Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Cold Case Murder Trial Underway in Machias

(Machias)  They say he almost got away with murder – and allegedly did so for more than 40 years.  The  trial of 67 year old Raymond Brown for the 1984 cold-case killing of 18 year old Linda Maxwell began this week in Machias.  Brown, formerly of Pembroke, was arrested in Bangor in May 2025, following an investigation by the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit.  According to the Bangor Daily News, the naked body of teen Linda Maxwell was discovered near the Robbinston Boat Landing along the St. Croix River in August 1984, two days after she was last seen with friends.  During opening arguments, jurors learned Brown allegedly confessed to a jailmate that he suffocated Maxwell in a bog before dumping her body.  Brown is charged with murder; and if convicted, faces 25 years to life in prison.

Belfast Man Arrested in Stockton Springs Fatal Crash

(Stockton Springs)  A Belfast man has been arrested in connection with an April crash on Route One in Stockton Springs that killed 77 year old Anne Pomroy of Old Orchard Beach.  According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, an investigation determined 42 year old Adam Sorrentino was traveling more than 80 mph and had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.  Sorrentino reportedly crossed the centerline and struck Pomroy’s vehicle head-on, killing her on impact. Sorrentino faces multiple charges, including Manslaughter and Aggravated Criminal OUI Resulting in Death.  The investigation into the crash is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Maine State Trooper Ryan Nadeau.  

Hancock Crash Forces Road Closure

(Hancock)  Maine State Police continue to investigate a two-vehicle crash that happened Tuesday afternoon on Route 1 in Hancock.  Authorities say the incident happened just before 2:30 p.m. when a Ford Bronco driven by 53-year-old Amy Houck of Steuben was traveling eastbound and was struck from behind by a Hyundai Sonata operated by 36-year-old Nicholas McAfee of Arkansas.  The impact caused the Bronco to roll over. The Sonata left the road, crossed a field and struck a tree.  A passenger in the Bronco, 66-year-old Cathy Grant of Milbridge, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.  A passenger in the Sonata was also transported for non-life-threatening injuries.  Houck and McAfee sustained minor injuries.  Route 1 between Point Road and the Eastside Road was closed for several hours, with diversions set up at Route 182 while officers reconstructed and investigated the crash.

Police Deem Threat a Hoax

(Bangor)  Police on Wednesday responded to the William S. Cohen Middle School in Bangor after administrators there reported they received a potential threat.  The incident happened about 11:30 a.m..  Students were evacuated to the Fruit Street Elementary School.  Officers searched the middle school and determined the threat was a hoax. Some parents were seen picking up their children from Fruit Street, while other students returned to classes at the middle school.  

Local Politics

(Ellsworth)  Ellsworth City Council Monday approved $1.75M toward construction of the new Courthouse Road extension off Merrill Lane.  According to the Ellsworth American, the funds are part of a $3.8M bond issue approved by council members for capital improvement projects. Funding and building the access road was part of the agreement that brought the new courthouse to the High Street location after residents near a previously-purchased site on the Surry Road strongly objected because of traffic and other concerns in the area.  City staff are reportedly reviewing bids from contractors to handle road construction and utility installation essential to the new $55M Hancock County Judicial Center.  

Washington County to Vote on Treasurer Determination

(Machias)  Washington County voters are being asked to weigh in on a referendum to determine how the County Treasurer is selected.  The question asks voters if the position of the currently elected County Treasurer should be abolished and replaced by the County Commissioners having full control to appoint a Treasurer of their choice.  Some legislators say it comes down to whether the people continue to have a say or give that power solely to the Commissioners.  Under Maine law, an appointed Treasurer would need to be qualified in matters of business administration and finance.  An elected Treasurer must be a Washington County resident, but is not held to such qualifications, although voters would be unlikely to install someone without such expertise.  A NO vote continues to give the power of choice to voters.

Collins, Jackson Spar in First of Four Debates

(NYTimes)  Analysts say the plain spoken Democratic contender for Senator, Troy Jackson, held his own in the first of four debates against the more experienced Republican incumbent Susan Collins.  The New York Times reports the two sparred over President Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, abortion rights, healthcare, and the economy.  Collins’ vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh continues to haunt her after the court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022.  Collins touted her clout in bringing federal funds and jobs to Maine, but Jackson countered saying she failed to leverage that power to help working people here. When Collins argued she had persuaded Trump to drop tariffs on such essential Maine goods as concrete, pulp and road salt, Jackson replied, “What about everything else?  We can’t eat road salt,” adding it’s a moot point if people can’t afford to drive.  The next debate between the two is set for this evening.

Economy

Local Papers Seek to Form Local  Trust

(Ellsworth)  Big news for a publication that’s been a staple of local news in the area for the past 175 years.  The Ellsworth American, Mount Desert Islander, and Bangor Historian have formed a nonprofit, Acadia Newspaper Trust, to transition the publications from private, for-profit to nonprofit ownership.  Publisher Chris Crockett said current owner Reade Brower plans to retire, so leadership has been working to establish The Trust in order to preserve local ownership and the paper’s independent mission.  Crockett says the Trust is now a full 501c3 with an initial fundraising goal of a million dollars, which will allow the organization to purchase the newspapers from Brower and result in a steady financial foundation.  The Trust hopes to complete the purchase by late summer 2027.

Bucksport Restaurant Moving to Blue Hill

(Blue Hill)  Stowaways Town Tavern both opened and closed this year in Bucksport – but for fans of the restaurant, all is not lost.  According to The Rising Tide, Stowaways is moving to Blue Hill, planning to open in the former Sandy’s Cafe on Main Street.  They say the move was precipitated by a dispute over a building lease and a failed purchase agreement after the owner’s first year lease ended.  Stowaways is hoping to open in its new Blue Hill location this weekend.

Environment

October Meteor Showers

(Undated)  For skywatchers hoping for crisp clear skies, there are two meteor showers in October.  The Draconids arrive overnight tonight and tomorrow.  Should be good viewing if skies clear, as there’s just a thin, crescent moon, although astronomers say expect fewer than 10 shooting stars per hour with this one.  October 21st and 22nd, the Orionids light up the night sky. Could be tougher viewing with moon interference at nearly 80%; but that shower should produce 10-20 meteors per hour.

Peak Conditions Closing in for Holiday Weekend

(Maine)  Peak conditions are closing in for the upcoming holiday weekend, with foliage maps showing the state past peak in the western half of the state, peak for the midcoast from Houlton to Bangor, and high – 50 to 70% – along the coast between Calais and Bath and in the Augusta to Fryeburg area.  We post the latest fall foliage report on our social media pages each Wednesday.

Ellsworth Community Garden Hosts Tomato Tasting

(Ellsworth)  Who doesn’t LOVE a juicy, ripe tomato plucked fresh off the vine?  This Saturday, from 10 until Noon, join Green Ellsworth at the Everybody Harvests Community Garden for a Tomato Tasting.  The event will feature a variety of heirloom tomatoes and other favorites and is free and open to the public!  Plus, it includes a chance for public harvesting in the garden – so bring your containers!  While visiting the garden, consider planning your next meal around some of the great produce available this week, including cucumbers, herbs, kale, leaf lettuce, peppers and more.  The garden is located at the end of Hannah Way off Route 1A behind the Tradewinds Mall and Rail Trail.  In case of rain, the event will be moved to Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

Health

Traditional Wabanaki Healing to be Covered Under MaineCare

(Maine)  Tribal health clinics will soon be able to bill MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, for traditional Wabanaki healing practices. According to The Portland Press Herald, Maine will be the first eastern state, the sixth in the country, to cover Indigenous healing methods through Medicaid.  Tribal health clinics in Maine already provide traditional practices, including smudging, sweat lodges, talking circles and other ceremonies to patients, but currently must use other revenue sources to cover the costs.  It’s hoped the change will take effect by 2028, after tribal leaders and state officials hammer out the particulars of what will be covered.

Infrastructure

(Bucksport)  The Bucksport Town Council last month voted to approve a rebid process for the town dock project after receiving no bids earlier in the year for the estimated $4.1M initiative.  Penobscot Bay Press reports council approved taking $9,900 from a waterfront reserve account to hire a consultant from Massachusetts to manage the rebidding process.  The dock overhaul is designed to transform the current seasonal, wooden structure into a more accessible, year-round maritime asset with an ADA compliant gangway and other updates, in order to accommodate the town’s transition from commercial fishing to recreational boating and cruise tourism.

National News 10/08/27

Headlines

(AP)  In national news headlines, stocks this week reached a new high as investors largely ignored rising interest rates.  The S&P 500 rose 0.6 percent Tuesday, taking its gain this year to more than 14%.

Beware those political robocalls – perhaps now more than ever.  The Associated Press reports the FCC is considering allowing more political robocalls before midterms, including those created with Artificial Intelligence.

More than 20 million Medicare enrollees have begun receiving a one time $90 payment from the Trump Administration to help pay for their Part B premiums.  Those premiums cover doctor’s visits, ambulance services and lab tests.  Monthly costs generally start at $200 a month. Those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans aren’t eligible.  Many Democrats are saying they’ll contribute their payment to fellow Dems running for office.

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