Ellsworth Judicial Center Road Funding Dispute
Hancock County Commissioners have delayed a decision on whether to help the City of Ellsworth fund an access road to the future county courthouse.
Ellsworth City Manager Charlie Pearce requested financial support for the Merrill Lane extension, arguing that service-center cities face disproportionate financial strains and noting that the city’s county tax bill has jumped 40 percent since 2024.
The Ellsworth American reports the Ellsworth City Council previously approved up to $1.75 million in bonds for the required road and utility construction after entering into an agreement with the state.
Commissioners decided to take the request under advisement, pointing out that federal pandemic funds cannot be committed now and noting the county will face its own revenue losses once the court leaves its current county-owned building.
Hancock County Automated License Plate Readers
Hancock County law enforcement agencies have activated 13 automated license plate readers across six communities to track vehicles tied to criminal investigations.
The cameras, positioned at undisclosed sites are in Bucksport, Ellsworth, Dedham, Trenton, Hancock, and Sullivan.
The Ellsworth American reports the cameras scan passing vehicles and compare plates against national and local law enforcement databases.
Police officials say the cameras capture static snapshots rather than continuous video and compare sightings against hot lists for stolen vehicles, homicide suspects, and missing persons.
Under Maine law, collected plate data is automatically purged after 21 days unless it is tied to an active, ongoing investigation.
Maine man sentenced for online threats against former VP Harris, Others
An Eddington man will serve three years of supervised release after threatening to kill Vice President Kamala Harris, Jewish people, Elon Musk, and Maine law enforcement.
52-year-old Thadius Wind was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to time served—about 17 months behind bars.
FBI agents seized multiple swords from Wind’s home last spring, and local police say he’s been tied to multiple area standoffs in recent years.
Lobster Industry Right Whale regulation pause
Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King are pushing federal lawmakers to protect the state’s multi-million-dollar lobster industry from impending federal gear rules.
The bipartisan pair sent a letter urging the Senate Commerce Committee to pass the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, which previously cleared the U.S. House.
WABI news reports if enacted, the legislation would extend an existing pause on federal right whale regulations through 2035.
The senators highlighted the lobster fishery’s vital role in sustaining thousands of coastal Maine jobs and supporting local working waterfront economies.
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/09/16/maine-senators-both-push-bill-help-lobster-industry/
New ‘Math Path’ Opens Along Cherryfield Trails
A Downeast trail walk now comes with a side of STEM.
Maine Seacoast Mission has officially launched the ‘Math Path’ along its two-mile trail network in Cherryfield.
Partnering with the Maine Discovery Museum and The Franklin Institute, the riverside trails along the Narraguagus River now feature three interactive, Maine-themed installations.
Visitors can explore Fibonacci numbers in local wildlife, practice fractions with forestry tree cookies, and count clam harvests on a giant stone abacus.
The self-guided trails at thirty-nine Weald Bethel Lane are free and open to the public daily for day use.”
https://meaningfulmath.fi.edu/
Community Line Dancing at the Down East Family YMCA
The Down East Family YMCA is inviting community members in Ellsworth to get active this fall with ongoing line dancing sessions.
On Friday, Sept. 18, the sessions offer a fun, social atmosphere designed for dancers of all experience levels from beginner to advanced.
Classes run multiple times a week throughout September, including Friday evening meetups.
The program also leads up to a special Autumn Gold Line Dancing Social scheduled for Friday, September 25.
Organizers emphasize that no prior dance experience is required to drop in, get moving, and join the fun.
