Maine News Roundup: ICE Staff Grows 44%, Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Expands and More

Published Aug 16, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Maine news: federal immigration enforcement staffing in the state grew 44% over the past year, the area regulated for emerald ash borer was expanded across five counties, police were searching Saturday for a York County woman missing for two days, Bangor International Airport will get $5.5 million in federal funds for taxiway work, and the Bangor Daily News launched a monthslong examination of Maine’s public education system.

ICE staffing in Maine grew 44% over the past year

ICE expanded its roster in Maine by 44% over the past year — from a steady average of 34 employees in the state each year over the past decade to 52 people this fiscal year (which started in October), per U.S. Office of Personnel Management statistics. (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 16, 2026) ICE offered $50,000 bonuses to new recruits as part of a national push funded by $30 billion in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (passed summer 2025). (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 16, 2026) Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said he lost two employees to ICE last summer, and DHS onboarded about 5,500 new deportation officers nationwide from October to June. (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 16, 2026)

On July 13, a newly recruited agent shot Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a father in Biddeford who had no criminal history and was not the target of that day’s enforcement; the agent, David Brouillette, has a history of abuse accusations. (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 16, 2026) Rep. Chellie Pingree said she has been unable to get answers about ICE hiring, and noted that Scarborough’s facility is ICE’s only one in Maine. (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 16, 2026)

State expands emerald ash borer quarantine

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced Aug. 14 that the area regulated for emerald ash borer is expanded immediately. (PenBay Pilot, Aug. 16, 2026; DACF news release, Aug. 14, 2026) EAB was detected in July in Jackman on a purple prism trap set by Maine Forest Service staff, and in early August a Hancock County arborist reported EAB in the town of Surry; both towns were outside the regulated area when confirmed. (PenBay Pilot, Aug. 16, 2026) Added to the quarantine: areas in Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot and Somerset counties — all of Franklin County except the Penobscot Nation’s Alder Stream Twp, and all of Oxford County. (PenBay Pilot, Aug. 16, 2026) Under state regulations, ash and hardwood firewood may not be moved into Alder Stream Twp from regulated areas. (PenBay Pilot, Aug. 16, 2026)

Police search for missing York County woman Shannon Seebek

Police on Saturday (Aug. 15) were trying to locate Shannon Seebek, 42, of York County, missing from her home for two days. (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 15, 2026) She is 5’3" with brown hair and hazel eyes; she drives a white 2016 Subaru Outback station wagon with Maine plate 116-KQV. (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 15, 2026) Possible locations include Biddeford Pool, the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, the Franciscan Monastery, the Mousam River, Parsons Beach Road or Route 9 in Kennebunk. (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 15, 2026) The Maine Warden Service is assisting along with Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Biddeford police. (Portland Press Herald, Aug. 15, 2026)

Bangor International Airport to receive $5.5 million for taxiway work

Bangor International Airport will get $5.5 million in federal funds to improve its runways; Sen. Susan Collins’ office announced the award Tuesday (Aug. 11). (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 11, 2026; reported again Aug. 16, 2026) It covers repaving 5,724 feet of Taxiway A and rehabilitating 900 feet of Taxiway M. (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 11, 2026) Airport director Jose Saavedra said the project will help the airfield support commercial, cargo, military and general aviation. (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 11, 2026) It is part of $25 million in congressionally directed spending Collins has secured for Maine airports over the past five years. (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 11, 2026)

Bangor Daily News examines Maine’s public education system

The Bangor Daily News is spending the coming months examining Maine’s public education system (“Maine’s education freefall” investigation launched last month) and highlighted responses from three educators with a combined century of classroom experience. (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 16, 2026) Their shared theme: schools are trying to do too much for too many different kids without a consistent standard, while not being adequately funded. (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 16, 2026) Since 2022 the state has funded the voter-mandated 55% of educational costs, and budget changes come down to the Essential Programs and Services funding formula. (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 16, 2026) The reporting is by Sawyer Loftus. (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 16, 2026)

For more on the Pine Tree State, see the Maine guide.