Arrest Warrant Issued for Former PTF Treasurer
A judge issued an immediate arrest warrant Monday for former Ellsworth school parent-group treasurer Joshua Dudeck, 46, accused of stealing over $30,000 from the PTF between 2022 and 2025.
Dudeck skipped a plea hearing claiming a family emergency, but prosecutors noted he was seen dropping off children at school that morning.
He faces a theft charge with $34,048 in restitution owed and $10,000 cash bail now set.
Serious Crash Shuts Down Route 94 in Garland
A serious crash closed State Route 94 between Haskell Lane in Garland and Carr Road in Dexter Monday afternoon.
LifeFlight, Maine State Police and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded as crash reconstruction got underway.
The road is expected to remain closed for a considerable time with traffic detoured around the area according to WABI news.
Officials Seek Unauthorized Fire Truck in Limerick
Limerick Fire and Rescue is asking for help identifying a personally-owned fire truck seen driving with lights and sirens in the Lake Arrowhead area.
Officials say the truck is not affiliated with their department or any local department.
WABI news reports no emergency was occurring at the time.
Anyone with information is asked to call Maine State Police.
Bobby Charles Campaign Fined $22K by Ethics Commission
The Maine Ethics Commission voted 4-1 to fine Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles’s campaign $22,657.99 for accepting $45,315 in over-the-limit contributions.
Campaign staff blamed an outside consultant and asked to delay action until after the Nov. 3 election.
WABI news reports the commission denied that.
The penalty equals 50% of the total overages following a Maine Democratic Party complaint.
Grant Street and Bridge Hill Roadwork Updates
Oct. 26-28 Ellsworth updated its roadwork schedule with closures on Grant Street and paving on Bridge Hill from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Main Street entrance to Grant Street is closed Oct. 26-27, with Liberty Street to the dam closed Oct. 28.
Contractors will also pave the Bridge Hill cross trench Oct. 27-28 with possible delays.
Trainer Fined After Horse Dies En Route to Windsor Fair
Trainer Stanley Whittemore received the maximum $1,000 fine and one-year suspension through Sept. 7, 2027 after his horse Vogue Blue Chip’s leg broke through his trailer floor Aug. 31.
The horse dragged for miles despite another driver honking for over two miles, suffering an exposed fractured cannon bone requiring euthanasia.
Whittemore accepted responsibility, saying it was the worst incident in his 61 years in racing according to WABI news.
Waggle Launches Financial Wellness for Women
Blue Hill CPA Rebecca Lynn-Crockford launched Waggle to provide plain-spoken financial education for women in midlife transitions like retirement, divorce and widowhood.
Drawing on 40 years in corporate finance, she will cover budgeting, Medicare, Social Security, taxes and estate planning through workshops and limited coaching.
The Ellsworth American reports Fall offerings include a four-week Deer Isle course Oct. 29-Nov. 19 and a free Nov. 5 talk at Blue Hill Public Library.
Ellsworth Halloween Costume Parade Oct. 31
The Ellsworth Recreation Commission and The Grand will host a Halloween Costume Parade Saturday, Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. starting at S.K. Whiting Park.
Costumed kids and families will walk Main Street sidewalks to School Street with a police escort while roads stay open.
Downtown businesses should expect trick-or-treaters, with questions to Kim at The Grand at 207-812-0172.
