Crime/Public Safety

Flock Cameras

(Maine) A flock camera is an automated license plate reader system that uses AI to capture vehicle make, model, color, license plate numbers and unique details like bumper stickers, logging that data for law enforcement and private communities. The cameras have also become a source of controversy.  Data from the cameras is instantly transmitted to a cloud database, accessible to participating neighborhoods, businesses, and police departments. While used for crime fighting and community security, the use, and reported misuse, of such cameras has raised serious privacy concerns; in some cases, leading to vandals destroying cameras … and groups such as the ACLU criticizing their misuse for logging the everyday movements of persons not linked to any crime.   Flock Safety, the company behind the technology, announced Thursday it’s making changes to its platform intended to quell privacy concerns and address documented abuses of its system.  According to the Maine Monitor, at least six units using such technology are currently deployed in Bar Harbor, Bucksport, and Ellsworth.

Local Politics

Ellsworth Seeks Input on Childcare Needs

(Ellsworth)  Raise your hand if you’ve ever struggled with finding decent child care. Better yet, raise your voice.  The City of Ellsworth and the Union River Center for Innovation want to better understand what childcare looks like for families in the Greater Ellsworth area.  What’s missing?  Are the standards you expect affordable?  How does the quality of childcare impact the ability to live and work in our region?  Head to the city’s FB page or website, click on the link, and participate in the quick survey.

Jackson Responds to Abuse Allegations

(Augusta)  Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson yesterday disputed a newspaper story published Wednesday that alleged he once pushed his romantic partner nearly 40 years ago when he was 19 years old.  The Bangor Daily News reports the story was based on a local Maine police report.  Jackson’s partner, Lana Pelletier, denied the incident, and Jackson issued a written statement saying he did get into a fight with a man (another allegation) but has never been violent toward Pelletier, the mother of their two adult children.  The 58 year old Jackson said the fight happened decades ago and in no way reflects the man he is today or the life he’s led since.

Maine PUC to Investigate Bar Harbor Water Rates

(Bar Harbor)  Maine’s Public Utilities Commission has launched an investigation into the Bar Harbor Water Division.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the investigation, precipitated by a 10 person complaint, concerns the town’s most recent increase and is intended to “address whether the Division’s rate structure is just and reasonable”.  Spearheaded by resident Charles Sidman, the complaint is based on the town’s approval of a flat 35% increase to the minimum charges for all customers, heading into FY 2027.  It’s the first increase imposed in the past ten years.  Sidman called the rate structure “harmfully preferential and discriminatory, designed to extract substantial subsidies from smaller users for the benefit of larger [ones]”.  The investigation is expected to take several months and will not likely impact the new rates that went into effect April 1st.

Economy

Heart of Ellsworth Raffle

(Ellsworth)  Thanks to Heart of Ellsworth, many of the cultural activities we enjoy are presented to participants at no charge.  But it still takes money to provide such activities.  You can help by donating to  their Maine Outdoor Film Festival Supporter Special.  Just $10 gets you five raffle tickets for the festival, plus a colorful zip code sticker. Proceeds help make possible the vibrant programming that makes Ellsworth the special arts and cultural center it’s become. Head to heartofellsworth.org to make your contribution!

Community Closet 207 Needs Kids’ Clothing for Back to School

(Ellsworth)  Community Closet in Ellsworth needs kids clothing for boys and girls heading back to school.  They’re looking for sizes 6T to 18, and they say sweatpants and athletic pants are especially appreciated.  The nonprofit, located at 330 Water Street, helps anyone in need, especially the area’s homeless population.  Please drop off items only during open hours, which they’ve shared on their FB page and that we’ve also passed along on ours.

FOA Raises Money for Historic Lighthouse

(NE Harbor)  The Baker Island Lighthouse has been a guiding beacon at the southwestern entrance to Frenchman Bay for close to two centuries, guiding mariners through the waters surrounding the Cranberry Isles.  The Mount Desert Islander reports Friends of Acadia this month raised more than $400K to help restore the historic lighthouse, one of Acadia’s most treasured maritime landmarks.  Repair is a matter of urgency in order to address cracking masonry, deteriorating exterior surfaces, and failing paint.  The monies were raised mostly during FOA’s recent fundraiser, an event held annually to celebrate and support Acadia National Park.  

KWW Celebrates Ten Years

(Patten)  Happy Tenth Anniversary!  Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is celebrating ten years with a long list of events this weekend, including ranger-led paddles, dark-sky viewing, and Indigenous jewelry-making presentations.  The Bangor Daily News reports the area was designated a National Monument under President Obama and is still in its infancy, as national monuments go.  In the past decade, rangers have learned much about the land, and a welcoming center was built to help guide visitors.  Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters will host a ribbon cutting at noon today at the Loop Road Overlook, marking completion of renovations.  

Night Sky Festival Comes to Tidal Falls

(Hancock)  The Downeast Night Sky Festival is coming to Tidal Falls this year.  Join Frenchman Bay Conservancy on Wednesday, September 9th, for a night of stars at the falls with Astronomer John Meader.  Attendees will be guided through a tour of the night sky and learn to locate objects with a telescope, such as visible planets, galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae.  Admittance is by donation.  Visit “Events” on Frenchman Bay Conservancy’s website to learn more and get tickets.

Dark Sky Maine

(Maine)  August is certainly the month for celestial events – a partial solar eclipse this past week, the Perseids Meteor Shower, the aurora borealis, and later this month a partial lunar eclipse.  Protecting the darkness of the night sky is the mission of Dark Sky Maine, a nonprofit that seeks to educate folks about the use of appropriate lighting to provide security on the ground and promote the health of humans and nocturnal wildlife, while maintaining dark skies overhead.  They say dark sky conservation benefits wildlife and their habitats, while light pollution has devastating effects on migrating birds, native plants, and pollinators.  To learn more about what you can do to support their mission, visit darkskymaine.com.

Infrastructure

Ellsworth Transfer Station Changes

(Ellsworth)  A quick note for those who take their trash and recycling to the Ellsworth Transfer Station on Saturdays.  The recycling building is closed on August 15th, and a temporary pause on cardboard recycling remains in effect while the cardboard baler is out of service.  However, trash disposal will be available, so you can still drop off that garbage between 8 and 4 tomorrow. 

Technology

New Tech Could Help Visitors Avoid Congestion at ANP

(ANP)  Summer in Maine means colors, kayaking, and concerts.  At Acadia National Park, it also means crowds and congestion.  Visitors to the park could one day receive help avoiding such issues, thanks to technology.  The Portland Press Herald reports Friends of Acadia and the Schoodic Institute have received a $1.5M grant from the National Park Foundation to fund a two-year pilot project to expand data capabilities and connectivity in the park.  The tech could provide visitors with real-time information about congestion, wait times, and weather conditions at such popular sites as Sand Beach and Jordan Pond.  Once live, visitors may receive up-to-the-minute conditions at entrance stations and parking availability, allowing them to adjust when and where they experience the park.

Human Interest

How Soon is Too Soon for Pumpkin Spice?

(Maine)  We’re not quite halfway through August, but ghosts, goblins, and Hallowe’en goodies are already appearing on store shelves.  We’ll confess, not to rush summer … but autumn is our favorite time of year here in New England.  For some, the Fall season is specially anticipated for the return of all things pumpkin spice.  Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte Creamer appeared on grocery shelves back in June.  Major coffee chains are releasing their fall menus yet this month, with Dunkin’s fall menu reportedly returning August 19th, followed by Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte making its appearance August 25th.  Downeast Digest wants to know, how soon is too soon for the return of all things Pumpkin Spice … is there even a THING such as too soon?  Let us know what you think on FB!

Ellsworth History on Display at Ellsworth Public Library

(Ellsworth)  Finally, don’t miss the current photo exhibition on the main floor of the Ellsworth Public Library.  “Reflections of Ellsworth” features 24 images on loan from The Ellsworth Historical Society that depict Ellsworth’s shipbuilding heritage and major events like the 1923 floods.  Binders with detailed captions are available at the circulation desk.  On view through October during regular library hours.

National News 08/14/26

Flock Surveillance Announces Changes

(AP) Flock Safety, the surveillance tech company increasingly under scrutiny by lawmakers, civil liberty advocates, and citizens across the U.S., announced Thursday it is making changes to its platform intended to quell privacy concerns and address documented abuses of its system by some members of law enforcement.  Police credit the technology as an important crime-fighting innovation, but the Associated Press reports dozens of cities and agencies have nixed their relationship with Flock amid concerns its data can be accessed for immigration enforcement or used in unauthorized surveillance.  Flock CEO Garrett Langley said product changes will make once-optional guardrails mandatory for its users by January 1, including use of an audit tool intended to flag abnormal search behavior.

Concerns Grow Over Government Overreach

(NYT)  Concerns continue to grow over the Trump Administration’s alleged overreach and misuse of power.  The New York Times reports newly released documents show in the days following the murder of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minnesota, Homeland Security officials used invasive tactics to gather information on left-leaning groups and individuals never accused of crimes.  In one instance, officials reportedly used subpoenas to obtain more than three years of financial records from an environmental action group, a healthcare workers union, and a labor union. Experts say such activity crosses a line that has traditionally stood between investigating criminal activity and political dissent.

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