Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Collins’s Office Vandalized

(Biddeford)  The office of Senator Susan Collins in Biddeford was vandalized overnight Monday.  According to the Wall Street Journal, vandals poured a pool of red paint at the entrance and scrawled the words “Blood on her Hands” on the front steps.  It was the second time the office had been vandalized in the past two months.  Collins’s office called the acts “disturbing” but said it did not deter them.  Biddeford police are investigating.

Local Politics

Voting Results

(Maine)  We hope you voted early or got out yesterday to make your voice heard.  Since voting results can be late and/or fluid, we’ll continue to post results on our social media pages.  Find those at Downeast Digest and Nice and Easy Radio on FB, where we’ll be continuing to provide updates as they are received.

Economy

Bangor Mall Closes

(Bangor)  Visitors to the Bangor Mall found a sign on the door this week saying the facility was condemned and thus closed to the public.  The move follows alleged maintenance and safety violations at the mall, which is owned by Namdar Realty Group.  Namdar owes more than $2M in fines from lawsuits brought by the City and others, for issues including a leaking roof and faulty sewer lines.  J.C. Penney and Dick’s Sporting Goods stores remain open and accessible through their exterior entrances, and a scheduled craft fair organized at nearby independent space will go on as planned.  Plans to transform the mall into affordable housing, along with multiple shops, are on hold after a major investor pulled out at the last minute.

Local Family-Owned Businesses Shine at Upcoming Awards Show

(Maine)  Two family-owned businesses with local ties will be among 26 finalists recognized at the November 19th Institute for Family-Owned Business awards in Portland.  Hammond Lumber Company and Legacy Properties, Sotheby’s International Realty will be part of the gala ceremony, with winners decided by an independent judging panel.  MaineBiz reports the Institute has recognized Maine-based family-owned businesses for their contributions to the community and industry, fostering a positive work environment, and innovation, every year since the year 2000.

Bangor Mall Craft Fair Still On for This Weekend and Next

(Bangor)  Organizers confirm this weekend’s Bangor Mall Craft Fair is still a go, in spite  of Monday’s closure of the mall itself due to alleged maintenance and safety violations.  The Fair features free admission and access to hundreds of vendors November 7 & 8 and 14 & 15.  Doors are open both Saturdays from 9 to 5 and Sundays from 10 to 4, with the Fair being held at the nearby 70K square-foot Furniture, Mattresses and More store, which is currently empty. The craft fair features door prizes, pictures with Santa and/or dinosaurs, plus beautiful woodwork by Richard Tupper’s Woodworking, art, jewelry, and custom creations by locals, artisanal gourmet and baked goods, and coffee courtesy of Dunkin’.  With more than 350 vendors, you’re bound to find something unique for everyone on your list!

United to Add More Summer Flights to California from Portland

(Portland)  Dreaming of a trip to the west coast next year?  In response to strong demand, United Airlines plans to add 20 round-trip flights from Portland International Jetport to San Francisco and Los Angeles.  According to MaineBiz, that will mean 65% more flights than in 2026.  San Francisco service will begin May 8th, with Saturday-only service and will expand to twice weekly, with Wednesday service beginning June 23rd.  Flights to LA will begin with Saturday flights on June 26th, then adding Wednesday flights during the peak summer travel season.  A spokesperson for United said the flights will make it easy to move between the East and West coasts and add convenient connections for international travel.

Shuttered Nursing Home Now Affordable Housing for Seniors

(Deer Isle)  With affordable housing at a premium in Maine, there’s welcome news in Deer Isle.  While it was heartbreaking back in 2021 to see the Island Nursing Home shuttered – it was one of the last skilled nursing facilities in Hancock County – the board decided to convert the building into housing for local seniors and essential workers.  The Bangor Daily News reports the group worked to secure private funding and used local labor for the transformation.  The new HomePort is now accepting applications for 23 units, with residents set to start moving in next month.  With more than 40% of homes in Deer Isle and Stonington occupied only seasonally, the facility is a welcome respite for year-round workers and others who have been priced out of affordable housing in what one local study found was among the least affordable communities in the state.

Cat Life Maine

(Bangor)  A nonprofit that operated a shop in the now shuttered Bangor Mall says they received no advance notice about the closure, simply that city officials entered the mall, shut it down, and required visitors to leave.  Cat Life Maine, which had a shop at the mall, said a lack of communication with the City is troubling for businesses and nonprofits, adding they’ve had no direct contact with anyone from the City of Bangor since February.  Cat Life Maine says they will continue with their rescue work in foster homes, at volunteers’ houses, out in the field, and with sales online and at craft fairs.  They plan to keep the public apprised of the future for their shop, which helped them raise money for their rescue and connect with the community, through social media.  You can continue to support their good work at catlifemaine.org.

Environment

BHHT Reiterates Reminder About Dogs on Trails

(Blue Hill)  Blue Hill Heritage Trust is asking for the public’s help when it comes to dogs on their trails.  While they love seeing the pups enjoying the outdoors with their humans, they say they’ve received an uptick in reports of off-leash dogs on their properties where leashes are required (exceptions are Meadowbrook Forest, Surry Forest, and Penny’s Preserve).  The nonprofit says leashing is for everyone’s safety.  They say a friendly dog isn’t always welcome, not all dogs are comfortable around other canines, and no one wants their pup to take off after a squirrel and be lost for hours in the woods.  BHHT even provides leashes at their kiosks if you forget yours – they just ask that you return them at the end of your hike.  So please keep man’s best friend leashed and under control in order to help them make the trails a welcoming place for all.

Gardens Aglow in the Running for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights

(Boothbay)  Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ holiday light show – Gardens Aglow – is once again in the running for USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards.  The Boothbay attraction is up for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights, and you can help them win by voting once a day now through November 30th.  Each year, the Gardens and trolls turn into a sparkling, delightful winter tradition for visitors from near and far.  Vote daily at the link you’ll find on their FB page or that we’ve shared with this story on our website, downeastdigest.news.  Advance tickets, which are required, are now on sale for this year’s winter light show, which runs Thursdays through Sundays, November 14th to January 2nd.  http://10best.usatoday.com

Health

MDI Hospital Plans Ribbon Cutting for New Entrance

(Bar Harbor)  Patients and staff at MDI Hospital have been using the new main entrance for a couple of weeks now, but the hospital plans to make it official later this month.  The covered passenger drop-off area will be sanctioned with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. on November 23rd.  With registration just inside, the new entrance offers a more convenient and accessible space than the former entrance, previously located at the rear of the building.  The new entrance is part of a capital campaign that raised more than $56M for infrastructure and site improvements, as well as programming and annual operating expenses.

Healthy Peninsula to Offer Healthy Hibernation

(Blue Hill)  This mild weather has us all spoiled, but we know the chilling days of winter are on our doorstep … moving us into hibernation.  Learn how to make that a “healthy hibernation” this Saturday, November 7th, from 10 to 1 at the Blue Hill YMCA.  Join the Y, Healthy Peninsula, Island Community Center and others for demonstrations, screenings, resources, and giveaways.  Learn about volunteer opportunities, and try the Y for free!  Plus, they’ll be offering free flu and covid vaccinations for kids 18 & under with parent permission.  That’s Healthy Hibernation, this Saturday at the Blue Hill YMCA.

Human Interest

Holiday Tea Returns to Woodlawn

(Ellsworth)  The Holiday Tea is back at Woodlawn in Ellsworth!  The popular event with two seatings is planned for Sunday, December 6th, at 1 and 3 p.m. and promises a festive assortment of homemade desserts and sweet treats, along with a selection of traditional tea sandwiches and hot tea.  The event features a set menu, so they are unable to accommodate special dietary requests or food allergy issues.  Reservations are required, with each seating limited to 30 guests. Purchase tickets at woodlawnellsworth.org.

National News Headlines 11/04/26

In National News Headlines:

• Another top general removed from the Pentagon this week.  Sources say Lt. General Brett Sylvia is the latest senior military officer to be sidelined.  Sylvia served as the director of strategy, plans, and policy, handling long-term strategic planning.  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told ABC News an inquiry determined Sylvia had been leaking information about Ukraine and the war with Iran to the press.
• And while the Trump Administration is touting its efforts to cut taxes, the Associated

Press reports more than 40 states have yet to implement the federal law ending taxes on tips, meaning such workers still owe state taxes on those earnings.

• A wildfire in steep terrain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire had burned about 300 acres as of yesterday.  That’s according to a National Forest spokesperson.  The Wild River Fire was first spotted Sunday southeast of Gorham.  Drought in the area has increased the risk of such fires.
• And Martha Stewart this week is apologizing for a Halloween costume in which she dressed as a homeless person holding a sign that read, “I am hungry. Help me.” .  Stewart said the outfit was designed to bring awareness but admitted it was “insensitive and not funny.”

© 2026 Downeast Digest News.  All rights reserved.