Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Volunteer Fire Departments Awarded State Farm Grants

(Mariaville)  Four volunteer fire departments in Maine, including the Mariaville Volunteer Fire Department, have been awarded $10K grants through the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program.  The Machias Valley News Observer reports the program helps local fire departments purchase needed equipment to enhance responder safety and better protect their communities. Other Maine fire departments receiving the grants include Washington County’s Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue, and the Frye Island and Norridgewock Fire Departments.  Maine’s recipients are among 150 departments nationwide to receive the grants.

Baileyville Mill Contests OSHA Fines

(Baileyville)  Woodland Pulp in Baileyville is contesting federal workplace safety citations and nearly $800K in proposed penalties levied against the mill after an OSHA report found multiple violations related to the deaths of two employees in January.  NewsCenter Maine reports OSHA announced July 30 it had issued four willful and eight serious citations, after investigations of two separate incidents at the Washington County facility.  OSHA cited Woodland Pulp for failing to protect workers from dangerous hydrogen sulfide levels by not providing proper alarms or breathing equipment.  Because the mill is contesting the citations, the matter will be sent to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission for independent review and adjudication –  the formal, legal process of resolving a dispute by a judge or court.

Trial in Murder of Paddleboarder Likely Delayed Until 2027

(Union)  The trial of a teen accused in the murder of paddleboarder Sunshine Stewart in July 2025 may not happen until early next year. The 48 yo victim went missing after a solo paddleboard on Crawford Pond in Union.  Police found her body on an island the next day. The medical examiner determined her death was caused by blunt force trauma and strangulation.  Deven Young, who was 17 at the time, was arrested weeks later and charged with the crime.  A judge earlier this year ruled Young is competent to stand trial, and prosecutors want him to be tried as an adult, which could lead to decades in prison.  According to the Bangor Daily News, the defense claims their mental health expert needs several months to evaluate Young, likely pushing a hearing back to January or February 2027.

Economy

Loaves and Fishes Fill the Grand Act V

(Ellsworth)  Just a little over a week until Loaves and Fishes’ “Fill the Grand, Act V”.  For the fifth year, the Ellsworth based food pantry is counting on you to fill all 400 seats with a bag of nonperishable groceries or a $25 donation.  The concession stand will be open, and you can drop off your donation from 10 to 4.  Loaves and Fishes helps more than 5K individuals across more than 2K households each year, serving everyone with a big helping of dignity.  Visit, volunteer, and donate to help them continue to reach those in need.

Peabody Memorial Library Facelift

(Jonesport)  Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport’s favorite book these days must be Through the Looking Glass!  They’re celebrating installation of a new front door, five new basement windows this spring, five new main floor windows last week, and two original small windows refurbished this week.  Several organizations contributed to the facelift, including the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Viking Lumber, “Bob the Builder”, Machias Glassworks, Jeff Green and crew, and Bill Hinkley.  And thanks to a very generous donor, they’ll be replacing the remaining three main floor windows this fall.  Looking good, Heidi and staff!

Better Milbridge School Supply Drive

(Milbridge)  Just a few more days to contribute to the Better Milbridge 2026 Back-to-School Supplies Drive.  This year’s drive is in honor of Alton Wallace, a local fisherman known for his generosity and who was dedicated to the students of his community.  There are several ways to contribute … through their Amazon Wish List, financial donations via credit card, PayPal or Venmo, or by check or cash dropped off at Camden National Bank Milbridge.  Supply donation boxes are located at Four Corners Grocery in Columbia and several locations around Milbridge.  Find a list of supplies most needed on the Better Milbridge FB page.

Penquis Gets Six-Months Extension

(Maine)  Penquis Community Action Partners has been providing transportation services of anywhere from five to 6000 runs a month for all kinds of needs for some four decades.  Rides include trips to medical and vet appointments, birthday dinners, grocery stores, and everything in between.  They also serve MaineCare members in Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties.  But in 2023, Fox Bangor reports, Colorado-based ModivCare was awarded a 10-year, $750M contract by Maine DHHS.  Although Penquis appealed, the Maine Supreme Court upheld the change, with Penquis’s contract effective just through the end of the year.  Maine DHHS has since extended that contract to June 30th next year.  Anyone with questions about what happens after July 1, 2027 is encouraged to contact MaineCare Member Services.

Environment

Lamoine Coastal Cleanup

(Lamoine)  Lamoine is again joining communities across the state for shoreline cleanups during September.  Community members are encouraged to participate in individual cleanups and report your haul with other Lamoiners or join a cleanup crew.  To participate with a group, email Lanissa at lthomasme@gmail.com.  Lamoine coastal cleanup can be done anytime between September 5th – that’s  this Saturday – through September 19th.

Human Interest

Rotary Autumn Gold Blueberry Pancake Breakfast

(Ellsworth)  They’re back … and sweeter than ever!  The Rotary Club of Ellsworth will be at Autumn Gold on September 26th with their famous Blueberry Pancake Breakfast!  All you can eat, just $12 for adults, $7 for children 12 and under … from 7 to 10 at Ellsworth Elementary Middle School.  Purchase tickets in advance at the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce.  And, of course, all proceeds benefit the many wonderful local Rotary charities and scholarships.  

Blue Hill Fair Opens

(Blue Hill)  Let’s hope the rain clears, because it’s opening day for The Blue Hill Fair!  Gates open at 4 p.m. with just a dollar admission this evening, and a dollar per mechanical ride!  The fair is open tonight until 10 p.m.; and not to worry if it’s still raining this evening … the fair runs through Monday, September 7th.  This year’s special attractions include the Charlotte’s Web Exhibit, the Ready Go Dog Show, Wheels ‘N Steel Stunt Show, the Agricultural Education Tent, and Fireworks at Dark on Saturday, September 5th – plus, so much more!  You’ll find a full schedule on the Blue Hill Fair FB page.

CNB Employees Donate Community Well-Being Day to Helping Heart of Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  Camden National Bank employees will once again this year spend their company-wide Well-Being Day with Heart of Ellsworth.  On September 9th, they’ll join the Design Committee for an afternoon of sprucing up the downtown area.  As part of their efforts, they’ll help bring fall color to Main Street by planting 30 mums in the bridge flower boxes and other planters in the downtown area.  To help fund the project, you can purchase a mum for just $10 or provide other gifts to help with the plants, tools, and other year-round work that keeps the downtown looking fresh in every season.  Donate at heartofellsworth.org.

Classes in Clay

(Ellsworth)  Join the Heart of Ellsworth Makerspace at 16 State Street for Classes in Clay this month and next.  Participate in one or both new six-weeks offerings.  Handbuilding 1 runs September 23rd-October 28th, and you can register for the full six-weeks series or choose individual project-based classes.  Handbuilding II – Functional Tableware begins September 22nd and will include building skills and creating a custom tableware set.  Register by September 10th at the link on the Heart of Ellsworth FB page for presale pricing.  

Songs of Downeast at Woodlawn

(Ellsworth)  In the mood for an evening of historic songs of Sailors, Fishermen & Woodsmen from Hancock and Washington Counties?  Don’t miss Singing Way Downeast with Stephen Sanfilippo, Wednesday, September 9th, from 5 to 6:30 at Woodlawn in Ellsworth.  Sanfilippo taught maritime history for many years at MMA and sings of the small coastal towns and fishing communities, the lumber camps along Maine’s rivers, and ballads about life and work of days gone by that still remain today.  The event will be held outdoors or inside the barn, depending on the weather.  Tickets are pay what you wish, with a suggested donation of $10.00 per person.

National News 09/03/27

MapQuest Takes the Lead

(The Hill)  Looking for some direction on getting directions?  MapQuest is now the leading mapping service, running roughshod over Apple and Google Maps, after MapQuest refused to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America”, defying an Executive Order signed by President Trump.  The company tells The Hill its mobile app received hundreds of thousands of downloads after announcing last week the Lake would remain Lake Ontario on its apps.  Google and Apple were quick to make the change ordered by Trump; a decision that has angered millions of U.S. citizens and other Americans.  By Monday morning, Mapquest had climbed to No. 1 among navigation apps in Apple’s U.S. app store.  After announcing Lake Ontario would remain Lake Ontario on MapQuest, the app’s usage jumped to roughly 50 times its normal level, according to MapQuest.

Iran Fires on Middle East Neighbors

(AP)  Iran Wednesday fired on U.S. allies in the Gulf, after a night of American bombardment that Iranian state media says included a deadly strike on a wedding party.  The war began February 28th when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran without a clear exit strategy.  According to the Associated Press, the now-six-months-old-war has led to a spike in oil prices, roiled the global economy, and posed increasing political problems for Trump’s Republican Party ahead of the November midterms.  One analyst surmised with military resources being stretched thin and both sides battered economically, neither side can continue indefinitely between full-scale war and a truce.  

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