New laws taking effect in 2026
New laws will go into effect as the new year begins including changes to Paid Family and Medical Leave.
The new law states that employers must begin payroll withholdings from their employees for the program according to WABI news.
Employees will contribute one percent if their employer has 15 or more total employees. If there are fewer than 15, employees will contribute half a percent.
Also, prohibitions on products containing PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’.
Among the new products being prohibited are some cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, and dental floss.
https://www.wabi.tv/2025/12/31/new-laws-take-effect-january-1/
Code enforcement officer of Lamoine resigns
The Lamoine Code Enforcement officer and plumbing inspector tells the Ellsworth American she resigned from her position in December.
The reasoning is investigations of her work performance from people outside of the office.
Rebecca Albright tells the publication this all started when she became the focus of a lawsuit filed in 2024 after a Lamoine resident asked the court to revoke her certification alleging errors in issued permits and inspections.
The Ellsworth American reports an Ellsworth district court judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2024, however Albright says harassment continued against her.
Community forum in Ellsworth will focus on the food system
The City of Ellsworth has partnered with the Union River Center for Innovation to discuss a community forum.
Rooted: Ellsworth’s Place in the Food System will be held on Jan. 22 starting at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m..
It’s an opportunity for residents, food producers and processors as well as distributors and other community leaders to evaluate Ellsworth’s sustainability in the current food system.
There will be hands-on working sessions and a true understanding of how food moves through the community contributing to the outcome of the economy and environment.
For more information on that just head to our website.
United Midcoast charities launches community connection hub
A new online portal to help community members find volunteer opportunities has launched according to the Pen Bay pilot.
United Midcoast Charities launched the ‘Community Volunteer Hub’ where volunteers can enter their interests, skills and availability to find the right opportunity to give back to the community.
All you have to do is create a short online questionnaire and nonprofits in the area can find people who would be a good match in their recruitment efforts.
To sign up just follow the link on our website.
https://unitedmidcoastcharities.org/volunteer/
Millinocket Marathon and Half raises thousands for charitable organizations
Organizers of the Millinocket Marathon and Half announced nearly $16,000 in charitable gifts will be given to seventeen local groups and organizations according to WABI news.
Over $15,000 was raised at this year’s event.
Unlike traditional races, there is no formal entry fee to run the Millinocket Marathon and Half.
Instead, participants are encouraged to donate to support bare minimum race expenses.
The rest gets donated to local charitable groups and organizations.
Maine native nominated for Critics Choice Award
Timothy Simons, a Maine native and University of Maine graduate, has been nominated for best supporting actor in a comedy series at the Critics Choice Awards for his role in the Netflix series “Nobody Wants This.”
WABI news reports Simons, who is from Readfield, is best known for his breakout role on HBO’s “Veep.”
The Critics Choice Awards will air live Sunday night at 7 p.m. on E! and USA Network.
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/01/01/maine-native-timothy-simons-nominated-critics-choice-award/
Blue Hill Library to feature an exhibit from the ‘Friends of the Library’
The Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library tells Star 97.7 every year they sort, clean and sell thousands of donated books from their Book Nook.
As a result many of those books come with photos, letters or bookmarks which tell a unique story and reiterate the mission, history and successes behind the group.
Starting Friday, Jan. 2 they’ll showcase those finds in the ‘tucked Away’ exhibit in the Roland Howard meeting room glass case.
For more information on the exhibit just contact the library at 207-374-5515.
