Ellsworth Recycling
(Ellsworth) – Ellsworth residents will not be able to recycle a number of items they currently separate from household trash. The Ellsworth American reports the City Council on Monday approved a change to the recycling program which eliminates plastics numbers 3 through 7 and box board, such as cereal boxes and glass from the recycling mix. There is currently no market for any of those items. A company called Eco-Maine accepts those items, but city councilors determined it’s too expensive to ship the recycling to Portland.
Building Demo
(Ellsworth) – The former Ellsworth Falls Community Center building will remain standing for now as the City Council in Ellsworth referred an effort to stop demolition plans to another attorney. The Ellsworth Board of Appeals refused to act on a request to stop demolition earlier this fall. Neighbors want the historic building to remain in place. The owners, Webber Energy, obtained a demolition permit from the city’s code enforcement officer after saying it was too expensive to repair the structure that once housed a fire truck.
Plastic Bag Ban-Mt. Desert
(Mt. Desert) – The Town of Mt. Desert may become the latest to consider a ban on plastic bags. The Mt. Desert Islander reports town Selectmen voted 4-to-0 to put a plastic bag ban ordinance to voters next May. Southwest Harbor voters approved a plastic bag ban last week.
Sewer Cover
(Ellsworth) – As a slushy snow coated the roads last evening, Ellsworth police had to direct traffic at a busy intersection due to a broken sewer cover. Officers diverted traffic attempting to turn left onto Main Street from High Street up Oak Street instead, creating a long backup on High Street. The area was closed for well over an hour while public works crews replaced the broken cover.
Emmaus Programs
(Ellsworth) The Emmaus Homeless Shelter is working steadily to provide for needy families and individuals in the community. Director MJ Boylan says their Thanksgiving program has wrapped up and they’re now focused on their Christmas agenda. Boylan says they’re in need of stuffing and gravy or monetary donations for their Christmas baskets. Anyone looking to receive a basket must register by contacting the Emmaus Homeless Shelter in Ellsworth.
Drug Plea
(Bangor) A New York man has pled guilty in US District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to distribute drugs. Court records say 28-year-old Frankie Dejesus of Rochester schemed with others as part of a drug ring to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in his hometown and bring it to Central Maine for distribution. Dejesus faces up to 20-years in prison and a $1-million-dollar fine when he’s sentenced.
Hunter Located
(Westport Island) The Maine Warden Service says they found a Woolwich hunter reported missing Monday evening. He’s hypothermic but okay. 58-year-old Donald Merrill was overdue returning to his hunting party on Westport Island. Game wardens were able to track Merrill’s footprints in the snow for more than a mile off the Files Point Road. Wardens found him around 9:30 Monday night and took him to a hospital in Brunswick where he is expected to make a full recovery.
Steuben Fire
(Steuben) Fire fighters in Steuben battled a cabin fire for nearly 12 hours last week but could not save the structure. The Steuben Volunteer Fire Department responded to the home on Route 1 last Friday. Firefighters from Gouldsboro, Winter Harbor, Sullivan, Sorrento, Milbridge, Cherryfield, Harrington and Columbia Falls assisted at the scene. The Ellsworth American reports the cabin, owned by Theresa Stanwood, was built by family and community members in 1977. Stanwood is staying with family in Ellsworth.
Sears Auto Center
(Bangor) The dwindling Bangor Mall is taking another hit as the Sears Auto Center says today is its last day of business. The Bangor Daily News reports the Auto Center remained open after the main Sears store closed in April. Manager Mark Daigle says the Auto Center closes at 6 this evening and the closure affects six employees. Customers may be able to find discounted tires while supplies last. Meanwhile, the Bangor Mall says JC Penney has renewed its lease. Penney’s is the last of the original anchor stores at the Mall.
Accused Murderer in Court
(Bangor) The man accused of fatally injuring another man in Bangor faced a judge on Monday. 29-year-old transient Donald Galleck was arrested Friday and charged with the murder of 40-year-old Jason Moody of Bangor. Police found Moody unconscious at the intersection of Center and Cumberland Streets. He was hospitalized and died days later. WABI-TV reports the death was ruled a homicide following an autopsy. Galleck did not enter a plea for that charge, but he entered not guilty pleas to assault and violating probation from a previous incident.
Baseball-Rape
(Georgetown, DE) A former baseball pitcher for the University of Maine is charged with raping 6 women in his home state of Delaware. The Bangor Daily News reports Clay Conaway attended UMaine from 2014 to 2016 before transferring to the University of Delaware where he allegedly committed the sexual assaults. Conaway has pleaded not guilty. UMaine officials say they have not received any reports of sexual misconduct by Conaway while he was a student.
Holiday Marketplace
(Ellsworth) The Holiday Marketplace is back in downtown Ellsworth to serve as a local hub for Christmas shopping. Eight independent businesses as well as an on-site café are set up at the former J & B Atlantic building on Main Street. A Community Holiday Party is planned for Thursday evening December 6th. Party details and store hours for the Holiday Marketplace can be found on the Heart of Ellsworth’s Facebook page.
Sports
- NCAA Men’s Basketball: North Texas 74 U-Maine 63 (Overtime)
- David Price named the American League comeback player of the year.
- The Celtics host the New York Knicks tonight
- The Bruins play the Red Wings in Detroit tonight
