Economy

Island’s Only Pharmacy Closes

(Stonington)  Deer Isle’s only pharmacy has closed, following the death last October of pharmacist Doug Edinger.  Island AdVantages reports Edinger was a pharmacist on the island for more than 20 years before his sudden death forced the closure of Seaside Pharmacy in Stonington.  Doug’s widow, Linda, told the paper a search for a new licensed pharmacist, required by state law in order for a pharmacy to operate, has turned up no one.  With Seaside closed, the nearest pharmacies are at Hannaford and Walgreen’s in Blue Hill.  The family says it intends to sell the School Street building in which the business was located as a move-in ready pharmacy.

Heart of Ellsworth Marks Ten Years

(Ellsworth)  A huge congratulations to Heart of Ellsworth and Executive Director Cara Romano!  This month marks ten years of growth … and ten years of making the community shine under Romano’s leadership.  From securing critical funding, to the beautification of Main Street, National Accreditation as a Main Street America community, and downtown Ellsworth’s recent listing on the National Register of Historic Places, Heart of Ellsworth has brought economic and cultural growth and a renewed interest in historic preservation.   Learn more and get involved at heart of ellsworth dot org.

Rockland Initiates Cruise Tourism Initiative

(Rockland)  The City of Rockland on Friday announced it is launching a study to inform the community about the future of cruise tourism.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports the town has engaged PortShare Promise … a program of CruiseMaine with ties to MDOT, the state’s economic and community development, and Port Authority … in order to undertake the work they hope will ensure future decisions about cruise visitation.  Among other things, the initiative will work to determine whether and how to adjust current and future practices based on solid evidence, rather than on assumptions.  A public meeting is planned for May 20th to share initial findings and gather public feedback.  The City likely hopes to avoid controversies like those experienced by Bar Harbor’s cruise ship industry in recent years.

Education

Ellsworth Public Library to Screen “The Librarians”

(Ellsworth)  This Saturday, the Ellsworth Public Library will screen a special film that highlights ongoing issues of free speech.  Downeast Digest is proud to be a sponsor of “The Librarians”, a film directed by Kim Snyder.  All across the U.S., librarians find themselves on the frontlines, uniting against library collection standards that include restrictions on race and gender content. Drawing on historical context, The Librarians explores the broader implications for education and public life.  The screening is at 2 p.m. this Saturday – visit ellsworth library dot net to register.

Deer Isle Schools Controversy

(Deer Isle)  CSD 13 School Board members got an earful from teachers at both the elementary and high school levels regarding a recent round of teacher layoffs and resignations.  Island AdVantages reports Union President Jenn Mayo, a math teacher at the high school, was the first of four speakers to criticize recent personnel decisions at an April 13th public School Board meeting.  Two years ago, the district opened late; reportedly because it was unable to fill all its teaching positions.  Yet, Mayo told the paper, at least six employees had recently tendered resignations after being told their positions would not be renewed.  While District officials said they could not comment on specific personnel matters, in a written response to Island AdVantages, the Board said its first responsibility was to the district’s students and that its goal was that all teachers on long-term continuing contracts hold at minimum a bachelor’s degree and, ideally, be certified in their subject areas.

Environment

Big Night Creator Speaks at Woodlawn in Ellsworth

(Ellsworth)  A full class of participants was treated to a talk on Big Night by event creator Greg LeClair on Saturday at Woodlawn in Ellsworth.  From elementary age kids to older adults, everyone listened in wonder as LeClair taught about area amphibians and the need to protect them.  LeClair spoke about wood frogs that can travel as far as the Arctic, freeze solid, thaw and survive … spotted salamanders whose unique spots are like fingerprints … and spring peepers, now Maine’s state amphibian, whose shrill notes can reach 100 decibels and can actually damage hearing if one listens too long!  Maine Big Night is a nonprofit that uses citizen scientists to help droves of amphibians safely cross busy roadways on the first warm, rainy nights of the season.  Learn more and sign up to participate at maine big night dot org.  

Roadside Cleanup

(SW Harbor)  A dozen volunteers collected more than 240 pounds of trash in just an hour and a half along a one mile stretch of road in Southwest Harbor recently.  The Mount Desert Islander reports the effort was organized by Katie Hess and Melanie Lisy, and focused on cleanup along Seal Cove Road to the transfer station on Long Pod Road, an area that often accumulates litter and, they say, one that is often overlooked during larger cleanup events. Hess and Lisy are both on Southwest Harbor’s May 5th ballot, but said no matter the outcome, it felt good to turn out and participate in a shared respect and appreciation of the place they call home.

Coming Cold Blamed on Alaska

(Maine)  It’s April in Maine – despite some nicer days last week, you know snow is not out of the question.  This year, forecasters are blaming Alaska.  The Washington Post reports since March, about 76% of the planet has experienced above-average temperatures.  Meanwhile, it’s been colder than average for the remaining 24% – including across Canada and Alaska.  Statewide in the Yukon State, it was the coldest December to March in 50 years.  Just in time for school break week here, an area of high pressure is expected to form near Greenland and cause the jet stream to dip down over our area from time to time.  Don’t put away the sweaters just yet – but keep the shorts handy, just in case.

Health

Northern Light Gets Credit Upgrade

(Bangor)  Northern Light Health received a shot in the arm this month from Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings.  MaineBiz reports, S&P upgraded the agency’s financial outlook from “negative” to “stable”, citing the organization’s “robust turnaround” and its strong position as a key rural healthcare provider in northern and central Maine. The revision reflects positive cash flow ahead of budget results through 2025 and the first quarter of FY 2026.  The transformation has occurred at least partially under the leadership of new President and CEO Guy Hudson.  Northern Light’s financial pressures have included the May 2025 closure of Northern Light Inland Hospital and associated services in Waterville amid monthly operating losses of between one and one and a half million dollars.

Infrastructure

Carriage Roads Open to Pedestrian Traffic Only

(ANP)  Good news for walkers and runners – the carriage roads at Acadia National Park have reopened for pedestrians only.  The roads remain closed to bicyclists to help prevent damage and erosion during mud season.  We’ll continue to keep you posted, and you can always check for updates at n p s dot gov.

Human Interest

Blue Hill Chamber Honors Members

(Blue Hill)  The Blue Hill Chamber of Commerce is all about appreciation.  This month, they honored members with “…of the year” awards at a special event held at The Farmhouse Inn.   The Blue Hill Public Library received the Culture of the Year Award.  Community Service of the Year honors went to the DownEast Wood Bank.  Tree of Life Food Pantry and Turnstyle Shop earned the Customer Service of the Year Award, and The Rising Tide, a media publication made up of local journalists, took home the award for Best New Business of the Year.   The community participated in voting for the finalists during late March and early April.  “…of the year”  awards  recognize businesses and organizations that enhance the peninsula’s community and economy by contributing to the vibrancy of the Blue Hill Peninsula. 

Boston Marathon

(Boston)  Good luck to all the runners in today’s 130th running of The Boston Marathon.  Weather looks pretty good, with a high of 50 and a slight chance of rain.  More than 24,000 qualifiers and 6,000 others will participate, with the race kicking off from Hopkinton in timed waves. There’s nothing like it, with crowds cheering the runners all the way to downtown Boston, despite the course running through rural areas, past Wellesley College, and through small towns.  The marathon is historically run on Patriot’s Day, the third Monday in April. Celebrated for the most part in Maine and Massachusetts, Patriot’s Day commemorates the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, the start of the Revolutionary War. You can track runners via the BAA Racing App on the App Store or Google Play.

Where in the World?

(Milbridge)  Congratulations to Cathy Chipman of Milbridge who last week correctly guessed we were in Bangor for “Where in the World is Sonnie”.  We had a record number of guesses – thanks so much for playing.  We’ve sent Cathy a $25 gift card from Pugnuts Ice Cream and Gelato in Surry.  This being National Library Appreciation Week, we have another easy one for you up on our FB page – be sure to check it out and enter for YOUR chance to win a $25 Pugnuts Gift Card.  Special events are going on all this week at area libraries. Today is Right to Read day, with libraries everywhere standing against censorship efforts.  Tomorrow is National Library Workers Day – we hope you’ll take time to honor and thank your local library workers for all they do to impact our communities.

National News 04/20/26

Iran War Updates

(AP)  U.S. negotiators are expected to be in Pakistan today for round two of talks with Iran.  That’s according to President Donald Trump, although Iran did not immediately confirm the talks.  The Associated Press reports Trump threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if it doesn’t take the deal the U.S. is offering.  The Strait of Hormuz was once again closed to shipping over the weekend, due to threats from Iran as the U.S. continued to blockade Iranian ports.  The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is due to expire Wednesday.  Meanwhile, a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel appeared to be holding as of yesterday.

Pope Sees Ceasefire as “Sign of Hope” for Middle East

(Angola)  Pope Leo XIV on Sunday celebrated mass before an estimated 100K people outside the capital of Angola.  The Pope praised the ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah as a “sign of hope” he prayed would bring peace to the Middle East.  The Associated Press reports the Amerian Pope is on an Africa odyssey that will take him to the epicenter of the slave trade.  Leo’s ancestors reportedly included enslaved people as well as slave owners.  Leo urged people to “build a better, more welcoming world, where there are no more wars, no injustices, no poverty, no dishonesty.”

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