Keeping a friendly border safe is serious business August 16, 2018 by Stephen Rappaport on News, Waterfront EASTPORT — Even in this era of escalating tariffs and heated rhetoric, it’s hard to think of Canada as anything but a friendly neighbor. That’s especially true in Maine where, for generations, people have crossed the border freely, sometimes several times a day, to commute between home and work or to visit with family. Cross-border …
Firefighters ask for new Mariaville-Otis station August 16, 2018 by Jessica Piper on News MARIAVILLE — The town’s only fire station doesn’t have running water, unless you count the days when it rains a lot and runoff from Route 181 leaks into the bays. Those bays are barely large enough to fit the station’s four emergency vehicles: firefighters have to fold in the rearview mirrors on Tanker 1 in …
City Councilors to consider ambulance proposal August 16, 2018 by Kate Cough on News ELLSWORTH — At its monthly meeting on Aug. 20, the Ellsworth City Council will discuss a proposal from the Emergency Medical Services Committee that could change the way ambulance services are run in the city. The committee has been meeting for months to try and figure out a solution to the increased call volume, which …
500-acre solar farm planned for eastern Hancock County August 15, 2018 by Jennifer Osborn on Environment, News ELLSWORTH — A Casco-based energy project developer proposes the creation of a 500-acre solar farm in Township 16 in eastern Hancock County. Dave Fowler, owner of Next Phase Energy Services, said the solar farm would be located between two wind farms, Bull Hill and Hancock Wind. Township 16 abuts the eastern side of the town …
Former Blue Hill treasurer indicted on theft charge August 15, 2018 by Jennifer Osborn on Cops & Courts, News ELLSWORTH — A Hancock County grand jury Aug. 9 indicted Blue Hill’s former treasurer on one count of theft. The former treasurer, Jody A. Murphy, 38, of Franklin, is represented by Ellsworth attorney Max Coolidge. The indictment alleges that Murphy took funds belonging to the town of Blue Hill between Oct. 14 and Nov. 16 …
Sen. Angus King tours the territory on his Harley August 15, 2018 by Stephen Fay on News, Politics ELLSWORTH — U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) burrrrrooomboomboomed into Ellsworth Sunday morning on Day 3 of his more-or-less annual cross-country motorcycle mission to meet Mainers where they live. Accompanied by four of his biker pals, he’d broken bread the night before at the East Orrington Congregational Church’s bean supper. Earlier Saturday, King & Co. broke …
Poliquin explores nursing facility issues August 15, 2018 by Kate Cough on Health, News, Politics ELLSWORTH — U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine) was in town Aug. 10 to explore issues facing nursing facilities in the state. Poliquin met with Ken Huhn, administrator at Seaport Village Healthcare. Huhn had invited Poliquin, who is in the midst of a re-election bid for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. “Let me put my arms around …
Building permits down slightly from 2017 August 13, 2018 by Kate Cough on News ELLSWORTH — The city’s Code Enforcement Office issued 24 building permits in July, down slightly from the 27 permits issued in June. The combined number of permits issued over the past two months is down slightly from 2017, when 63 permits were issued over the same time period. Summer is always a busy time for …
Detective Dotty Small retires after 37 years with EPD August 13, 2018 by Kate Cough on News ELLSWORTH — Detective Dotty Small has seen a lot in her 37 years with the Ellsworth Police Department, from which she retired on Friday, Aug. 10. There was the man she handcuffed while standing in line at the post office, who Small helped connect to a check-kiting scheme that had bilked banks up and down …
Washington Street development approved August 13, 2018 by Kate Cough on Business, News ELLSWORTH — A 24-unit development on Washington Street was unanimously approved by Planning Board members on Aug. 8, meeting little of the resistance that had plagued the project early in the process. In an interview following the meeting, developer Jonathan Bates said he would likely break ground on Washington LUXE at the beginning of September, …
