Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Drive Sober Campaign Begins

(Maine)  The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety hopes drivers will end summer on a high note … specifically, by not driving WHEN high on alcohol or drugs.  Now through September 7th, members of law enforcement will be participating in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, partnering with local, county, and state agencies to deter folks from driving under the influence.  They say driving impaired is a choice – a dangerous one that puts you and others at risk of serious injury or death and they encourage everyone to prevent friends and/or family from driving unless they’re absolutely sober; and to never let anyone, including yourself, get into a vehicle with an impaired driver.

Local Politics

Ellsworth Approves Data Center Moratorium

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth is the state’s latest municipality to approve a 180-day moratorium on data centers.  Following a public hearing this week, Ellsworth City Council approved the freeze through mid February 2027, with the option of extending that, as well.  The ordinance halts all data center permit applications and approvals, giving the City time to establish regulatory standards.  Such centers are controversial because they can overburden local infrastructure, including water, roads, electricity and first responders.  Other municipalities that have also enacted or are considering moratoriums include Eastport, Bangor, Brunswick, Scarborough, and Bucksport. Maine Governor Janet Mills in April vetoed a statewide pause on data centers because of a $550M data center project planned at the former Androscoggin Mill site in the town of Jay that promised construction jobs and vital tax revenue for the town, a project the developer ultimately backed away from.  

Candidates for City Council Return Papers

(Ellsworth)  Four people have so far submitted nomination papers to run for Ellsworth City Council.  Among them, former Council member Casey Hanson, incumbent Nancy Smith, Robert Grant, Sr., and Tiffany Dilda-Gaspar, who recently, along with perennial Council candidate John Linnehan, spearheaded an unsuccessful effort to recall five sitting council members.  Potential candidates must return papers with the signatures of at least 50 registered Ellsworth voters no later than 12:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4th.  Seats currently held by Smith and Chair Patrick Lyons are up for election; Lyons has decided not to run.  Two seats on the Ellsworth School Board and four seats on the Library Board of Trustees are also up for grabs.

Economy

Chloe’s Cafe Opens in New Location

(Ellsworth)  Chloe’s Cafe has reopened in their new location on the Bucksport Road.  Chloe’s announced their move from Water Street in Ellsworth last month, saying the new venue offers more space for expansion.  You’ll find them in the former DCP building at 248 Bucksport Road, where they’re now open 7 to 2 weekdays and 8 to Noon on Saturdays.

Off Season Economy Topic of Bar Harbor Task Force

(Bar Harbor)  There’s no question business booms in Bar Harbor during the summer.  At the latest meeting of the Sustainable Tourism Management Task Force, members put their heads together about how to carry that culture over to the shoulder seasons.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the conversation stemmed from a survey of 50-plus Bar Harbor businesses, two thirds of which described themselves as tourism dependent.  A little over half said their business operated year round – but that’s just the 50-some who responded from the town’s 400-plus businesses listed by the Chamber.  The survey seemed to reveal some tension between seasonal and non-seasonal businesses; but task force members said that was a bit misleading, since a number of businesses are run by and/or employ residents.  All agreed housing, infrastructure, and mobility must be considered when adopting a balanced approach to any potential solutions.

Magic Food Bus at The Gatherings Today

(Surry)  Healthy Peninsula’s Magic Food Bus will be at The Gatherings in Surry this afternoon at 2:30.  The bus is a seasonal traveling farmstand and mobile library that delivers free, fresh, local produce, books, and information about food security resources each week to the towns of the Blue Hill Peninsula, as well as to Deer Isle and Stonington.  The bus is free to everyone, serving up thousands of pounds of free, fresh vegetables to hundreds of residents every growing season.  Visit them on FB for a complete schedule.

Environment

FBC Trail Workdays

(Hancock)  Want to do your part in helping to maintain area trails?  Frenchman Bay Conservancy says that while their Monday trail workdays have wrapped, you can still join them on Wednesdays to help care for the land and connect your community to nature.  Meet at FBC’s office at Tidal Falls in Hancock Wednesday mornings at 8:30 and caravan together to a worksite, where you’ll help out from 9 to 1.  They say dress appropriately, bring water, snacks, and/or lunch, and bug spray or sunscreen.  Register online in advance at frenchmanbay.org so they can send you an email with further details. 

CMP Sponsors Rescued Harbor Seal

(Maine)  Each year, Central Maine Power “seals the deal” to help preserve marine mammals – literally.  The utility annually sponsors a rescued harbor seal through its ongoing partnership with the nonprofit Marine Mammals of Maine.  According to MaineBiz, since launching the partnership four years ago, CMP and the Avangrid Foundation have contributed more than $20K to support marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation efforts along the Maine coast.  This year’s harbor seal pup was found stranded and underweight at less than 24 hours old, and is being rehabbed at MMoME’s Brunswick facility.  In addition to financial sponsorship, CMP employees regularly volunteer at the triage facility and participated in naming this year’s little cutie – what else? – Current.  Past rescues include seals dubbed Circuit, Amp, and Breaker.  

Infrastructure

Bridge Hill Road Repair Update

(Ellsworth)  Another update on that Bridge Hill road repair in Ellsworth.  The City says crews are tentatively scheduled to begin repairs this Monday, with an anticipated completion date of Wednesday, August 26th.  They say that could change, depending on what crews find once the pavement is removed, as well as weather and field conditions.  The recent water main break caused more damage than can be seen from the surface, so crews must remove the damaged pavement, repair and compact the base, and then repave. We’re sure they’ll continue to keep us updated.

Ellsworth Recycling Center Remains Closed

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth is asking your help in not leaving your recyclables at the transfer station for the time being.  Because the baler used for cardboard and other recyclable materials remains down, staff are clearing and cleaning the center.  The City asks that even though it may not be the most convenient, please hang onto those recyclables at home until repairs are completed.  Materials left behind for now can block access to the building and create other challenges for staff.  In the meantime, the trash disposal is open; so as far as your garbage, bring it on!

Construction Begins on Sunrise Trail Camp in Cherryfield

(Cherryfield)  Construction on the Sunrise Trail Camp in Cherryfield has begun.  The camp was awarded an AARP Community Grant to renovate the camp, which they say will help them improve facilities, enhance accessibility, and create a welcoming space for campers of all ages to enjoy the outdoors.  Members of the Sunrise Trail Coalition ask that ATV riders and others please slow down when passing the campground, located a mile beyond Cherryfield, in order to keep workers safe.

Human Interest

Mr. Drew Coming to Better Milbridge

(Milbridge)  If you’ve ever seen Mr. Drew and His Animals Too, you know why kids and adults alike can’t get enough of his humor, fun, and interactive program, complete with exotic animals …  from giant turtles, to snakes, iguanas, frogs and more!  Better Milbridge is sponsoring three free shows with Mr. Drew on September 17th at the Milbridge Theatre.  A 10:30 a.m. show is already filled, but you can still get free tickets to shows at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Mr. Drew takes in what humane societies are unable or unwilling to accommodate, in order to prevent the release of exotic species into the Maine ecosystem.  He currently cares for more than 200 animals!  Head to milbridgetheatre.org for your free tickets today, so you don’t miss out!

Blue Hill Fair Opens September 3rd

(Blue Hill)  The Blue Hill Fair opens two weeks from today!  Thursday, September 3rd is dollar day, with General Admission just a dollar per person and per mechanical ride.  Carnival rides and games open that day at 4.  Friday, September 4th is Senior Citizens’ Day, featuring the Ready-to-Go Dog Show, Maine State Truck Pulls, and the Charlotte’s Web Live Show.  Saturday begins with Wilbur’s 5K Road Race at 8, and features country music legend Darryl Worley free with admission and fireworks at dark.  The fair continues Sunday and Monday with the best agricultural, crafts, flower and vegetable displays around; plus the women’s skillet toss, demolition derby and more.  Find a complete schedule on the Blue Hill Fair FB page.

Cotter Plays for a Cause in Blue Hill

(Blue Hill)  Got your tickets for the Caroline Cotter concert September 20th at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill?  Proceeds benefit the Dolly Fisher Emergency Fund, which provides food, heating and utility bill assistance for folks on the Blue Hill Peninsula.  Cotter has played more than a thousand shows in 46 states and 19 countries.  Find out why and enjoy a great evening for a great cause.  Tickets at carolinecotter.com/shows.

National News 08/20/26

Love is in the Air … and the Nest

(Big Bear Lake, CA)  Love is in the air … and, it appears, the nest.  While Mainers follow our osprey families as they return each spring, rapt raptor watchers the world over have for years followed Jackie and Shadow, a bonded pair of bald eagles in California that had been together since at least 2015.  Sadly, 14 yo Jackie passed away this year on August 10th, following a territorial fight with two other eagles and in spite of intensive, weeks-long medical care.  Now it appears the grieving widower, Shadow, has a possible new love.  A 5 yo banded sub-adult female known as KD1 has begun frequenting the nest.  Shadow, too, has returned home and has been seen interacting, vocalizing, and spending time with KD.  With breeding season returning late fall or winter, fans are keeping their fingers crossed to see if the bond is permanent.  Stay tuned … and get ongoing updates via a live camera feed available through YouTube.

Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman

(AP)  First Iran, now Oman?  President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to bomb the tiny Middle Eastern country of Oman, reportedly because he’s unhappy the country is close to a deal with Iran regarding managing ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.  Officials reportedly told the Associated Press Trump made the threat earlier this week.  While gas and oil prices continue to rise across the U.S., an Iranian official said the strait would not reopen until the United States meets Tehran’s conditions.  Trump on Tuesday posted a map on social media depicting the strait as a U.S. territory.  

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