Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Dexter Fire Caused by Improper Disposal of Smoking Materials
(Dexter) Authorities say a Saturday afternoon fire at a home in the Penobscot County town of Dexter was caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials. Firefighters were called to the Line Road home shortly after 2:30 p.m. on October 3rd and found a fire in a second floor bedroom. Crews were able to contain the fire, but the home sustained heavy smoke damage. The home’s sole occupant, a 40-year-old woman, escaped the residence, but was taken to a hospital in Pittsfield for treatment. Authorities say a dog died in the fire. The blaze kept firefighters on the scene for about three hours.
Local Politics
Mills Calls for Increased LiHEAP Funding
(Augusta) As President Trump’s war in Iran continues to drive energy prices to record highs, Governor Janet Mills has called on Congress to provide additional home heating assistance. Mills noted the current federal funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LiHEAP, is insufficient to meet the increased need caused by sharply higher home heating costs. This week, Senator Susan Collins put her clout behind Mills’s request, asking the federal government to release the maximum amount of funding for the program, even as the Trump administration has suggested zeroing out funding for the critical support LiHEAP provides. Maine is the most oil-dependent state for home heating, with some 50% of households relying on the fuel as a primary heat source, although that’s down from a high of 70% in 2010 as Mainers slowly switch to alternative energy sources.
Early Voting Begins
(Maine) Early voting in Maine began yesterday. In the Pine Tree State, early voting is conducted by absentee ballot. Voters can obtain an absentee ballot by mail and return it by mail, or can visit their municipal clerk’s office during regular business hours and then submit their ballot in person. If you’re voting by mail, due to short staffing and other limits proposed under the Trump administration, you’re encouraged to get your ballot in the mail no later than October 20th, 14 days prior to the November 3rd election. According to maine.gov, Maine’s no-excuse absentee voting period, including in-person absentee voting at town and city halls, extends through October 29th. All absentee ballots for the upcoming General Election must be received by a voter’s municipality no later than 8 p.m. on November 3rd.
Economy
Bar Harbor Chamber Names Winners for Upcoming Annual Dinner
(Bar Harbor) As you know, we’re all about our wonderful local nonprofits, so we’re sending our warmest congratulations to the Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor. The 1932 venue has been named the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Nonprofit Organization of the Year. They say the acknowledgement belongs to a village of staff, volunteers, the board, performers, supporters and guests. The Chamber named the town’s Cool as a Moose the 2026 Business of the Year, and they also say it’s been a team effort in that business, as well. Winners will be officially recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner.
Aroostook’s Warming Shelter Faces $36K Deficit
(Presque Isle) Homeless Services of Aroostook received just under $113K this year from MaineHousing for its 15-bed warming shelter – but it was chilling news, because the Presque Isle facility is the only warming shelter north of Bangor, and the funds awarded are about $36K dollars LESS than they received in 2025. The organization says it will have to cut costs as it faces that 25% shortfall. The deficit is especially concerning, reports the Bangor Daily News, because the shelter has seen a 10% increase in utilization over the past year – an increase no doubt destined to grow amid rising inflation, fuel, and other energy costs.
Report: Immigrants Contribute $15B Impact to Maine Economy
(August) A report commissioned by the Maine Office of New Americans finds between 2020 and 2024, foreign-born workers generated $2.25 billion in personal income and $177 million in state income tax. According to MaineBiz, the report quantifies immigrants’ contributions to the state’s economy, while warning federal immigration enforcement could leave employers shorthanded in critical sectors. Director Julia Trujillo Luengo said, “This analysis supports what many of us already know – immigrants are key to some of our most iconic industries, from blueberry processing to lobstering to tourism, with their impact reaching far beyond the jobs they hold.” Employment of immigrants supported nearly 74K jobs over the four years studied and had a nearly $15B impact on Maine’s economic output.
Campaign Shines Light on Contributions of Nonprofits
(Undated) A national public awareness campaign is shining a light on the essential work of nonprofits across the country. Dubbed “Nonprofits Get It Done”, the campaign turns the spotlight on those who provide advocacy for folks in some of life’s most difficult moments – domestic violence, food insecurity, the need for health and human services … to name a few. Amid growing challenges facing such organizations, the Maine Association of Nonprofits is leading a statewide effort through the campaign to build public awareness of the vital work done by nonprofits….and they’re inviting Mainers to help amplify stories of how they’re meeting critical needs here in the Pine Tree State. Have a story or just want to know more? visit nonprofitmaine.org/NonprofitsGetItDone.
Education
DEG Publishes Safety Adventure Book for Kids
(Hancock) Adventure starts buckled – with a safety vest – every time kids are near water. That’s the premise behind a new children’s book by Maine author Tommy Reardon and published by Downeast Graphics and Printing. Join Buckle, Neal the Seal, and Poppy the Harbor Porpoise in a fun, heart-filled story of friendship, courage, smart choices, and looking out for one another. Reardon says the book was created to make boating and water safety feel exciting, memorable, and meaningful for children, while carrying a powerful message about safety. He says his goal is for the book to also honor those he’s met whose lives have been impacted by boating tragedies. Grab one for your kids at Downeast Graphics and Printing on the Washington Junction Road – or order for $5, plus $4.99 shipping. Order here: https://square.link/u/cf7LnHMA
Maine State Archives Launches Open Access
(Augusta) Students, teachers, researchers and history buffs interested in everything from Maine history before statehood to the state’s involvement in the Civil War to the reports of the 2024 Lewiston Tragedy Commission, now have a new online platform for publicly accessible, digitized public records. According to the Pen Bay Pilot, Open Access at the Maine State Archives is the public-facing side of an effort to maintain a digital preservation system for records of Maine state government, spanning five centuries – beginning with the 1639 royal land grant to Sir Ferdinand Gorges. Open Access officially launched October 1st, and currently holds just over 100K imaged records so far. With more than eight miles of documents in the Archives’ care, the process of digitizing them will likely continue for some time to come. The platform is accessible at digitalarchives.maine.gov.
Environment
BHHT Installs Pet Memorial at Penny’s Preserve
(Blue Hill) Rich Storck spent many summers bushwacking and creating some three miles of trails through woods he and his wife Aletha later gifted to Blue Hill Heritage Trust. His constant companion in the work was his beloved yellow lab, Penny. The land was a place where she could run off leash – or as Rich says, “where a dog can be a dog.” Perhaps you’ve hiked the beautiful paths of what is now Penny’s Preserve. The next time you go, you’ll notice something new – a pet memorial post where people can hang the collars of beloved pets who also enjoyed the preserve and who hold a special place in their hearts. BHHT says they hope the memorial becomes a meaningful place to pause, remember, and celebrate pups who made the walks at Penny’s Preserve a little more special. Learn more at bluehillheritagetrust.org.
Five Large Whales Found Entangled Off Maine Coast in 2025
(Maine) Researchers documented five large whales entangled in heavy ocean ropes off the coast of Maine last year. According to federal data released by NOAA, the species caught in the ropes included three humpbacks, one fin whale, and a minke whale – none were the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. The Portland Press Herald said the report is a silver lining for the state’s multimillion-dollar lobster industry, which faces an expensive regulatory crackdown that escalated after a young female right whale died in early 2024 from entanglement tied to Maine lobster gear. Nationwide, NOAA last year reported 76 large whale entanglements in US waters, a drop from the 95 cases documented in 2024.
Infrastructure
Traffic Counting in Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) Here’s a story that really “counts”, especially for Ellsworth motorists – the Maine Department of Transportation will be in Ellsworth with traffic counting equipment beginning a week from today. Between October 13th and 16th, drivers may notice temporary vehicle detecting equipment at various locations. MDOT uses the information it gathers to estimate the average number of vehicles traveling a roadway each day over the course of a year. The traffic counters will be in ten locations throughout the city, including the area of the Maine Coast Mall, West Maple Street near Route 172, Merrill Lane near US Route 1, and the LL Bean entrance. We’ve shared the City’s notice that lists all the locations on our social media pages.
Human Interest
Holiday Wreath Making
(Amherst) For those of you who just can’t wait for the Christmas holidays – we know you’re out there – the wonderful folks at Christmas Tree Ranch in Amherst are offering wreath making workshops this year. They’ll supply all the materials, they’ll have hot coffee and cocoa, Christmas tunes on, and you get to pick out your decorations from their inventory. You can even bring your own adult beverages and scout out your cut-your-own Christmas tree early! Grab your friends and call or message them to make an appointment to spend an evening getting into the spirit.
Ghostport is Back in Bucksport
(Bucksport) But wait, wait – first, of course, there’s Halloween! Ghouls, ghosts, and goblins will be on parade in Bucksport on October 17th, kicking off the annual Ghostport Festival that happens along the waterfront starting at 10 a.m. that morning. Halloween New England reports the Lil’ Goblins Parade will be followed by the Pumpkin Trebuchet – a chance to launch pumpkins into the Penobscot River. The day includes a Chili Cook-Off and Witches’ Brunch, with local food tastings and themed dining, the Trunk-or-Treat Family Dance with afternoon and after-dark sessions, plus a “Bump-in-the-Night” community dance, raffles, and a 9 p.m. shadowcast screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the historic Alamo Theatre. For a schedule, visit Ghostport, ME on Facebook.
National News 10/06/26
Threats at U.K. Airbase Lead to Hasty Withdrawal of U.S. Bombers
(NYTimes) The United States this past weekend scrambled to withdraw all twelve B-1 Air Force bombers from a base in southern England. Two US officials reportedly told the New York Times the move followed new threats about an Iran-backed plot against the installation. The withdrawal was reported to be highly unusual – such moves are rarely made so rapidly from an allied air base in a peacetime country thousands of miles from a combat zone. Authorities refused to comment on the hasty withdrawal that was deemed so urgent some of the planes and their crews left while aerial refueling aircraft were still being commissioned to support their flights to the U.S.
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