Mount Desert Islander reported that the Mount Desert Island High School girls cross-country team captured the state Class B championship on Saturday, marking the first time MDI has won the title in 24 years. The Trojans secured the victory on a muddy course at Leavitt Area High School, narrowly defeating rival Cape Elizabeth with a score of 85-83. Coach Goupee noted that when all classes — A, B, and C — were combined, the MDI girls were first, signifying they are the top team in the state regardless of class. The win was attributed to a strong team effort and solid finishes from all athletes. Sophomore Heather Spurling, who has led the team for much of the season, completed the 5-kilometer race in 20 minutes and 20 seconds, earning an overall fourth-place finish. Her performance, characterized by good pacing, improved on past results. The significance of this victory is particularly sweet for those connected to the team that last won the trophy. Cindy Carey Walls, the 1982 MDI High cross-country state champion, who also finished fourth at state that year, told Mount Desert Islander she follows the team in the paper.
In other local news, seismologists from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University have gathered considerably more data regarding earthquakes on Mount Desert Island, including two aftershocks recorded last week. This new information comes from four seismographs placed in the area. While the data is preliminary, it shows there have been more aftershocks stemming from the magnitude 4.2 earthquake on October 2. The new findings also indicate these aftershocks occurred approximately one mile below the earth's surface, a revision from earlier reports which placed them at about three miles deep. The epicenter is now believed to be closer to Champlain Mountain than to Egg Rock in Frenchman Bay. During the October 2 earthquake, several rocks fell from Champlain Mountain onto the Loop Road. Won-Young Kim, the lead Lamont investigator, suggested in a telephone interview that the location where the rocks fell could be the actual epicenter, though he cautioned that this remains preliminary.
Mount Desert Island resident Dr. William Strassberg, an orthopedic physician, has been elected president of the Maine Medical Association, an organization with 1,100 members. Dr. Strassberg is set to assume the leadership role next September for a one-year term. He has been actively studying and speaking out about the health insurance landscape in Maine, which he suggests is "ready to implode." In an interview at Mount Desert Island Hospital, he conveyed that the state is drawing nearer to a crisis with each passing year. He stressed the importance of re-examining the current system to understand its development and identify areas for improvement. A significant concern for Dr. Strassberg is the 20.5 percent rate increase sought by Anthem for its individual health insurance market. If approved, he noted, premiums for individuals could reach as high as $3,000 per month for family coverage, which he believes is unaffordable for most Maine citizens. He described this situation as indicative of a system that is not functioning effectively.
Volunteers for Island Connections will soon be seen with new accessories: buttons inscribed with the phrase, “Ask Me Where I Volunteer.” This recent initiative aims to recruit additional helpers and foster appreciation for the 150 current volunteers who provide essential free transportation and social support to seniors and disabled residents across Mount Desert Island. Andrew Dewey, Executive Director of Island Connections, noted that despite these services being available for nearly a decade, many in the community are still unaware of the organization and the critical role its volunteers play. He expressed hope that the buttons will encourage community members to inquire about the positive experiences of volunteering. According to Dewey, many volunteers report that spending time with individuals who have lived long, full lives is enriching. The opportunity to share companionship with a neighbor and make a positive difference in their life is described as immensely satisfying. Island Connections, which began in 1997 as a Faith in Action initiative, operates with two full-time employees but relies heavily on its volunteer network.
Looking to the future of local media, the Acadia Newspaper Trust has been established as a new nonprofit organization. Its mission is to preserve and strengthen independent, locally owned journalism throughout Hancock County and the Downeast region. The Trust's plans include acquiring The Ellsworth American, Mount Desert Islander, and The Bangor Historian in 2027. This acquisition aims to ensure that these newspapers remain deeply rooted in the communities they serve for generations to come.