Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Woman Critically Injured After Falling from Cliff at ANP

(ANP)  A woman was critically injured Friday when she fell 30 feet off a cliff near Thunder Hole at Acadia National Park.  According to the Bangor Daily News, the woman suffered a serious head laceration and potential broken bones.  The high-risk rescue operation necessitated response by the U.S. Coast Guard, local EMS, and a LifeFlight helicopter.  Sections of the Park Loop Road were shut down for a time in order  to accommodate first responders.  The incident happened Friday morning as the tide was rapidly rising along the rocky coastline.  Sources say bystanders pulled the woman from the water, and Coast Guard crews then transported her via boat to a nearby pier, where she was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition.   

Anger, Protests Continue to Mount Against ICE

(Biddeford)  Anger and protests continue to mount after the continued killings of innocent persons by agents of Immigration and Customs  Enforcement.  Maine’s congressional delegation is pressing ICE and the Department of Homeland Security for answers after an agent shot and killed Colombia native Johan Sebastian Guerrero last week in Biddeford.  Guerrero was in the U.S. legally.  The 26 year old married father of a three year old was not the subject of a warrant being served by an agent identified as David Brouillette.  Two of Brouillette’s ex-wives say he has a history of violence and abuse, with one claiming he asked her to lie about his history to authorities after the killing.

Fire Destroys Home in Harrington

(Harrington)  Crews from multiple departments responded to a house fire in Harrington Friday.  Flames were seen coming from the roof and up the back side of the fully involved structure, which was located on Main Street near Forest Street.  Sources say the homeowner and a dog escaped safely, but a cat believed to have been inside the house was missing.  The home appears to be a total loss.  No word on a possible cause. 

Ellsworth Man Dies of Injuries in Explosion

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth man injured in a suspected propane explosion and fire on a bus-turned-RV last week has succumbed to his injuries.  59 yo Bruce Spencer was seriously burned in a Tuesday afternoon fire on North Street.  Bruce was a longtime employee of Friends & Family Market in Ellsworth Falls.  Patrons flooded FB with memories of a man they said was one of the most helpful and kindest human beings and who was quick with a joke and always there to lend help when needed.

Local Politics

Lubec Tables “Fire Department Cost Recovery” Proposal

(Lubec)  Could you be billed for fire or emergency responses?  An ordinance being considered by the Lubec Board of Selectmen would have made such the case for that community.  First proposed during an April budget workshop, the Maine Monitor reports the measure was modeled after a similar policy in Calais and was aimed at recouping expenses by charging residents or their insurance companies flat fees and hourly rates for fire suppression, rescues, and traffic incidents.  The issue was officially tabled after intense community pushback.  Instead, the board approved funding for the new Paula Tinker Memorial Lubec Junior Firefighters program, aimed at recruiting and training local youth between the ages of 12 and 16.

Economy

DIAA Receives Large, Anonymous Gift

(Deer Isle)  Color the Deer Isle Artists Association and its colorful composing happy.  Island AdVantages reports the group received an anonymous unsolicited gift that will allow them to purchase the building DIAA has called home for many years.  The unnamed couple who made the donation said they wanted to ensure the arts group had a permanent home in the relatively new structure, which was built in the mid-2000s.  Since 1973, DIAA has awarded scholarships to high school students, offered free workshops, hosted gallery exhibitions and winter artist residencies, and provided financial assistance through its Artists Helping Artists program.  Board President David McBeth says the gift will allow them to expand even further with future offerings. 

UMaine to Partner in Initiative to Strengthen New England Seafood Industry

(Orono)  The University of Maine will be a partner in a $15M initiative to strengthen New England’s seafood industry.  Mainebiz reports the program, led by a Portsmouth, NH nonprofit, will involve research, technology innovation, and workforce development.  UMaine’s role will involve oceanography professor Damian Brady and his team helping to develop, deploy, and test more than a dozen water-quality sensors in order to support scallop, oyster, and kelp aquaculture farms across Maine’s coast.  The new low-cost sensors are designed to provide temperature, salinity, oxygen, chlorophyll and acidity data in real time.

Environment

Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Canadian Smoke

(Undated)  While Canadians suffer unimaginable loss and heartbreak as hundreds of wildfires burn out of control, destroying homes and even entire villages, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Canadian imports in retaliation for the hazardous smoke drifting across the border into the U.S.  Trump claimed the U.S. is being “unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air” because, he claims, Canada refused to engage in basic forest management.  Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back against the criticism, saying both nations have a responsibility to combat climate change, which has fueled the severe droughts and high temperatures behind the blazes. Meanwhile, the majority of Americans have taken to social media to assure their northern neighbors, who many times have sent firefighters to help control fires in California and other parts of the U.S., they do not support the President’s claims and threatened actions.   

Blue Crabs Come to Maine

(Maine)  Fishermen have been battling green crabs that invaded the Gulf of Maine since they arrived from Europe a century ago.  Now, another colorful crustacean is adding to concerns.  The Portland Press Herald reports the unwelcome blue crab is migrating north from mid-Atlantic waters.  While yet another threat, scientists say they could also be beneficial.  Recently published research shows the larger blue crabs can and do kill and eat their smaller green counterparts.  Bowdoin College biology student Reuben Siegel tested that premise by putting the two together in tanks.  He says a war of the crabs ensued, with the blue crabs largely winning.  It’s yet to be determined whether the blues will have a more negative or positive impact on the teeming sea life in the Gulf or whether it’s a matter of trading one problem for another.

Human Interest

Wine & Wickets at Woodlawn

(Ellsworth)  Participants say it’s the best Happy Hour around!  Wine & Wickets is back this year at Woodlawn in Ellsworth.  Grab a friend, sip some wine, and see for yourself why golf croquet is making a comeback.  They say it’s easy to learn, surprisingly competitive, and a great excuse to spend a summer evening outdoors.  Never played?  Join them at 6 p.m. for a quick lesson before games begin at 6:30.  Ages 21 and up welcome, athletic shoes recommended – croquet whites not required.  Next dates are July 28th, and August 11th and 25th.  Sign up at woodlawnellsworth.org.

Camden National Bank Seeks Non-profit Board Members to Honor

(Maine)  Do you know a nonprofit board member who is making a real difference here in Maine?  Camden National Bank is seeking five outstanding leaders for their 2026 Leaders & Luminaries Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership that strengthens nonprofits and communities.  Each chosen recipients’ organization will receive $5K.  If you know a nonprofit board member who leads with passion, strengthens their organization, brings fresh ideas, inspires others, and makes a lasting impact, nominate them by August 31st.  Contact Camden National Bank for details.  

Death of the Stick Shift?

(WaPo)  Raise your hand if you can drive a stick shift – well, not if you’re driving one, please!  The Washington Post reports the art of driving a stick shift is fast becoming a lost art, especially with the rise of EVs and autonomous vehicles.  Fewer than one percent of new vehicles made for the U.S. market in 2025 were stick shifts.  At .06 percent, it was an all time low and a precipitous drop from the 34.6% of manual transmission vehicles produced in 1980.  Subaru made its name with manual cars, but stopped offering a manual Crosstrek with the 2023 model year.  Volkswagen plans to ditch its last stick shift model, the Jetta GLI, this year.  And Toyota says this year’s GR Supra model would be its last, dropping its number of stick shift option vehicles from four to three.  While they can be a challenge to drive in traffic, there’s no better way to go than an open road and a manual …

National News  07/20/26

Experts Say Reflecting Pool Issues Likely Caused by Improper Application

(Washington, DC)  While President Trump continues to blame vandals without evidence, experts say the lining of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool peeled away in at least seven places along the seams created when the material was applied in large, rectangular sections, indicating problems with how it was installed.  A Washington Post analysis of visuals and interviews with experts says the damage that appeared just after the $14M renovation in early June shows all the failures occurred at the seams – lines between two areas that were painted at different times.

White House Teleprompter Operator Won Big with Illegal Bets

(Washington, DC)  The operator of a White House teleprompter used his position to win around $100K by placing bets on the prediction market Kalshi about what President Trump would say in his speeches.  The New York Times reports Gabriel Perez, a technical assistant to the president, had placed wagers on common words that would appear in his speeches, such as country names and economic terms.  It’s the latest accusation against those affiliated with the administration of using insider information to make a profit.  Perez is reportedly cooperating in discussions with federal regulators to settle allegations of using inside knowledge to place bets.

Two U.S. Service Members Killed

(NYT)  An Iranian attack over the weekend killed two U.S. soldiers in Jordan.  The two were the first U.S. troops to die from hostile fire since an April truce.  The deaths prompted U.S. forces to launch an eighth straight night of strikes against Iranian military targets Sunday.   The New York Times reports the Jordanian base came under fire from Iranian ballistic missiles and drones on Friday, according to U.S. Central Command.  

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