Crime/Public Safety

Thomaston Fire/EMS Honored

(Thomaston)  Members of the Thomaston Fire and EMS Department were recognized earlier this month with the Phoenix Award for their role in saving the life of a patient who went into cardiac arrest.  The Phoenix Award is presented through Maine EMS and recognizes emergency responders involved in cardiac arrest cases where a patient survives because a process known as Chain of Survival is successfully implemented.  The process involves the combined efforts of emergency responders, dispatchers, bystanders, hospital staff, and the community … working together to achieve a successful outcome.  Members receiving the recognition included Advanced EMT’s and Paramedics on the Thomaston staff, and the Department’s recognition of firefighters who provided assistance at the scene.

Washington County Fatal Crash

(Charlotte)  Maine State Police are investigating a fatal crash that happened early Saturday morning in the Washington County town of Charlotte.  Officials tell Downeast Digest, 40 yo Robert Boggia, Jr. of Whiting, had been at a bar in Calais, where he threatened people with a firearm before fleeing, prior to the arrival of authorities. Police say he was spotted driving a red Corvette on Route 1 in Calais at speeds of up to 150 mph.  Baileyville police attempted unsuccessfully to catch up with the suspect.  A Washington County Deputy was on Charlotte Road when Boggia’s vehicle raced past him shortly before 1 a.m.  The Deputy was also unable to catch Boggia, but shortly thereafter came across the crash scene and found Boggia had been ejected and was spotted a significant distance from the vehicle. Charlotte Road was closed for several hours while Troopers investigated. They say that investigation is ongoing.

Lightning Safety Awareness Week

(Augusta)  With Sunday’s thunderstorms rolling through resulting in several lightning strikes, there couldn’t be a more appropriate time for Lightning Safety Awareness Week.  Maine Emergency Management tells Downeast Digest, across the U.S., some 25 million lighting flashes occur annually … each one posing a lethal threat.  They say if thunder is audible, no matter how faint, you’re already at risk of a strike.  Scientists say lightning can reach temperatures of 50K degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than the surface of the sun; so if you hear thunder or see a flash, head for shelter immediately.  For details about the science of lightning and tips on safety during a storm, visit the US National Weather Service Gray, Maine on FB.

Four Year Old in Critical Condition After Near Drowning

(Kennebunk)  A four year old girl was listed in critical condition at MaineHealth in Portland Monday, after a possible near drowning at a Hampton Inn Pool.  Sources say rescue crews responded to a medical emergency at the hotel in Kennebunk around 9:30 Saturday morning when they received reports of a child who wasn’t breathing after being pulled from the hotel pool.  They say the victim was in cardiac arrest, and crews immediately began resuscitation efforts.  The child was initially taken to MaineHealth in Biddeford, then was flown by medical helicopter to the facility in Portland.

Local Politics

Land Return Nearly Doubles Mi’kmaq Nation Territory

(Aroostook County)  The Mi’kmaq Nation’s territory almost doubled Friday with the return of 3,400 acres near Bridgewater to the Aroostook County based tribe.  The Portland Press Herald reports that of the four Wabanaki tribes, the Mi’kmaq Nation received federal recognition last, in 1991.  They and the Houlton Band of Maliseet hold far less land in Maine than the Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation.  The newly returned property contains forests, wetlands, and more than three miles of North Whitney Brook, a stream with a thriving brook trout population.  The Conservation Fund negotiated a below-market value sale and purchased the parcel from a forestry company last year, then held it on behalf of the tribe.  

Economy

Late May Frosts Could Threaten Maine’s Blueberry Crop

(Maine)  Blueberry barrens across Maine suffered from last year’s drought and are threatened again this year by frosts in late May.  Fragile pink flowers were already in bloom near Cobscook Bay in Pembroke after an initial warmup.  Although they’re hanging on, farmers say they won’t know if the harvest was truly spared until the new fruit grows large enough to cut in half.  They tell the Portland Press Herald if the flesh inside is green, the fruit survived the frost, but a brown interior indicates the berry is dead.  It’s a uniquely Maine crisis, as the state grows 99% of the nation’s wild blueberries, a native ground-hugging ecosystem that grows naturally, favoring the acidic soil left behind by retreating glaciers.

Blueberry Parcels for Sale in Penobscot

(Penobscot)  Two blueberry properties are currently for sale in the Hancock County town of Penobscot.  Island Ad-Vantages reports the listings, totaling 130 acres, come amid continued pressure on the state’s wild blueberry industry, including low prices, rising costs, and shifting land use.  The industry has lost about 8% of its acreage each year since 2020, according to the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine.  The Penobscot fields for sale are owned by Wyman’s, who acquired 2800 acres of blueberry fields from Allen’s Blueberry Freezer in Ellsworth in 2021.  Colleen Craig, Wyman’s Director of Marketing, said the poor harvest in 2025 and the sale of select fields are not connected.  Wyman’s has another 158-acre field for sale in Searsport.  A nonprofit group there is raising funds to save that blueberry barren.

Stonington Seeks Listing as National Historic District

(Stonington)  The town of Stonington hopes to have its downtown designated as a Historic Preservation District.  The listing could mean state and federal tax credits of up to 65% of a commercial building’s rehabilitation costs. Island Ad-Vantages reports National Register and Survey Coordinator Michael Goebel-Bain told town officials earlier this month, the listing doesn’t create any new obligations and is an honor from the beginning. The “honorary” status can qualify building projects for substantial tax breaks.  He added the state has no interest in restricting property rights.  The process leading to the current phase began in 2015, with 20 of 24 buildings proposed meeting the eligibility requirements to be listed.  Current steps include notifying and communicating with building owners, who will vote on the designation and its potential impact.  Goebel-Bain said if approved, the designation could occur before the end of the year.

Environment

Maine CDC Updates Freshwater Fish Advisory in Waldo County

(Unity)  Residents of Waldo County are under a new freshwater fish consumption advisory, due to newly documented elevated levels of PFAs, or forever chemicals, in bodies of water in Freedom, Knox, Unity, and Winslow. Recent testing of fish in those locations by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection found levels of the chemicals to be above the Maine CDCs recommendation for regular consumption.  Recommended restrictions range from not eating any fish species from Sandy Stream between Stevens Road in Unity and the confluence with Half Moon Stream, to consuming no more than one meal a month to no more than five meals per year of certain species in various locations along the stream.  For more information, visit the Maine CDC website under maine.gov.

Health

Blood Pressure Medication Recalled

(Undated)  The Food and Drug Administration is recalling thousands of bottles of the blood pressure medication known as chlorthaladone because it may be ineffective.  The medication in question is in tablet form and has an expiration date of April 2027.  Officials say the medication, a diuretic used to treat high blood pressure and other health issues, failed dissolution specifications and should be returned to your pharmacy.

Infrastructure

Brooksville Secures Federal Grant for Dredging Project

(Brooksville) The town of Brooksville has been awarded a $900K federal grant for its upcoming dredging and pier project in Betsy’s Cove.  According to Harbor Committee Chair Mark Shaughnessy, the grant will cover half the $1.8M price tag .  Penobscot Bay Press reports the grant is a major boon for a project inching closer to completion, following nearly a decade of efforts by the town to revitalize its primary maritime access.  Due to the buildup of silt, Betsy’s Cove is currently inaccessible at low tide, resulting in a lack of all-tide access along Brooksville’s 50 miles of coastline, and long impacting the local marine economy.

Human Interest

Woodlawn Opens Woodlawn Family Papers Collection to Researchers

(Ellsworth)  Woodlawn in Ellsworth announces the opening of the Black Family papers to researchers.  The collection includes significant documentation of the history, land development, lumber industry, and business activity of Downeast Maine.  It consists primarily of the business records of John Black, a prominent merchant and land agent in the early to mid 1800s, who managed extensive holdings for the heirs of Pennsylvania proprietor William Bingham.  Documents also include those of his son, George Nixon Black.  The papers offer rare insights into the commerce, land transactions, and daily life in 19th century Maine.  Access to the papers is available on Fridays this summer, by appointment only.  Questions can be directed to collections@woodlawnellsworth.org.

Community Dinner and Screening of The Grocery List

(Ellsworth)  No need to cook tonight!  Come on down to 50 Church Street in Ellsworth and relax, as Jesse Steiger from Conscious Cafe cooks up a special dish while you watch the final film in the PBS Indie Lens Series, “The Grocery List”.  Presented by the Ellsworth Public Library and hosted by Top Chef contender Chrissy Camba, the show highlights five bustling international grocery stores in America and the communities they serve.  On hand will be locals who grow, sell, write about or cook our food, including Provender owner Daron Goldstein, cookbook author Jane Crosen, and members of the Blue Hill Coop and Downeast FarmDrop.  Dinner from Jesse’s delicious grill will be available by donation while you watch, enjoy, and celebrate the diversity and community that brings us together through food!

National News 06/23/26

Trump Blames Reflecting Pool Disaster on Vandals

(Washington, DC)  Park Police have arrested at least five people this week, accusing them of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, after efforts to re-do the landmark produced disastrous results.  The Trump Administration had the pool drained, painted blue, and re-filled with water from the Potomac at a cost to taxpayers of more than $14M.  The pool almost immediately began turning green with algae.  Workers then poured hydrogen peroxide in the pool, resulting in huge chunks of the blue paint peeling and floating to the surface, where visitors began taking pieces home as a souvenir of the botched project.  The administration responded by accusing “vandals” of taking a knife and cutting the paint and pouring corrosive chemicals into the pool, with no evidence whatsoever to support such claims.

Vance Says Talks Set “Good Foundation” for Deal to End War

(AP)  Vice President JD Vance on Monday said his lengthy talks with senior Iranian officials created a “good foundation for a successful final deal” as the Trump Administration hustles to end the war with Iran that began February 28th when the United States and Israel invaded the Middle Eastern country.  The Associated Press reports Tehran effectively closed the strait after the attack, cutting off much of the world’s oil supply – at least a fifth of which flows through the Strait.  Vance says talks in Switzerland include “mechanisms” to ensure the waterway stays open and addresses the fighting between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon.

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