maine will hold its first citizens’ assembly on education.  According to The Portland Press Herald, the initiative will bring together delegates from across the state to define forward-looking priorities for PreK thru 12 education in Maine.  In all, 64 volunteers from all 16 counties will come together as part of an initiative called Maine Education 2050.  The gathering comes as the state is facing a number of education challenges, with fourth grade math and reading scores among the lowest in the country.  The state also faces school construction needs and the rising cost of special education.  Researcher Jennifer Chace, who organized the program, said the goal is to help lawmakers and state leaders feel empowered to take action based on the will of the people.

Joan Benoit Samuelson Helps Launch Literacy Effort Through Dirigo Reads

(Maine)  In 1984, Maine runner Joan Benoit Samuelson took the lead in the first Women’s Olympic Marathon and never looked back.  Still running at age 69, these days, Samuelson is also in a race to help kids read through the nonprofit Dirigo Reads, co-founded by Nite Show host Dan Cashman.  She was recently spotted reading to first graders at Pond Cove Elementary in Cape Elizabeth and has named Dirigo Reads this year’s beneficiary of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, a race founded by Samuelson.  WGME reports as part of Dirigo Reads, every first grader receives a new book each month during the school year, helping them to build their own home library.  Dirigo Reads says they’ve distributed nearly 29K books to the 86 Maine schools involved in the program.

Environment

No Mow May

(Undated)  If you haven’t mowed yet, don’t sweat it!  In fact, eco-friendly folks say it’s great if you can put it off a couple more weeks.  No Mow May is a conservation campaign that asks homeowners to skip lawnmowing during May in order to let dandelions, clover, and the like bloom and provide crucial nectar for early-season pollinators – bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.  Such sources are scarce in the early spring, so putting off the mowing helps increase biodiversity.  Some experts encourage going even a step further by making long-term changes, such as replacing lawns with native plants.

Acadia National Park Updates

(Bar Harbor)  If you’re headed to Acadia National Park during this nice stretch of weather, here are the latest updates.  A section of the Park Loop Road, from Kebo Street to Sieur de Monts is closed to all uses through June 12, excluding Memorial Day Weekend.  Detours are posted.  As of today, you’ll need a reservation to catch the sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain – you can make reservations at Recreation.gov.  The Cadillac Summit West parking lot was scheduled to reopen today.  And according to nps.gov, several trails remain closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons, including Jordan Cliffs, Penobscot East, Precipice, and Valley Cove Trails, along with the parking lot for Precipice Trail.  The Carriage Roads are now open for walking and biking.  

Health

Camp CaPella Seeks Nurses for Summer

(Dedham)  Camp CaPella in Dedham is looking for nursing staff to work with them this summer.  The camp is an amazing facility that provides life-changing recreation, classes, and more for persons of all ages who have intellectual disabilities.  They’re in need of day time nurses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  If interested, call or email Mikele at the camp.

Human Interest

Memorial Day Gathering in Sullivan

(Sullivan)  Age Friendly Sullivan and the Town of Sullivan invite community members and neighbors to join them for a Memorial Day Gathering on Monday, May 25th, from 10 to 11 a.m. to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.  The service will be held at the Sumner Park Gazebo, and everyone is welcome to attend.  Services are also planned in Ellsworth, Blue Hill, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Hancock, and Gouldsboro, among other local communities. 

Hot Dog Happy Hour at Peabody Memorial Library

(Jonesport)  No need to wonder about lunch if you’re in the Jonesport area tomorrow!  Hot Dog Happy Hour is back Thursday at Peabody Memorial Library.  Sponsored by the Friends of the library, you get a steamed hot dog on a bun, chips, your choice of macaroni, pasta, or potato salad, a drink and a surprise dessert … all for just five bucks.  Add an extra hot dog for just $2 more!  Call the library no later than 4 p.m. today to reserve yours!  All proceeds benefit children’s events and the book fund at the library. You can take your chances and walk in on Thursday, while supplies last.

Hammond Lumber Donates to Support Searsmont Victims and Families

(Undated)  When it comes to tragedy, here in Maine, folks generally step up to help – often in a big way – to support those in need.  Lumber giant Hammond Lumber is donating $100K to support victims and their families after Friday’s deadly disaster at a lumber mill in Searsmont.  A Hammond spokesperson said, “As a Maine company, our communities are like family … and tragedies like this are felt deeply by all of us.”  According to The Bangor Daily News, the donation will go to the Maine Strong Memorial Foundation, which is working with the town of Searsmont and other officials to raise funds to support those injured in last week’s fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber Mill.

Jonathan Fisher House Receives Grant

(Blue Hill)  The Jonathan Fisher House in Blue Hill has received a $10K grant from the 1772 Foundation and Maine Preservation. They say the monies will go directly toward material preservation efforts and is an excellent addition to the $247K grant received from the Historic Preservation Commission earlier this year.  The house opens July 8th, offering tours of the parsonage, built in 1814 by the town’s first congregational minister.  Fisher was also an artist, farmer, scientist, mathematician, surveyor, and writer of prose and poetry.  An orchard near the house boasts a nearly 200 year old pear tree, whose fruit still wins recognition at the Blue Hill Fair.

Infrastructure

Larger ATV’s and UTV’s Mean Extra Maintenance on Trails

(Maine)  As the weather warms, tens of thousands of riders will be on the state’s 6K miles of trails with their all terrain vehicles.  The Portland Press Herald reports as the season kicks off, there’s sharp division over a new generation of popular off-road vehicles that landowners say threatens to force them to restrict access.  With 80% of Maine’s ATV trail system on private property, experts say that’s a problem.  A law that went into effect in 2021 limits ATVs to 65 inches wide and 2,000 pounds.  But the state lacks the capacity to enforce the rule, and they say vehicles continue to get bigger and more popular, leading riders to push for changes landowners say go too far, and resulting in an impasse.  One warden said people want the larger vehicles because they carry more people, are more comfortable, and can tackle tougher terrain, but mused the bigger and wider machines are better suited for Western ranches than for Maine trails.  

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