Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Belfast Armed Robbery

(Belfast)  Residents of Belfast were cautioned to shelter in place after an armed robbery yesterday morning at the Belfast Mobile Home Park off Swan Lake Avenue.  The entrance to the park was barricaded and citizens alerted via Alert Belfast about 8 a.m. Shortly before 1, Belfast Police Chief Robert Cormier confirmed authorities had taken 25 yo Thatcher Johnson into custody after he was found hiding in woods behind the East Side School.  It’s believed the incident involved a domestic issue.  Jackson is being held without bail and faces multiple charges, including burglary and violation of a protection order.  

Local Politics

New Labor Laws Go Into Effect in Maine

(Maine)  Several new labor laws go into effect in Maine today.  The first requires employers to disclose pay ranges and keep records of pay histories, in order to help curb wage gaps.  A second law adds new notice and privacy requirements for employees by regulating electronic workplace surveillance.  Yet another bans noncompete agreements for healthcare professionals in order to boost job mobility and staffing options.  Other proposals currently being looked at may modernize workplace drug testing rules and tighten safeguards around Paid Family and Medical Leave insurance.

Budget Surplus Replenishes State’s Rainy Day Fund

(Augusta) The State of Maine ended its 2026 fiscal year with a surplus of $148M, according to a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services.  The Bangor Daily News reports that of that, $26.2M was used to replenish the state’s “rainy day” fund, restoring it to the legal maximum.  Nearly $3M from that fund will be used for a number of projects later this month when the new fiscal year kicks in, including one-time $300 relief checks to some 500K Mainers.  The Bangor Daily News reports that deduction will leave more than $764M in the fund.

Blaze Restaurant in Blue Hill Remains in Violation of Land Use Regulation

(Blue Hill)  Blaze Restaurant in Blue Hill remains in violation of the town’s land use regulation.  That was the word from Code Enforcement Officer Zavier Alvarez at this month’s Select Board Meeting, after the restaurant reportedly failed to remove or modify unpermitted buildings by a July 20th deadline.  According to The Weekly Packet, Alvarez told the board he had received letters from business owner Matt Haskell’s attorney and property owner John Warren asking for more time to bring the property into compliance, and the Board must now decide on whether to grant a requested two-week extension.  The Select Board planned to schedule an executive session with the town attorney to consider the request.

Economy

Phoenix Cafe’s Warm Hearts Fund Donates to Charity

(Bucksport)  The owner of the Phoenix Cafe in Bucksport believes being part of a community means giving back and helping those in need.  That’s the premise behind the restaurant’s Warm Hearts Fund, which uses special occasions to raise money for local nonprofits.  As part of last Saturday’s OysterFest, they sold tickets for oysters, toppings, and a non-alcoholic drink, raising $140 for Bucksport Community Concerns Food Pantry.  They also participated in the Finding Our Voices July fundraiser, “Into the Light”  to help victims of domestic violence.  All this month, businesses donated a portion of proceeds from “yellow” items.  Phoenix Cafe owner Kelley Barrett created a tantalizing Lemon Creme Mousse to sweeten the cause.  Check them out at phoenixcafeme.com.

Maine Home Buyers Looking for Solar

(Maine)  Maine home buyers aren’t necessarily looking for a sun porch, an extra bathroom, or an ocean view.  Instead, the Bangor Daily News reports the “hottest” new commodity is solar panels.  One resident who moved into a Maine retirement community a decade ago said the energy generated by the ten solar panels on his rooftop offsets his electric bill to the point he only pays service charges in the summer.  In response, one builder, OceanView – which builds independent and assisted living units – is constructing nearly 40 new two-bed, two-bath units for older adults … 34 of them all-electric, solar powered apartments.  In addition, sources say buyers are looking for homes with electric vehicle chargers.  With the cost of oil continuing to rise amid the stalemate in the Middle East, the “plug” for such amenities seems like a “bright” idea.  

Brooklin Boat Yard

(Brooklin)  Brooklin Boat Yard was founded in 1960 by naval architect Joel White.  It’s now an employee-owned custom boat builder and service facility that has earned an enviable reputation as one of the premier builders of high performance sail and power yachts.  Through their brokerage department, they connect buyers and sellers from Martha’s Vineyard down to the Carolinas, personally reviewing and evaluating every vessel they list.  This month, the company  officially launched a sleek, custom-built 47-foot Downeast express cruiser known as Breakthrough, built for high speed offshore cruising and allowing its owner to travel effortlessly between SW Harbor and the Carolinas.  The project marked another milestone in a busy summer season, and the Boat Yard is yet another example of Downeast companies that make their small town mark on a worldwide market.

Environment

Shaw Institute’s Landmark Study on Marine Mammals Available Online

(Blue Hill)  Downeast Maine has some pretty impressive residents whose research is championed worldwide.  One of those is Dr. Charles Rolsky, Executive Director of the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill.  Rolsky recently co-authored research that reveals data that serves as a roadmap for stronger ocean policies, targeted habitat protection, and a clearer understanding of the impact of humans on marine life.  Among key findings, the Hawaiian Monk Seal emerged as the single most vulnerable species globally, due to its small population size and extreme overlap with plastic pollution zones.  You can access the paper online at the link you’ll find on the Shaw Institute’s website, shawinstitute.org.

Health

Local Entrepreneur Creates Motion Sickness Relief … from Blueberries

(Bar Harbor)  We knew blueberries were healthy for us, especially the wild ones with their power-punch of antioxidants … but can they relieve motion sickness?  The Mount Desert Islander reports Bar Harbor entrepreneur Natalie Locke has created Bloobs, a blueberry-themed acupressure wristband designed to help relieve motion sickness while doubling as a collectible souvenir.  Locke said while many people have such wristbands, she wanted to create one people would actually wear.  The bands feature a variety of unique designs and go for $14.95 at Bar Harbor Whale Watch (get one before you head out, just to be safe!), Sand Beach Outfitters, Geddy’s and other local retailers.

MDI Hosts 25th Annual Carol Dyer Memorial Luminaria

(Bar Harbor)  Honor the lives lost to cancer and celebrate those who have overcome, at the 25th Annual Carol Dyer Memorial Luminaria Evening on Saturday, August 8th, from 7 to 9:30 on the Bar Harbor Village Green.  The Mount Desert Islander reports you can personalize and add to the beautiful and moving display of flickering luminaria for just $10 each.  Available online at ywcamdi.org or in person that evening.  The event began as a memorial to longtime children’s librarian Carol Dyer, who worked at the Jesup Memorial Library, but who succumbed to brain cancer.  This year’s proceeds will benefit the Breast Health Center and the Oncology Department at MDI Health.

Infrastructure

Bucksport Paving

(Bucksport)  A traffic note for those headed through Bucksport this Monday.  Northeast Paving will pave Main Street from the Bridge Street traffic signal to Bucksport House of Pizza.  Expect alternating one-way traffic and no parking on one side of the street during paving; and, of course, plan for delays.

Human Interest

Tennis Champ Returns Home to Ellsworth to Offer Programs

(Ellsworth)  Tennis, anyone?  You can’t beat the training available right here in Ellsworth.  The City says Ellsworth native and coach Terry Bennett is returning home to lead tennis clinics through the Ellsworth Parks & Recreation Department.  And you can’t help but “love” the resume he’s “serving” up.  Bennett is a former ATP World Tour player who competed at Wimbledon.  Whether you’re a beginner or looking to “net” some serious gain on your skills, Coach Terry offers programs for a variety of ages and skill levels, including Cardio Tennis and Live Ball Tennis.  Learn more and register at ellsworthmaine.gov.

Linda Lunt Honored with Thorndike

(Mount Desert)  Few people are more deserving of gratitude than Linda Lunt of Mount Desert.  Through her career as a social worker, Lunt has dedicated nearly 50 years to supporting the MDI community and the outer islands. She and her husband often boarded their boat in all kinds of weather in order to work with children in island schools, in a teen parenting program, and as a case manager for adults and children with mental health challenges, going above and beyond to round up furniture, clothing, just about everything needed, by those IN need.  This month, the Mount Desert Islander reports Lunt was honored with the 2026 Elizabeth Fritz Thorndike Award, a biennial award managed by the Maine Community Foundation.  The award honors those who have made outstanding contributions to community service on MDI.  Congrats, Linda – well deserved.  

National News 07/29/26

Earthquake Rocks Japan

(AP)  A 7.1 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday hit Japan’s southern Kyushu Island, leaving dozens injured or missing.  The affected area is about 540 miles southwest of Tokyo.  According to the Associated Press, the quake caused part of a shopping center and a huge chimney at a paper factory to collapse.  A tsunami warning was issued but quickly lifted.  Few deaths have been reported, but more than 260,000 people were advised to evacuate, according to the Associated Press.

Wildfires Displace Thousands Across SW Europe

(AP)  As wildfires continue to blaze in the American west and across Canada, Europe is battling its own infernos.  On Tuesday, France ordered 4,000 more evacuations as fires have now displaced a third of a million people across SW Europe.  French authorities ordered the evacuations from Atlantic coast tourist sites because of the wildfires roaring across Spain and France.  The Associated Press reports an out-of-control fire in Spain has consumed 500 square miles, with one firefighter saying, “This doesn’t have a precedent … the evolution (of the fire) is alarming.”

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