Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Cruise Ship Member Arrested

(Bar Harbor)  A crew member who served aboard a cruise ship that visited Maine this week is one of dozens arrested in a sweeping federal operation targeting people in possession of child sex abuse materials.  According to the Bangor Daily News, 35 yo Bobby Prieto was arrested Monday on board the Norwegian Jewel; a day before the ship visited Bar Harbor. Authorities reportedly found media files on Prieto’s cellphones depicting him sexually assaulting a young girl. According to U.S.Customs and Border Protection, officials have arrested 87 cruise ship crewmembers in Boston since mid-August for child sex abuse related charges. 

Body of Missing Blue Hill Man Recovered

(Blue Hill)  Authorities on Tuesday recovered the body of 82 yo James Kannry, a Blue Hill resident reported missing on September 20th.  According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s office, investigators believe Kannry fell off a boat.  The Maine Marine Patrol and others searched the area for several days without success.  A 9-1-1 caller reported finding his body about five miles from where he was believed to have fallen into the water.

Local Politics

Political Ads Choke Out Small Businesses

(Undated)  It’s more important than ever to support our local small businesses.  Many of them rely on media advertising to promote their products, sales, and services.  But sources say their ads are being drowned out by a glut of political ads, which can also drive up the costs of those ads.  In Bangor, outside groups have paid as much as $7500 for a single 30-second ad during primetime news, pushing up the costs for small business owners trying to compete.  One consultant told the Bangor Daily News, “In today’s short attention span world, if you’re not showing up everywhere, you’re missing an opportunity to communicate with people.”  Get out there and shop local.  

Heart of Ellsworth “Meet the Candidates”

(Ellsworth)  Don’t know much about the candidates running for Ellsworth City Council?  Heart of Ellsworth has you covered with their annual nonpartisan “Meet the Candidates” forum, set for 6:30 p.m. October 13th at The Grand.  A second event planned for October 21st will give residents the chance to meet and greet candidates running for library trustee and the Ellsworth School Board.  That event will be held from 5-6 p.m. on the 21st at the Ellsworth Public Library.

Economy

Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound Owners Sell

(Trenton)  The owners of the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound have sold a Winter Harbor marine facility and ferry terminal for $3.2M as part of a settlement in an alleged fraud dispute. The Bangor Daily News reports Anthony and Josette Pettegrow were ordered to pay just over $3.8M after they were sued in federal court by Lobster 207, a Maine lobstering union local, over a fraud scheme connected to the couple’s business in Trenton.  The conflict arose after the cooperative purchased the Pettegrow’s wholesale lobster business in 2017 and later alleged the family swindled the group by violating sale terms. The Pettegrows and their son, Warren, who was hired as CEO of the business, were accused of embezzling funds, submitting fraudulent invoices, surcharging lobster products, and violating the sale contract by operating a competing wholesale outfit.  

CMP’s Rate Planned Rate Hike “Losing Power”

(Undated)  The Maine Public Utilities Commission this week recommended regulators deny a request from Central Maine Power for nearly $70M in raised rates this Fall.  The Portland Press Herald reports the increase would add about $7 a month to the average household’s bill; an increase CMP says is needed to soften the “significant financial distress” it is experiencing.  The request is intended to let Maine’s largest electric utility recoup costs while a larger, long-term rate case is deliberated.  The three-member board will meet October 6th for a final decision on the so-called temporary rates.

Bangor a Finalist for USAF Refueling Squadron

(Bangor)  Bangor is one of four finalists in a bid for a new air refueling squadron. The city was originally among 14 Air National Guard bases being considered.  Senators Angus King and Susan Collins say they will continue to push for Bangor’s selection, citing the city’s strategic location and proven excellence of the 101st Air Refueling Wing.  The U.S.Air Force is expected to announce its selection early next year.

Education

EHS Robotics Team Takes Home Finalist Honors

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth High School Robotics Team may be brand new, but they’re already bringing home the hardware in local competitions. The EHS VEX Robotics Team, aka “Garlic Sauce Electricity”, formed just two weeks ago, but took home Tournament Finalist (2nd Place) honors at their debut competition at John Bapst High School. The team finished 9th in qualifiers, battling through quarter- and semi-finals with teamwork and skill against 19 other squads to also take home the Rookie Inspiration Award. The team is composed of Landon Vallance, Jaymeson Gray, Noah Lutz, Andrew Donahue, and Team Captain Maguire Pratt.  Next up, the students head to the Lobstah Bowl at the end of October, an international event at UMaine Orono, where they hope to qualify for VEX Worlds in Las Vegas.  

October Offerings at the Versant Power Astronomy Center

(Orono)  A new month means a brand new set of explorations and entertainment for all ages at the Versant Power Astronomy Center on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.  The month kicks off with Friends and Family Weekend, highlighting 12 different programs October 2nd through 4th.  Friday evenings at 7,  it’s all about “Time” – from clocks to calendars, they say you’ll learn to think about time in new ways.  The 2 p.m. family program on Sundays is 3-2-1 Liftoff!  Travel with Elon to learn how rockets work while he helps a robotic friend back to her spaceship. The 4 p.m. Sunday music shows present Styx: Mission to Mars.  From the dreamy “Come Sail Away” to the dystopic “Mr. Roboto”, sit back, relax and enjoy stunning visuals set to music.  Sounds of the Ocean October 8 & 9 takes audiences into the sea in a unique way; and join them for a special music show, Monster Mash October 30 and 31.  For a complete schedule, tickets, and more, visit astro.umaine.edu.

Author to Speak at EPL

(Ellsworth)  Maine author Ron Currie knows a thing or two about writing..  His novel, The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne, is being developed into a Netflix series by the Creator of “Stranger Things”  October 8th, he’ll be at the Ellsworth Public Library from 6 to 7 p.m. to talk about his work, his writing process, and using Maine as a backdrop for fiction.  Union River Book & Toy will be on hand with copies of Currie’s books for purchase, and a Question and Answer period will follow his presentation.  Space is limited, so you need to register in advance through the library. 

Environment

Blue Hill Mountain Trail System to Close

(Blue Hill)  Heads up if you were planning a hike on the Blue Hill Mountain Trail System this weekend.  On Friday, October 2nd (that’s tomorrow!), the entire trail system will be closed while work is completed on the cell phone tower.  Crews will be transporting heavy equipment to the summit by helicopter, so for the safety of all, they ask that you not attempt to access any of the trails while the closure is in effect.  Then next week, crews will be taking equipment to the tower via the service trail, using ATV’s – so use caution while that work is being done.  Signage will be placed at all trailheads, and you can check for updates on Blue Hill Heritage Trust’s website.

Human Interest

SPCA Vaccination Clinic

(Trenton)  SPCA of Hancock County is offering a by-donation vaccination and microchip clinic for Hancock County residents who may have difficulty affording routine veterinary care. The clinic is made possible by Stanley Subaru and the Subaru Loves Pets program.  Space is limited, and pre-registration is required at the link you’ll find on the SPCA’s FB page.  The clinic is Saturday, October 10th, from Noon until 4 for personally owned cats and dogs of Hancock County residents.  

Artists Exhibit Work at Ellsworth Public Library

(Ellsworth)  Stop into the Ellsworth Public Library all this month and view the works of two Maine Artists – Renata Moise – a lifelong resident of Hancock, and Noreen Eagleston, who is based in Midcoast Maine.  The exhibit is entitled “Where Nature Meets the Canvas” and features gorgeous works of Maine’s unmatched natural beauty.  Join the artists and explore their work during a reception on October 13th at 4 p.m. in the Riverview Room.

National News 10/30/26

Backpack 89 Crowned 2026 Fat Bear Champ

(Alaska)  If you followed the brackets in Alaska’s Fat Bear Week, you know it was a close race, but a 20-year-old who survived a serious leg injury as a yearling came out the winner this week.  Organizers say Backpack 89 exhibits quiet strength and is not an aggressive competitor, but he is the son of Champion 435 Holly, so he enjoys a legendary lineage. Fat Bear Week is an annual single-elimination tournament celebrating the success of brown bears at Katmai National Park in Alaska as they vie to gain pounds before hibernating.  The yearly brackets start with 16 competitors who can be followed on webcams when voting opens and runs through the last week of September.  

Headlines

(AP)  In national news, the U.S. military on Wednesday said its withdrawal of troops from Iraq is complete, ending a 12-year mission to fight the Islamic State group.  

Also on Wednesday, a pilot on a flight carrying Israelis stabbed another and apparently tried to crash the aircraft.  Israel scrambled warplanes amid fears of a hijacking, but passengers and crew were able to subdue the attacker and the plane made a safe, emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

And Iran Wednesday indicated it has received an official U.S. response to its latest offer on ending the war.  President Trump had publicly rejected the response days earlier, but Iranian officials did not say what the response contained nor if it was a rejection.

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