Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Storms Cause Tree to Fall on Bus Carrying Children from Camp

(NH)  Downeast Maine missed the worst of it, but the storms that moved through parts of Maine and New Hampshire on Wednesday produced a tornado warning and funnel cloud in the Skowhegan area.  WMTW reports several children were treated for minor injuries after a tree fell on a school bus in Newbury, New Hampshire that was taking kids from a camp.  Pictures show the bus sustained significant damage, but sources tell Downeast Digest the children were mostly just shaken, with a few treated at the scene.  Storms moved through the area about 10:30 a.m., bringing heavy rain and gusty winds.  A 49 year old Maine woman died July 16th when storms tore through Corinth, causing a large tree branch to break off and pierce her windshield.  

Stranded Paddleboarder Rescued

(Rangeley)  A thirteen-year old paddleboarder was rescued this week after he became stranded without a paddle on Rangeley Lake.  The Bangor Daily News reports the youth was paddling on the lake when calm conditions suddenly changed, with strong winds whipping up whitecaps and one- and two-foot swells. A family member began searching for the victim in a kayak after losing sight of him and found the teen drifting a mile and a half across the lake toward Oquossoc.  Rangeley Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Grant threw the boy a lifejacket and pulled him from the water, where he was taken to a waiting ambulance and was reported to be alert, thankful, tired, and cold.  Officials warn conditions on lakes can change quickly; and anyone planning to go out on the water should wear a life jacket and keep an eye on the forecast.

Hancock Volunteer Fire Department Seeks Workout Equipment

(Hancock)  Got some workout equipment that’s gathering dust, serving as a clothing rack or 

simply taking up space?  The Hancock Maine Volunteer Fire Department is hoping to create a workout area with some of the extra space at their new station and is looking for donations of gently used workout equipment to help keep their firefighters in shape so they’re able to perform at their best in those critical emergency situations.  If you or someone you know has some equipment in working condition that you’d like to donate, give them a call!

Local Politics

City Shapes Policies on Short-Term Rentals

(Ellsworth)  While Maine is known as Vacationland, that designation presents its own set of issues, not the least of which is short-term rentals.  Ellsworth is among municipalities now wrestling with creating policies in regards to such rentals, and they’d like public input at a listening session on Monday, August 10th from 5-7 at Ellsworth City Hall.  Whether you’re an STR host, a neighborhood resident, local business owner, or simply an interested party, you’re invited to learn why the conversation is needed, hear a brief overview of STR’s in Ellsworth, visit interactive input stations, share ideas, concerns and suggestions, and help shape the conversation moving forward.  No registration required.  Just come lend an ear and have your say.

Economy

Comfort Cases Pajama Drive Continues

(Hancock)  Maine has 700 children in foster care – and we’re sure each would love to snuggle in a pair of cozy, new pajamas.  Hancock resident Lesley Robinson is hosting a pajama drive for Comfort Cases between now and August 15th.  Comfort Cases provides brand new backpacks filled with new pajamas, a book, a stuffed toy, personal care and other items in order to make the transition to foster care less frightening and more welcoming.  New pjs of all sizes and sexes are needed; no holiday themes, please.  Drop them off at 766 Eastside Road in Hancock or at Alberta’s Salon in Ellsworth.  Every pair makes a difference in the life of a child.

Iconic Building for Sale in Belfast

(Belfast)  Its hand-painted red-white-and-blue facade has made the Consumers Fuel Company building in Belfast a downtown landmark.  The Bangor Daily News reports the property at 12,14, and 16 Main Street houses 7500 square feet of floor space and is for sale for $1.75M.  The local fuel company that was owned by three generations of the Holmes family since 1911 was purchased last year by Dead River Oil.  It’s the second prominent downtown Belfast building currently on the market.  The building at 3 Main Street on the waterfront and anchored by Nautilus Seafood and Grill is for sale for $1.8M.  The businesses are not included in that sale.

Restoration Underway at Franklin Schoodic Hall

(Franklin)  Who wouldn’t need a bit of a lift after more than a century?  Franklin Schoodic Hall has been around since before the end of WW I, and this week was lifted for foundation work as part of restoration efforts on the town grange.  The Ellsworth American reports the current phase of lifting the building and addressing its base is a basic step for turning the once derelict building into a community hub, as envisioned by the Friends of Franklin Schoodic Hall.  Board President Karen Macomber said groundwork will include installing a concrete slab with a frost wall. Work on this, Phase 2, is expected to be completed in September.  Phase 3 will then address roof work, along with bringing the building’s electrical and plumbing up to code.  The group welcomes donations and has a Go Fund Me page for anyone interested in contributing.

Education

Department of Education Narrows Field to Eight

(Augusta)  The Maine Department of Education has narrowed the field to eight semifinalists who will be in the running for 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year.  The eight will now be tasked with delivering keynote speeches, submitting professional portfolios, and participating in an expert panel discussion on educational equity and other issues related to the profession.  We’ve posted the list of finalists and their schools on our FB page.  Local semifinalists include Penobscot County’s Marcy Soucy, a 4th and 5th grade reading and math teacher in Bangor … and Rachel Norgang, who teaches 2nd and 3rd grade at Monroe Elementary in Waldo County.

Health

Stockton Springs Community Paramedicine Program

(Stockton Springs)  The towns of Stockton Springs and Prospect are excited to introduce a new, free service for individuals, both young and old, who are unable to leave their homes for basic healthcare needs, as ordered by their physicians.  The communities, in conjunction with Stockton Springs Ambulance, now offer Paramedicine.  The ambulance service has EMS personnel who can come to your home to provide basic care, including wound dressing, blood pressure checks, and blood draws.  The service is also available for those who have had surgery and require a follow up visit.  To use the service, a patient’s doctor must complete a form to arrange home care.  Forms are available through the town office, the ambulance service, or by calling Amy Dyer Drinkwater at the number we’ve shared with this story on our website, downeastdigest.news. (207-322-2309).

Technology

European Union Hits Google with Billion Dollar Fine

(Europe)  EU regulators yesterday hit Google with a billion dollar fine for illegally undercutting competition through its dominance as a search engine.  The New York Times reports the decision is likely to intensify trans-Atlantic trade tensions.  President Trump has previously threatened to retaliate against the European Union for what he views as the unfair targeting of American tech companies.  Regulators said Thursday’s fine was levied because Google had used its position as the world’s largest search engine to unfairly boost its services in areas like shopping, travel, language translation, and games.

Human Interest

Downeast Sunrise Trail Relay

(Downeast Maine)  Some 400 runners will be competing in the Downeast Sunrise Trail Relay this evening, overnight, and through Saturday.  Runners will start at Washington Junction in Hancock and race toward Eastport. Please yield to them at trail/road/ATV crossings and be mindful if you’re on the trail recreationally.  Cheer them on for a bit of adrenaline.

Infrastructure

Traffic Detour

(Ellsworth)  Beginning at 10 this morning, there will be a temporary traffic detour in Ellsworth in order to dedicate the Deputy Luke Gross Memorial Highway.  The formal dedication ceremony to unveil the highway signs will take place on Route 3 in Trenton.  For safety, the Ellsworth Police Department will temporarily detour traffic at the intersection of Beechland Road and Route 3 to Bayside Road.  The detour is expected to last about 10 – 15 minutes, with traffic then resuming its normal flow.  

MMA Students Help with Coastal Restoration Project

(Castine)  Drivers on the way to and from Castine this month might see groups of people out in the marsh area of Mill Creek working with instruments, and writing in notebooks.  Maine Coast Heritage Trust says the busy researchers are students and faculty from the Ocean Studies Department at Maine Maritime Academy who are hard at work monitoring changes to vegetation and water flow resulting from a recently-completed roadway project on Bayview Road over Mill Creek.  Sources say such coastal resilience projects demand a workforce trained in this kind of science and monitoring, and the project is a perfect gateway for students of environmental science.  Students say participation has allowed them to apply their environmental research skills to make a difference in their community and chart a pathway for future careers.

National News  07/24/26

Trump Loosens Nuclear Standards for Saudi Arabia

(NYT)  While President Trump claims he started the war with Iran, in part, to limit Tehran’s enrichment of nuclear fuel, this week, he took the reverse approach with Saudi Arabia, a close ally in the region. In a deal with the Saudis, the President loosened nuclear standards, which experts say throws fuel on the smoldering fire of atomic proliferation and creates a destabilizing situation that could raise the risk of nuclear war.  The NY Times reports the agreement gives in to the Saudi kingdom’s demand that it not have to abide by an inspection agreement that applies to more than 140 other countries.  It also sealed a deal for Westinghouse and other American companies to seize a big piece of the business in building planned nuclear reactors on Saudi territory and opened the door to allow the kingdom to begin enriching its own nuclear fuel after two years.  Trump will have to plead his case for making the deal to Congress and other allies throughout the Middle East.

Price of Oil Jumps Amid Ongoing Middle East Turmoil

(NYT)  Turmoil in the region of the Red Sea sent the cost of Brent crude oil soaring past $100 a barrel once again, the highest since May, as fighting once again flares in the Middle East.  The NY Times reports The U.S. House cast a second vote Thursday to rein in President Trump’s war powers, with four Republicans joining Democrats in rebuking Trump.  Senators voted against taking up another war powers resolution seeking to challenge the president’s authority to continue the conflict, voting 49 to 47 to block the measure from coming to the floor for a final vote.  Senator Susan Collins of Maine was the lone Republican voting in favor, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voting against the measure.  

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