Local Politics

Ellsworth Approves Loan to Library

(Ellsworth)  Ellsworth City Council this week approved borrowing $2M in order to help finance badly needed renovations at the Ellsworth Public Library.  Not only is the library, which is owned by the City,  in need of more space to continue serving a growing community, but changes are needed in order to make the building ADA compliant, there are roof leaks, and the current HVAC system continues to nickel and dime the facility, and thus, taxpayers.  The library has $550K reserved for the project, and the city is applying for $3M in congressionally directed funding to help with project costs, which are estimated to run around $6M.  

Court Order Directs Brewer to Pay Back Northern Light Health

(Brewer)  Following a court order, the city of Brewer has repaid $773,000 in taxes to Northern Light Health.  The Bangor Daily News reports the city incorrectly taxed two Northern Light Health facilities in Brewer, but has now repaid the hospital system for overcharges covering fiscal years 2024 to 2026.  The city kept the funds in a separate account in case they would need to be repaid; so Brewer officials say the refund will not affect the city’s finances or lead to reduced services.

Bangor City Councilors Vote to Comply with Restricted Cooperation with ICE

(Bangor)  City Councilors in Bangor this week voted to preemptively comply with a state law restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. According to the Bangor Daily News, the directive bans law enforcement agencies from detaining or searching anyone for immigration enforcement purposes and providing certain types of information or assistance to agencies such as ICE.  The measure technically does not go into effect until July, but multiple municipalities are moving to put plans in place as soon as feasible, especially in light of strong-arm tactics in Minnesota that led to the deaths of American citizens there.

Author King Endorses Hannah Pingree in Race for Governor

(Maine)  Author Stephen King is backing Hannah Pingree in her bid for Governor of Maine. King told sources he aims to push back in what he calls a “real life nightmare” under President Donald Trump.  King further remarked Trump is “tearing our country apart; and unlike my horror stories, we can’t turn the page and make it all go away.”  Pingree is trailing in the polls.  Nearly two dozen candidates are running in the June 9th Primary for a chance to replace the term-limited Governor Janet Mills.

Ranked Choice Voting

(Augusta)  While Maine considers expanding ranked-choice voting to November’s gubernatorial and state legislative races, some are concerned that would be an unconstitutional change.  According to the Portland Press Herald, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court could take up the matter as soon as next month, as it hears arguments tied to a proposal before the Legislature.  Multiple parties have filed with the court, both in favor and in opposition of the expansion.  Ranked choice elections allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference.  If no candidate gets more than 50% after the first tabulation, the last place finisher is eliminated and his or her second choice votes are reallocated to the remaining candidates, with the results then retabulated and the process continuing until one accumulates more than 50% of the vote.

Rule Changes Could Hurt Children in Need of Disability Services

(Maine)  Thousands of children in Maine with behavioral health disabilities receive Section 28 services.  Such services help children learn social and life skills like how to order food at restaurants, how to listen to and interact with other children, and others.  Advocates tell the Portland Press Herald a proposed rule change would cut such disability resources for some, forcing them to lose access to Medicaid services.  The change would not affect those with autism or intellectual disabilities; but opponents of the change say the services prevent kids from being stuck in emergency rooms with mental health crises.  More information is available through the Maine Parent Federation.

Economy

Jamaican Inspired Restaurant Now Open in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  Pizza and Jamaican cuisine may seem like an unusual combination; but for Jason Fowler it’s all a matter of business.  Fowler co-owns Pat’s Pizza in Bar Harbor and recently opened Acadia 876 with Clive Tyrell.  Both are from Jamaica; the name refers to its island-wide area code.  The restaurant is located in a facility that formerly housed Margaritas Mexican eatery, which reportedly closed due to tax issues.  The Bangor Daily News reports Acadia 876 cooks up flatbreads, sandwiches, chicken buckets, and dinner entrees that range from oxtail to jerk grilled lobster and more.  The duo says they’ve had excellent local support. 

February Brings Sluggish Real Estate Market

(Maine)  Maine’s real estate market slowed to a snail’s pace in February, following a slow start in January as well.  The Portland Press Herald reports last month, Maine real estate agents sold the fewest number of homes since at least the pandemic – and possibly ever.  That, despite an increase in inventory and prices which appear to be leveling out.  Just 691 homes were bought and sold in February, with the median price at $395K, a slight increase over this time in 2025.  

Environment

City of Ellsworth Recycling Reminder

(Ellsworth)  The City of Ellsworth sends this gentle reminder, that while the Ellsworth Transfer Station is once again accepting glass bottles and jars for recycling, users are asked to rinse receptacles and remove labels before bringing them to recycle.  City officials say it’s wonderful how quickly the community has embraced the recycling option;  but ask that when you do recycle those wine bottles, pasta jars, salsa containers and more; you please make sure they are clean and labels are removed.  

Human Interest

Milbridge Theatre Installs New Acoustic Panels

(Milbridge) There’s something new at the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center.  The group recently installed additional acoustic panels, and you’re invited to “hear” the difference, this evening at 6 with the showing of EPIC, Elvis Presley in concert.   Speaking of epic, the theater has a variety of community fundraisers coming up this spring, including an April 18th concert featuring the ever-entertaining Crown Vics … and their second annual Kentucky Derby Watch Party on May 2nd.  Follow them on Facebook to learn more.

Northern Maine Ice Busters Begin Cutting

(Madawaska)  The Northern Maine Ice Busters on Thursday began the precision cutting that could lead to another record year of creating the world’s largest ice carousel.  The team from Maine has built quite the international reputation, placing Northern Maine on the global stage as they’ve gone head-to-head with teams from Finland, Canada, and Minnesota in a friendly but fierce rivalry.  This weekend, it’s the Long Lake 100, where the first ever snowmobile race on a carousel will be held.  Last month, Finland took back the title of largest ice carousel, with a 1,975 foot spinning monster, beating Long Lake’s 1775 footer in 2025.  Will northern Maine regain the title this year?  They’re so incredible to watch – if only on social media.  Check out the Northern Maine Ice Busters on FB for live updates.

Spring Break Hassles

(WaPo)  Spring break is shaping up to be anything but; in part due to a partial government shutdown, the war in Iran that’s causing soaring gas prices and airfare, and canceled flights to and from the Middle East.  Experts say the number one tip, if you do plan to travel, is get to the airport early.  They say strong spring deals to domestic destinations include New Orleans, Key West, and the Pacific Northwest.  Internationally, agents tell the Washington Post they’re seeing deals to Northern Europe, Colombia, and Iceland.  

Family Fun Night

(Ellsworth)  If you’re looking for something to do on a Friday evening, don’t forget about Family Fun Night  at the Moore Community Center.  Sponsored by the City of Ellsworth, the event is free to Ellsworth residents and will offer an open gym, crafts, pizza, a movie on the big screen and more.  That’s 5:30 to 7 this evening at the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth.

National News

Iranian School Was on U.S. Target List

(Washington, DC)  The Iranian school where at least 175 people, mostly young girls, were killed during a strike by the U.S. military is raising questions as to the United States’ use of Artificial Intelligence to identify targets.  The Washington Post reports the elementary school building was on a US target list and may have been mistaken for a military site.  It’s still unclear why the school was hit in the early hours of the US/Israeli attack, but one source said the U.S. may have had wrong intelligence and thought the building was a nearby arms depot.

Iranian Leader Vows to Avenge Deaths

(Iran)  Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, yesterday issued his first statement on the war, saying the leverage of closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil supply flows, is being considered and that attacks on Iran’s Gulf Arab neighbors will continue. The price of a barrel of crude oil yesterday briefly topped $100 after spiking to over $120 days earlier.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military said it had begun a new wave of strikes in Beirut.  Over 800K Lebanese have been displaced in the past ten days, as the war in the Middle East continues to widen.  Experts say the Trump Administration has no clear exit strategy as it considers sending American ground troops to the region.

Historians Continue to Warn of America’s Growing Number of Concentration Camps

(Undated)  Heather Cox Richardson and other historians continue to warn of the growing expansion of large scale immigration detention centers, with the number of people being held reaching a record high.  Over 73,000 people were being held as of January 2026, as the Trump Administration continues to rapidly amplify its efforts to buy up large holding facilities where conditions are said to be deplorable and compared to concentration camps.  The camps are run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection Agents, with detention numbers rising an alarming 75% in just the past year.  Human rights groups describe conditions inside the centers as “inhumane” and “abusive”, citing overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and poor sanitation.

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