Crime/Public Safety

Burglary Suspect Released on Bail

(Ellsworth)  A suspect who, along with four under age young men, allegedly broke into dispensaries in Ellsworth and Trenton early Monday morning is being released to his mother on $500 unsecured bail.  18 yo Larando Sweeting appeared before Justice Patrick Larson in court in Ellsworth this week.  He’ll be on house arrest pending resolution of his case.  Sources say Sweeting attends high school remotely and is to live with his mother in Auburn and be in her residence between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.  After reportedly leading authorities on a high speed chase, Sweeting was stopped when police laid down spike strips.  The four minors involved were taken to juvenile detention facilities.

Local Politics

Transgender Sports Petition Invalidated

(Augusta)  A referendum question on transgender students in Maine schools likely won’t appear on the November ballot.  NewsCenter Maine reports on Thursday, a top official with the Maine Secretary of State’s office ruled the question invalid because a petition to get the question on the ballot did not have the required number of valid signatures.  While the petition was initially certified in March, a petition requesting a review of the signatures was filed in court.  The judge ruled more than 8600 of the 71 thousand-plus signatures should not have been validated for reasons ranging from the petition circulators leaving forms unattended, submitting unwitnessed signatures, allowing duplicate signatures, and other discrepancies.  Objections to the decision must be sent by email to the Secretary of State’s office no later than 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 23rd, with a final ruling expected Tuesday morning.  

SW Harbor/Trenton Enter Mutual Aid Agreement

(SW Harbor)  The towns of Southwest Harbor and Trenton have entered into a mutual aid agreement to ensure operations are uninterrupted after SW Harbor’s Code Enforcement Officer left following his probationary period.  Officials declined to say why Jarrod Kushla was no longer employed by the town, but said SW Harbor is pivoting quickly to ensure needs are met in a timely manner.  According to the Mount Desert Islander, the town is looking for a permanent, full-time replacement.

City of Ellsworth to Sport New Look

(Ellsworth)  They say everything old is new again, and that seems to be the case with the City of Ellsworth’s new identity.  City officials say their new logo sports a familiar slogan – “Ellsworth, the Friendly City” – a return to a long-standing identity they say continues to resonate with residents, businesses, and visitors.  City Manager Charlie Pearce said the words represent what he has loved most about serving the community, adding, “Ellsworth is a city with growing economic and regional importance, but it remains approachable, welcoming, and connected.”  The new logo and slogan will be rolled out slowly in some cases, in order to be fiscally responsible with stationery and other materials on hand.

Memorial Day

(Undated)  Monday is the official Memorial Day holiday.  Government offices, post offices, schools and banks are closed in observance.  A National Memorial Day Observance will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, and numerous local communities have parades and other observances planned.  The day is set aside to honor the men and women in the armed forces who gave their lives protecting the country and the freedoms and Democracy for which it stands.  According to The History Channel, Memorial Day was celebrated as early as the 1860s, following the Civil War. It officially became a national holiday in 1971.  Traditionally, American flags should be flown at half staff on Monday until Noon, then raised.  More than ever, Americans say it’s important to be aware of the price paid for freedom and perform their civic duty to protect the cause for which those men and women gave their lives.  

Education

GSA Appoints New Head of School

(Blue Hill)  A longtime Blue Hill educator is set to be the new Head of School at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill.  The GSA Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Shelly Schildroth, a GSA graduate, following a lengthy search process.  Schildroth has long worked as an educator in Hancock County, most recently serving as Curriculum Director for RSU 24 in Sullivan.  She’ll replace Dan Welch, who is leaving at the end of the school year for a position closer to his home.

Environment

EEMS Second Graders Plant Trees

(Ellsworth)  When Ellsworth’s second graders become young adults, they’ll likely enjoy the shade of trees they planted as kids.  This week, Ellsworth Elementary Middle School students helped plant eighty trees at the Jordan Homestead Preserve, Ellsworth’s tree nursery where trees are grown to one day provide a canopy on the streets of Downtown Ellsworth.  It’s the third year EEMS second graders have participated in the hands-on learning experience, made possible by a village of forward thinking environmentalists, including the City, Green Ellsworth, the Ellsworth Garden Club, Tree City USA, the Ellsworth Arbor Commission, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, and the Maine Conservation Corps.  You can see the delightful young diggers in action on a reel they’ve posted on FB.  

Maine Experiences Record-Breaking Heat for May

(Maine)  Downeast Mainers breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as cooler weather blew in, following  record-breaking temps earlier in the week.  Sources say Portland shattered its daily high temperature for May 19th, reaching a sweltering 92 degrees – the previous record for that date was 86, set back in 1949.  Bangor tied its daily high of 89, which was also the high in Augusta – just two degrees shy of its 1962 record of 91 degrees.   Stay tuned.  Brian says, like Thursday,  the next couple of days are going to be much more seasonal.  

Acadia Gateway Center Hosts Ribbon Cutting, Grand Opening

(Trenton)  The Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton opened officially this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Open House.  The Center held a soft opening last September, late in the season and not long before a lengthy government shutdown.  Speakers at the May 20th ceremony included Governor Janet Mills and Tony Cameron, CEO of the Maine Tourism Association. The center includes a facility in which Island Explorer buses can park and be maintained.  The Island Explorer began running routes from the center and around the Park Loop Road on Wednesday to coincide with the Grand Opening.

Human Interest

Birch Bay Village Contra Dance

(Bar Harbor)  This week a group of seniors proved you don’t have to be young to be young at heart.  Birch Bay Retirement Village held its very first Contra Dance – they say it was a fantastic success, thanks to talented caller Alice Slayter and the lively tunes of The Big Moose Band.  The event was the idea of Birch Bay’s Jackie Zeisloft Brehm, who brought together residents from neighborhoods across Birch Bay, as well as members from the Adult Day Program.  To enjoy watching them in action, visit Birch Bay Retirement Village on Facebook.

Bucksport Legion 93 Nears Fundraising Goal

(Bucksport)  Bucksport-based American Legion Post 93 set out to match a private foundation’s challenge of raising up to $10K in donations by Memorial Day. To date, they’re just shy of reaching that goal. The River Observer reports some of the donations will sponsor four Bucksport High School Juniors’ attendance at Dirigo State next month at Colby College in Waterville.  Dirigo State is a week-long program where students create town, county, and state governing bodies.  Other donations will help the post make repairs to their headquarters, including much-needed electrical upgrades, purchase of a heat pump, and exterior storm windows.  They say donations are still welcome.  And with Memorial Day on the horizon, they say anyone needing a marker for a memorial flag can email  a m l e g post 93 at gmail dot com.

Beloved Volunteer Bids Farewell to Ellsworth Public Library

(Ellsworth) A beloved library assistant at the Ellsworth Public Library will be making her final grand appearance tomorrow at their Mer-May event.  They say, expect lots of sequins.  Ms. Jean will be making sure everyone celebrates their favorite Merfolk with stories, songs, games, crafts, and a bubble parade. If you feel so inspired, DO dress like a mermaid or sea creature, wear something shimmery, or do whatever feels right.  Meet at the Riverwalk behind the library at 11 a.m. – the event will be held outside, weather permitting.  Come help wish fair seas for the effervescent Joanna Sands as she moves on to spend more time with family.

 Infrastructure

Surry Road Dip to Be Fixed

(Ellsworth)  You may have felt a bit low as you traveled down the Surry Road near the Black House at Woodlawn.  That’s because of a major dip in the road.  The City of Ellsworth says the days of that dip are drawing to a demise.  Beginning Tuesday, May 26th, Sargent Construction will be in the area replacing the culvert and fixing the roadway.  Work will likely continue for most of the week, with traffic reduced to one lane and alternating traffic through the work zone.  Sounds like a bit more of a bump …  in order to have smoother days ahead.

National News 05/22/26

Trump Vows to Intervene in Cuba

(AP)  President Donald Trump yesterday said past presidents have mulled intervening in Cuba for decades but, “it looks like I’ll be the one that does it.” The Associated Press reports a day earlier, he had said the opposite after federal prosecutors announced criminal charges against former Cuban President Raul Castro in the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles. Intervention would likely further entangle the United States in foreign matters without a concrete plan.

Commission Approves Design for Trump Arch

(AP)  Despite overwhelming opposition from the public, the US Commission on Fire Arts on Thursday approved the design for the triumphal arch President Trump wants built at an entrance to the nation’s capital.  The proposed arch is one of several projects Trump is pursuing in order to leave his imprint on Washington, most at taxpayers expense, including a proposed billion dollar ballroom where the East Wing of the White House stood.  Trump has also insisted on having his photo on US passports, his portrait on US currency, and had a gold statue of himself erected in Miami.  Legislators in deference to Trump, have also proposed renaming Grand Teton, Yellowstone Road 287 “Trump Highway”, renaming Dulles International Airport after Trump, and adding his likeness to Mount Rushmore.  

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