A 78-year-old Ellsworth man was taken to the hospital Friday afternoon after he was struck by a car while crossing the street. Police say a 75-year-old man from Surry was blinded by the sun at around 4:30 while making a left turn at the intersection of Water and Main Streets and couldn’t see the pedestrian. The names of the men have not been released but officials say the older man suffered head trauma.

The Warden Service is offering a twenty-five hundred dollar reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person who shot and mortally wounded a young American bald eagle near Baxter State Park on October 13th. Officials say the bird had to be euthanized after being badly wounded. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the warden service.

There have been several wildfires in the past few days, including one near Half Moon Pond in Prospect on Friday and on North Street in Ellsworth Sunday afternoon. Fire officials say conditions are very dry and all the dead leaves are just adding fuel to the fire. Rain in the forecast this week could bring some welcome relief.

The University of New England is getting more than one-point-three million dollars in federal money to study seaweed. The Mariner program, which stands for Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources, will give the money over three years so the school can develop ways to use seaweed in productive ways, including as an energy source.

Parents of trick or treaters who have food allergies will be looking for teal pumpkins on the steps of neighbors houses next week, as a signal that the occupants are giving out non-food treats to the kids. It’s all part of the nationwide Teal Pumpkin Project, which works to make Halloween a happy holiday for everyone, including the kids who can’t eat things like chocolate and peanut butter. Find more information at food allergy dot org.

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