Collins campaign finance allegations
A new investigative report from ProPublica claims Republican Senator Susan Collins was previously scrutinized by the FBI in an alleged “pay-to-play” campaign finance scheme involving defense contractor Navatek.
Former CEO Martin Kao alleged he steered $150,000 to a super PAC through a shell company in exchange for Collins’ help securing $32 million in naval contracts.
WABI news reports Collins’ team denied the allegations, calling them categorically false and noting Kao is a convicted felon, while Democratic Senate opponent Troy Jackson called for a full accounting of the contracts.
WABI-TV
Roque Bluffs boat ramp gate installation
Officials in Roque Bluffs plan to install a gate at the Pond Cove boat ramp following a crash that claimed the lives of a grandmother and two young grandchildren over the weekend.
Town Clerk Jennifer Moore says the barrier could go up as early as this week, with additional road-end signage planned in coordination with the Maine Department of Transportation.
WABI news reports the gate may cause minor inconveniences for local boaters and commercial fishermen, officials emphasize it is the town’s best option to prevent another fatal tragedy.
Search for missing East Blue Hill man
The Maine Marine Patrol and State Police dive teams are continuing their search for 82-year-old James Kannry, who went missing from his East Blue Hill home over the weekend.
Authorities were called to Kannry’s Webber Cove Lane residence Sunday for a wellness check after a skiff he regularly used was found tied to one of his moored boats without him aboard.
Search teams have deployed aircraft, shoreline patrols, drones, K9 units, and underwater remotely operated vehicles, with dive teams scouring the water around his vessels this week.
The Ellsworth American
National College rankings released
U.S. News & World Report has released its 2027 national college rankings, with two Maine institutions sharing the state’s top spot among national universities.
The University of Maine at Orono and the University of New England in Biddeford both tied at number 262 nationwide.
In the liberal arts category, Bowdoin College in Brunswick placed third in the country, followed by Colby College at number 22, Bates at 26, and College of the Atlantic at 132.
WABI-TV
Ellsworth Rotary International Benefit Breakfast
The Rotary Club of Ellsworth is hosting a community pancake breakfast this Saturday, September 26, to support international medical relief.
Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. at Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School, with tickets priced at $12 for adults and $7 for children.
All proceeds will benefit Centro de Prótesis & Terapia Física, who provide prosthetic limbs and physical rehabilitation to patients in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Central America.
Downtown Ellsworth Concert
Live music is coming to downtown Ellsworth this Thursday, September 24, as the city hosts another installment of its Downtown Summer Concert series.
The free outdoor performance kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Franklin Street Parklet.
City officials encourage residents and visitors to stop by downtown and enjoy an evening of community entertainment sponsored by Vinyl Vogue.
