Crime/Public Safety

Sullivan Fire/Rescue Vandalized

(Sullivan)  Maine State Police are investigating a case of vandalism in Sullivan.  Sullivan Fire and Rescue officials tell Downeast Digest sometime between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, someone vandalized the parking lot at their Tunk Lake Road station.  They say the senseless act costs taxpayers in the long run, and ask anyone with information to contact the Department or Maine State Police

Mt. Katahdin Rescue

(Millinocket)  Two men from Virginia were rescued from Mount Katahdin this week after they were caught in a severe thunderstorm on Wednesday afternoon.  Baxter State Park Director Kevin Adam told the Bangor Daily News the pair, both in their 30’s, were cleared to climb, but the weather worsened as they made their ascent.  The hikers were caught on a section of the mountain known as the “Flat Iron”, which climbers say is difficult even for expert hikers. Rain, hail, high winds, and lightning resulted in the two becoming hypothermic and dehydrated.  Park rangers were notified of their condition shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday, but heavy cloud cover delayed their rescue until around 6:45 Thursday morning, when they were airlifted from the mountain by an Army National Guard helicopter and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Vets Warn Pet Owners About Toxic Algae

(Hampden)  Veterinarians are warning dog owners about a potentially fatal danger this summer.  Doctors at Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic caution if you see a strange blue green algae film in a lake or pond, do not let your dog swim in it.  They say the very rare but deadly toxin is so dangerous, once exposed, animals often pass before you can even get them to a clinic.  Blue green algae will cause severe vomiting and diarrhea and progress to tremors, seizures, and severe liver damage. Experts say although more common in warmer southern states, clear cutting of forests around lakes, fertilizer runoff, and global warming have brought this toxic reality to Maine.   

Maine Marine Patrol Launches New Vessel from Surry

(Surry)  The Maine Marine Patrol this month launched the newest and largest patrol vessel in its fleet.  The Ellsworth American reports the 57-foot P/V Allegiance was officially put into service during a christening event at Perry’s Lobster in Surry.  Marine Patrol Colonel Matt Talbot says the Marine Patrol routinely monitors commercial fishing activity offshore and hauls and inspects tens of thousands of lobster traps annually.  He said while the newest vessel will still be capable of supporting near-shore activities, it will better position officials to conduct offshore commercial fisheries enforcement.  Based in Boothbay Harbor, the Allegiance will also be used for search and rescue and to monitor other fisheries, such as scallop and menhaden.

Economy

Healthy Peninsula Receives AARP Grant

(Blue Hill)  Healthy Peninsula will soon be installing outdoor tables for their Walk-in Cafe, thanks to a grant from the AARP Livable Communities program.  The Cafe is held Wednesdays at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill, and people of all ages and abilities are invited to join them for good food and good conversation.  This year’s Community Challenge grant program is AARP’s largest ever investment, providing a record $8.3M to support 750 quick-action projects that make communities more liveable for people of all ages.

Organization Accepting Applications from Nonprofits

(Ellsworth)  We at Downeast Digest are committed to promoting our local nonprofits … and we’re not alone.  A group known as 100 Women Who Care Downeast Maine is a growing community of engaged, compassionate women who care deeply about the people and issues facing our region.  Members contribute a nominal amount each quarter and then vote on nonprofits with which to share the fruits of their collective giving.  In the past year, the group has donated more than $26K to local nonprofits.  If you have a favorite nonprofit in Hancock or Washington County that could benefit from their compassionate giving, be sure to visit our social media pages and share the post you’ll find there.

Environment

Recent Rains Ease Drought Conditions

(Maine)  Recent rainy weather has significantly eased drought conditions throughout Maine.  The National Weather Service in Gray says the total drought coverage across the state has plummeted to just 8%.  Still, NWS says about 23% of the population remains in drought.  Maine has recovered much faster than neighboring New Hampshire, where 36% of the state continues to be in moderate or greater drought.  Maps we’ve shared on social media give a visual representation of how far both states have come since the historic dry conditions experienced last October.

Trek Across Maine Raises $750K for American Lung Association

(Maine)  Cyclists with the annual Trek Across Maine this year raised $750K for the American Lung Association.  More than a thousand cyclists participated in the 180-mile journey, which wrapped up Sunday.  Local riders included Phil Bailey of Jellison Cove, Rich Lewis and Chris Blodgett of Hancock, and Jack Frost, Vice President Director of Community Giving with Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.  MaineBiz reports more than 240K Maine residents live with lung disease.  Since 1985, Trek Across Maine has raised more than $32M for lung disease research.  

Infrastructure

Tremont Tackles Pothole Problem

(Tremont)  The town of Tremont has decided to tackle the problem of potholes on its own, rather than continue to depend on a backed-up state maintenance plan.  The Mount Desert Islander reports last week the Select Board voted to authorize purchase of a lease-to-own, four-ton asphalt hot box in order to ease growing concern about potholes on state- and town-maintained roads.  Board Chair Jamie Thurlow said the state is not doing the work, in part due to staffing issues, so it was time to take matters in hand and secure the necessary equipment to do the work themselves and do it properly.  Officials said the state does allow towns to patch state-owned roads.  In fact, the state once provided reimbursements, though that’s no longer the case, so repairs will focus on the larger potholes on state roads while patching those maintained by the town.  Tremont officials planned to contact Southwest Harbor about possibly sharing the equipment and splitting the costs.

Sunrise Trail Coalition Gets AARP Grant

(Cherryfield)  The Sunrise Trail Coalition has been awarded an AARP Community Challenge Grant to help renovate Sunrise Trail Camp in Cherryfield.  The group says the project will help create a better camping experience, with shelter and improved access for ATVers, bikers, hikers,and community events.  To keep up on their progress, follow the Down East Sunrise Trail on FB.  

Human Interest

Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day

(Maine)  It’s a profession embraced by generations here in Maine, but one that is no stranger to claiming the lives of those who practice it. Join Green and White Hope in honoring Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day on July 21st.  Two ceremonies are planned in Downeast and Midcoast Maine – at the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial in Lubec at 11 a.m. and at Fishermen’s Memorial Park in Boothbay Harbor at 3 p.m.  In addition, wreaths will be laid at six other memorial locations along the Maine coast.  If you’d like to learn more about the date or available sponsorships, visit Green and White Hope on social media.  

Downeast Institute Presents Day of Aquaculture

(Beals)  Downeast Institute in beautiful Beals, Maine, invites you to the second annual Fintastic Shell-abration – a Day of Aquaculture along the coast.  Bring the family for a tour of an oyster farm and hatchery, explore a touch tank, taste fresh Maine seafood, learn to shuck an oyster, and get to know organizations that are helping to grow Maine’s aquaculture industry.  The day promises to be fun for all ages, is free of charge and is co-hosted by Maine Aquaculture, the Sunrise County Economic Council and others.  This Sunday, from 10 to 3:30 at the Downeast Institute, 39 Wildflower Lane in Beals.

National News 06/26/25

Powerful Earthquakes Rock Venezuela

(AP)  At least 164 people have been confirmed dead after a pair of powerful earthquakes rocked Venezuela on Wednesday, collapsing buildings, closing the country’s main airport and sending panicked residents of the capital pouring into the streets.  The two powerful quakes struck within a minute of each other, with magnitudes 7.1 and 7.5, among the strongest to hit the country in more than a century.  Authorities say the death toll is expected to rise as they sift through the rubble.

US Postmaster General Proposes Restrictive Plan for Mail-In Ballots

(Undated)  U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner has put forth a contentious plan for the US Postal Service involving mail-in ballots.  Under the proposal, state election officials are required to send the USPS a manifest of voters requesting absentee ballots at least 30 days before they’re mailed.  The proposed rule is in line with an executive order by the Trump Administration that will refuse to deliver mail-in ballots for states that do not hand over their sensitive voter data to the federal government.  The U.S. Postal Service is facing severe financial issues, reporting a $2B net loss in the second quarter of 2026.

Apes Get Last Laugh in Human Evolution

(AP)  Whether you’re a creationist, evolutionist, or simply don’t know what to believe, it appears great apes get the last laugh.  A new study suggests humans and great apes have been giggling in similar ways since we went our SEPARATE ways.  According to the Associated Press, researchers tickled 13 captive apes – gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and bonobos – and recorded the results.  They then re-examined decades-old recordings and compared them with newly-captured giggles of four human youngsters while they were being tickled and playing at home.  Turns out our gleefulness follows similar rhythms, with regular timing between laughs.  Scientists say many other animals laugh as well, but their giggles don’t follow human patterns as closely.  For instance, tickled rats respond with ultrasonic squeaks – we’re just tickled to know very few of us, at least theoretically, are related to THEM.  

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