Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Castine Wildfire

(Castine)  Members of the Castine Fire Rescue Department and mutual aid partners spent the weekend battling a five-acre wildfire that forced closure of the Castine Road at least through Sunday morning.  The Penobscot wildland fire, which broke out in a remote area between Dunbar and Castine Roads, was first reported shortly before noon on Saturday.  First responders arrived and found the wildfire growing rapidly.  It took more than a dozen departments close to seven hours to contain the blaze, which at times ignited trees as tall as 100 feet, using bulldozers, thousands of feet of forestry hose, and dozens of firefighters. Hot spots continued to burn, so crews were back on the job Sunday and will continue to remain at and monitor the area today.  

Charges Dropped Against Camden Woman Who Rescued Dog from Hot Car

(Camden)  Charges have been dropped against a Camden woman who rescued a dog from a hot car last week.  41 yo Molly Harish, a registered nurse, was charged with burglary of a motor vehicle August 21st after she removed a dog from a hot truck and took it to the local police station.  The Midcoast Villager reports Harish first called police who sent the Animal Control Officer who deemed the animal was safe; but Harish and her co-workers used a thermometer to determine the temperature inside the truck was 90 degrees and the dog looked in poor shape. The truck was not locked, so Harish opened the vehicle, gave the pup water, and took it to the local police station, after which charges were levied against her.  Following public backlash, Camden Police Chief Allen Weaver announced criminal charges against Harish would be dropped, saying “…when there is an incident I believe could have been handled differently, it’s important that we acknowledge and learn from it and use it as an opportunity to improve.”

Trenton Daycare Shut Down

(Trenton)  Tiny Tykes Daycare on the Bar Harbor Road in Trenton was reportedly  temporarily shut down this month for what officials say was a string of violations that endangered the welfare of the children enrolled there.  The daycare is owned and operated by Betsey Grant and is located adjacent to Big Cats Catering.  According to the Bangor Daily News, state officials say on the day of their inspection, there were no adults on site who had undergone recent background checks nor any adults with valid CPR and first-aid certification.  Grant and multiple supporters have for years claimed the daycare has been targeted by DHHS, and Grant sued them for defamation in 2025, calling DHHS  “deeply deceptive”  and saying  they “destroy anyone who dares to report the deep level of corruption, fraud, exploitation, and endangerment that the very workers within the DHHS recklessly and knowingly commit.”

OSHA Says Paper Mill Ignored Broken Alarm, Fire Hazard

(Baileyville)  A federal safety regulator says the Baileyville paper mill where two men died ignored a broken alarm and fire hazard.  The Portland Press Herald reports federal safety regulators last week released more details on the citations issued in July for Woodland Pulp, saying management at the mill ignored a broken emergency alarm system prior to a fatal gas leak.  On January 27th, employees were executing a cold-weather shutdown, when a massive amount of highly toxic gas escaped, causing the deaths of 20 yo college intern Casey Malcolm and his 26 yo mentor, Alan Hornberger.  Ten additional workers were hospitalized.  OSHA says management knew the emergency alarm system was broken and it failed to activate during the leak.  They further allege the mill intentionally stored combustible wood pulp next to hydrogen peroxide tanks, which resulted in a chemical fire in March.  Woodland Pulp has been hit with nearly $800K in total proposed penalties as a result of the violations. 

EFD Member Honored

(Ellsworth)  Firefighter Joel Behr received The Coast Guard Commendation Medal for his role as Executive Petty Officer at the SW Harbor station.  In his three years in the role, Behr revitalized the Heavy Weather program and piloted the 47-foot lifeboat.  The Coast Guard said under his leadership, more than $2M in property and 117 lives were saved.  Behr recently served as a Call Department member with the Ellsworth Fire Department, where he served countless hours and where, they say, he will be sorely missed.

Mt. Washington to Honor 9/11 Victims

(New Hampshire)  Two massive beams of light will shine upwards from the summit of Mount Washington between September 9th and 12th, honoring the victims of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.  Organizers of The Honor Summit say the beams will reach some three miles into the sky.  If conditions are right, they say the beams could be visible within a 135-mile radius.  The recognition was inspired in part by the Tribute Light in New York City, which shines two beams into the sky near the site of the former World Trade Center towers. 

Local Politics

Maine Joins Title X Lawsuit

(Augusta)  Maine has joined 22 states in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration over new conditions for Title X grant funding.  The Bangor Daily News reports the program helps clinics provide reproductive healthcare, including cancer screenings, to low-income patients.  Under new conditions issued last month clinics that receive funding would be required to eliminate diversity practices, exclude transgender patients, discourage the use of contraception in favor of natural family planning, and counsel all patients in the direction of marriage and parenthood.  The states argue such conditions are unlawful and discriminatory and the suit asks the court to block their enforcement.

Economy

CMP Asks for Rate Increase

(Maine)  Central Maine Power is asking for a “temporary” rate hike in order to increase its revenue while a $189M rate case is deliberated before the Maine Public Utilities Commission.  The Portland Press Herald reports CMP is asking for the $69.3M bump in revenue this fall, which means customers’ bills in southern and central Maine could go up as soon as next month.  The potential $7 per month increase would affect the company’s close to 670K customers.  The full hike – expected to be decided on next spring – could raise monthly bills by $18 over the current costs.

Eastport’s Only Grocery Store to Close

(Eastport)  Imagine having to drive at least 40 minutes for fresh produce and full-service groceries.  That’s the dilemma Eastport residents face after September 3rd when the city’s only grocery store closes for good.  Owner Merilyn Mills is retiring, and despite all efforts, no buyers have stepped forward to purchase the R&M IGA Foodliner.  The closure leaves over 20 employees out of work and means Eastport residents will have to drive to the WalMart in Calais as their closest resource.

Maine Craft Weekend

(Ellsworth)  Maine Craft Weekend is just one month away, and Down East Magazine this month features a nice shoutout to one of the host cities – our very own Ellsworth.  Maine Craft Weekend is a statewide invitation to discover Maine through its makers … with open studios, demonstrations, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences, happening in towns and cities across the state.  Join Heart of Ellsworth and others October 1-4 for four days of craft, culture, and community.  Look for programming at the Makerspace – 16 State Street, the Ellsworth Public Library, Artsworth, and public art sites connected to the growing Union River Sculpture Trail. That’s statewide, October 1st through 4th, including right here in Ellsworth.  

Environment

Ellsworth Pilots Composting Program

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth is piloting a program that will only work if you decide to scrap it.  We’re talking food scraps; and when you “donate” yours to the free food composting pilot program at the Ellsworth Transfer Station, you’ll help reduce the cost of solid waste disposal for yourself and for the City.  Beginning Wednesday, Ellsworth residents can drop off food scraps to designated compost collection bins at the Ellsworth Transfer Station at no additional cost.  In addition, the food composting program at Ellsworth Elementary Middle School will expand to Ellsworth High School.  Residents can also use the existing food scrap drop-off location at Fogtown Brewing Company.  And for ultimate convenience (and a fee), Chickadee Compost offers curbside food scrap collection in select areas of the City’s core.  The program is made possible through a Community Action Grant.  Learn more at ellsworthmaine.gov.

Volunteers Do Damage Control on Acadia’s Peaks

(ANP)  The millions of visitors to Acadia National Park each year bring recognition and revenue.  They also cause erosion on the park’s highest peaks as a consequence of trampling native vegetation.  In order to combat the damage, volunteers spent the summer hauling bags of soil to the summits of Sargent and Penobscot mountains.  The Bangor Daily News reports the group gathers twice a week from June to September and treks up 5-20 pound bags of soil to repair damage that hikers likely don’t even realize has occurred.  The program is one of several under Friends of Acadia’s Wild Acadia Initiative, focused on preparing the park for future climate conditions.  The program will welcome dogs on September 12th for their third annual canine-friendly edition.  Visit Friends of Acadia to learn more.

Health

RFK, Jr.’s Policies Hobble Progress of Lyme Vaccine

(Maine)  The rollout of a highly anticipated Lyme disease vaccine faces an indefinite delay due to recent policies put forth by US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.  The Bangor Daily News reports Pfizer and Valneva’s vaccine showed 73% efficacy in Phase 3 clinical trials.  But Kennedy triggered a legal shutdown of the CDC’s independent vaccine advisory panel, firing all 17 members and appointing vaccine skeptics to fill those seats.  A federal judge issued a court order banning the committee from meeting after a coalition of medical organizations sued.  But without a functioning, legally recognized advisory panel, the logistical launch of the new shot is entirely hamstrung.

Human Interest

Discovery Astronaut to Visit Blue Hill

(Blue Hill)  Nicole Stott completed a nearly seven-hour space walk and flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery’s final flight.  Next month, she’ll bring her experiences back to earth in Blue Hill as part of The Shaw Institute’s “Oceans to Orbits: Science, Art, and Action” program.  The Rising Tide reports the series focuses on the question, “What if we thought of ourselves not as passengers on Earth, but as Earth’s crew?”  The collaboration involves a public art reception (Stott is also an artist), a beach cleanup, and activities with local schools.  For dates and times, visit shawinstitute.org.  

National News 08/31/26

Tennessee Governor Posits Renaming Nashville Airport After Dolly Parton

(ABC)  Tennessee Governor Bill Lee wants to ensure Dolly Parton’s legacy will continue to fly high in the hearts and minds of those who visit Tennessee.  ABC News reports the Governor has spoken with Parton’s team about renaming Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly.  Parton’s team has expressed appreciation for the outpouring of love and support and say they are open to continuing the conversation.  Dolly’s family reports she was laid to rest Friday in a private burial in Nashville.

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