Crime/Public Safety

DV Incident Leads to Arrest in Orland

(Orland)  Authorities this week arrested an Orland man for domestic violence assault and domestic violence criminal threatening.  According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence in Orland about 8 Wednesday morning and encountered an active domestic violence situation.  As a result, 27 yo Michael Greenlaw was taken into custody and transported to the Hancock County Jail without incident.  

Next Step DV Project Offers Help for Those in Crisis

(Ellsworth)  Nationally, one in five women and one in seven men will experience physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime. That’s according to the CDC.  Statistics show a domestic violence assault is reported to Maine law enforcement every two hours and five minutes.  Domestic violence is more than a personal problem – it’s a violation of civil and human rights.  It’s from that belief Next Step Domestic Violence emerged in 1984 as a satellite office of Spruce Run Association, the first domestic violence project in Maine, and just the third in the United States.  From Eastport to Topsfield, Bar Harbor to Bucksport, Next Step is on a mission to end domestic violence in homes and across communities.  If you or someone you know is facing abuse, reach out to their free 24/7 helpline to learn about emergency shelter, legal assistance, court-accompaniment, long-term supportive housing, and resource referrals.   1-800-315-5579.  

Local Politics

Justice Department Sues Maine Over License Plate Issue

(Augusta)  The US Department of Justice this week sued the state of Maine, accusing it of unconstitutionally denying federal law enforcement access to undercover license plates.  According to the lawsuit, Maine’s BMV is refusing to issue undercover plates to federal agencies such as ICE unless they certify the vehicles won’t be used for civil immigration enforcement.  The Justice Department says Maine’s policy undermines the safety of law enforcement by making it easier to identify undercover vehicles.  Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows paused the issuance of such plates earlier this year, saying, “We don’t have secret police in a democracy” and vowing to defend the matter’s constitutionality in court.

Latest Polls

(Maine)  A new poll by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center shows former Senate President Troy Jackson tied with the perceived Democratic Primary frontrunner and former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah.  The Portland Press Herald reports on the Republican side, Bobby Charles was leading Jonathan Bush by double digits.  The poll shows significant movement since February.  The survey comes less than two weeks before the June 9th primaries and is the first poll showing Jackson in first place, although experts caution polls are not predictive and only represent voter sentiment at a certain point in time.

Economy

Mobile Home Park Residents Fight Rent Hikes

(Hancock)  Residents of a Hancock mobile home park say their corporate owner is pricing them out of a once-affordable community by excessively raising rent. The Bangor Daily News says Hancock Heights Mobile Home Park was acquired by Sun Communities about five years ago; and since then, the corporation has raised rates, but lowered maintenance standards.  Many of the park’s residents live on fixed incomes, which compounds the problem.  Sun Communities, which owns more than 500 communities across North America and the UK,  failed to respond to the BDN’s request for comment.  Efforts to cap lot rents are gaining momentum in many places, with towns imposing rent control ordinances.  In other instances, residents are buying their parks to prevent corporate ownership and the problems that come with it.

Families First Receives Support from Maine Association of Realtors

(Ellsworth)  Twenty nonprofits will share $185K from the charitable arm of the Maine Association of Realtors.  The monies will be used to address housing needs for low-income individuals and households across the state.  Among the recipients, Families First Community Center in Ellsworth will receive $10K to help provide rental payments and fuel assistance for its seven-unit transitional housing community.  According to MaineBiz, other $10K awardees include four Habitat for Humanity offices, with funding to help support home repairs and construction costs.  Four other organizations received grants up to $7K for home repairs and emergency heating assistance.

Environment

Court Orders Sand to Remedy Penobscot River Contamination

(Orrington)  A section of the Penobscot River near Orrington’s Picnic Park suffered mercury contamination in the late 1960’s and 70’s when the former HoltraChem plant spewed illegal discharges into the river.  This summer, approximately 9,400 tons of clean sand will be deposited in that area of the Penobscot to cap 6.3 acres of intertidal flats.  The Bangor Daily News reports the court-ordered project is on track to begin in mid-August and will take several months to complete, with barges used to spray a 4 to 6 inch cap of the clean, coarse sand over the contaminated mud.  If successful, the pilot project could lead to the same type of cleanup on some 130 acres of contaminated tidal flats.

Health

Brewer Man’s $10M Gift Will Establish Cancer Research Center

(Brewer)  A Brewer man’s $10M gift will establish a local genomics and cancer research center in honor of his wife, who he lost to cancer.  The Portland Press Herald reports The Jim and Cathy Gero Center will expand access to genomic clinical research trials and advanced cancer treatments in Maine.  Researchers around the world are focused on examining a person’s genes to determine how they might contribute to cancer susceptibility, with a goal of developing precise treatments.  The Maine Cancer Registry shows of every 100K people in Maine, approximately 472 have cancer – about 30 more than the U.S. average … with higher cancer incidence rates identified in Hancock, Washington, and Penobscot Counties.  The gift will help provide Mainers access to the most advanced treatment options, which they say could turn hope into reality.

Grief Support Group

(Ellsworth)  Maine has certainly had its share of grief this month.  If you’ve been one who has suffered a loss, Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County invites you to their next Grief Support Group,  The group will meet Mondays from 10 a.m. until Noon at the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center in Ellsworth, from June 1st to July 20th.  They say whether your loss was recent or long ago, you are not alone.  The group offers connection, understanding and support as you navigate through your healing process.  Pre-register by phone or visit hospiceofhancock.org.  

Infrastructure

Surry Road Work Update

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth says the culvert repair work planned for the Surry Road near the Black House at Woodlawn that was scheduled to begin this work has been delayed by the contractor.  It’s unclear when the work will now take place, but city officials say it is still planned and will move forward.  They’ll keep everyone updated on their social media pages, and we’ll pass any updates along, as well.

TLC at Ellsworth Fields

(Ellsworth)  Something “hole-y” will be going on at Wilson Field and Knowlton Park in Ellsworth beginning Monday.  Starting June 1st the City’s Parks and Recreation team will be aerating and overseeding both areas in order to help keep the grass healthy and ready for a busy summer season.  Work should take about a day.  Areas will be temporarily unavailable while being worked on.  If you see crews making laps up and down the fields, just be patient and know they’re working to keep community spaces looking their best.

Nicolin Road Work

(Ellsworth)  A heads up if you drive Nicolin Road in Ellsworth.  Beginning Monday, June 1st, Public Works crews will be doing road ditching work on Nicolin between the railroad tracks and Route 1A.  They say expect one-lane alternating traffic in the area; so if you can, take an alternate route.  If you must drive that way, officials ask that you slow down and keep the folks who are working there safe.

Human Interest

EPL Honored in Photo Contest

(Ellsworth)  Mirror, mirror, on the wall – who’s the most photogenic of them all?  In Ellsworth, it’s the staff at the Ellsworth Public Library!  Each year, The Association for Rural & Small Libraries holds a Spring Photo Contest, with those eligible encouraged to submit photos that capture outstanding or everyday moments that represent the library. This year’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners were all from Maine, including the Ellsworth Public Library’s second place award for their photo celebrating custodian Edmund Murray’s 32 years of service.  ARSL said the photo honors the quiet dedication that keeps our libraries running. To see the winning photo, check out the library’s FB page … or ours – of course, we’re proudly sharing it there, as well.  

Hancock County Day at Woodlawn

(Ellsworth)  Help Woodlawn celebrate the opening of the 97th season of the Black House Museum.  On Saturday from 9 until Noon, Hancock County residents are invited to enjoy a free Open House.  Explore the Black House Museum, visit the barn and carriage exhibit, and enjoy Woodlawn’s beautiful trails.  Woodlawn is Ellsworth’s history – consider becoming a member while you’re there and support them as they move into the future.  

National News 05/29/26

Iran War Update/Voting Changes

(AP)  The latest now on the Iran War from the Associated Press.  U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and begin negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.  That’s according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.  The President still needs to sign off on the emerging pact.  In other national news, a federal judge has declined to halt Trump’s Executive Order creating a federal voter list and limiting mail-in voting, clearing the way for potential sweeping changes in how American elections are run shortly before this year’s midterms. With the President’s approval rating at an all-time low, the Administration is scrambling to influence elections and fix voting results through gerrymandering, the so-called “Save Act” and other means designed to help them win in a country increasingly dismayed by Trump’s handling of the economy, the war, the Epstein files, rants on social media, and the pardoning of and attempts to compensate those who tried to overthrow the government during the January 6th riots.

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