Crime/Public Safety

Trenton VFD Again Called to Narrows Too Campground to Extinguish Blaze

(Trenton)  The Trenton Volunteer Fire Department was called to the Narrows Too Campground again Sunday for a reported RV fire. Perhaps with the memory of the August 4th RV fire that heavily damaged an RV at that same campground, Trenton immediately called on the Ellsworth, Lamoine, and Hancock Fire Departments to assist.  Upon arrival, crews quickly saw the fire didn’t involve an RV, but a brush fire caused by improperly discarded campfire materials.  The blaze was contained before it could spread, but firefighters remind the public of the importance of making sure all campfires are completely extinguished with plenty of water and that ashes and other campfire materials are disposed of properly.

Mill Employees Asked for Safety Monitors Prior to Workers’ Deaths

(Baileyville)  Tissues, toilet paper, napkins and paper towels start out as wood chips and are cooked, pulped and then whitened by a process that uses bleach.  Employees at plants such as Washington County’s Woodland Pulp in Baileyville say being exposed to such chemicals is part of the job.  But the wearing of a personal monitor that detects hydrogen sulfide should be as well.  Workers at the mill told the Bangor Daily News they lobbied four different superintendents for the monitors, which cost about $100 each; but that such requests were denied by corporate owners until January 27th, when 11 workers were exposed to the dangerous gases; two of whom died.  Those who survived have turned their grief into action they say has resulted in better safety measures.  OSHA and others say the deaths were preventable but opened a lot of eyes at paper mills across Maine and the country.  The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing close to $800K in fines against the Baileyville mill.

Deer Isle Volunteer Ambulance Corps Gets New Garage

(Deer Isle)  It’s nothing fancy, but the Memorial Ambulance Corps in Deer Isle is pretty proud of the new building housing the service’s second ambulance vehicle.  Penobscot Bay Press reports it’s just a simple garage building completed this month and located adjacent to their headquarters on Sunshine Road, but it protects the MAC 2, the corps’ older second ambulance; and, they say, highlights community support for the local volunteer EMS service and its recent fleet expansion.  MAC 1, the primary vehicle, remains in the main building bay.

Economy

UMaine-based Local Catch Network Designed to Help Secure Federal Funding

(Orono)  More federal funding, technical assistance, and access to new markets for American fishermen and seafood businesses are the goals of a new University of Maine-based program known as Local Catch Network.  Through a partnership with the USDA, the program will help the recently created USDA Office of Seafood with fishing communities by better integrating seafood businesses into federal programs and services.  Interested persons can learn more and/or sign up for notifications about events, outreach, and reports hosted by Local Catch Network at localcatch.org.

Education

Heavy Backpacks Strain Kids’ Bodies

(AP)  The kids will be heading back to school soon, weighed down by backpacks carrying digital devices, musical instruments, sports equipment, textbooks, and more.  The Associated Press warns that while it’s great to be prepared, those heavy packs can be a strain on young bodies.  The American Academy of Pediatrics says signs a backpack may be too heavy include a child leaning forward to support the pack’s weight or having difficulty walking.  They also say be sure straps aren’t digging into those tender shoulders. Ten to 15% of a child’s body weight is sometimes cited as a backpack guideline; but experts say there isn’t enough evidence to establish a one-size-fits-all approach.  They say choose a backpack that fits YOUR child, one that has two broad, padded shoulder straps, a padded back, and compartments that distribute the weight – and learn what your child does and does NOT have to carry back and forth each day.

Local School Start Dates

(Maine)  Wondering about those school start dates?  Even if you don’t have kids in school, there will soon be buses and many more vehicles on the road, as well as kids walking and biking to school.  We checked local school calendars to see about start dates and have posted those on our social media page.  You can always check with your local district, as well.  Ellsworth PreK through grade 9 students start August 31st, grades 10-12, September 1st.  The first student day for RSU 24 – the Sullivan, Sorrento, Eastbrook area – is Monday, August 31st for grades K-6 and grade 9; students in other grades report Tuesday, September 1st.  The first day for students who attend MDI Regional School is September 1st.  The first day for students at Lamoine Consolidated School is Thursday, August 27th. First day for students grades K-8 at Blue Hill Consolidated School is August 31st.   Ninth graders at George Stevens Academy also return  August 31st, with all GSA students returning on September 1st.  

Environment

Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Extended to Areas of Hancock County

(Augusta)  A bulletin released Friday announced an expansion of the area regulated for the Emerald Ash Borer in Maine, effective immediately.  EAB was detected in Jackman last month and in the Downeast town of Surry in early August.   Both towns were outside the regulated area when detections were confirmed.  As a result, areas in Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot, and Somerset counties have been added to the quarantine areas.  In Hancock County, quarantine areas include Ellsworth, Lamoine, Hancock, Fletchers Landing Township, Sorrento, Sullivan, Winter Harbor, Trenton, and other locations.  We’ve posted a complete list of the areas of Hancock County affected on our FB page. You’ll find quarantine rules and regulations on the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s website.

Human Interest

Town Discovers Original Historic Document

(Wells)  There are many reasons to preserve a town’s archives. The town of Wells last week announced the discovery of an original, handwritten transcription of the Declaration of Independence from 1776.  The copy was found in the Town of Wells Record Book, transcribed by then-town-clerk Nathaniel Wells.  The Portland Press Herald reports the book also contains the original instructions of the Massachusetts Council, ordering that the declaration be recorded in the town’s official record book “to remain as a perpetual Memorial thereof”.  Once the Declaration was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, copies were given to local church ministers to be read aloud to their congregations. While not in possession of the original, it was thrilling for the town to find the transcription written the same year. In celebration of the nation’s 250th, the Dunlap Broadside – one of 26 surviving copies of the declaration – is touring Maine this year courtesy of the Maine Historical Society.  It will be at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor this Friday and Saturday and at the Tides Institute in Eastport the following weekend.  

Ellsworth Public Library Closes Out Summer Program with Veggie Ball

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth Public Library is closing out summer this Thursday with the Veggie Ball!  Dress as your favorite vegetable … or just come as you are for an evening of dancing, refreshments, and live Bluegrass Music, courtesy of the Ellsworth Community Music Institute’s musical guests Two Grass … and 11-year-old singer and multi-instrumentalist Gabby Bell.  That’s this Thursday evening, August 20th, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Ellsworth Public Library – come veg out with us!

NYTimes Publishes Feature Article on Stonington Opera House

(Stonington)  The Stonington Opera House recently made it to Broadway – by way of a New York Times feature article, at least.  Written by Elisabeth Vincentelli, the piece focuses on an acclaimed playwright, John Cariani, who has deep ties to the state of Maine and who recently visited the venue to enjoy the production of his new play, Darker the Night, Brighter the Stars.  The production drew significant local excitement, as it was rooted in the daily life of Maine, including watching the beauty of the star-studded dark skies.  Cariani is quoted in the article as saying, “I loved where I grew up (Presque Isle)…friends and I would go outside and look at the stars and hang out … we were high on life.”  The production ended its run this past weekend.

Films Highlight Brooklin’s Maritime Heritage

(Brooklin)  Hundreds gathered at the Brooklin Boat Yard recently for the premiere of two short films that celebrate the region’s maritime heritage.  The films, CIRRUS: A Wooden Boat Story and steward-ship: a love letter to the maine coast brought young and old alike to a packed house to benefit the new Anne and Maynard Bray Maritime Research Center at Friend Memorial Public Library.  Learn more about how you can contribute to the capital campaign at campaign.friendml.org.

Toothless Man Wins Eating Contest

(Dexter)  Winning is something you can really sink your teeth into … or not.  Alan Dill again earned top honors in this year’s August 8th hot dog eating contest at the Annual Red Hot Dog Festival in Downtown Dexter, in spite of the fact the 67 year old Lincoln competitor has no teeth.  The Bangor Daily News reports the three-peat winner had all his teeth removed in 2024, but shows up each year in his signature green t-shirt with the slogan, “Where there’s a Dill, there’s a way”.  Six men and two women competed this year to finish the biggest number of 10 hot dogs and buns in five minutes.  For his snapper savvy, Dill went home with $50 and a hot dog trophy.  He’s won four of the past five years, the last three years consecutively.  Let’s hope that trophy comes with a big bottle of Tums.

Infrastructure

Sinkhole Closes Part of High Street in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  A sinkhole that opened up Monday forced closure of the right hand lane of High Street near Pizza Hut in Ellsworth.  Town officials yesterday alerted the public of the closure between Pizza Hut and the first entrance to the Hannaford Plaza, near the new Camden National Bank location.  City highway crews will be working today to repair the area.  High Street remains open to traffic, but motorists are urged to use caution, especially around those working to repair the issue.

National News 08/18/27

Supreme Court Again Rejects Trump’s Appeal of Payment to E.Jean Carroll

(NYT)  The Supreme Court again yesterday rejected an appeal by President Donald Trump to review a $5M civil judgment against him.  It was the President’s second appeal – both now rejected – after a jury in 2023 found he had sexually abused and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll.  Trump paid Ms. Carroll last month, but then made the long-shot second appeal.  The New York Times reports he has separately asked the Supreme Court to overturn a much larger award of $83.3M a jury ordered him to pay  for defaming Ms. Carroll in 2019 after she accused him of a decades-old rape. That appeal is pending.

Canadian Petition to Expel U.S. Ambassador Takes Off

(Canada)  More than 200K people in neighboring Canada have signed a petition to the Canadian Parliament calling for the removal of the U.S. Ambassador there.  The NY Times reports Pete Hoekstra has been an unwavering messenger of President Trump’s aggressive stance toward Canada, including support of a trade war that has led to Canada’s boycotting of American products and shunning vacations in Maine and other neighboring states.  Such actions have marred the centuries-old friendship between the two countries, now at an historic low under Trump.  Just 500 signatures are legally required in order to bring an online petition to the Parliament floor, and sources say this one will likely be put forward for debate in the Fall.

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