Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Authorities Investigate Indian Township Murder

(Indian Township)  Authorities continue to investigate a murder at the Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation.  They say around 9:30 Saturday night, police were notified of a shooting at 312 Dana Point Road.  When officers arrived, they found the body of 41-year-old Corey Fields of Indian Island.  An investigation led to the arrest of 46-year-old Jeremy Stevens of Indian Township.  He was taken to the Washington County Jail.  Fields’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where an autopsy determined he died of gunshot wounds  A motive has not yet been released.

Dennysville Suspends Ambulance Service

(Dennysville)  For half a century, Wayne Seeley and his wife Roberta dedicated their lives to volunteering as EMT’s for the Dennysville ambulance service.  Now in their late 70’s and after answering countless calls, they say the service is making its last run.  The reason is one that continues to plague such services throughout Washington and other rural counties – a lack of volunteers.  Rising costs and the struggle for reimbursements that often don’t cover expenses are also an issue.  Seeley says the service license expires November 30th, which will be their last day of service to the towns of Dennysville and Pembroke, as well as Edmunds, Marion, and Cathance Townships.  

Local Politics

Hospitals Sue Over Proposed Drug Reimbursement Change

(Portland)  The Maine Hospital Association and Northern Light EMMC are suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over a proposed change to the way hospitals are reimbursed for certain prescription drugs.  According to NewsCenter Maine, the suit warns the plan could add millions of dollars in costs to already strapped hospital budgets.  Under the current system, hospitals receive discounts up front when purchasing the 25 medications listed in the suit.  Under the proposed system, hospitals would have to pay initial costs, then file for rebates after using the drugs.  HHS says the rebate approach will prevent duplicate payments; but healthcare leaders say it would create financial uncertainty, particularly if rebates take too long to process or are denied altogether.

Bucksport Passes Data Center Ban

(Bucksport)  The Town of Bucksport is the latest municipality to approve a temporary moratorium on data center development.  The Bangor Daily News reports the measure was passed by a 5-2 vote of Town Council.  The six-month ban came about after reported visits and inquiries from developers looking at the former Verso Paper Mill site.  The pause allows the town time to study energy, water, and environmental impacts and draft local regulations before any formal applications are submitted.

Town of Blue Hill Files Lawsuit Against Blaze

(Blue Hill)  Tensions between the Town of Blue Hill and Blaze Restaurant have ignited a lawsuit against the eatery.  The long-term feud involves the town’s claim that Blaze continues to operate an outdoor stage, kitchen, and pizza oven, along with an outdoor bar and meat smoker, without proper local permits.  The Bangor Daily News reports the unpermitted structures occupy more than 90% of the lot; exceeding the local limit that restricts non-vegetated space to 20%.  The restaurant’s owners claim the alleged land use violations were approved by the town’s previous code enforcement officer and state regulators.  

Economy

Heart of Ellsworth Asset Mapping

(Ellsworth)  Ellsworth – what’s working, what improvements are needed, what possibilities should the community imagine for the future?  Some of the questions the City of Ellsworth and Heart of Ellsworth sought to answer when, in 2022, they joined with Franklin Savings Bank and the Maine Community Foundation on an asset mapping project for the downtown.  Based on community input, the result is a 120-plus page report to help guide future planning and possibilities.  In the coming weeks, the team will revisit the work and consider how downtown continues to grow and change.  Learn more at heartofellsworth.org.

Messenger Animal Rescue Gets Matching Gift

(Harrington)  An exciting opportunity for Sarah Strout and The Messenger Animal Rescue in Harrington!  Susan at Simply Rentals USA has offered to match donations up to a thousand dollars.  The rescue cares for multiple animals – with multiple food and vet care bills, so this is a great time to see your $5, $10, or $100 donation doubled.  You can mail checks to Box 223 Harrington, drop them off during the shelter’s open hours, or donate electronically at the links you’ll find on The Messenger’s FB page – we guarantee every dollar donated will be wisely used for the little furry ones!

West Branch Farms for Sale

(Machias)  While the owners say day to day operations continue as usual, the popular West Branch Farms in Machias went on the market last week. Current owners, Chris and Sue Meroff, posted on FB they’re ready to move closer to family, and they hope someone local will carry the torch and pour THEIR time and heart into The Cafe & Public House, the cottages, and events booked at Foss Point  The Meroffs, former long-time vacationers to Maine, relocated from Texas to build the property into the popular venue it is today.  They invite folks to continue to make a reservation for dinner, book a stay or just come grab a coffee and say they love nothing more than continuing to share the place with customers while they look for just the right buyer to carry the dream forward.  

Education

UMaine Launches Program to Address Teacher Shortage

(Orono)  The University of Maine is launching a free program to address the rural special education teacher shortage.  Through project MainEd, aspiring special educators in rural communities can earn masters degrees that lead to state certification, with tuition fully covered.  Interested persons can receive application announcements and other updates by completing the Project MainEd mailing list form, available on the University of Maine FB page; or can email casey.kelly@umaine.edu.

UMaine Researchers Study Effects of Music on Aging Brains

(Orono)  Music – researchers have long confirmed its positive effects in memorization and other areas.  Now, researchers at the University of Maine are studying whether listening to music or learning to play an instrument could help older adults maintain cognitive function as they age. The three-year study will compare two 12-week music programs for adults with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment.  If successful, it could eventually be offered through senior centers, libraries, retirement communities and other community organizations.  

Human Interest

Haunting in Downtown Ellsworth This Halloween

(Ellsworth)  Consider yourself warned – Downtown Ellsworth will be quite haunted this Halloween.  From 3 until 5 p.m. on October 31st, bring the little ghosts, goblins, witches, princesses, and superheroes downtown, where local merchants will be handing out sweet treats, very much hoping to avoid any spells being cast on them and making them end up like those sometimes impersonal big box stores and national chains!  How spooky would THAT be?  Remember to shop … and Trick or Treat local!

Shaw Institute Blue Lobster Named

(Blue Hill)  A rare blue lobster at The Shaw Institute in Blue Hill now has a name, thanks to hundreds of submissions in a contest to provide the cerulean crustacean with a fitting moniker.  The team at The Shaw Institute narrowed it down to six contenders – Poseidon, Cool Ranch, Gordon Bleu, Grumpy McPincherpants, Clawde, and Blucifer.  After 45 days of heavy competition, the winner is … Blucifer.  The competition proved to be a tight race, going back and forth between Clawde and Blucifer…a name submitted in July, the day before the submission contest ended, by Maine native Tim Thompson, who was visiting from Colorado with his family.  Thompson says he’s so proud, he fully intends to include the honor in his LinkedIn bio.

Infrastructure

Old Town Bridge Demolition

(Old Town)  Demolition of the Old Town bridge that collapsed in August will begin today.  The Llewellyn Estes Bridge fell during construction, injuring one.  During the demolition, a temporary bridge carrying traffic over the river will be closed periodically each day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Workers say closures will continue through at least part of next week.  

Stonington Considers One-Way Main Street

(Stonington)  What if Stonington’s Main Street became a one-way thoroughfare?  That’s the idea recently put forth by the town’s Economic Development Committee.  Penobscot Bay Press reports landscape architects from Tandem Landscape presented the concept, along with other early-stage ideas, as part of a broader look at village improvements, including possibly adding a footbridge over the harbor.  Planners say they’re looking at ways to reduce congestion, improve foot traffic safety, and clear up bottlenecks along the tight downtown corridor.

National News 10/12/26

In National News Headlines:

• A deal with the devil?  A pact between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin over exports of Russian diesel and criticism of Ukraine’s leader are a victory for the Kremlin and reverse some of the sanctions for Russia’s full-scale invasion of its Democratic neighbor.
• And severe weather and the remnants of dual tropical systems are impacting both U.S. coasts.  Hurricane Isaias left four dead in its wake as it made landfall as a Category 2 storm near Destin,  Florida over the weekend.  Meanwhile Tropical Storm Rachel moved into the Southwest and California, causing flash flood risks from southern Idaho to Baja California and causing an unheard-of cancellation of the Moab 240 ultramarathon on Sunday, out of concern for runners’ safety.

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