Judge ruled 18-year-old accused of murder is competent for trial
A judge has ruled an 18-year-old accused of the murder of Sunshine ‘Sunny’ Stewart last year in Union is competent to stand trial.
This after Stewart of Tenant’s Harbor was found dead on Crawford Pond on July 3.
Deven Young was 17 at the time when he was charged in connection with her murder just two weeks later.
He turned 18 the following September.
The Midcoast Villager reports prosecutors are seeking to have Young tried as an adult and the judge will decide whether the case should be transferred to adult court.
Partnership will push for reconstruction of Bayside Road
Bayside Road in Ellsworth could get some work done through a city-state partnership.
The Maine Department of Transportation’s municipal partnership initiative offers a 50 percent match for phase one of the project.
The Ellsworth American reports that the first phase involved the connection between Main Street to Beechland Road.
The publication reports during a recent city council meeting, $750,000 in short-term financing through a bond anticipation note was approved along with a subsequent long-term bond for the municipal share of the project.
Approved Mainers can begin ‘Paid Family & Medical Leave’ program
Starting May 1, the Maine Department of Labor announced those who are interested in the Paid Family and Medical Leave program can qualify for events.
Since March 30, the department has seen over 2,000 applications for the state plan come through.
The plan provides up to 12 weeks of benefits for key life events for those who may experience a serious health condition keeping them from working, parental leave, time to care for a loved one, military leave and safe leave.
The Maine DOL announced the first weekly benefit payments through the state plan will be made on May 7.
https://www.maine.gov/paidleave/
Union River Bridge Work starts May 4th
A reminder that work on the Union River Bridge will start on Monday, May 4.
The City of Ellsworth announced crews from the Maine Department of Transportation will start soil testing work which is a part of early preparation for future repairs.
Work will start at the lower light at State and Main Streets so expect one lane alternating traffic, flaggers on site and one sidewalk open for pedestrians.
https://www.ellsworthmaine.gov/heads-up-bridge-work-begins-monday-may-4-2026/
UMaine’s Adrianna Smith set to start pro basketball in Australia
Some exciting news for a UMaine Black Bear!
Adrianna Smith has signed with an Australian professional basketball team after finishing her impressive Black Bears careers that included two America East Player of the Year awards.
WABI news reports Smith said her team felt like the right fit at the pro level under the NBL1 league which many players have gone to compete in the WNBA.
Smith will join her new team in the middle of their season that runs through July.
Community partnership raises funds for Loaves & Fishes Food pantry
First National Bank, Chloe’s Cafe and Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry launched the Dream First Community Cup campaign.
In an effort to raise funds for Loaves and Fishes, for the entire month of March 10 percent of every regular coffee purchased at Chloe’s Cafe in Ellsworth was donated to the pantry with First National Bank matching the contributions.
The Ellsworth American reports the effort raised over $1,000 which equated to more than 3,000 pounds of food to combat food insecurity for families in the Ellsworth area.
