Rockland bus driver no longer employed with school district after crash
The school bus driver involved in the crash that killed a Rockland child nearly two weeks ago is no longer employed with the school district according to WABI news.
12-year-old Brayden Callahan was killed by bus driver Jeffrey Colburn late last month.
The Rockland School Board held a meeting earlier Wednesday evening.
During that meeting, RSU 13 Superintendent John McDonald mentioned that as of Monday, Colburn is no longer a driver with the district.
A service is scheduled for Callahan Friday in Rockland.
https://www.wabi.tv/2025/12/04/school-bus-driver-involved-rockland-crash-no-longer-rsu-13/
Man dead after house fire in Sumner
A man was found dead and a home was destroyed after a fire in Sumner according to WABI news.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said the fire happened at a home on Valley Road around 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Officials said when fire crews arrived, they found a dead male outside of the home.
The body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta for identification.
The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.
Alarming rise in HIV cases in Penobscot County
Currently at 31 reported cases, HIV continues to be on the rise in Penobscot County.
In September, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention requested the assistance of the U.S. CDC.
Due to the shutdown, they were not able to fulfill that request until Monday.
From December 1 through the 19, the US CDC will have staff dispersed throughout communities.
They plan to speak with those most affected by the outbreak, which includes unhoused populations and those who use IV drugs.
For local organizations like Bangor Public Health, which offers free HIV testing, they say it’s these partnerships and outreach efforts that provide the best chance of treating the outbreak.
Sen. Susan Collins announces Jackson Laboratory to receive ARPA-H Grant
Sen. Susan Collins announced that the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor is the first ever research institution in Maine to receive the Advanced Research Project Agency for Health grant, otherwise known as ARPA-H.
The lab will receive a grant of up to $30.6 million over a three year span.
The funding will support JAX’s efforts to create digital heart models that’ll reflect a wide range of human cardiovascular differences.
Prepare yourself and your vehicle for the cold
It’s that time of year when Mainers experience some of the coldest temperatures and AAA wants to remind people to be prepared.
When it comes to your car, a battery can lose about 60 percent of its strength when the temperature is zero degrees fahrenheit.
To keep up with your battery level, have a technician perform a load test to make sure it’s strong for the winter.
Also keep your gas tank at least half full.
Remember, your tires can take a hit in freezing temperatures according to AAA so don’t be alarmed if you see the light on your dashboard.
Lastly experts advise you to keep an emergency kit in your car with first aid items, jumper cables, a flashlight, shovel, blanket and more.
Winter Driving Tips – AAA Exchange
Village Holidays Celebration and Tree Lighting in Bar Harbor
Santa Claus is coming to Bar Harbor tonight to kick off the holiday season!
The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce tells Star 97.7 festivities will get underway at 4:30 p.m. with hot chocolate and cookies!
Then the jolly man will arrive for the official Christmas Tree lighting with a special reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
If you want to get into the holiday spirit join them!
https://www.visitbarharbor.com/villageholidays
45th annual Holiday Celebration in Ellsworth Dec. 6
Santa will bring hop over to Ellsworth on Saturday, Dec. 6 for the 45th annual Holiday Celebration!
The entire city will get into the holiday spirit as Christmas-themed activities, crafts, ornament decorating and more take place!
Here’s Amy Kenney, the communications director for the city of Ellsworth on the celebration.
“The theme this year is so fun it’s Christmas in Whoville so I’m assuming many of the floats in the parade will have a Grinch and maybe a sweet little Max and maybe a whole bunch of Cindy Lou Who’s right,” said Kenney.
“The parade begins, folks will start lining up at 3 o’clock on Saturday and it kicks off and it kicks off at 4 o’clock. So the route for those of you that are interested in watching it go by so it’s going to come by on State Street and then across School Street onto Main and then to that lower light on Main street and then returning back up state street and back to the middle school.”
The tree lighting will be in front of City Hall shortly after 5 p.m. and Santa will flip the switch.
They are also going to have a big community bonfire with holiday music at 6 p.m.
Don’t forget to get to the smores station as well!
