Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops.
BAR HARBOR—On Tuesday, October 7, at approximately 10;43 p.m., according to the weekly press release from the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department, Officer Zack Kline responded to a noise complaint at a Cottage Street business in Bar Harbor.
This business was confirmed by Police Captain Chris Wharff to be the Finback Alehouse.
Officer Kline took noise level measurements with the department’s noise meter and found the Finback Alehouse to be in compliance with the town’s Special Amusement Ordinance. It was one of many noise complaints the department responded to this past week.
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOGS
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert last week according to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department police logs, which is publicly released information.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Officer Liam Harrington performed a requested well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found the person to be frustrated but declining any help.
The police department received a complaint regarding vehicles running the stop sign at the intersection of Indian Point Road and Bartlett Landing Road in Mount Desert.
Officer Harrington responded to a parking problem on Bridge Street in Bar Harbor and had the offending vehicle’s owner move the vehicle.
After a dog was reported wandering in a public park in Bar Harbor, Officer Harrington located the dog and returned it to its owner.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Officer Amie Torrey assisted the Mount Desert Elementary School with its bike bus event where parents, staff, and students bike to school as a group.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy assisted Acadia National Park with an investigation in Bar Harbor.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Officer Nathan Formby warned three municipal ordinance violators on Park Street in Bar Harbor.
Officer Troy Stanwood spoke to someone in Mount Desert about a civil matter.
Officer Stanwood spoke with a Bar Harbor resident about an ongoing harassment issue.
Officer Torrey assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department with traffic control at a medical call in Bar Harbor.
Officer Caleb Mora performed a requested well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to be okay.
After making self-harm threats, someone in Bar Harbor who was experiencing a mental health crisis was encouraged to seek medical attention by Officer Lukas Keene.
After responding to a downtown Bar Harbor business, in response to a large group of unruly patrons, Sgt. Chris Dickens and Officer Formby warned the group for trespassing at the business and had them leave.
After receiving a report of people yelling at each other in Mount Desert, Officer Judson Cake discovered that there had been a family fight and warned one woman for disorderly conduct.
Sgt. Dickens discovered a person sleeping in an RV on Cottage Street in Bar Harbor and had them move.
After receiving a noise complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby located two people who were “not being excessively loud” and made them aware of the complaint.
Friday, October 10, 2025
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby arrested Cherish Smith, 24, of Beaver, Utah, for operating under the influence. Smith was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Someone reported a vehicle turning around in an intersection in Mount Desert and blocking the roadway. The vehicle was gone upon Officer J. Cake’s arrival.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg assisted the Hancock County Sherif’s Office by locating someone in Bar Harbor who had been involved in a road rage incident in Trenton.
After receiving a delayed motor vehicle complaint in the area of Sound Drive in Mount Desert, Office Ted Cake patrolled the area but did not locate the offending vehicle.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett performed a vehicle identification number verification for a tow company in Bar Harbor.
Someone made a late report to Officer Stanwood that debris from a dump truck had broken their windshield on the Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor.
Officer Mora worked a detail for a sporting event in Bar Harbor.
Officer Kline served a protection order to someone in Mount Desert.
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Sgt. Dickens and Officer Burnett responded to a report of disorderly people at a Bar Harbor business and separated all of the people who were involved.
Officer Burnett assisted in searching for a missing man in Mount Desert. The man was later located by the state police.
Officer Stanwood assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department in Bar Harbor.
Officer Ted Cake responded to a parking issue in Bar Harbor and while waiting for a tow truck to arrive, the owner of the offending vehicle showed up and moved their vehicle.
A motor vehicle complaint was received for Route 102 in Bar Harbor, but all officers were out of position to respond.
Officer Stanwood warned someone not to trespass on their neighbor’s property in Northeast Harbor.
After responding to a motor vehicle complaint on Sound Drive in Mount Desert, Officer Stanwood was unable to locate the vehicle.
Officer Mora worked a private event in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burnett responded to a report of an incident at an event in Bar Harbor, but all of the people involved declined to press charges.
After receiving a report of a possible domestic situation that had occurred in Trenton and that might be heading to a campground in Bar Harbor, Officer Kline searched the campground and found everything to be normal.
Officer Burnett responded to a noise complaint in Bar Harbor and advised the residents to keep the noise down.
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Officers responded to a 911 call reporting a possible domestic in Bar Harbor and found that it was a verbal disagreement only.
After receiving a report of people sleeping in their vehicle on a Bar Harbor business’s property, Officer Burnett moved the people along.
A Bar Harbor woman reported o Sgt. Brundrett that she was being harassed on several social media sites.
Someone reported a damaged street sign at the intersection of Eden Street and West Street in Bar Harbor and the report was passed on to the Maine Department of Transportation.
Sgt. Brundrett helped a motorist who needed their vehicle jump started on Edgewood Street in Bar Harbor.
A man from New York reported damage that had occurred to his vehicle while at a downtown Bar Harbor business.
Officer T. Cake helped a motorist who needed their vehicle jump started in Mount Desert.
Someone requested a well-being check on a man in Bar Harbor whose employment had just been terminated. The Ellsworth Police Department was able to make contact with the man and determine that he was fine.
A man from Georgia asked the Bar Harbor Police Department to hold his firearm while he was traveling out of the country to Novia Scotia.
After receiving a report of someone being disorderly in Bar Harbor, Officer T. Cake was unable to locate the person. Officer T. Cake located the person later in the day and made them aware of the complaint.
Officer Mora responded to a parking complaint in Bar Harbor and found the “area was still open for traffic.”
A vehicle left in neutral in a Bar Harbor parking lot rolled out of the parking lot, across a road, and into a ditch. The vehicle had to be towed out of the ditch but had no observable damage.
Sgt. Hardy patrolled in Town Hill after a report of gunshots was received but could not locate any disturbances.
Officer J. Cake is investigating a report of littering in Mount Desert.
Monday, October 13, 2025
Officer Mora served a subpoena to a man in Bar Harbor.
Officer Mora served a subpoena to a woman in Bar Harbor.
Officer Mora assisted a Bar Harbor employee with getting back into her place of employment after she had locked herself out.
Officers responded to a domestic violence report in Bar Harbor and discovered that it was only a verbal argument.
After responding to a report of suspicious people on someone’s property in Mount Desert after dark, Officer Burnett discovered that it was actually new solar powered lights installed at the property.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Officer J. Cake received a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but was unable to locate the vehicle.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor or Tremont last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, October 6, 2025
Officer Bradley Russell received a request for assistance for someone in Southwest Harbor and after responding to the call, determined that they were all set.
Officer Russell spoke with someone in Southwest Harbor about a civil issue.
Officer Russell responded to a report of a juvenile issue in Southwest Harbor, spoke with the juvenile and the parents, and resolved the issue.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Officer Russell performed a boat transport escort in Southwest Harbor.
After receiving a complaint about a loose dog in Southwest Harbor, Officer Kristen Roulet could not locate the dog even after multiple attempts.
Officer Rick Graham responded to a medical call with the ambulance service in Southwest Harbor. The patient refused transport. The incident took place in Acadia National Park and the information was passed on to them.
Officer Roulet handled a parking complaint in Southwest Harbor regarding a vehicle that was parked facing the wrong way. Officer Roulet had the vehicle owner move her vehicle.
Officer Graham performed a directed patrol in Tremont in response to speeding complaints.
Officer Graham moved a deceased deer from the middle of Main Street in Southwest Harbor.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
A Southwest Harbor business reported a suspicious bag that had been left in front of the business. Officer Graham discovered that the bag contained children’s clothes.
Officer Graham responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor and helped with lifting the patient.
Officer Roulet spoke with a Southwest Harbor business about the business having a vehicle towed from its property.
Officer Russell responded to Tremont to look for a drifting kayak but could not locate the kayak.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
The Southwest Harbor Police Department had an abandoned vehicle towed that was on private property in Tremont.
Officer James Kamorski responded to a parking complaint in Southwest Harbor and resolved the issue.
Officer Roulet received a complaint regarding bullying that is occurring at a local school.
Friday, October 10, 2025
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Tremont.
Officer Russell performed a directed patrol in Tremont.
After receiving a parking complaint in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell responded but the issue had already taken care of itself.
Officer Russell is investigating a report of theft from someone in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Russell assisted another agency with parking control in Tremont.
After receiving a complaint about suspicious activity at a Tremont residence, Officer Russell responded and found someone in the residence, but the person was authorized to be there.
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Officer Graham performed a directed speed patrol in Tremont.
After receiving a report of a man sleeping or passed out in his vehicle in the parking lot of a Southwest Harbor business, Officer Graham discovered that the man was doing neither and was just texting on his phone.
Officer Graham took a motor vehicle complaint in Southwest Harbor and passed it on to the Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department because that was the direction the vehicle was heading.
Following a traffic stop in Southwest Harbor, Officer Graham issued Peter T. Nevins, 70, of South Carolina, a summons for operating without a license.
Acadia National Park asked the Southwest Harbor Police Department to assist them with a parking issue on Lighthouse Road in Bass Harbor, but the issue had resolved itself prior to Officer Graham arriving.
Officer Graham spoke with a Tremont resident regarding a harassment complaint, but the event happened in Bar Harbor and the complainant was referred to the Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department.
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service on a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorksi conducted a parking enforcement detail in Tremont.
Monday, October 13, 2025
After taking a report of online fraud from someone in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell gathered information for an investigation and spoke with the complainant about their options moving forward.
Officer Russell responded to a complaint of a traffic hazard in Tremont but failed to locate anything unusual.
Officer Russell spoke with someone in Southwest Harbor about a civil issue.
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. The Bar Harbor Story will include these each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur on Mount Desert Island.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fire in Lewiston
LEWISTON—On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Lewiston Fire Department and Lewiston Police Department responded to a reported structure fire at 551 Lincoln Street in Lewiston. Upon arrival, responders found heavy fire on the exterior of the main building that was spreading rapidly to the interior. Lewiston Fire personnel initiated an aggressive fire suppression effort and successfully stopped the fire from extending further into the structure.
Two vehicles were destroyed as a result of the fire. A woman who was in the area at the time of the incident sustained burn injuries and was transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Her injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.
The Office of State Fire Marshal was requested to assist with the investigation. Investigators were on scene throughout the day processing the scene. At this time, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fire that Destroyed Home in Avon
AVON—On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., local firefighters responded to a fire that destroyed a log cabin at 461 Square Mile Road in Avon. The homeowners were not home at the time of the fire, and no one was injured. Eleven dogs and four cats were inside the home. Sadly, none of the animals survived.
Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal were requested to respond to the scene. Due to the extent of the damage, the cause of the fire could not be determined. No additional information is available at this time.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Camper Fire in Oxford that Injures Child
OXFORD—On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, shortly before 5:00 p.m., the Oxford Fire Department responded to a reported camper fire at 72 Gore Road in Oxford. Upon arrival, firefighters entered the camper and rescued a seven-year-old girl from inside. The fire was quickly extinguished.
The child was transported by Oxford Fire-Rescue to Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway and later flown by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland. She is expected to survive. A three-year-old sibling who had been inside the camper at the time of the fire was able to get out on her own before firefighters arrived.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been accidentally started by the younger child playing with a lighter. All occupants of the property have been cooperative with investigators. The home and another camper on the property were not damaged, and no other injuries were reported. The investigation remains ongoing.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating House Fire in Standish
STANDISH—On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at approximately 8:59 p.m., the Standish Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 2 Deerfield Drive in Standish. Upon arrival, crews observed heavy fire showing from three sides of the home. Mutual aid was requested from the Windham, Gorham, and Raymond Fire Departments to assist with fire suppression efforts. Three occupants were home at the time of the fire.
A generator located in the garage had been started shortly before the fire began. Within minutes, the occupants reported smelling burnt plastic and hearing snapping noises before evacuating safely.
The Standish Fire Department requested the assistance of the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. Investigators determined the fire originated in electrical wiring associated with the generator setup. The fire has been classified as accidental.
The home is considered a total loss. One dog died in the fire. No other injuries were reported. The occupants are being assisted by the American Red Cross, family members, and neighbors.
Victims Positively Identified in Fatal Portland Apartment Fire
PORTLAND—Fire investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal have confirmed the identities of the victims in the four-unit apartment fire in Portland on September 21, 2025, have been positively identified by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner as 45-year-old Nicole Niehoff and 40-year-old Jake Millett, both of Portland.
Following a thorough investigation, the Portland Fire Department and the Office of State Fire Marshal have determined the fire to be accidental in nature. Investigators concluded that the fire originated on the second floor back deck, specifically, the deck leading to the apartment where Nieoff and Millett were located. Investigators cannot rule out the careless disposal of smoking materials as a possible cause of the fire.
Maine State Police Investigating Death in Standish
STANDISH—On Friday, October 3, 2025, at approximately 6:50 p.m., the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 715 River Road in the town of Standish for a disturbance. Upon arrival deputies located a male deceased inside the residence.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South. The deceased male was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for an autopsy. The deceased has been identified as 49-year-old Matthew Hamilton, of Cumberland County.
The cause and manner of death are not being released at this time. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is ongoing. All persons involved in the incident have been identified and there is no threat to the public. More information will be released when it becomes available.
Arrest made in Biddeford Baby Death
BIDDEFORD—On Saturday, June 15, 2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m., the Biddeford Fire and Police Departments were dispatched to 37 Emery Street for an unresponsive 1 month old boy. The baby was transported to Southern Maine Hospital in Biddeford and later transferred to the Maine Medical Center.
Due to the age of the baby and is standard protocol, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South were called into assist the Biddeford Police Department. On Thursday, June 20, 2024, the baby died.
An autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Friday, June 21, 2024.
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Maine State Police Major Crimes South Detectives arrested 36-year-old Christopher Knapp, of Biddeford, on an arrest warrant for the charge of Manslaughter.
The autopsy that was conducted at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta concluded that the manner of death was ruled homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time.
On October 7, 2025, the York County Grand Jury indicted Christopher Knapp charging him with Manslaughter. Knapp was transported to the York County Jail, was arraigned on October 9, 2025, and entered a “not guilty” plea. The Defendant is he is being held at the York County Jail in lieu of a $175,000 cash bail.
Maine State Police Investigating Two-Vehicle Crash in Hancock
HANCOCK—On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 8:49 a.m., the Washington Junction Road was temporarily shut down due to a personal injury crash involving two vehicles at the intersection of Poplar Lane and Washington Junction Road in Hancock. The preliminary investigation indicates that a Kia, operated by 35-year-old Katrina Springer, of Ellsworth, took a left hand turn from Poplar Lane onto the Washington Junction Road and crashed into a Jeep, operated by 43-year-old Amy Richards, of Ellsworth, traveling on the Washington Junction Road towards Ellsworth.
Springer was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The four passengers in the Kia were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Richards was charged with operating under the influence and operating after revocation.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Hancock Fire Department, Sullivan Fire Department, and DC Towing assisted on scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating Three-Vehicle Crash in Northfield
NORTHFIELD—On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 9:20 a.m., a Maine Game Warden came across a three-vehicle collision on Northfield Road (Route 192) in Northfield. The Warden reported the incident to the Bangor Regional Communications Center to coordinate medical aid and emergency response.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 16-year-old female from Northfield was operating a Honda Accord traveling northbound on Route 192 and was in the process of making a left turn into her driveway. At the same time, 50-year-old Perin Yates, of East Machias, was driving a black GMC pickup truck traveling southbound on Route 192. The two vehicles subsequently collided while the Honda was positioned in the southbound lane.
Following the initial collision, the Honda spun out and struck a GMC pickup truck operated by 43-year-old Aaron Getchell, of Whitneyville, who was following behind. Getchell was not injured.
Both Yates and the 16-year-old driver sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. The 16-year-old driver is in critical condition but is expected to survive.
The Maine Warden Service, Maine Marine Patrol, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and other emergency agencies assisted at the scene. The crash was reconstructed by Maine State Police. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating ATV crash in Stacyville
STACYVILLE—On Monday, October 13, 2025, at approximately 6:12 a.m., troopers responded to the area of 389 Kelly Road in Stacyville for an ATV crash on a public way. The sole occupant of the ATV was 70-year-old Joyce Cummings, of Stacyville.
The preliminary investigation shows the ATV was traveling on the road when items began to fall off the back of the ATV. The ATV appeared to turn and crash. Cummings was thrown from the ATV. She was not wearing a helmet. She sustained severe injuries and was transported by LifeFlight to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor in critical condition. The crash remains under investigation.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire in Harpswell
HARPSWELL—The Office of State Fire Marshal is investigating a fatal fire that occurred early this morning, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 1501 Harpswell Neck Road in Harpswell. At approximately 4:28 a.m., the Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to respond after Harpswell Fire Department crews were called to a fire at a single-family home. Firefighters engaged in fire suppression efforts and located one individual inside the residence. The person was removed from the building and pronounced deceased at the scene.
The deceased has been tentatively identified as 78-year-old Hugh MacFarlane, of Harpswell. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an examination to determine the cause and manner of death. The fire caused significant damage to the home, particularly on the second floor. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Assisting on scene were the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Harpswell Neck Fire Department, West Bath Fire Department, Orr’s Island Fire Department, Bailey Island Fire Department, Cundy’s Harbor Fire Department, Brunswick Fire Department, and Harpswell Rescue.
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
The following are the public releases from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Each image can be clicked on and expanded.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of Maine Department of Public Safety.
HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY
Together, We’ve Built Something Special
·
Sep 28
When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it.
But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other.
We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories take time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going.
If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship.
It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light.
Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now.
Thank you so much for being here.
Founding member information can be found here.
Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you.
Make a one-time donation to help us keep going
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyDiscover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.