Crime/Public Safety
High Fire Danger
(Maine) Drought conditions and dry, blowing leaves make the perfect combination for wildfires that can quickly blaze out of control. Officials are warning Mainers that Fire Danger remains high, so it’s likely there are “no burn” ordinances in effect where you live. Play it safe and leave those clean up brush and leaf piles for critters to use to overwinter this year.
Belfast Fatal Fire
(Belfast) One person and two dogs perished Friday in a mobile home fire in Belfast. The fire, on Back Searsport Road, was reported just after 2:30 p.m.. Firefighters arrived to find the home fully engulfed. The body of the deceased was taken to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The State Fire Marshal’s Office narrowed the origin of the blaze to a rear porch that contained a laundry area, but an exact cause has not yet been determined.
Fire Stations Holding Toxic Firefighting Foam
(Maine) A massive spill of toxic firefighting foam at Brunswick Executive Airport in August 2024 led to investigations that revealed fire stations across Maine are sitting on thousands of gallons of the substance in back rooms, storage closets, and truck tanks. The Portland Press Herald reports the stockpiles create environmental hazards in dozens of communities, including in Hancock, Washington, and Penobscot Counties. Survey results from the Office of the State Fire Marshal show more than 9K gallons of the substance is owned by 120 emergency management departments across the state. An interactive map released by the Fire Marshal’s office shows very small amounts at stations in Hancock and Washington Counties, from 5 gallons each at the Surry and Lamoine stations to 15 gallons at Brooksville and 60 in Trenton, with Washington County showing 20 gallons at the Milbridge station and 50 at the Jonesboro Fire Department. By comparison, the Brunswick spill released between 14 and 16 hundred gallons of the PFAs-containing foam, which was mixed with some 50K gallons of water.
Former Husson Professor Accused
(Bangor) A former assistant professor at Husson University is charged with six counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and four counts of violation of privacy, after authorities say a student accused him of secretly filming her and other students undressing during a school assignment. According to the Portland Press Herald, 33-year-old Jonathan Houck was taken into custody on Friday and was being held at the Penobscot County Jail on 50K bond. Houck was reportedly a part of the College of Science and Humanities and connected to an exercise science program at the University. According to Bangor police, he was arrested after a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Economy
New Report Shows Maine Among Top States to Find Jobs
(WalletHub) Job hunting? According to a new report by WalletHub, you’re in the right state. A 2026 ranking of the best and worst states for jobs placed Maine at Number 7, between Washington State and Texas. MaineBiz reports our fellow New England states also ranked in the top 20, with New Hampshire at No. 5, Connecticut at No. 8, Rhode Island 13th, Massachusetts 18th, and Vermont at Number 20. To determine the ratings, Wallet Hub evaluated all 50 states across two categories – job market and economic environment. Maine’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rates have hovered at just over 3% for 25 consecutive months. The U.S. Department of Labor is due to release its next monthly report on November 20th.
Blue Hill Select Board Approves Blaze Liquor License
(Blue Hill) The Blue Hill Select Board last week approved the renewal of liquor licenses for two of the town’s most popular restaurants – Blaze and Marlintini’s Grill. While the latter’s license request passed unanimously, the discussion around Blaze was more controversial, according to The Weekly Packet. Blaze owner Matt Haskell and the town have been embroiled in a five-year battle regarding permits, noise complaints, and alleged code violations. After some discussion on the matter involving at least one neighbor of the restaurant who spoke in favor of Blaze and its efforts to comply with ordinance restrictions, renewal of its liquor license was also unanimously approved.
Education
New Month at Versant Power Astronomy Center
(Orono) It’s a brand new month – and that means new and exciting programming at the Versant Power Astronomy Center on the University of Maine campus in Orono. Beginning this week, Friday nights offer a look at “Unseen Earth”. From weather to agriculture, satellites reveal a wealth of data to help us improve life on earth. The 2 p.m. family show on Sundays is “Legends of the Night Sky: Orion”. Join Aesop the Owl and Socrates the Mouse for stories about the hunter Orion and how he ended up in the night sky. The Sunday night 4 p.m. music show is “The Rolling Stones – Living in a Ghost Town”. Plus., special programs, homeschool shows, and opportunities to book field trips. For tickets and further information, visit astro.umaine.edu.
Science Saturday at Woodlawn
(Ellsworth) This Saturday, November 7th, from 8 to 10 a.m., join District Forester Steve McDonald for a guided walk on Woodlawn in Ellsworth’s trails. Explore the variety of trees found throughout the property, and learn how to identify common Maine trees by their leaves, bark, branches, and other distinguishing features. Along the way, Steve will share interesting facts about the trees and their role in the forest ecosystem. Space is limited, so pre-reregister soon at woodlawnellsworth.org.
Environment
Donate Pumpkins
(Ellsworth) We hope you made it to at least one of this year’s Pumpkin hikes in Ellsworth, Blue Hill, or elsewhere. You may have a carved pumpkin or two at your own house, as well. If so, consider donating your pumpkins to a local farm, where they can be used to feed cows, pigs, goats, and other animals. Many farms accept whole, unpainted, pesticide-free gourds that are free of mold. Obviously, no pumpkins with wax buildup, candle soot, bleach treatments or decorative toothpicks, all of which are toxic or harmful to animals. Be sure to check ahead with local farms in your area before just dropping them off. You can also check with state organizations, such as Pineland Farms, which helps coordinate such donations to benefit the animals at Maine Wildlife Park. Lastly, check with local licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Hancock, Washington, or your county to see if they’re accepting feed donations. If you’re into composting, pumpkins can be dropped off in Ellsworth at the Transfer Station or the composting drop off at Fogtown Brewing in Ellsworth.
Shaw Institute’s Study Raises Bar on Microplastics Research
(Blue Hill) Studies on microplastics have revealed startling data. The microparticles have been found in the human brain, liver, placenta, and more. Such studies have changed how many think about plastic pollution and raise the question, “Just how much plastic is actually in our bodies?” A new paper from The Shaw Institute in Blue Hill and published in the journal “Next Research”, takes a hard look at the question. Dr. Charles Rolsky and a team of other researchers from the Institute, along with scientists from Arizona State University found important inconsistencies with current research and laid out practical steps for future studies that will make them more accurate. You can access the article at shawinstitute.org, where you can also sign up for updates, support them, and learn more about the ongoing cutting-edge research taking place right here in Downeast Maine.
Health
Maine Approves Funds to Help with Aftermath of PFAs Contamination
(Augusta) Farmers and residents of Maine dealing with the repercussions of PFAs, or “forever chemical” contamination, will soon have access to free clinical therapy, peer support and community health services, thanks to the state’s approval of $600K from its $65M PFAs relief fund. Beth Valentine, director of the fund, told the Portland Press Herald, fallout from the toxic chemicals, which has been seen in increasing numbers, even in wildlife, is not only a financial and health issue, but an emotional issue that affects entire families. For more information, reach out to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry the email you’ll find with this article on our website, downeastdigest.news.
Infrastructure
Ellsworth Historic Preservation
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth is looking for a qualified contractor to help restore the doors of the historic Grand Theatre. The project will, through the City’s Downtown Facade Improvement Grant program, focus on repairing and preserving the building’s historic entrance doors and their architectural details. Questions due by November 5th at 6 p.m., with bids due November 19th by 4 p.m. Check with the City of Ellsworth for further details.
Technology
Data Breach Could Lead to Payout for Patients
(Bangor) Patients at St. Joseph Healthcare in Bangor could be eligible for cash payments, due to a class action lawsuit over a data breach that affected at least 284K residents last year, both at St. Joseph’s and at St. Mary’s in Lewiston. The Portland Press Herald reports an unauthorized party gained access to Covenant Health’s IT network in May 2025, compromising the private health information of thousands of patients before it was discovered in July. Settlement members can submit claims for cash, and all members will receive two years of credit monitoring at no charge. Claims must be submitted online or mailed, as long as they are postmarked by December 30th. Learn more at covenanthealthdatasettlement.com.
National News 11/02/26
In National News Headlines
- The Federal Reserve last week held interest rates steady, despite there being no recent progress on getting inflation back down to the Central Bank’s 2 percent target, according to the NY Times.
- A first-time marathoner from Sweden captured the men’s title yesterday at the New York City Marathon. Andreas Almgren pulled away in the final mile for a winning time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 1 second, the third fastest time in the course’s history. Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won the women’s race, her second victory at New York.
- Daylight Saving Time ended early yesterday morning. EDT will last until March 14th, when we will again “spring forward”. Experts say to help adjust to the early darkness, get outside for some morning sun to help your body clock reset faster.
- Saying he was “grasping at straws”, a federal judge on Saturday threw out President Donald Trump’s $10B lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over a story reporting on Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. A case thrown out “with prejudice”, as was this case, cannot be refiled, and the Associated Press notes the dismissal is permanent and incontrovertible.
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