Ellsworth City Council Candidates Forum
Four candidates for two Ellsworth City Council seats met Tuesday at The Grand, focusing on infrastructure upkeep, cautious spending, and affordability.
Incumbent Nancy Smith, former councilor Casey Hanson, and newcomers Tiffany Dilda-Gaspar and Robert Grant Sr. differed on short-term rental regulation, the RV park moratorium, and financing priorities.
The Ellsworth American reports the discussion also revisited the failed recall effort from earlier this year.
Trenton Crash Downs Utility Pole
A single-vehicle crash knocked down a utility pole Wednesday afternoon on Oak Point Road in Trenton.
The crash in the 580 block closed the road while crews waited for Versant Power to assess the damage.
WABI news reports there’s no further details released.
Officials Study Ellsworth High School Improvement Model
Out-of-state legislators and educators visited Ellsworth High School Oct. 6 to observe its Freshman Academy and BARR school-improvement model.
The program, in place since 2015, uses team meetings and relationship-building to boost graduation rates from 73% to about 90%.
BARR now operates in nearly 500 schools nationally according to the Ellsworth American.
That includes 120 in Maine.
Waterville High Evacuated After Bomb Threat
Waterville High School was evacuated Wednesday morning after a reported bomb threat around 7 a.m.
Police searched the building, determined it was a hoax, and charged a juvenile.
WABI news reports students and staff were dismissed for the day, with classes expected to resume Thursday.
$1M Approved for Maine Seafood Infrastructure
Five Maine coastal communities will share $1 million for seafood infrastructure improvements through the state’s Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund.
Rockland gets $300,000 for its commercial fishing pier, while Tremont, Swan’s Island, Freeport and Boothbay Harbor will fund cold storage, dock and ice-making upgrades.
The projects support about 100-plus fishing and seafood operations, that’s according to WABI news.
Christian Ridge Road Lane Restriction
Thursday Ellsworth Public Works will repair a cross culvert Thursday, Oct. 15 near 387 Christian Ridge Road.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane with alternating flow while crews work.
Drivers are asked to slow down and give crews room.
Ellsworth Seeks Volunteers for Fall Tree Plantings
Ellsworth’s Arbor Commission invites volunteers to help plant trees and shrubs at two October events.
Plantings run Oct. 21-23 at Union River Estates and Oct. 28-30 at Harbor Park, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, as part of a three-year greening effort backed by $193,000 in grant funding.
Volunteers should register in advance with the city’s tree steward.
