Former Maine CDC director running for Governor
Dr. Nirav Shah, Maine’s former Center for Disease Control and Prevention director and former principal deputy director of the U.S. CDC, announced his run for Maine governor as a Democrat.
Gov. Janet Mills appointed Shah to be director of the Maine CDC in 2019.
He was a familiar face in Maine while providing daily updates through press briefings during the COVID pandemic.
He is currently a visiting professor at Colby College.
He joins an already crowded field in the race for governor.
https://www.wabi.tv/2025/10/20/former-maine-cdc-director-shah-running-governor/
Ellsworth secures land acquisitions and DEP approval for Hancock County Courthouse project
For more than 100 years, the Hancock County Courthouse has been off of State Street in Ellsworth, not just as a home to the law, but a historical staple in the area.
It took months to figure out the right path forward for a new building.
Now, Ellsworth has secured the next step in building the $55 million Hancock County Courthouse on the Merrill Lane Extension off of High Street right behind Merrill Furniture.
Multiple businesses and families with private land have contributed parcels or funding to the project according to the Ellsworth city manager, Charlie Pearce.
Crews are already working at the site, boundary marking, clearing the site and completing road based preparation, and they’ll be here doing that for the next coming weeks.
The latest update from city officials in Ellsworth is that they will be up and running in early 2028 for finalized construction and open for business.
Blue Hill filling key staff positions for the town
Open positions for the town of Blue Hill have impacted future projects, according to the Bangor Daily news.
Officials tell the Bangor Daily News at a select board meeting, it was discussed how lapses in staffing, particularly with the code enforcement officer, have caused delays and errors that hold up permit applications.
Since then the town has filled the clerk, code enforcement officer position and treasurer however the town administrator and deputy clerk positions are still open.
The paper says the staffing shortage has forced operations to run three days a week instead of five, however as new staff catches up with what’s ahead they’re hoping to open during normal hours soon.
Two Maine towns reporting rabies in raccoons
Two Maine towns are telling residents to exercise caution after confirmed cases of rabies were reported in raccoons according to WABI news.
The Maine CDC notified the town of Howland last week that a confirmed case of rabies in a raccoon has been identified.
The town of Deer Isle also says they have confirmed one case of a rabid raccoon along with several unconfirmed cases of potentially rabid raccoons.
Deer Isle says these reports are widespread.
Both towns say to make sure pets are vaccinated and registered, and any wild animal that seems to be acting strange should be reported to your local Game Warden.
‘Coats of Kindness’ Drive kicks off to keep Mainers warm
Temperatures are starting to drop however many families across the state could face the cold without essential clothing for the season.
That’s why Penquis has kicked off their ‘Coats of Kindness’ program again this year, according to WABI news.
The official collection begins November 1, but a soft launch will help spread the word early.
To give back, community members can donate gently worn coats of all sizes at any Gold Star Cleaners location in Penobscot county.
Each coat will be professionally cleaned free of charge before being distributed.
You can drop off your coats at Gold Star Cleaners in Bangor, either Brewer location, Lincoln, Orono or Old Town.
220 Union Street, Bangor
Brewer Shopping Center, Brewer
200 Wilson Street, Brewer
Corner of Main & Depot, Lincoln
University Mall, Orono
Old Town Plaza, Old Town
Link to donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/penquis-c-a-p-inc/coats-of-kindness
Lucky Betty’s Block Party on Elm Street
If you’re looking for some midweek Fall fun, head over to Camden as Lucky Betty’s will host their 2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving Block Party on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
The bar opens at 3PM and grilling on the patio will begin at 4PM.
There will be pumpkin carving all day however, it’s advised to bring your own if you can and they welcome anyone to wear their best costume!
For more information on the block party, you can head to their Facebook page and you can find that link on Star 97.7’s website.
