Briefs: Backyard Birding! Friedmann Energy Bill, Roadside Cleanup
Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas, SPCA of Hancock County Announces New Executive Director, Real Estate, Court, and a lot more
A Quick Note From Us: Each week, we compile briefs and press releases and event images and share them all in one (sometimes very long) story.
Our briefs article is mostly just press releases that we don’t write, or claim to write, but just share from the agencies, businesses, people, and organizations that send them in.
If things are not a press release, they are labelled “BRIEF” in their headlines. The press releases will not have that label. We’ve also started to put singular local briefs up on our website in their own tab as well. This will happen ahead of this weekly collection article. You can find those and past briefs/press releases here if you want those briefs a bit more timely. It’s just that there are so many that we’d be bombarding your email constantly if we sent them out individually.
Friedmann bill to better protect medically vulnerable Mainers during power outages given initial Legislative approval
AUGUSTA—This week, the Legislature gave initial approval to a measure sponsored by Rep. Gary Friedmann (D-Bar Harbor) that would require Maine’s large electric utility companies to establish an emergency response outreach plan for medically vulnerable Mainers in the event of a power outage. The bill passed the House 103-41 on Tuesday and the Senate 20-14 on Thursday.
LD 633 would require investor-owned electric utility companies to establish an outreach procedure for customers who have a documented need for electricity to power essential medical equipment, like breathing machines, home dialysis devices and refrigerators that keep medications at stable temperatures.
“Severe weather patterns driven by climate change will continue to increase in intensity and frequency. National studies have also shown that Maine leads the country in power outages lasting over eight hours. Extensive power outages threaten the health of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Friedmann. “This measure mitigates life-or-death situations by requiring proactive plans from utility companies to restore power as quickly as possible for our most vulnerable residents and their families.”
According to data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Maine was rated as having the worst electric grid reliability in the country in 2023, with an average outage time of more than 10 hours.
The measure will face further votes in the House and Senate in the coming days.
Rep. Friedmann is serving his first term in Maine’s House of Representatives and serves House District 14, which includes Bar Harbor, Cranberry Isles, Lamoine and Mount Desert. He is a member of the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Taxation.
SPCA of Hancock County Announces New Executive Director
TRENTON – Mindy Wulf has been named executive director of the SPCA of Hancock County.
Wulf has years of non-profit experience and previously served as SPCA’s shelter manager/volunteer coordinator before being hired as executive director of the non-profit animal welfare organization.
“I am delighted to be the new Executive Director of the SPCA. In my past roles, I have experience with strategic planning, staff and volunteer management and budget administration,” Wulf said. “This position will (allow) me to use my strengths from my education and previous work experience and combine that with my passion for animal welfare.”
Previously, Wulf worked for more than 20 years as director of the Chesapeake Bay Field Programs at the Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland. She had previously worked at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Wulf holds a bachelor’s from St. Mary’s College and is currently working toward her master’s degree.
Wulf relocated from Maryland to Maine with her husband, Erik, their dog, Bean, and cat, Mac, in 2024 and was hired by the SPCA soon after. It wasn’t long before she took her work home with her – literally.
“My husband fell in love with a very tiny, very sickly little kitten at the shelter last fall, so we brought her home and named her Scupper,” Wulf said. “She now happily plays with our two other pets and cuddles with both.”
SPCA Board President Michelle Allvin is thrilled to have Wulf transition to the executive director role.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the hiring of our new Executive Director, Mindy Wulf. Her 20 plus years in the non-profit world will be a great asset to the shelter as we advance our mission and create a future where every animal in Hancock County is safe, cared for and loved,” Allvin said. “The Board of Directors is looking forward to working with Mindy to improve the sustainability of the shelter for generations to come.”
In her spare time, Wulf enjoys antiquing, hiking, terrible “Dad” jokes and exploring the beautiful state of Maine.
Founded in 1911, the SPCA has provided shelter and veterinary care for thousands of stray, surrendered and abandoned animals. It receives no state or federal funding and all of the dollars it needs to operate the shelter comes from donations.
Join Friends of Acadia for Earth Day Roadside Cleanup on April 26
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND AND TRENTON—Register now for Friends of Acadia's annual Earth Day Roadside Cleanup! This year's event will take place on Saturday, April 26, and the registration deadline for groups and individuals is Friday, April 18. We hope you will pitch in to help clean up “a winter’s worth” of trash from the roadsides of Mount Desert Island and Trenton. The first 300 participants will each receive a commemorative baseball cap!
Register for the 2025 Friends of Acadia Earth Day Roadside Cleanup on our website.
Check out other ways to volunteer with Friends of Acadia this year!
The 14th Annual Hancock County Food Drive Runs Through April 30
HANCOCK COUNTY—A county-wide Kick-Off Collection Event on Saturday, April 5, signaled the launch of The Hancock County Food Drive, an annual month-long food collection and fundraising project that supports food pantries, free meal programs, and school backpack programs across Hancock County.
The Hancock County Food Drive is an annual collaborative campaign that raises funds and food donations for local food pantries, meal sites, and school backpack programs. This year, partner organizations are collaborating to raise $40,000, which will provide 120,000 meals for Hancock County residents. Community members can support the Food Drive through online donations at www.hcfooddrive.org, and by donating food at one of the sites listed online.
In addition to the Kick-off event on April 5, the Food Drive is hosting two month-long fundraisers: the Read-A-Thon, a reading challenge for K-8 readers to secure pledges for every minute they spend reading, and Movement for Meals, a movement challenge for movers of all ages and abilities to raise funds for each minute completed during April.
For more information about these events and how to contribute to the Hancock County Food Drive, visit www.hcfooddrive.org or contact Eleanor Jones at eleanor.jones@healthyacadia.org.
The Hancock County Food Drive is organized by the Hancock County Food Security Network, Healthy Acadia, and Heart of Maine United Way, with generous support from Maine Community Foundation, Star 97.7, and Cooperative Extension. Learn more.
Sustainability Opportunities!
Annual Tool Swap 4/26/2025 AND Home Composting 4/30/2025
MOUNT DESERT—The Town of Mount Desert's Sustainability Committee is offering two opportunities to engage in sustainable practices! Click on the links below to learn more.
See you there!
Tool Swap at the Northeast Harbor Library from 9:30 - 12 noon on Saturday, April 26th.
Clean out you garage and basement for the Spring Clean-up and bring any tools that can still be used by someone else to the tool swap!
Home Composting at the Northeast Harbor Library from 5:30 - 6:30pm on Wednesday, April 30th.
Come learn how to get started and what the best practices are!
Library Hosts Tea with Town Manager and Town Clerk
Southwest Harbor: Meet Southwest Harbor Town Manager Karen Reddersen and Town Clerk Jennifer LaHaye at the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s Tea on Thursday, April 17 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy tea in a fine china cup, homemade treats, conversation, and the company of friends and neighbors. Live music provided by Zella Harmon and friends. For details, go to https://tinyurl.com/yjs36k49, or call the Library, 244-7065.
Registration is Now Open For Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas
Two-Day Event Presented by Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine, to Spotlight Indigenous Artists, Thought Leaders, and Cultural Celebration
BAR HARBOR—The Abbe Museum is pleased to announce that registration is now open to the public for the 2025 Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas, returning to the College of the Atlantic campus on July 12-13, 2025. This free two-day event uplifts Wabanaki and Northeastern Native voices through engaging panels, live performances, and a vibrant Indigenous arts market featuring over 50 Native artists.
Celebrating the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and art, the Dawnland Festival is designed to spark conversation and deepen understanding of Native contributions to contemporary society and a sustainable future.
“The Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas celebrates the Native creative economy while also lifting up Indigenous thought leadership vital to the conversation on a healthy planet and society for us all,” stated Betsy Richards, executive director and senior partner with Wabanaki Nations.
Highlights of the 2025 Festival Include:
Panel Discussions on:
Native Arts, Culture, and Technology
Wabanaki Forest Futures
Centering Wabanaki Voices in America’s 250th
Indigenous Farm to Table
Featured Performances by:
Ty Defoe (Ojibwe/Oneida), Grammy Award-winning interdisciplinary artist
Cipelahq ehpicik - Thunderbird Women, a Wabanaki women’s hand drum group
Indigenous Marketplace showcasing over 50 Native artists and makers
The full festival schedule is available at www.DawnlandFestival.org.
Early bird registrations (before June 1, 2025) will be entered into a drawing for a season pass to the Abbe Museum and a gift certificate to the Abbe Museum Store. The grand prize winner will be announced on June 2, 2025.
Assistance with registration is available by calling Abbe Museum at (207) 288-3519 or emailing info@abbemusuem.org.
Talk: Why Most Self-Defense Advice Doesn’t Work… And What Actually Does
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—When it comes to avoiding violence, most women have gotten a lot of questionable advice, like “don’t wear a ponytail, an attacker could grab it” or “or “don’t go shopping alone.” Directives like these come mostly from those in authority, who abruptly change the subject when you ask for evidence that any of these precautions work. Research shows that safety comes not from complying with rigid rules or avoiding white vans, but from developing the skills to resist coercive control, especially from people we know or people in positions of power.
On Tuesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m., at the Southwest Harbor Public Library, Meg Stone, author of The Cost of Fear, will explain why most self-defense advice is outdated, fear-based, and often ineffective—plus what actually works. Learn how to recognize coercion, set verbal boundaries, and use simple but powerful physical techniques to protect yourself. Find out how learning self-defense can boost confidence in all areas of life. This talk will present practical, gender-inclusive strategies for learning self-defense safety skills that help work for social and political change. Online viewing is available. Check out Meg’s book: The Cost of Fear: Why Most Safety Advice Is Sexist and How We Can Stop Gender-Based Violence. Books will be available to purchase.
Meg Stone is the Executive Director of IMPACT Boston, an abuse prevention and empowerment self-defense organization. Her writing has been published in Huffington Post, Newsweek, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Dame, and Ms. Meg lives in Cambridge, MA with her partner Mal and a shockingly large collection of musical theatre cast albums.
To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/22safwv9, call 244-7065, or email programs@swhplibrary.org.
SWEET FERN MEETING
BAR HARBOR—Sweet Fern MDI will next meet on Sunday, 4/13/2025 at the YWCA Mount Desert Island (36 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 - near the Jesup Library) at 4 p.m. Please join us as we think ahead, consider how to help existing working subgroups (if needed), ponder the need for new working subgroups, and talk about experiences people had at Hands On! events on 4/5/2025.
Our mission statement is “Sweet Fern MDI grows its roots in ground left impoverished by anti-democratic forces. Sweet Fern MDI supports those who want to respond to interlocking injustices such as rampant corruption, racism, sexism, poverty, worker exploitation, environmental and civic destruction, and the failed health care system. We are a community group not affiliated with any one political ideology, open to all who are willing to work with us.”
Our disclaimer is: “Sweet Fern MDI is a non-hierarchical organization that believes anyone can lead. As such, individual actions or statements of the group or people in the group do not necessarily represent others in the group.”
Our current community agreements are:
Hold confidentiality
Be civil and respectful of others’ opinions
Use “I” Statements
Strive for honest, nonviolent communication
Maintain curiosity rather than judgement
Welcome discomfort
All action is voluntary
Anyone can lead
BACKYARD BIRDING
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Looking to learn how to bring more native Maine birds into your backyard? Find out during the talk “Creating Bird-Friendly Habitat in Your Backyard with Maine Audubon” on Tuesday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Southwest Harbor Public Library. David Lamon, Director of Northern Operations for Maine Audubon, will be teaching us the best ways to establish bird-friendly habitats in our backyards and build ecosystems to attract Maine’s native birds. Online viewing available.
Your backyard provides a window into the natural world and there are a number of steps you can take to make it wildlife & bird friendly. Join us to learn best practices for attracting and supporting birds in your home landscape during all seasons. We’ll answer questions like: Does feeding birds change their migration habits? Will they starve if you stop feeding them? Why are native plants so important for birds’ survival? Maine Audubon works everyday with both children and adults to promote environmental literacy so that Mainers can become more informed and effective stewards of Maine’s wildlife and habitat.
David Lamon, a College of the Atlantic (COA) graduate, was the former Program Education Coordinator at COA and Executive Director for 15 years with the Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary, an approximately 255 acre preserve in the Somes Pond Watershed in Somesville.
Maine Audubon works to conserve Maine wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people in education, conservation, and action. An independent organization, Maine Audubon is not a chapter of National Audubon. These organizations have an independent, collaborative relationship, and share conservation goals.
To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/y3xpfh7u, call 244-7065, or email programs@swhplibrary.org.
A CLIMATE TO THRIVE
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—A Climate to Thrive is excited to share two upcoming programs, both designed to support community members in impactful participation in climate solutions. We recognize that many of us are eager to make a meaningful difference and a positive contribution to our communities and broader changemaking at this moment. We also recognize that community involvement is more important than ever to move forward climate solutions.
We are excited to gather together in late April for the Community-Driven Energy Planning Workshop at Open Table, during which we will bring our collaborative energy planning game to the local community as we come together to identify pressing issues and pathways forward related to MDI's energy future. Space is limited; read more below and folks interested in participating are encouraged to register today.
We are excited to share an additional upcoming offering here for the first time! Join us in May for a four-session program: Cultivating a Climate Solution. Participants will support each other in bringing concepts for solutions from ideas to implementation.
The Mystique of Making Natural Dyes, Inks and Paints
BAR HARBOR—Humans, among other species, are attracted to color. For at least 100,000 years, humans have been creating colors from foraged plants, animals, earth and stone to use as skin paint, to dye fibers, and make adornments, vessels, pottery and artistic renderings. MDI artist Bonnie Chase has always been interested in observing the art, crafts and cultures of indigenous people worldwide. Today, she combines those passions with her background in biology, botany, and natural history to take the mystique out of making color and art tools to use in her own art practices and creations.
At Acadia Senior College’s April Food for Thought program, Bonnie will talk about several of the garden and local plants she uses, locally foraged earth materials, and methods to make sustainable and environmentally friendly colors.
Living on a small organic farm on Mount Desert Island, Bonnie grows, collects, forages and creates most of her supporting tools, dyes, inks, pigments, paints and fibers used in her art practice.
Bonnie Chase holds undergraduate degrees in Biology and Botany and a MS in Environmental Science from Montclair State University, NJ. Throughout her careers in teaching biology, as Executive Director of the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Nature Center, as a Master Naturalist, leading Natural History tours in Central and South America, and writing a weekly local nature column, she has always focused on immersing her students in the awe and beauty of the natural world. Bonnie Chase has taught several nature-inspired art classes for ASC and at other local organizations.
This program is part of Acadia Senior College’s monthly Food for Thought program. The lunch and presentation will take place at Birch Bay Village in Hull’s Cove on Friday, April 25, 2025, starting at 11:30 a.m. The cost for attending in person is $17. The Zoom-only presentation is free and begins at noon.
This program is open to the public, but reservations are required for either the in-person or online event. Register online at acadiaseniorcollege.org or email learn@acadiaseniorcollege.org. For more information contact Acadia Senior College at (207) 288-9500.
Free Workshop Will Explore Qigong for Mind-Body Connection and Balance
MAINE—Healthy Acadia invites community members to participate in a free virtual workshop, “3 Body Qigong for Spring,” on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 5 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. The event, part of Healthy Acadia’s Monthly Mindfulness series, will feature special guest David Sholemson.
Spring is the time to wake up from our winter slumber and follow nature’s path of rebirth and growth. As all of nature begins to wake up and grow, we may feel the power of earth’s energy throw us out of balance. This can make us feel a bit spacy and overwhelmed, and we may feel a bit angry and irritable at this time.
During this class, we will practice movements to help keep our body and emotions grounded, balanced, and harmonized through specific movements for our liver and gallbladder. We will also include other movements to balance and help move energy in our body for health and healing such as energy ball practice and sound/music meditation. This class becomes preventive maintenance for your mind and body.
David Sholemson is an energy healer, qigong teacher, and workshop facilitator. His path began in December 2005, after a second knee surgery. He unknowingly wandered into an energy yoga center, seeking a massage to help with the pain. Knowing nothing about energy, yoga, or healing, he signed up. After practicing for two weeks and receiving energy healing, David “just knew” this was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
After many trainings and workshops, under the tutelage of master healer-teacher Chun Shim, he became a Qigong teacher and workshop trainer. After 9 years of practice, he moved on to learn other forms of energy work. He became a Reiki master teacher and Tong Ren practitioner and studied with qigong master Robert Peng and shaman Sandra Ingerman. David has spent years studying the teachings of Ram Dass and has integrated what he has learned into his own life and his teachings, all with the intention of helping guide others toward a healthier and happier life. For more information about David and his practice, go to 3bodyha.com.
Pre-registration is required for this free event. To register and receive the Zoom link, visit bit.ly/mindful-5125.
For more information about this event, future mindfulness events, or other programs promoting mindful living, contact Ursula Hanson at ursula@healthyacadia.org. To stay updated and register for free events, subscribe to Healthy Acadia’s e-newsletter or visit healthyacadia.org/hpm-mindfulness-for-health.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) community health organization dedicated to building vibrant communities and making it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives. Serving Washington and Hancock counties, the organization provides community health support and leadership across Maine. For more information, visit healthyacadia.org.
From the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries: Cold Water - Pleasant for Trout, Dangerous for People.
AUGUSTA—The ideal water temperature for brook trout is between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but humans just aren't built for anything below 70. Open water fishing has begun, and many paddlers are also eager to get on the water soon, but average inland water temperatures in Maine are only around 40 degrees in April. That's the same as ocean temperatures, and cold enough to kill quickly.
Water conducts heat away from your skin four times faster than air. Below 70 degrees, the colder the water is, the more dangerous it becomes. On average, the onset of hypothermia for an average sized adult occurs in 30 minutes. Below 60 degrees, physical incapacitation can occur in less than 10 minutes, making self-rescue nearly impossible. Below 50 degrees, cold water shock can occur immediately, and survival of more than 5 minutes is unlikely.
Prioritize Safety for Adventures on the Water
Maine's inland water temperatures typically don't rise above 50 degrees until early May, above 60 degrees until late May to early June, and above 70 degrees until July. If you are an angler, paddler, boater, or outdoor enthusiast who explores Maine's lakes, ponds, rivers, or streams, follow these cold water safety tips for a safe season:
Don't make the mistake of assuming water temperatures are anywhere close to the air temperature.
Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Wetsuits and dry suits are recommended for any water temperatures below 70 degree.
Plan for immersion. Always wear a life jacket to significantly increase chance of survival.
File a float plan. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Check the forecast before you go.
NEWS FROM REP GARY FRIEDMANN
Dear Neighbor,
This week, the federal government fired the entire workforce at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for administering the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides critical support to families throughout Maine and across the country.
While the funding for LIHEAP that was approved by Congress remains intact, decimating the staff that administers the program is an attempt to usurp the constitutional authority of Congress. It will have devastating impacts on Mainers, making it harder for the more than 40,000 families here who rely on LIHEAP to afford to heat their homes during the long, cold winter months that our state experiences.
In response to this reckless decision, I joined 91 of my colleagues in the Legislature in signing a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to request an explanation for how this Congressionally-mandated program will be administered with no staff, and urge him to reconsider this decision.
The full letter is below. As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Rep. Gary Friedmann
Serving House District 14
(207) 460-7362
Gary.Friedmann@legislature.maine.gov
Connect with me on Facebook
MY BILL TO FILL GAPS LEFT BY A GUTTED EPA
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to present testimony for LD 1262 before the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. Here is the testimony I presented.
It is my honor to testify in support of LD 1262, An Act to Improve Government Transparency and Accountability by Establishing a Process to Allow a Person to Require the State to Enforce Certain Laws and Rules.
Yesterday’s New York Times included a story that underlines the importance of this bill. Its headline read “Chemical Industry Asks Trump for Exemption from Pollution Limits,” and it describes how industry groups are asking for complete exemptions from limits on air pollution.
Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told companies they could apply for waivers to clean air rules by emailing the agency if they felt the technology to meet the rules wasn’t available and if it was in the interest of national security. Trump’s EPA has already moved to roll back many of these rules.
For example, last week, the EPA listed 31 regulations that it will scale back or eliminate, including rules limiting air pollution from cars and power plants, restrictions on the emission of mercury and neurotoxin and clean water protections for rivers and streams.
These are the latest moves by the Trump administration to steer the EPA away from its original environmental protection and regulation role. The EPA has said it plans to reduce its budget by 65%, slash jobs, eliminate scientific research and ensure that enforcement actions don’t interfere with energy production. It has placed former lobbyists and lawyers for the oil, gas and chemical industries in senior positions and dropped lawsuits against chemical manufacturers accused of releasing high levels of carcinogens.
Maine’s environment — our clean air and water, our beautiful lakes, rivers and coastlines — draws and keeps people here. It’s the foundation of our communities and economy. We can’t afford to let it deteriorate under aberrations in federal leadership.
This bill aims to address the challenges of federal attacks on our environment and chronic understaffing of Maine’s agencies tasked with enforcing state environmental regulations, utilizing three tools:
1.The ability of citizens to ask the agency that enforces environmental law to improve or enforce clean air and water standards;
2.The ability of citizens to ask a court to act if the agency does not, and
3.The ability of the agency to cover the cost of enforcement.
Most states rely on federal EPA standards as their own minimum standards while being free to adopt stricter measures if they so choose. The most essential federal environmental protection statutes were co-authored by Maine’s Senator Edmund Muskie. He ensured that the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the Clean Water Act of 1972, among other laws, had citizen suit provisions so that citizens could stand in for the EPA and the Department of Justice when presidents like Richard Nixon would not.
Suppose a federal pollution standard disappears and the DEP does not move to adopt it under state law. In that case, LD 1262 provides a way for citizens or public interest organizations to petition the DEP to adopt that standard if the underlying state pollution law allows it. LD 1262 also helps agencies and taxpayers by laying the groundwork for fees to be paid by those permitted to emit pollution to cover the costs of ensuring compliance by the agency or citizens.
I urge you to support LD 1262 and, by doing so, provide tangible safeguards for Maine’s environment in the face of the federal government’s abdication of this sacred responsibility.
CARL WILSON SWORN IN
AUGUSTA—Governor Janet Mills today swore in Carl Wilson as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), following the Maine Senate’s unanimous vote to confirm his nomination.
"I thank the Maine Senate for its unanimous confirmation of Carl Wilson as Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources," said Governor Janet Mills. "Carl's extensive experience and deep understanding of Maine's marine industries make him exceptionally qualified to lead DMR. I look forward to working with him to support the Maine people who make their living on the water and the communities that depend on them."
"It is an honor to be confirmed as Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources," said Commissioner Carl Wilson. "I am committed to leading the Department's efforts to sustainably manage Maine's marine resources and support the individuals and industries that rely on them."
Wilson, a resident of Alna, has served as Acting Commissioner of the Department since March 14, 2025. Prior to his appointment by Governor Mills, Wilson spent a decade as Director of the Department’s Bureau of Marine Science. He joined the Department in 1999 as the agency’s lead lobster biologist.
Governor Mills announced her intention to nominate Wilson on February 26, 2025, to succeed retired DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher. The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources unanimously recommended Wilson's confirmation on April 3, 2025.
REAL ESTATE
Recent deed transfers in our area include:
BAR HARBOR
Christopher R. Walsh, Bar Harbor to The Christopher R. Walsh Living Trust, Bar Harbor, land with buildings.
Estate of Lester A. Foss Jr., Bar Harbor to 3 IPR LLC, Bar Harbor, land with improvements.
Bar Harbor Limited Partnership, St. Louis, Mo., to Graff BH Holdings LLC, St. Louis, Mo., land with improvements.
Melville T. Hodder Trust, Cambridge, Mass., to Melville T. Hodder Trust – Marital Trust, Cambridge, Mass., undivided one-half interest, land with improvements.
Melville T. Hodder Trust, Cambridge, Mass.. to Melville T. Hodder Trust – Marital Trust, Cambridge, Mass., undivided one-half interest, land with improvements.
MOUNT DESERT
Margaret S. Coffey, Ojai, Calif., to Paul M. Rudolf, Bethesda, Md., undivided one-half interest, land with buildings and improvements.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
Estate of Ann S. McCooey, Greenwich, Conn., to John H. McCooey and Mary Ellen McCooey, New York, N.Y., as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
TREMONT
Estate of Theresa F. Hopkins to Kristen Ramos, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
Dee T. Smith, Cupertino, Calif., to Megan L. Smith, a/k/a Megan Smith, Seal Cove, land with buildings and improvements.
TRENTON
Robert A. Pratt and Joni L. Pratt, Kaysville, Utah, to John M. Pratt and June C. Pratt, Trenton, as joint tenants, undivided one-half interest, land with buildings and improvements.
Alana M. Connor, f/k/a Alana M. Tedesco, Trenton to Maureen Esther Jamieson and Richard Jamieson, Steuben, as joint tenants, land.
HANCOCK COUNTY COURTS
According to official records, the following cases were continued, adjudicated or reviewed in Hancock County Court:
Austin Craig Korgan, 36, Aurora, Colo. OUI (alcohol) at Bar Harbor, May 14, 2023. Dismissed. Disorderly conduct, offensive words, gestures at Bar Harbor, May 14, 2024. $1,000.
Robert A. Coulombe Jr., 70, Verona. Burglary at Mount Desert, July 6, 2023. Dismissed. Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, priors at Mount Desert, July 6, 2023. Jail 30 days. Restitution $533.89. Criminal trespass at Mount Desert, July 6, 2023. Jail 30 days.
Rebecca Evangelista, 40, Trenton. Unlawful possession of scheduled drug at South-west Harbor, July 4, 2023. $400.
Kennedy Robyn Cooper, 27, Ellsworth. Domestic violence assault at Trenton, Jan. 14, 2024. Dismissed. Disorderly conduct, offensive words, gestures at Tremont, Jan. 14, 2024. $300.
Ian J. Jellison, 43, Southwest Harbor. Unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs at Mount Desert, Jan. 24, 2024. $400. Department of Corrections 11 months.
Daniel Saflicki, 23, Trenton. Motor vehicle speeding: 30+ mph over speed limit at Ellsworth, Feb. 12, 2024. Jail 90 days. Operating vehicle without a license at Ells-worth, Feb. 12, 2024. Jail 90 days. Aggravated driving to endanger at Mount Desert, Feb. 12, 2024. $575, suspended. Department of Corrections four years, all but nine months suspended. Probation two years. License suspended 180 days. OUI (drugs or combination) — injury at Mount Desert, Feb. 12, 2024. $2,100. Jail nine months. License suspended six years. OUI (drugs or combination) at Mount Desert, Feb. 12, 2024. Dismissed. Operating vehicle without license at Mount Desert, Feb. 12, 2024. Jail six months. Driving to endanger at Mount Desert, Feb. 12, 2024. Dismissed.
Ian J. Jellison, 43, Southwest Harbor. Violating condition of release at Southwest Harbor, March 18, 2023. Jail 30 days.
Alex Cody Foster, 32, Mount Desert. Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer at Mount Desert, March 25, 2024. Dismissed.
Cheryl Lynn McCalmon, 74, Pittsburgh, Pa. OUI (alcohol) — no test at Bar Harbor, April 15, 2024. $500. License suspended 150 days.
Robert A. Coulombe Jr., 70, Verona. OUI (drugs or combination) at Bar Harbor, May 14, 2024. $500, suspended. Jail 30 days. License suspended 150 days. Violating condition of release at Bar Harbor, May 14, 2024. Jail 30 days. Operating while license suspended or revoked — OUI at Bar Harbor, May 14, 2024. $600. Jail 30 days. License suspended one year.
Daniel B. Doane, 38, Stratton. OUI (alcohol), one prior at Bar Harbor, May 18, 2024. $700. Jail nine days. License suspended three years.
Gary Allen, 67, Cranberry Isles. Violating protective order at Bar Harbor, June 13, 2024. Dismissed. Domestic violence stalking at Bar Harbor, June 13, 2024. Dismissed. Violating condition of release at Bar Harbor, June 13, 2024. Dismissed.
Fionbharr Daniel McMahon Allwine, 28, Surry. OUI (alcohol) at Mount Desert, June 23, 2024. $850. License suspended 150 days.
Joshua R. Kimball, 26, Belfast. Dumping items before Marine Officer can inspect at Bar Harbor, June 11, 2024. $500.
Caleb M. Wetter, 24, Hancock. Motor vehicle speeding: 30+ mph over speed limit at Bar Harbor, June 8, 2024. Dismissed.
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