South Portland Care Agency Accused of MaineCare Fraud — 6 Arrested
Federal prosecutors allege a South Portland home health agency billed MaineCare hundreds of thousands of dollars for services never provided in a long-running scheme. Six people were arrested Tuesday following a federal indictment investigated by the FBI and IRS. WABI reports the case lands amid a wider federal-state fight over Maine Medicaid fraud claims involving HHS, CMS and state leaders.
Ellsworth Exploring Food Sovereignty Ordinance
Ellsworth is in the very early stages of considering a local food sovereignty ordinance to let small producers sell directly to consumers with fewer state licensing requirements. If passed, Ellsworth would join 100+ Maine towns like Blue Hill and Trenton, though meat and poultry would still face state and federal rules. The Ellsworth American reports research alone could take 30-60 days, with formal review and public input required before any council vote.
Cherryfield Dam Removal Opens Salmon Passage
Crews removed the Cherryfield Ice Dam this summer, reopening upstream Atlantic salmon migration where fish were seen jumping but not passing. The project also upgrades Cable Pool Park with a play area and amphitheater built from recycled dam concrete. WABI reports the Downeast Salmon Federation is hosting a community tour Friday, Oct. 30, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Turkeys stolen from Thomaston Farm
Grace Pond Farm at 530 Main St. in Thomaston was burglarized between 1:58-2:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, with large white broad-breasted turkeys stolen and fencing left down letting other birds escape. Owner Rhiannon Hampson asks anyone offered large white turkeys or with Route 1 camera footage of a dark pickup heading north 2-2:15 a.m. to contact police. The PenBay Pilot reports the farm routinely works 80-100 hour weeks and has donated over 1,000 pounds of meat to charity this year.
Lamoine Community Arts Presents Farce ‘Drinking Habits’
Lamoine Community Arts opens its fall farce about nuns secretly making wine at its Grange Hall theater Halloween weekend. Veteran leads shine while younger cast timing is still tightening, but the reviewer expects a fun opening night that improves with each show. The Ellsworth American reports performances are Oct. 30 & Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., Oct. 31 & Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 1 & 8 at 2 p.m., with tickets at lcatickets.org.
Pumpkin Hike Grand Opening & Lighting — Oct. 28
Frenchman Bay Conservancy and Heart of Ellsworth is set to host the Pumpkin Hike Grand Opening & Lighting Wednesday, Oct. 28 in Ellsworth. The event debuts the lit jack-o’-lantern trail on the Ellsworth Riverwalk built from community-carved pumpkins. The event listing reports it is organized with the Ellsworth Public Library and Heart of Ellsworth with details on the Facebook event page.
Terwilliger Family Light Show Brings Halloween Magic
Ellsworth’s free Terwilliger Family Light Show runs Friday-Sunday through Oct. 31, now grown from 48 channels in 2020 to 38,000 channels. Viewers tune to 96.9 FM and can queue songs via the family’s website, with donations benefiting SPCA of Hancock County and The Grand. WABI reports the Halloween run ends Oct. 31, with the Christmas show starting Black Friday, and asks drivers to be mindful of neighbors.
