Orrington man charged with kidnapping, assault at DHHS subcontractor facility<\/b><\/p>\n
An Ellsworth Police Detective arrested an Orrington man on Sept. 9 after the man was accused of kidnapping and assault at his place of work.<\/span><\/p>\n The alleged assault took place at a company that collects urine samples for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in Ellsworth.<\/span><\/p>\n The Ellsworth American reports 27-year-old Robert J. Perales is accused of groping a woman and restricting her from leaving after she gave a urine sample.<\/span><\/p>\n The publication reports the woman who was scheduled to provide a urine sample will usually report to a female employee however that employee was not there that day.<\/span><\/p>\n The alleged assault took place at peak Outcome Partners and Perales faces several charges including kidnapping, assault and two counts of unlawful sexual conduct.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/employee-of-dhhs-subcontractor-charged-with-kidnapping-assault\/article_a38965d3-d901-4ced-9756-eb34b203b557.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Handler of state comfort dog \u2018Baxter\u2019 not liable for dog\u2019s death<\/b><\/p>\n On Friday, a Penobscot County judge ruled the handler of Maine’s first state comfort dog is not at fault for the dog’s death.<\/span><\/p>\n Brodie Hinckley is the former state director of emergency communications.<\/span><\/p>\n The dog named Baxter was paired with Hinckley when he was a\u00a0 puppy to provide support to workers at Maine emergency call centers according to WABI.<\/span><\/p>\n On May 28, 2025, Baxter was found dead in Hinckley\u2019s state issued vehicle after being left in the car for four hours on an 83 degree day.<\/span><\/p>\n The judge cited a lack of intent on Hinckley\u2019s part and offered an apology to him from the bench for online harassment and death threats he and his family faced following the incident.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2026\/09\/11\/judge-rules-handler-state-comfort-dog-baxter-not-liable-dogs-death\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n New operations center in Hancock County set to open in November<\/b><\/p>\n Hancock County will see a new chapter in emergency response operations in November.<\/span><\/p>\n A new operations center off the Washington Junction Road will be opening a $5.5 million facility.<\/span><\/p>\n The Bangor Daily News reports the new facility will house the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency which manages crisis responses including weather and unexpected mass casualties.<\/span><\/p>\n The building will provide additional space to essential services in the region including a backup dispatch center in the event of an emergency.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2026\/09\/11\/hancock\/hancock-government\/hancock-county-new-emergency-operations-center-joam40zk0w\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n City of Ellsworth creates Office of Community Development<\/b><\/p>\n After a planned reorganization, City of Ellsworth officials have launched the office of community development.<\/span><\/p>\n Home to four departments, the office of community development will operate under one leadership team.<\/span><\/p>\n The city\u2019s planning, code enforcement, economic development and assessing departments will be in the same office however their responsibilities will remain the same.<\/span><\/p>\n Roadwork is planned in Ellsworth, here\u2019s what you need to know<\/b><\/p>\n As you start planning out your week, keep in mind roadwork will take place in multiple locations throughout Ellsworth.<\/span><\/p>\n Starting Tuesday, city officials say work will begin at 7:30 a.m. where crews will be replacing a cross culvert near 425 Christian Ridge Road.<\/span><\/p>\n Expect one-way traffic and avoid the area if you can.<\/span><\/p>\n Wednesday, crews will start at 4 a.m. to reinstall a fire hydrant before the Union River Bridge on the city side of downtown.<\/span><\/p>\n City officials say traffic flow will reduce to two lanes however the project isn\u2019t expected to take long.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, also happening on Wednesday, Church Street will be closed between Spring Street and Bayview Avenue starting at 7:30 a.m. as crews repair a catch basin so avoid this area if possible and seek an alternate route.<\/span><\/p>\n