Ellsworth City Councilor replaces banner criticizing the city
According to the Bangor Daily news, after being told a banner blaming the city’s responsibility in a sale of a tax-acquired property was not properly permitted, an Ellsworth city councilor replaced it with a semi-trailer.
The paper says Steve O’Halloran has been critical of the city’s decision to keep the proceeds of a 2023 sale of a property it foreclosed on nearly five years ago for unpaid property.
The publication reports O’Halloran and his supporters believe the city should give the income it made from selling the house at an auction back to the Brewer resident who inherited the property.
However other councilors have said doing so could open up a legal dispute to not only this case but others who lost properties to the city of unpaid taxes.
Hancock man sentenced for embezzling money from late Senate Candidate
A judge handed down a three year sentence in prison for a Hancock man after embezzling $225,000 from a former U.S. Senate candidate, according to the Bangor Daily News.
Matthew T. McDonald was found guilty of theft after a two-day jury trial in Ellsworth.
The paper says McDonald worked for Max Linn on two U.S. Senate campaigns in Maine before Linn died in 2021.
The Bangor Daily News says before Linn died, he asked McDonald to invest funds into cryptocurrency on his behalf however he never did.
The paper says McDonald was sentenced to seven years in prison with all but three suspended, with three years of probation upon release.
McDonald is also ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to Linn’s estate.
Aroostook Mental Health Services names new COO
The Aroostook Mental Health Services Inc. which serves Aroostook, Hancock and Washington counties has named Lori Deschaine as chief operating officer.
According to the Ellsworth American, Deschaine has served in multiple roles in AMHC such as a therapist and clinical consultant.
The paper reports Deschaine will bring a clinical background and 27 years of experience within the agency.
Maine’s 2026 Teacher of the Year award winner announced
The Maine Department of Education has announced the winner of the 2026 Teacher of the Year Award.
The award goes to Julia Edwards.
The Maine DOE tells Star 97.7 Edwards is the choral music teacher at RSU 16’s Bruce Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School in Poland.
On Thursday, Edwards celebrated this award with fellow RSU 16 educators and students during a surprise ceremony in the Poland Regional High School gymnasium.
Cooper Flagg’s new shoe is on the market
Maine native and this year’s first overall NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg has officially announced his new shoe with New Balance according to WABI News.
New Balance says the shoe takes inspiration from the vast greenery of Maine.
They say details throughout the silhouette are a nod to the trees and lush nature that defines Maine.
The shoe will officially be available in retail stores for $120 on October 22 which just happens to be Flagg’s debut with the Dallas Mavericks to open the NBA season.
https://www.wabi.tv/2025/10/16/new-balance-announces-cooper-flaggs-new-shoe/
Halloween fun at Union Fairgrounds
If you’re in search of a spooky fun time this weekend head over to the Trail of Terror at the Union Fair!
The frightening fun will take place Friday and Saturday nights from 6:30 to 8:30PM and costs $15 per person.
Suggested age groups for this are 13 and older.
