Only in Maine

Well, more than just Maine.


Maine authorities are investigating after a resident claimed her Amazon order arrived containing hundreds of unmarked absentee ballots last week.

The ballots, sent out ahead of November's election, were reported missing by the town of Elsworth, Maine, on the same day that the woman said she found the ballots on her doorstep. Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said that state law enforcement and the FBI are investigating the incident.

"This year, it seems that there may have been attempts to interrupt the distribution of ballots and ballot materials," Bellows said at a press conference.

Not sure where I stand on this issue, but I do applaud this protest technique!!

Protesters undress to oppose gender policy at Augusta schools​

Three people partially disrobed as advocate Nicholas Blanchard challenged the school board’s recognition of transgender students under the federal policy.

Three people protesting the Augusta School Department’s Title IX policy tried to make their point by starting to undress at Wednesday’s school board meeting.

Nicholas Blanchard, who goes by the name Corn Pop, was accompanied by two women and a man who disrobed down to their underwear as he spoke. They took their clothes on and off to mimic someone changing in a locker room.

“You feel uncomfortable? ‘Cause that’s what these young girls feel like when a boy walks into the locker room and starts undressing around them. You feel uncomfortable, right?” he said.

Across Maine, school districts have been grappling with changes to the federal civil rights law as they relate to protections for transgender students. While the Biden administration expanded protections, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that recognizes only two genders.

Several school districts, including the Sullivan-area Regional School Unit 24, have voted to follow Trump’s directive even though it violates the Maine Human Rights Act. The Augusta school board did not adopt the expanded protections, voting to keep Title IX policies around harassment and nondiscrimination in line with the state law that recognizes transgender students and allows them to play on the sports teams and use the bathrooms of the gender they identify with.

Specific changes to the board’s Title IX policies were not on the agenda Wednesday, but board members considered revisiting the district’s policy against discrimination and harassment of students over their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry or national origin, or disability if federal law changes.

Thirty-two people, including Blanchard, signed up to speak and mostly did so about Title IX.

Blanchard, an Augusta resident, frequently attends the board of education meetings, urging the school board as he did Wednesday to comply with Trump’s executive order that only recognizes male and female genders, not transgender individuals.

After his second comment, the three people started to take off their clothes.

Board member Susan Parks objected when they started. Blanchard said he was advocating on behalf of the students who share locker rooms with transgender girls.

Since January, the Augusta school board’s monthly meetings have become rowdy . The chairperson told Timothy Bodnar to move to the overflow room because of his outbursts and the board took several recesses to calm the crowd.

The 3 1/2-hour meeting at the City Council chambers consisted of two 45-minute public comment periods, one on agenda items and one on nonagenda items.

“This is Maine’s capital. We should set an example for the rest of the state. Know what example you all are setting? That you don’t care about girls in this state. You guys only care about politics,” Blanchard said.



When it came time to vote on the Title IX policies, school board member James Orr attempted to change the policies to be in line with Trump’s order, but did not gain enough votes.

Most of the parents and community members who spoke at the meeting favored following Trump’s executive order.

However, none of the students who were there did.

Matteo Hardy, a senior at Cony High School, said he was appalled and frustrated when he heard about the board decision to rehash the Title IX policies.

“When we talk about rolling back the policies, we are sending a message to students. It’s saying who they are is up for discussion and their safety is negotiable. We should focus on making sure students feel supported in their education,” Hardy said.



On Thursday, Blanchard said more than 150 people have contacted him following the meeting, either about the video or his stance on protecting girls.

“I just hope that this encourages other parents to start coming to school board meetings and paying attention to what’s going on in schools,” he said. “Do I think these tactics work in a way of changing policy? Probably not. But the only way to get them to listen to us is to do something crazy and get in the national spotlight. Through this, they can feel the same way these young girls feel.”

Other parents have declined to comment about the meetings.

Despite the protest, board Chair Martha Witham said the meeting went better than earlier meetings, and that it marks a positive trajectory.

“We are happy to hear all voices, especially Augusta residents. We appreciate the civility and decorum shown by most,” Witham said. “Everyone was able to have their voices heard.”

In 1986, 20-year-old Christopher Knight disappeared into the Maine forest, surviving alone for 27 years by committing over 1,000 burglaries, all while remaining unseen.
In 1986, Christopher Knight parked his car on a remote road in Maine, left the keys inside, and vanished into the woods, without saying goodbye to a single soul. He was just 20 years old.
For the next 27 years, Knight lived in near-total isolation, surviving brutal winters and mosquito-plagued summers in a hidden campsite deep in the forest. He became known as the “North Pond Hermit.”
To stay alive, Knight committed over 1,000 burglaries, stealing food, propane, batteries, and books from nearby cabins, but he never took anything of sentimental value. Remarkably, no one ever saw him. Locals spoke of a ghost-like figure who seemed to appear and vanish without a trace.
He was finally arrested in 2013 while stealing from a summer camp. When asked how long he’d been out there, he simply replied, “Since the 80s.”

cany said:

In 1986, 20-year-old Christopher Knight disappeared into the Maine forest, surviving alone for 27 years by committing over 1,000 burglaries, all while remaining unseen.
In 1986, Christopher Knight parked his car on a remote road in Maine, left the keys inside, and vanished into the woods, without saying goodbye to a single soul. He was just 20 years old.
For the next 27 years, Knight lived in near-total isolation, surviving brutal winters and mosquito-plagued summers in a hidden campsite deep in the forest. He became known as the “North Pond Hermit.”
To stay alive, Knight committed over 1,000 burglaries, stealing food, propane, batteries, and books from nearby cabins, but he never took anything of sentimental value. Remarkably, no one ever saw him. Locals spoke of a ghost-like figure who seemed to appear and vanish without a trace.
He was finally arrested in 2013 while stealing from a summer camp. When asked how long he’d been out there, he simply replied, “Since the 80s.”
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Betcha he needed some dental work

Hope someone buys them out. One of my favorite restaurant used their eels for some excellent different appetizers...

Waldoboro eel operation for sale as part of bankruptcy reorganization​

American Unagi short-circuited the eel market when it opened in 2014 and became the first company in the U.S. to grow baby eels to full size.

Elvers — baby eels, also known as glass eels — are one of Maine’s most lucrative industries. (John Patriquin/Staff Photographer)

American Unagi, the Waldoboro company that grows baby eels to size and supports a lucrative fishery in Maine, is for sale.

The company will remain in operation as it’s reorganized and sold over the next six weeks, according to documents filed in federal bankruptcy court for the District of Maine.

A supermajority of the company’s shareholders elected in late September to file for Chapter 11 protections under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which will allow the company to reorganize while maintaining operations and control of its assets.

The sale is expected to close by Dec. 5.

“The decision to initiate this process comes after careful consideration and is aimed at preserving the value of the business while enabling a smooth transition to new ownership,” the company said in a news release.

Founder and CEO Sara Rademaker declined to answer specific questions about the proceedings, including about what challenges the company faces. American Unagi has secured a half-million dollar loan to fund operations during the reorganization.

A budget filed with the court Oct. 9 shows the company is bringing in $19,350 in normal sales each week but anticipated weekly operating costs throughout October and November of $42,000 on average.

In 2022, American Unagi opened what it says is North America’s first large-scale commercial eel farm in Waldoboro. (Courtesy of American Unagi)

Upon opening in 2014, American Unagi short-circuited the eel industry.

Rather than ship baby eels — or elvers — caught in Maine to Asia, where they were grown to size and processed into food, Rademaker developed a system to grow elvers to size in the U.S. In 2022, the company opened what it says is North America’s first large-scale, land-based commercial eel farm.

American Unagi has a symbiotic relationship with the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomik, which acquired a 10% stake in the company in 2021 through its business arm, Indian Township Enterprises.

The company provides a stable market for elver fishers, of which there are about 250 on the Passamaquoddy reservation at Motahkomikuk in Washington County. And the tribe is now building a facility to cultivate and process eels into consumable products using a $4.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With a per-pound price that typically hovers between $1,000 and $2,000, elvers are often the second most lucrative species commercially fished in Maine. Elver fishers earned $12.2 million last year — down from $19.5 million in 2023. By state law, Passamaquoddy fishers are allocated 14% of the state’s overall quota.

The tribe is not currently interested in acquiring American Unagi, said Stan Meader, president of business operations for Indian Township Enterprises.

But it is intent on moving forward with the construction of the processing facility because the tribe has a guaranteed supply of eels thanks to an existing partnership with American Unagi that will not be affected by the move.

Meader, who also sits on American Unagi’s board of directors, said he expects it to be “business as usual” throughout the reorganization.

“Ultimately, it will be very positive,” he said, noting that the potential bidders he is aware of are “the right people for the business.”

Roccus7 said:

Hope someone buys them out. One of my favorite restaurant used their eels for some excellent different appetizers...

Waldoboro eel operation for sale as part of bankruptcy reorganization​

American Unagi short-circuited the eel market when it opened in 2014 and became the first company in the U.S. to grow baby eels to full size.

Elvers — baby eels, also known as glass eels — are one of Maine’s most lucrative industries. (John Patriquin/Staff Photographer)

American Unagi, the Waldoboro company that grows baby eels to size and supports a lucrative fishery in Maine, is for sale.

The company will remain in operation as it’s reorganized and sold over the next six weeks, according to documents filed in federal bankruptcy court for the District of Maine.

A supermajority of the company’s shareholders elected in late September to file for Chapter 11 protections under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which will allow the company to reorganize while maintaining operations and control of its assets.

The sale is expected to close by Dec. 5.

“The decision to initiate this process comes after careful consideration and is aimed at preserving the value of the business while enabling a smooth transition to new ownership,” the company said in a news release.

Founder and CEO Sara Rademaker declined to answer specific questions about the proceedings, including about what challenges the company faces. American Unagi has secured a half-million dollar loan to fund operations during the reorganization.

A budget filed with the court Oct. 9 shows the company is bringing in $19,350 in normal sales each week but anticipated weekly operating costs throughout October and November of $42,000 on average.

In 2022, American Unagi opened what it says is North America’s first large-scale commercial eel farm in Waldoboro. (Courtesy of American Unagi)

Upon opening in 2014, American Unagi short-circuited the eel industry.

Rather than ship baby eels — or elvers — caught in Maine to Asia, where they were grown to size and processed into food, Rademaker developed a system to grow elvers to size in the U.S. In 2022, the company opened what it says is North America’s first large-scale, land-based commercial eel farm.

American Unagi has a symbiotic relationship with the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomik, which acquired a 10% stake in the company in 2021 through its business arm, Indian Township Enterprises.

The company provides a stable market for elver fishers, of which there are about 250 on the Passamaquoddy reservation at Motahkomikuk in Washington County. And the tribe is now building a facility to cultivate and process eels into consumable products using a $4.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With a per-pound price that typically hovers between $1,000 and $2,000, elvers are often the second most lucrative species commercially fished in Maine. Elver fishers earned $12.2 million last year — down from $19.5 million in 2023. By state law, Passamaquoddy fishers are allocated 14% of the state’s overall quota.

The tribe is not currently interested in acquiring American Unagi, said Stan Meader, president of business operations for Indian Township Enterprises.

But it is intent on moving forward with the construction of the processing facility because the tribe has a guaranteed supply of eels thanks to an existing partnership with American Unagi that will not be affected by the move.

Meader, who also sits on American Unagi’s board of directors, said he expects it to be “business as usual” throughout the reorganization.

“Ultimately, it will be very positive,” he said, noting that the potential bidders he is aware of are “the right people for the business.”

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Very interesting

A budget filed with the court Oct. 9 shows the company is bringing in $19,350 in normal sales each week but anticipated weekly operating costs throughout October and November of $42,000 on average.

Am I missing something?

longcast said:

A budget filed with the court Oct. 9 shows the company is bringing in $19,350 in normal sales each week but anticipated weekly operating costs throughout October and November of $42,000 on average.

Am I missing something?

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Nope, they're running in the red, ergo the Chapter 11 filing...

Roccus7 said:

Nope, they're running in the red, ergo the Chapter 11 filing...

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I get the bankruptcy, etc. But they are continuing operations to come out the other side.

I would think there needs to be a turnaround plan to correct. Why would an investor put their money to this, unless it will bolt onto something with a stronger cash flow.

Or maybe subsidies?

longcast said:

Or maybe subsidies?

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I think they’ve burned up all available. Bad business plan, they over estimated their domestic market. There is no domestic eel fishery in Asia. In the US, the domestic commercial fishery can adequately handle the demand for eels since it’s limited and seasonal.

Us Guineas need our Natalie eel fix, but most don’t eat at other times. Not me, I’ll eat eels at any time.

Just another reason to avoid Portland today, not Norovirus, but the influx of 100s of people...

Cruise ship visiting Portland on Sunday has norovirus outbreak​

The Oceania Insignia has 74 passengers and 1 crew member aboard who have fallen ill with the highly contagious disease during the cruise and 8 are in isolation.

A cruise ship arriving in Portland on Sunday has recorded the highest levels of norovirus this year for any ship where an outbreak was tracked by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Seventy-four of the Oceania Insignia’s 637 passengers, or 11.6%, have fallen sick with the norovirus during the cruise, according to the CDC, which considers anything above 3% to be an outbreak of the highly contagious disease. One of the 391 members of the crew also has fallen ill during the cruise.

Currently, only eight of those people are in isolation, city of Portland spokesperson Jessica Grondin said in a news release.

The Oceania Insignia is on an 11-day cruise from Montreal to Boston, and is slated to stop in Portland on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Oceania Cruises website.

Passengers who are symptomatic are required to be isolated in their rooms, the CDC said, and the ship must be disinfected and cleaned. People who are asymptomatic with the norovirus can spread the disease, the CDC said, including to people while the ship is in port.

City health officials discussed the outbreak with federal and state CDC health experts, Grondin said.

“City officials do not believe there is any reason for the public to be alarmed, and have received no indications that the ship should be prevented from docking,” she said.

The outbreak involving the Insignia is one of 20 viral outbreaks reported on cruise ships in 2025. In another high-profile outbreak this year, Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2, sailing out of England, reported 266 of its 2,538 passengers, or 10.6%, were stricken with the norovirus, as well as 19 of its crew of 1,232.

Cruise ships reported 14 outbreaks in 2023, and 18 in 2024, according to the U.S. CDC.

Oceania Cruises said in a statement that the “health and safety of our guests is the number one priority” and that “all guests experiencing symptoms are being treated.”

Norovirus symptoms are primarily gastrointestinal, including vomiting and diarrhea, and typically last one to three days. It is extremely contagious and can be spread from surfaces, contaminated food and water, and utensils.

JoAnn Locktov, of the Portland Cruise Control grassroots group, said among the reforms proposed by their group to City Council is a public notification when a cruise ship is scheduled to dock with an outbreak among its passengers.

While the city sent out a statement Friday, there is no requirement that the public be notified, and Locktov said that should change.

“All we are asking is to give us the information so we can decide whether we want to go into the Old Port when the cruise ships are here,” she said.