Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties program will have an open house<\/b><\/p>\n
On Jan. 16, the Friendship Cottage in Blue Hill will host an open house from 4-6 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n The program that was transitioned from Downeast Community Partners to Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties serves older adults and adults with physical, mental or memory challenges according to the Ellsworth American.<\/span><\/p>\n Leaders tell the paper, they want to increase awareness about the services as they are needed.<\/span><\/p>\n Community members, caregivers and health care partners are encouraged to join them as no registration is required.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/open-house-at-friendship-cottage-jan-16\/article_cf5f6171-0cb3-4e76-9847-c95c0f314fce.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Town of Union to launch \u2018Severe Weather Risk Assessment\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n Extreme weather is on the radar of officials in the Town of Union as they plan to launch a \u2018Severe Weather Risk Assessment\u2019 on Jan. 12.<\/span><\/p>\n The Pen Bay Pilot reports this effort will evaluate how flooding, high winds, ice storms and more affect the power grid, water systems, roads, bridges and overall infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n The paper says with the support from the Community Resilience Partnership Community Action grant from the Governor\u2019s office of policy innovation and the future, this was made possible.<\/span><\/p>\n The first public workshop on Jan. 12 will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m at the Union Town Office.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.penbaypilot.com\/article\/union-launches-severe-weather-risk-assessment-protect-critical-infrastructure-first<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Popular Ellsworth cafe and bakery will see new leadership<\/b><\/p>\n The owners of Flexit Cafe and Bakery in Ellsworth will pass the torch to an employee.<\/span><\/p>\n The Ellsworth American reports the owners say they\u2019ve sat on the idea for a couple of years now but that time led them to pass it on to a current employee who has worked at the cafe since 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n The new owner will look to continue the hometown feel while adding new things like homemade bagels to the menu.<\/span><\/p>\n They tell the publication the final sale is likely to happen this month.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ellsworthamerican.com\/news\/business\/flexit-caf-to-see-change-in-ownership\/article_a642d10b-d558-4232-acf9-c658789c7318.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Flu activity drastically increases<\/b><\/p>\n According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu this season has surpassed last winter drastically.<\/span><\/p>\n However, health officials say it\u2019s likely to get worse.<\/span><\/p>\n Experts say flu activity in the U.S. has reached the highest level seen in 25 years.<\/span><\/p>\n This after WABI news reported a new flu strain is responsible for the spread.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2026\/01\/06\/flu-reaches-highest-levels-25-years-likely-get-worse-health-officials-say\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Gov. Janet Mills to Deliver State of the State Address<\/b><\/p>\n On Tuesday, Gov. Janet Mills announced she will deliver the \u2018State of the State\u2019 address on Jan. 27.<\/span><\/p>\n Taking place in the House Chamber, Mills will thank the people of Maine, outline progress and address challenges Mainers continue to face for her final address.<\/span><\/p>\n Tremont teacher received buoy deployed in NOAA at sea program<\/b><\/p>\n A science teacher in Tremont is making waves for her middle school students in hopes that they understand what\u2019s going on around them.<\/span><\/p>\n Tonya Prentice, a middle school science teacher at Tremont Consolidated School, is working to support her students who have interests in science with interactive projects.<\/span><\/p>\n Which is why when she was offered the chance to hop aboard the \u2018Teacher at Sea Program\u2019 through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration otherwise known as NOAA, it was an easy decision to set sail.<\/span><\/p>\n Over a year ago, she joined NOAA scientists to conduct ocean research to monitor fisheries, trends and more by deploying a drifter buoy off the coast of Rhode Island.<\/span><\/p>\n Fast forward to September of 2025, she received notice her buoy had come ashore in Maryland and NOAA figured out a way to give it to her and her class.<\/span><\/p>\n Prentice hopes this project shows her students what they can achieve in and out of the classroom because the ocean can make you feel small but what matters is understanding they can be a part of something bigger.<\/span><\/p>\n