Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Harrington Man Arrested for Arson
(Harrington) Authorities have arrested a 75 year old man in connection with a fire that destroyed a home at 1230 Main Street in Harrington on July 17th. The fire was initially believed to have been caused by an outdoor burn that spread to the residence. But after the Office of the State Fire Marshal conducted a scene examination and interviewed numerous witnesses, investigators determined the fire was intentionally set. Based on the evidence, an arrest warrant was issued for Arthur Langley of Harrington. Langley was located and arrested Tuesday in Columbia. He faces charges of Arson and Reckless Conduct. He was taken to the Washington County Jail where he is being held without bail pending an initial court appearance.
Cooking-Related Fire Injures Searsport Teen
(Searsport) A sixteen year old girl was seriously injured this week in a cooking-related fire in Searsport. Investigators say the teen was in an upstairs bathroom at her home on Prospect Street when she heard the smoke alarms activate. The girl went downstairs and found the kitchen filled with smoke and a pot of cooking oil burning on the stovetop. In an effort to extinguish the fire, she attempted to move the pot to the kitchen sink; but the burning oil flared, causing severe burns and forcing her to drop the pot. The victim sustained burns over approximately 30% of her body and was taken first to Waldo County General Hospital then transferred to Maine Medical Center. Investigators say the home sustained minimal damage.
Drive Sober, Get Home Safe
(Ellsworth) Far too many lives have been destroyed by drunk drivers. This weekend, July 31st through August 2nd, the Ellsworth Police Department will be joining the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and several neighboring law enforcement agencies for an OUI Enforcement Detail. They’ll be working together throughout Ellsworth to help keep impaired drivers off the roads. If you’re headed out this weekend, they say make a plan before you go. Designate a sober driver, arrange a ride, or stay where you are if you’ve been drinking, in order to ensure you and others get home safely.
Belfast Armed Robbery Update
(Belfast) Authorities have released more details about that armed robbery in Belfast that resulted in residents being warned to shelter in place for a time Tuesday morning. Belfast Police Chief Robert Cormier issued an additional press release saying the armed suspect entered a bedroom window at a home on Chickadee Circle in East Belfast about 8 a.m. Tuesday and was in the bedroom of the homeowner’s daughter with a handgun. The suspect reportedly had a court protection order that disallowed him being at that address, and had made threats to harm family members, declaring he would never surrender to police. When officers arrived, the suspect, later identified as 24 yo Thatcher Jackson, fled out a window into nearby woods. He was located on Patterson Hill Road about 12:45 that afternoon and taken into custody. Sources say Jackson faces multiple charges, including assault, aggravated criminal threatening, and more. In addition, he had several outstanding felony arrest warrants. Jackson is being held without bail in the Waldo County Jail and was scheduled for arraignment yesterday.
Local Politics
New DEA Rules Spark Confusion
(PPH) Two of Maine’s largest health systems are ending 140 medication agreements with EMS agencies, and EMS chiefs across Maine are scrambling against time and funding constraints to get registered with the DEA. The confusion stems from a registration category put forth by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The Portland Press Herald reports the DEA added the EMS registration category that allows EMS agencies to administer controlled substances under their own registrations, rather than a hospital’s, as has been standard practice in Maine. But because it was unclear that that registration is optional, Northern Light Health and MaineHealth have pulled back on their agreements … and many agencies say they now have no choice but to purchase expensive safes and storage equipment required for registration or stop providing certain critical drugs. Maine’s Congressional delegation has sent a letter to the US DEA asking for clarification.
Online Sweepstakes Games Prohibited
(Maine) Online gaming could mean gambling with a hefty fine as of this week. Effective Wednesday, online sweepstakes games are now prohibited in Maine. The Gambling Control Unit within the Department of Public Safety yesterday issued an advisory to residents of and visitors to Maine regarding illegal online sweepstakes operators whom they say may be offering illegal gambling in the state. The new law defines an online sweepstakes game as a game, contest, or promotion that is available on the internet and accessible on a mobile phone, computer, or similar device; uses a dual currency system of payment, and simulates casino-style gaming, such as slot machines, poker and other table games, lottery games, bingo or sports wagering. They say patrons who choose to engage with unlicensed platforms do so at their own risk.
Tariffs on Canadian Goods Trouble Mainers
(Maine) In about 30 days, President Trump will impose a 50% tariff on a large list of goods imported from Canada. Trump cited unequal treatment of U.S. cars, dairy, and alcohol as the reason behind the jump. Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Patrick Woodcock told the Bangor Daily News two of the state’s three dominant imports – energy, fisheries, and forestry products, are not on the list. And while some forest products are included, they’re mostly end-use. Woodcock says he’is hopeful the two sides will resolve their differences before the tariffs take effect, but added the escalation of tariffs is troubling and that Canada’s new relationship with China and the US war with Iran complicates any new trade policy.
Economy
Heart of Ellsworth Receives Small Business Accelerator Grant
(Ellsworth) Heart of Ellsworth has received a Small Business Accelerator grant from The Hartford and Main Street America – one of just six Main Street communities nationwide to receive such funding. The grant is part of an initiative that supports small businesses by funding physical and virtual spaces in select Main Street districts in order to help them launch and grow. Maine Downtown Center reports that by financially supporting the establishment and growth of multi-use places for pop-up shops, coworking, and other innovative spaces, the program aims to help entrepreneurs access affordable real estate. Heart of Ellsworth will use the funding to increase the volume and frequency of community workshops and provide entrepreneurial education through a six-week annual Business of Craft program for creative professionals that will be used as templates for other arts-focused Main Streets seeking to guide artisans and craft makers.
Environment
Shark Spotted Off Coast of Milbridge
(Milbridge) Better stick to the ponds and pools this summer. Follower Cody Leighton and his dad, Keegan, were fishing off the coast of Milbridge Wednesday morning when they spotted a shark swimming just off the side of their vessel. Leighton sent us a video, which we posted on our FB page. We’re not sure what type of shark is lurking in those waters, but there do appear to be an unusual number of sightings this year!
Infrastructure
Hydrant Flushing Scheduled
(Ellsworth) A heads up for Ellsworth residents. The City Water and Fire Departments will begin their routine hydrant flushing, starting at 7:30 a.m. a week from today. First up, Grant and Chapel Streets on August 6th. Hydrant flushing takes place each spring and fall in order to help keep the water system running smoothly by removing naturally occurring sediment from water mains and ensuring those hydrants are in proper working order. Work is expected to take a couple of hours. Residents on affected streets may notice temporary low water pressure, discolored, yellowish, or cloudy water. They say just run your tap until it runs clear.
Maine DOT Releases Film Highlighting Blue Hill Heritage
(Blue Hill) You may not think of the Maine Department of Transportation as a receptacle of history. But when you think about it, roads and bridges played a pivotal role in moving this country forward … literally. The Pen Bay Pilot reports MDOT has released a 30-minute documentary exploring the history of the Blue Hill area through the lens of the ever-changing Stevens Bridge. They say “Connecting Blue Hill Through History: the Stevens Bridge” brought together community members, local officials, historians, and cultural partners to reflect on the legacy of the bridge and its role in shaping the Blue Hill region. You can access the documentary at the link we’ve provided with this story on our website, downeastdigest.news.
Human Interest
Rotary Club of Ellsworth Blueberry Pancake Breakfast
(Ellsworth) Eat pancakes, do good. This Saturday, the Ellsworth Rotary Club will once again be serving up deliciousness at their Annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast. For just $12 per adult ($7 for kids 12 and under), enjoy all-you-can-eat blueberry pancakes, plus sausages and other sides, from 7 to 10 a.m., under the tent at the DownEast Family YMCA on State Street. Bring your appetite, bring your family, bring your friends. Heck, grab someone you don’t know who could use a morning out! Your tickets help support local Rotary scholarships and charitable programs that make a difference right here in our community. Get your advance tickets at the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, from our friend Dom at Downeast Graphics and Printing, or from any Rotary Club member.
BSO to Perform for Veterans
(Bangor) Here’s a well-deserved perk for veterans. This Fall, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra will perform with Gary Sinise and the Lieutenant Dan Band at the Collins Center for the Arts. In a tribute to Veterans Day, the November 7th and 8th concerts are free for veterans, active military and first responders. Those tickets can be reserved during presale by calling the Collins Center Box Office. Learn more at bangorsymphony.org.
National News 07/30/26
Fauci Hearing
(NYT) Dr. Anthony Fauci, who spent nearly four decades as the government’s top infectious disease expert, on Wednesday refused to answer questions from a Senate committee investigating the origins of Covid-19. The NY Times reports Dr. Fauci accused the committee’s Republican Chair, Rand Paul, of having an “unhinged obsession with me” and repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself. During the hearing, Paul ordered the removal of Dr. Fauci’s attorney when he tried to speak on his client’s behalf. Sources say the hearing also featured conspiracy theories and personal attacks, with Republicans taunting Dr. Fauci as a megalomaniac and a liar.
Trump Administration Continues to Push for Voting Restrictions
(AP) In ongoing efforts to restrict voting and secure the midterms for Republicans amid miserable poll numbers, this week the Trump Administration filed an application with the U.S. Supreme Court regarding implementation of an Executive Order related to mail-in voting. The March 31st order includes provisions for the Department of Homeland Security to compile a list of eligible voters and for the U.S. Postal Service to use the list in processing mail-in voting. Certain aspects of the Executive Order have been challenged in lower courts, which cited concerns about the scope of executive authority regarding state election rules.
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