Crime/Public Safety

Penobscot County Sheriff Investigates Fatal Pedestrian Crash

(Bradford)  The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a Tuesday afternoon crash that killed a pedestrian.  Authorities say the crash happened around 12:40 p.m. on Route 221 in Bradford.  Preliminary findings indicate a sedan traveling south struck the pedestrian who was in the roadway.  First responders attempted to revive the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.  Officials had not yet released the names of those involved as of late Wednesday.

Arrest Made Involving Vehicle Theft in Ellsworth

(Holden)  A man suspected of stealing a vehicle from Oak Street in Ellsworth Wednesday morning was arrested at a market in Holden.  Captain David Lord of the Ellsworth Police Department told Fox Bangor he received a report yesterday morning of a stolen Toyota Tacoma that was headed toward Bangor.  Authorities issued an alert, and Holden police quickly located the vehicle near the G&M Family Market.  Holden was investigating a possible drunk driving charge but were withholding the suspect’s identity as they finalized potential charges.

Lithium Battery Safety

(Undated)  A recent analysis indicates lithium ion battery fires are a growing problem that extends across the supply chain, including warehousing, shipping, and waste disposal.  Several recent local fires are blamed on lithium batteries – including a blaze that destroyed a home in Mariaville last month.  The Ellsworth American investigated and found not all rechargeable batteries pose the same dangers as lithium ion batteries.  But experts say if a battery gets too hot – from overcharging, physical damage, or an internal short, its internal components begin to break down, generating more heat and producing heat faster than it can be shed.  Safety precautions include considering the age of your tools (they say newer tools have built in safeties), and the biggest precaution – don’t keep them plugged in.  When charged, unplug them.  And, of course, if there is a fire, they say call 9-1-1 immediately.  

MCJA to Graduate 67 Cadets

(Vassalboro)  Sixty-seven cadets will graduate Friday from the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program, an intensive 18-week residential program that prepares new officers for careers in law enforcement across Maine.  The program began in February with 79 enrollees.  This year’s cadets represent 42 different municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies.  The ceremony will be held indoors at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro, beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow, and the public is welcome to attend.

Authorities Investigate Suspicious Fire in Bath

(Bath)  The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a suspicious fire that happened Tuesday morning at the Masonic Temple in Bath.  Police and fire departments responded  after it was discovered an American flag hanging from the front of the Washington Street building had been burned.  Investigators scoured the scene and determined the fire had been intentionally set.  The fire has been classified  as arson.  Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the office of the state fire marshal.  

Economy

New Therapy and Balance Center Opens in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth continues to attract new businesses.  One of the latest, Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers Downeast, celebrated its Grand Opening Wednesday at 75 Washington Street.  Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cheesecake from Momo’s while getting a firsthand look at the innovative physical therapy, balance, vestibular, and orthopedic rehabilitation services now available locally.  The group also presented donations collected for the Eastern Area Agency on Aging Furry Friends Food Bank as part of the celebration.  Welcome to Ellsworth!  

Sun Bucks Program Returns to Washington County

(Machias)  Sun Bucks, the summer EBT program for eligible students, is back in Washington County this year.  The federal grocery benefit provides children ages 6 to 16 whose families are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, TANF, or similar programs with a one-time benefit of $120.  Funds will be automatically loaded onto recipients’ Pine Tree EBT card or cards from the previous year beginning June 5th and should show up by June 15th.  Families that need a replacement card can order a new one by calling the 800 number we’ve listed with this story on our website.

1-800-477-7482.

Education

Students Complete DARE Program

(Hancock County)  Over the past several weeks, students at Cave Hill in Eastbrook, Mountain View in Sullivan, and the Ella Lewis School in Steuben celebrated completion of the eleven-week DARE program.  The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says graduation ceremonies were filled with proud families, excited students, and well-earned smiles.  Sergeant Rob Morang teaches the program at all three schools, and so we also celebrate his dedication, energy, and genuine concern for the students in leading this valuable program, which teaches kids early on the dangers of substance use and abuse.

Infrastructure

Plans to Replace Isle au Haut Wharf Move Forward

(Stonington)  While Isle au Haut Boat Services is currently operating regular mail, passenger, and freight runs from its Stonington wharf, plans are underway to completely replace and upgrade the aging mainland terminal.  The Penobscot Bay Press reports the current terminal requires major structural repairs, so plans are moving forward to demolish and replace the Seabreeze Avenue dock in Stonington.  In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to dredge the island’s thoroughfare down to six feet in order to improve access and prevent service delays during extreme low tides. Following a successful site review, a public hearing on the future of the mainland terminal is set for June 18th.  

Human Interest

Locomotive Restoration Continues in Hancock

(Hancock)  For more than six decades, Maine’s last operating steam locomotive languished at a Waterville park, all but forgotten, building up years of grime and rust.  But the Ellsworth American reports New England Steam Corporation, a group of passionate industry members and local residents, is leading efforts to restore Maine Central #470 at a workshop near the Downeast Scenic Railroad on Washington Junction Road in Hancock.  The nonprofit has spent more than $500K on the restoration, with the estimated total cost expected to be around $2M.  NESC President Paul Van Steenberghe says they welcome volunteers to come learn and help with the process of restoration.   They also have an “adopt a rivet” program to help with fundraising.  Van Steenberghe said steam engines made the country what it is today, taking people from the east coast to California.  He added, if it takes 25 years, it will be worth it to see Maine Central #470 on the tracks again.

Jesup Celebrates Opening of Library Expansion 

(Bar Harbor)  The Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor on Wednesday celebrated a “soft opening” of their new expansion.  Visit during regular library hours and explore the new spaces as they work toward completing the final touches.  They say the $11M expansion and renovation project doubles the size of the historic 1911 building.  The 12K square foot addition provides modern accessibility, an elevator, a 150-seat auditorium, expanded youth areas, and climate-controlled archives.  For library days and hours, visit jesuplibrary.org.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Sends Notes, Flowers to Chamber Winners

(Ellsworth)  We recently shared a blog about the value of writing personal notes.  Research shows writing by hand lights up multiple parts of our brains – areas associated with creativity, memory, and our senses – in a way that emailing does not.  A big shoutout to Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, who this week put pen to paper and sent personal, handwritten notes to the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce and the recent awards night winners, along with flowers.  Most of those receiving the notes were so touched, they shared the thoughtfulness on their FB pages.  Kudos to those who take time to use their voices and the few minutes it takes to promote, encourage, and champion others. To learn more about the value of such a simple action, check out unionriverinnovation.com.  

Bangor Savings Bank Donates to Make-A-Wish

(Ellsworth)  Bangor Savings Bank employees are helping make wishes come true – and not just through banking.  During the month of April, they raised $8,500 to donate to Make-A-Wish, a nonprofit that grants the wishes of children facing terminal illness.  The amount raised fulfills an entire wish for a local child and his or her family.  During the month, bank employees wore blue and personally donated funds to the cause.  Beyond employee donations, Bangor Savings supports Make-A-Wish through community grants with its Community Matters More program.

National News  06/04/26

Hawaii’s New Law Pushes Back on Citizens United

(Undated)  Few would disagree money these days has too much influence on politics.  Now, Hawaii has become the first state in the nation to enact a law designed to circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling known as Citizens United.  The state’s novel legal strategy to block corporate money from influencing local, state, and federal elections within its borders doesn’t explicitly overturn the court’s ruling, which protects corporate political spending under the First Amendment.  Rather, the law classifies corporations doing business in Hawaii as “artificial persons” whose chartered powers do not include the ability to spend money or contribute anything of value to influence elections or ballot measures.  The new law will go into effect in that state on July 1 next year.  Montana is reportedly poised to follow the Aloha State’s example.

D-Day Anniversary

(Undated)  Saturday is the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day, the day largely credited with turning the tide of WWII and saving the world from Hitler and the grasp of Naziism.  At 6:30 a.m. on June 6th, 1944, more than 156K Allied troops stormed the beaches of Nazi-occupied Normandy, France, having crossed the rough seas of the English Channel.  Five beaches along a 50 mile stretch of the Normandy Coast served as Allied landing points.  Sources say fate, luck, and preparation combined with the element of surprise and the love of freedom that resulted in the success of the naval and aerial assault.  D-Day began the liberation of France and eventually the rest of Western Europe from Nazi control.  No better way to honor the sacrifices of those who fought and died than to protect our Democracy today from any threats against it.

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