DOE to Release Heating Oil from Northeast Reserve
The U.S. Department of Energy will release up to 315,000 barrels — about a third — from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve to help ease winter prices.
Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced the move Wednesday after urging the administration in September to act for Mainers.
The oil will be distributed through an exchange where companies bid for barrels, boosting New England supply by about 13 percent. The reserve has only been tapped twice in its 26-year history and never before specifically to lower home heating prices. Officials say the added supply should help bring down costs ahead of peak heating season.
Acadia Expands Disability Access on Ocean Path
Acadia National Park has improved a 500-foot stretch of the popular Ocean Path to make it accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Trail crews working with the Appalachian Mountain Club spent six weeks applying compacted rock surfacing near Otter Point Overlook for long-term durability.
The 2.2-mile path from Sand Beach to Otter Point was previously accessible only to Thunder Hole, with rocky, uneven sections beyond it impassable for wheelchairs.
The work, funded largely through Friends of Acadia’s Acadia Trails Forever endowment, leaves only the granite staircases past Otter Cliffs inaccessible. Park partners say the upgrade preserves the trail while opening sweeping coastal views to all visitors year-round.
Two Malnourished Dogs Found During Knox County Probe
Two severely malnourished dogs were found caged inside a Spruce Head residence during a probation check that led to a Camden man’s arrest on a felony gun charge.
Deputies say they accompanied 28-year-old Seth M. Young to the home after a traffic stop in Warren revealed he was on probation with drug-related search conditions.
Inside, deputies reported an overwhelming smell of feces, visible ribs on both dogs, and a large accumulation of waste in one cage.
Young was arrested Oct. 15 for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person after deputies also found a double-barrel shotgun and ammunition. Both dogs are now in the care of Pope Memorial Humane Society, with additional animal-welfare charges possible.
Former EMT Proposes Neighbor-Based Fix for Rural EMS Gaps
Ellsworth resident and 30-year volunteer firefighter-EMT Chuck Hodge is proposing state-backed basic first-aid training for rural residents to provide immediate care until ambulances arrive.
Hodge, who began as an EMT in Corinth in 1973, says long response times in isolated areas make the first minutes life-or-death, unlike in Ellsworth where help is minutes away.
His idea calls for free state-sponsored courses and community medical kits, with Maine’s Good Samaritan Law protecting volunteers from liability.
He pitched the concept to Maine EMS in 2022, when the Blue Ribbon Commission warned rural EMS was already over the cliff, but says he has heard little since. The proposal comes amid continued strain, including the upcoming Nov. 30 closure of Dennys River Volunteer Ambulance.
Houlton Hospital Nurses Issue No-Confidence Letter Against CEO
Nurses at Houlton Regional Hospital have published a letter of no confidence in their CEO, saying the board of trustees has ignored their concerns.
Union members say they submitted the petition in July urging Zewe’s removal after striking twice in the past year over patient-ratio and emergency-department staffing protections.
In a statement, nurses said they invited the board to meet and hear them out, but they didn’t show up, adding all we’ve heard is silence.
WABI says it has reached out to the hospital for comment but had not heard back. The dispute centers on contract language limiting patient assignments and requiring minimum ED nurse coverage.
Ellsworth High Music Director Headed to Jeopardy!
Ellsworth High School music director Jamie Calandro is scheduled to appear on Jeopardy! next Monday, Oct. 26, the school announced.
His appearance follows former Bangor Daily News reporter Emily Burnham’s one-game win in September.
Maine contestants are uncommon but not rare on the long-running quiz show. Jeopardy! airs at 7:30 p.m. on local ABC affiliates, giving students and community members a chance to cheer on a hometown educator.
Ellsworth Elks Free Halloween Party
The Ellsworth Elks Lodge #2743 lists a free-to-the-public Halloween Party on the City of Ellsworth community calendar.
The listing title indicates a family-friendly seasonal celebration open to all, hosted by the lodge.
The calendar page did not expose date, time, or activity details in an accessible format. Listeners interested in attending should contact the Ellsworth Elks directly or check the city calendar for updates.
The Elks regularly host public holiday gatherings in downtown Ellsworth.
