Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

FBI Will No Longer Investigate Alleged Assaults by ICE Agents

(Biddeford)  The FBI will no longer investigate alleged assaults involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, such as the fatal shooting of a man in Biddeford earlier this month.  According to the Bangor Daily News, under the policy shift, such cases will be turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, an arm of ICE, meaning the agency will police and investigate itself.  The change was first reported by the New York Times.  ICE Agent David Brouillette, who reportedly has a history of violence and domestic abuse, is accused of fatally shooting 25 yo Colombian immigrant Johan Sebastian Guerrero as he left for work in Biddeford on July 13.  Guerrero, a husband and father of a three-year-old,  was in the United States legally, and was not the target of the immigration enforcement operation at the time.

Local Politics

Jackson Appears to Be Democratic Nominee for Senate Run

(Augusta)  Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson appears poised to become the Maine Democratic Party’s choice in a race to defeat Republican Senator Susan Collins in November.  The Portland Press Herald reports the 601 delegates headed to this Saturday’s convention are unpledged; but Jackson’s four top rivals have dropped out, with most throwing their support behind Jackson.  

Economy

“Affordable” Housing?

(Bath)  With all the talk of “affordable housing” being hard to find, a property owner in Bath, Maine is selling two residential structures for the total purchase price of one dollar.  That includes the house known as the “Deering House” on Washington Street.  What’s the catch?  Any prospective buyer must be able to demonstrate the financial and logistical means to remove and relocate the structures to a legally permissible site no later than November 20th of this year.  Inquiries must be received by August 13th, 2026.  Sources say Bath Iron Works bought these and other properties in order to make way for a parking structure, although that has not been confirmed.

Bucksport Seeks Return of Land After Development Fails to Materialize

(Bucksport)  The town of Bucksport is attempting to reacquire a vacant lot from a developer they say failed to follow through on an agreement to build a mixed-use development on Main Street in exchange for its one dollar purchase price.  According to the Bangor Daily News, Ellsworth-based SFS Development, LLC has not responded to multiple letters sent by the town.  The perceived lack of follow through is another stalled effort to bring needed housing to the town, where a separate planned 58-unit affordable housing project is on hold indefinitely due to funding challenges experienced by Penquis.  Bucksport’s goal for selling the property was to increase commercial spaces on Main Street, along with providing market-rate rental housing.  The registered agent for the LLC reportedly did not return a request by the BDN for comment.

Bar Harbor Explores Lodging Tax

(Bar Harbor)  The town of Bar Harbor is actively exploring a local option lodging tax.  MaineBiz reports a task force is spearheading the proposal, in order to support tourism-related infrastructure. They say they’re hoping to shift the financial burden of tourism from its 5200 year-round residents to the some four million tourists who visit each year.  The tax would reportedly offset costs for public restrooms, street cleaning, sidewalks, and summer policing.  A 1% lodging tax would generate $1.5M, while a 2% tax would raise $3M.  Visitors already pay a 9% statewide lodging tax, and Maine law currently bans local option taxes.  But The Bar Harbor Town Office is attempting to build a coalition with other Maine towns to lobby the state legislature for a policy change.

Back to School Shopping Underway for Many

(Undated)  All right, kids, cover your ears.  The National Retail Federation says families are getting a jump on back-to-school shopping, with 62% of shoppers already making purchases this month.  While that’s down from last year’s 67%, it’s well above 2024 figures.  Households with children in grades K-12 plan to spend just under $864 on average, adding $43B to the economy.  And as if higher education isn’t pricey enough, back-to-college spending levels are expected to reach more than $103B!

Business After Hours Event Benefits Aging Community

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce’s recent Business After Hours at Jones, Kuriloff & Sargent not only raised awareness of the various legal services the firm provides, it also raised funds for a variety of programs that support the aging population of Hancock County.  Nearly 100 business and community leaders were on hand at the event, with Jason Parent, CEO of Community Action in Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties, thanking attendees for their support of Friendship Cottage, the area’s only adult day care facility for those with mental, physical and mobility challenges.  August’s Business After Hours will be a Block Party on August 20th, co-hosted by the Ellsworth School Department.

Health

Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Causes Lettuce-phobia

(WaPo)  The cyclosporiasis outbreak has everyone wondering how safe it is to eat those leafy greens.  As the multistate outbreak continues – seven thousand have already been sickened – investigators have linked the contamination to Taylor Foods de Mexico, which reportedly supplied shredded lettuce to Taco Bell and others, though there are reports of tests of that lettuce being false-positive. The outbreak has been concentrated in the midwest – Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.  But a 27-state recall list includes shredded lettuce, as well as many bulk-food service packages with a “best by” date of August 3rd.  Maine is not among those listed, but New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida and North Carolina are.  The FDA’s warning to consumers this week continues to be not to eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Foods de Mexico.  Investigators say they’re still unsure whether lettuce is the sole source of the outbreak.  

Human Interest

Gatherings in Surry Plants for the Future

(Surry)  Folks at The Gatherings in Surry are planning … and planting for the future.  Thanks to assistance from Maine Farmland Trust, they’ve been able to purchase five apple trees – Triumph and Honeycrisp – which they say will add another dimension to The Gatherings’ many other offerings for public enjoyment.  The project was spearheaded by board member Dave Hollenburg.  The Gatherings in Surry  is a community building with a mission to foster community through such offerings as Board Game Nights, food drives, yoga, open mic nights, and Spanish classes.  The facility can also be rented for special occasions.  Visit them at 1208 Surry Road, and be sure to follow them on FB.

Ellsworth Public Library Pop-Up

(Ellsworth)  Today’s the day!  Be sure to come on out to Knowlton Park this morning between 9 and 10 for the Ellsworth Public Library Pop-up Bikemobile … or is it a Bookmobile?!  Thanks to a grant from the Maine Community Foundation, the library now has books on a bike!  Meet the Purple Peddler, enjoy a free book giveaway, make a paper kite, sign up for library cards and summer reading.  The morning is weather dependent – so check the library’s FB page for a rain date if this morning’s skies don’t cooperate!

Milbridge Days!

(Milbridge)  Our most popular “Where in the World is Sonnie?” giveaway was our visit to the town of Milbridge!  And this weekend, one of our favorite summer events is happening there!  Milbridge Days!  The event kicks off Thursday with a cribbage match, Friday, it’s the Better Milbridge pet parade and a concert at the marina with the Allison Ames Band.  On Saturday, it’s the Grand Parade, a day of vendors, arts, and crafts, a 5K and fun run, kids activities, and the Fire Department’s Annual Lobster and Clam Cookout!  And, of course, the nationally recognized codfish relay!  The day ends with a spectacular fireworks display over Narraguagus Bay.  For a complete schedule of events, visit Milbridge Days on FB.  See you there!

Bad Review Ends up on Tee Shirt

(Portland)  You might want to think twice the next time you post a negative review.  The Portland Press Herald reports a tourist named Sandra posted she was visiting the Highroller Lobster Company in Portland when she spied a man in a car outside the restaurant smoking marijuana.  She said because the man who then went inside the restaurant to work was “stoned out of his mind”, her group decided not to even go into the eatery.  Amused by the review, Highroller leadership did a mock up and had the review printed on tee-shirts – shirts they say quickly sold out.  The restaurant addressed the reviewer, telling her, “Sorry you didn’t like what you saw … but we’re busier than ever…”, adding they just got about a thousand new followers and a ton of sales.  They didn’t even wait for the smoke to clear … 

Flagg to Appear on Family Feud

(Undated)  NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg is set to appear with his family on “Family Feud” tomorrow evening.  The Bangor Daily News reports the Maine native’s team will consist of Cooper, the first overall draft pick in 2025 who now plays for the Dallas Mavericks, his twin brother Ace, older brother Hunter, Mom and Sports Hall of Famer Kelly, and father Ralph.  The team will be playing to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, with which they are said to have a close, personal connection.  The show is scheduled for 8 p.m. on ABC and can be next-day streamed on-demand via Hulu.

National News  07/22/26

Pentagon Runs Short of Cash as it Sinks Billions into Iran War

(WaPo)  The Pentagon is facing an urgent budget shortball, due largely to the war in Iran, with some critical lines of funding set to run out within weeks, even as President Trump escalates the conflict with Tehran.  The Washington Post reports the funding crunch is already leading the Pentagon to limit training and maintenance that help to maintain military readiness, according to current and former officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was scheduled to ask the Senate Appropriations Committee for more funding on Tuesday.

Trump Shuts Down Iran Talks

(AP)  President Donald Trump on Tuesday offered a dim view of possible talks with Iran to end the war, telling reporters the United States has “no interest in meeting” until Iran is ready to convene “in a meaningful way”, likely pushing fuel prices higher and continuing to cost taxpayers billions.  Meanwhile the U.S. military identified a third American soldier killed while disarming a drone in Iraq, as 30 yo Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton.  That comes a day after the names of two others killed in Jordan while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks were released.  Seventeen U.S. service members have died since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28th of this year.

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