Crime/Public Safety

Deceased Katahdin Hiker Still Alive When 9-1-1 Call Made

(Baxter State Park)  A hiker who died and who was found September 14th on Mt. Katahdin was still alive when the first 9-1-1 call came in.  Baxter State Park staff told the Bangor Daily News another hiker came across 64 yo Bert Peter Goris of California around 1:15 p.m. a week ago Monday on the Hunt Trail.  Goris, a registered solo Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, had made it to the summit and was headed down. When found, he had a leg injury and had difficulty talking and moving.  Another hiker who earlier encountered Goris said he was wearing wet clothing and that the weather was deteriorating that day, with intermittent rain and strong wind gusts and a wind chill of around 20 degrees. The Maine Army National Guard deployed a helicopter to rescue Goris, but he was confirmed dead at Millinocket Airport where ambulance staff met the rescue team.    

Penobscot Wildfire Started by “Illegal Campfire”

(Penobscot)  A wildfire in Penobscot that required the response of multiple agencies and dozens of firefighters and burned more than five acres over several days was started by an illegal campfire.  Authorities told The Penobscot Bay Press campfires on the land were not permitted by the landowner;  and the campfire which started the blaze was not properly extinguished, allowing it to spread deep into layers of the forest floor amid ongoing drought conditions.  Starting the fire could constitute a Class E crime, possibly leading to criminal court trials, fines, and payment in restitution of fire suppression efforts.

Economy

Maine’s Minimum Wage to Rise in 2027

(Maine)  Although that’s what it’s designed to do, next year’s minimum wage hike hardly keeps up with inflation and the rising costs of everything from groceries to gasoline. According to MaineBiz, state law requires annual inflation adjustments, so hourly minimum wages will rise 60 cents to $15.70 per hour at the beginning of 2027.  The “tip” wage will rise from $7.55 to $7.85.  Beginning in January, employers must pay service workers at least that amount to ensure the combination of wages and tips equals at least $15.70 at the end of each week.  

New Balance Skowhegan Lands Military Contract

(Skowhegan)  The New Balance factory in Skowhegan will be providing footwear for the U.S. military, at least for the next three years.  The Portland Press Herald reports the factory landed a federal contract worth $59M to produce athletic shoes for soldiers.  Production of specialized training footwear will begin in early 2027 for all three branches of the armed services.  The military is locked into buying a minimum of 22K pairs of shoes annually from the newly-expanded New Balance facility at a rough cost of $109 per pair. 

Blue Hill Group Seeks to Coordinate NonProfits’ Services

(Blue Hill)  Dozens of nonprofits, community groups, and volunteers across the Blue Hill Peninsula are working to help those most vulnerable.  An entity called “Blue Hill Peninsula Tomorrow” asks, why not coordinate those efforts to make sure people don’t fall through the gaps?  The Weekly Packet reports Emma Weed brought the challenge before the Select Board this month, hoping to offer a framework for potential initiatives that include service providers, communities, and organizations.  A November 19th conference is planned in order to help community leaders and service providers come together to find ways of better serving the Peninsula.  BHPT also plans to seek outside grants in order to pursue recommendations.

Pop Thrift Sales to Benefit Grubb Family

(MDI)  Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths of a woman and her two grandchildren after their vehicle was found Sunday morning, submerged in the waters of Pond Cove off Roque Bluffs.  Pop Thrift MDI will donate every dollar made on September 23rd, that’s tomorrow, to the Grubb family.  Pop Thrift is an honor-system thrift shop, with everything in the shop marked $5 or less.  Owner Erin Helget explains it’s important to show up for community and says she feels the Grubb family shouldn’t have to worry about money when facing such loss.  You can also donate directly to the PopThriftMDI Venmo.   

Environment

Fall Arrives

(Undated)  Fall officially arrives today; but get out and enjoy one last full day of summer.  The autumnal equinox doesn’t actually occur across the Northern Hemisphere until 8:05 p.m. Eastern.  During the equinox, the sun sits directly above the equator, and daylight and darkness are nearly equal in length. Daylight Savings Time (you know, that time of year when it’s dark at 3 p.m. here in Maine) doesn’t end until the early morning hours of November 1st, so there’s lots of time to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall colors and weather here in New England. Several different websites track peak fall foliage colors, including explorefall.com for colors across the U.S., and mainefoliage.com which updates our state’s brilliance every Wednesday.  

Mild Earthquake Hits Near Milbridge

(Milbridge)  The U.S. Geological Survey recorded an earthquake near the town of Milbridge on Friday, though chances are few felt it and most slept through it.  The 1.4 magnitude quake happened about 12:38 a.m. local time, with the epicenter roughly 3 miles northeast of the coastal Downeast town. The USGS says people in New England have felt small quakes since colonial times, with moderately damaging rumbles somewhere in the region every few decades, and smaller quakes felt roughly twice a year.  In the mid 1700s, the Boston area was damaged three times within 28 years. The largest known New England earthquakes were a magnitude 6.5 in Vermont or New Hampshire back in 1638 and a magnitude 5.8 offshore from Cape Ann in 1755 that caused severe damage to the Boston waterfront.  Most recently a 1940 quake registering a 5.6 magnitude caused moderate damage in central New Hampshire.    

Health

Beth C. Wright Offers Day of Beauty for Those Suffering Hair Loss

(Ellsworth)  This October,  the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center is looking for four very special women who are suffering hair loss as a result of cancer treatment.  The four will be treated to a day of beauty, connection and self-care through “A Path to Healing with Henna Crowns”, as they transform scalps into a canvas for gorgeous henna artwork.  If you’re one who is experiencing such hair loss and would be comfortable participating in a small, supportive group session, contact Beth C. Wright.  The experience is completely free of charge, but limited to four women, and will take place at the Center on Commerce Park in Ellsworth sometime in October.  Beth C. Wright reminds women, you are more than your hair.  You are strong, beautiful, and worthy of being celebrated.

Infrastructure

Waldo County Secures Funds for Resiliency Projects

(Belfast)  Nine Waldo County towns will share close to $821K in state-administered Community Action Grants, designed to support infrastructure in the wake of climate-change-related disasters. According to a press release, the funding focuses on upgrading local infrastructure, improving roads and drainage, stabilizing shorelines, and boosting energy efficiency in order to better withstand severe weather.  Belfast received $160K in total for redoing the harbor breakwater and for Heritage Park shoreline restoration.  Searsport will use its $74K for shoreline stabilization and communication improvements.  Other towns receiving funds include Freedom, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Northport, Searsmont, and Stockton Springs

Human Interest

Autumn Gold Weekend

(Ellsworth)  No lack of things to do in Ellsworth this weekend, as the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates four days of Autumn Gold.  Put on your dancing shoes and kick off the weekend with Harvest Line Dancing, Friday night at the Downeast Family Y.  Saturday morning, make up for those calories burned at the Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast at Ellsworth Elementary Middle School, then head over to the Home Depot Parking lot for the annual car show.  Also on Saturday, check out the KidZone at Knowlton Park, all aboard for an Autumn Gold train ride on the Downeast Scenic Railroad – that’s both Saturday and Sunday – and visit our wonderful local shops for lovely autumn displays and delightful discounts.  Check with the Ellsworth Chamber for a complete schedule of Autumn Gold events.

Girl Scouts Make Life a Picnic at Ellsworth’s Harbor Park

(Ellsworth)  The Girl Scouts of Troop 1282 in Ellsworth made life a real picnic this summer.  The City says as part of their Bronze Award project, the troop made three picnic tables for Harbor Park.  The tables were delivered this week, with one being wheelchair accessible, making the beautiful space even more inclusive.  The project was made possible through the generosity of Viking Lumber, which donated the wood used, and the troop’s leader and mentor, who helped bring the girls’ vision to life.  Each table bears a plaque with the message “We leave the world a better place”.  You certainly do!

National News – 09/22/26

Networks Suspend White House Coverage

(Undated)  Every major news network on Monday agreed to suspend their pooled coverage of President Donald Trump after the White House suspended CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, simply because he disagreed with their coverage. Those committed to suspending coverage include ABC, CBS, Fox News, CNN, and NBC.  The five networks issued a joint statement, saying, “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government.  No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.  The three suspended networks on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing the White House press ban violates their First Amendment rights and due process.

Fat Bear Week

(WaPo)  Want to feel a little better about that weight gain this year?  In Alaska, this is Fat Bear Week. According to the Washington Post, organizers of the bracket-style tournament on Friday revealed the 16 brown bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve vying for this year’s title of fattest … or just favorite.  Park rangers say the voting is very subjective. Fans can vote today through September 29th, with a winner crowned on the final day. Last year’s champ, “Chunk”, is back to defend his 2025 title, facing off against such heavyweights as “Walker” and “Bucky” as they all bulk up on salmon and store body fat in preparation for hibernation.  In case you can’t “bear” the suspense, several cameras are covering the bears at explore.org – click on Fat Bear Week 2026.  More than 1.7 million votes were registered in 2025.

ICE Hides Location of Detainees

(AP)  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stopped publicly revealing where it is holding thousands of detainees who are subject to final deportation orders.  The Associated Press reports the unannounced move has made it increasingly difficult for lawyers and relatives to find them. Speaking on condition of anonymity, three current and former ICE officials say the agency removed the detainees from its online detainee locator system a week ago.  Attorneys for the victims confirmed to the AP their clients vanished from the system this week, highlighting the hardline nature of President Trump’s immigration crackdown, which leaves thousands of detainees hard to trace and potentially unable to exercise all their legal options.  

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