Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Bradford Fire

(Bradford)  The State Fire Marshal’s office has ruled the cause of a structure fire in the Penobscot County town of Bradford as “undetermined”.  Firefighters were called to a home on Williams Road shortly before 1 p.m. last Friday.  The fire was believed to have started in the living room, but investigators were unable to determine exactly how the blaze began.  A resident who was home at the time of the fire was able to safely evacuate, and there were no reported injuries.

Sand Bucket Donations

(Deer Isle)  The Deer Isle Fire Department and Healthy Peninsula are collecting donations of five gallon buckets, bait buckets and plastic kitty litter boxes – cleaned thoroughly, please.  The receptacles will be filled with sand and delivered this winter to community members who aren’t otherwise able to get them themselves.  Donations can be dropped off at the fire department or delivered to the Healthy Peninsula office in Blue Hill.  The program is similar to Age Friendly Sullivan’s “Sullivan Cares” program, which for the past several years has delivered buckets of sand to enable older citizens, in particular, to keep their walks and decks from being slippery.

Local Politics

Canadian Tariffs Take Effect

(Undated)  Canadian tariffs designed to retaliate against President Trump’s recent tariffs went into effect on Tuesday, with Canada enacting tariffs up to 50% on clothing, cheese, metal and wood products, to name a few.  The tariffs target roughly $20B in U.S. imports. Trump responded by directing his administration to take steps to remove Canadian-origin products from a key government system that guides federal purchasing.  Canada was one of the United States’ foremost trading partners and closest allies before the actions of the current administration.  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described his nation as being now “at war”, with Canadian officials pledging to respond dollar for dollar to any U.S. duties.

Maine Conservation Voters Releases Legislative Scorecard

(Augusta)  Maine Conservation Voters is an environmental nonprofit working to protect the health of Maine people and the environment.  Last week, the organization released its 2026 Environmental Scorecard, which serves as a guide to the voting records of Maine’s legislators on environmental and democracy bills.  This year, the Pen Bay Pilot reports, 60 lawmakers across both chambers earned 100% on the scorecard, while six earned an absolute zero, voting against environmental protections, clean energy, and efforts to address rising utility costs.  Learn more about how your representatives voted at scorecard.maineconservation.org.

Public Hearing Set on Proposed Underwater Computing Project

(Eastport)  A public hearing on two citizen-initiated ordinances aimed at stopping a proposed underwater computing project near Eastport is scheduled for this evening  The project, a proposal of Deep Green Western Passage, was previously described as an artificial intelligence data center.  The group that petitioned for the ban has also asked the city to file for intervenor status in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permitting process so that Eastport can actively participate as an interested third party.  Eastport City Council earlier approved a 180-day temporary ban on data centers.  The public hearing and regular City Council meeting are set for 6 p.m. this evening in the Port Authority Building.

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Economy

Machiasport Considers Affordable Housing for Young Fishing Families

(Machiasport)  Machiasport last month met with members of the Rockland-based Island Institute to consider steps needed to offer young commercial fishing families an affordable option to obtain a house lot, build a house, and continue to live and work in the community in which they grew up. The Machias Valley News Observer reports the town could be the first small fishing community in Maine to offer such an option.  Machiasport owns more than 80 acres of undeveloped land due to tax foreclosures and donations and hopes to work with SCEC, as well, to put the land into service for housing. The town of Jonesport is reportedly closely studying Machiasport’s efforts.   

Hannaford Agrees to $9M Settlement

(Scarborough)  Hannaford has agreed to a nearly $9M settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging the Scarborough-based retailer denied salaried department managers overtime pay.  The suit was filed in 2024 by a former bakery manager at a Hannaford store in Lewiston.  The final order covers a class-action suit that included nearly 1300 current and former employees, 456 of whom formally opted into the case.  In spite of the settlement, MaineBiz reports Hannaford defended its compensation policy for salaried department managers.

Rainy Day Fund Checks

(Augusta)  More than 500K Mainers are beginning to get $300 checks mailed from the state government.  The Portland Press Herald reports the “affordability checks” are drawn from the state’s rainy-day piggy bank and sent to those who met two conditions:  they filed their 2025 state taxes (you can still file by October 15th), and they earned below a certain income threshold in 2025.  The income cutoff is $50K earned by a person filing taxes individually, $75K for head of household, or under $100K for a married couple filing jointly.

Maine High on List of States That Rely on Foreign Workers

(Maine)  Maine is among the states that rely most heavily on foreign workers to fill seasonal labor demands.  The Bangor Daily News reports in an analysis of federal data for H-2A, H-2B, and other visa programs, Maine has the ninth highest per capita demand for seasonal labor of any state in the country.  According to another source, Maine employed nearly 1500 temporary farm workers; and data from the first half of this year indicates that number is rising.  Blueberry growers and other farmers rely heavily on seasonal labor, as do tourist towns such as Bar Harbor during the busy summer and fall seasons.

Environment

Maine Forest Service Introduces Forest Resilience Program

(Augusta)  The Maine Forest Service is seeking applications for a new program to help landowners build forest resilience and safeguard their land now and for future generations.  According to the Machias Valley News Observer, the $9M program will equip landowners with tools to help strengthen their forests.  In order to enroll, candidates must have 10 or more forested acres.  Selected applicants will work with a Maine Forest Service-approved Resilience Forester.  Financial incentives are considered taxable income.  They say the first step for those interested is to schedule a free consultation with their District Forester.  

Drought Conditions Persist

(Maine)  Maine continues to experience widespread drought, with the Midcoast experiencing Severe Drought conditions, according to the state’s Drought Task Force.  Groundwater levels across much of Maine never recovered from last Fall’s record low precipitation and have been below normal for roughly a year, with groundwater the biggest concern.  Fishery officials say reports indicate groundwater-fed streams have been running dry, potentially impacting Atlantic salmon and alewife populations.  Farmers can apply to the state’s Farmers Drought Resilience Program, which funds wells, water storage ponds, and water management.  They may also qualify for federal assistance through their local USDA Farm Service Agency.   

MDACF Launches Fall Foliage Reporting 

(Augusta)  Brilliant color everywhere – you can’t beat autumn in New England!  When will it peak in your area?  The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry today launches its 2026 fall foliage reporting season.  Each Wednesday throughout the season, you’ll be able to access the latest prediction at MaineFoliage.com.  This year, DACF is inviting organizations, communities, and others to submit public fall events for possible inclusion in the weekly reports in order to help residents and visitors get out and enjoy the colors even more.   Log on today for the season’s first report.

Human Interest

Former Patient Raising Funds for LifeFlight

(Jonesboro)  Hollye Lord is a local nurse raising funds for LifeFlight of Maine through their Cross for LifeFlight fundraiser.  Her reason for doing so is personal.  Hollye tells Downeast Digest on May 24th, 2024, she sustained multiple internal injuries after a horseback riding accident.  She was flown by helicopter from the scene in Jonesboro to the nearest trauma center in Bangor, receiving blood during transport; likely saving her life.  Today, she’s healthy and active and says Cross for LifeFlight is a way to show her gratitude and give back.  This year, she challenged herself to complete 28 hikes during the month of August, crossing more than 75 miles, ending on The Friendship Trail in Campobello – a nod to LifeFlight’s 28 years of service.  To join Hollye in supporting this critical service, visit her fundraising page at runsignup.com/hlord or learn more at crossforlifeflight.org.   

National News 09/09/26

Smithsonian Leader to Resign

(Washington, DC)  The Trump Administration’s attacks on the country’s history has prompted Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III to announce his departure.  According to the New York Times, Bunch has served the past seven years at the institution, which was created by Congress as a trust in 1846 and has been long viewed as independent of the Executive Branch. For more than a year, Bunch has tried to balance diplomacy and openness to criticism with a determination to resist a White House push to rewrite the nation’s history into what President Trump calls “patriotic history”.  Bunch said his end goal has been to protect the Smithsonian.  A widely respected historian who oversaw the creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Bunch said his next chapter would most likely include teaching or a fellowship.

Renoir Museum Heist

(Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France)  Just short of a year after the brazen heist at the Louvre in Paris, thieves have targeted the Renoir Museum in what was formerly the artist’s home in southern France.  The New York Times reports an alarm went off early Tuesday morning, alerting authorities, who arrived within five minutes, but narrowly missed two thieves who fled the museum with four paintings, leaving two behind as they attempted to avoid police.  The four artworks are said to be the most valuable of the museum’s collection.  Investigators say the museum is closed until further notice but that clues were left behind in the museum that will help track down the thieves.

Kavanaugh Denies Request for Missouri Officials to Use Republican-Biased Map 

(Washington, DC)  Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Tuesday denied a request from Missouri officials to use a congressional map in November that was redrawn to give Republicans an edge in the midterms.  The justice’s order deferred to Missouri’s Supreme Court, which last week blocked the use of the new map, even though it had been used in last month’s primary.   According to the NYTimes, Kavanaugh oversees emergency requests from Missouri and acted on his own, without referring the matter to the full court.

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