Local Politics

Sedgwick Town Clerk Moves Closer to Home

(Bucksport)  Sedgwick Town Clerk Lyndsey Dow said it was a tough call, but the move to the Town Clerk position in Bucksport means her job will be less than a mile from home and closer to her children.  Dow also previously served as Town Clerk of Blue Hill and brings a strong municipal background to her new position.  She says she’ll miss working with the folks in Sedgwick.  Her last day there will be May 29th.

Tremont Voters Approve All Articles

(Tremont)  Voters in Tremont approved all articles this week on the town meeting warrant with little or no debate.  The Mount Desert Islander reports on Monday, residents came out in full force to approve a new public safety building.  The new Municipal Public Safety Building will be erected on town land located on Harbor Drive, to be paid for with an $8M USDA Community Facilities program CDS grant that requires $2M in matching town funds, to be approved at a later date.  Members of the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department acknowledged “it takes a village” and say they’re hopeful the federal funding process is equally successful.

Economy

War in Iran Drives Inflation to Highest Point in NearlyThree Years

(WaPo)  No surprise whether you fill up at the gas pump or try to fill bags at the grocery store.  Economists say the war in Iran is driving a sharp increase in inflation – with surging gasoline prices rippling through the economy and pushing inflation last month to the highest level since late 2023. The Washington Post reports the Trump administration called it temporary and pointed to declining drug prices and increased wages as evidence the President’s broader economic agenda remains on track.  But a separate Labor Department release Tuesday showed real average hourly wages fell a half percent from March to April, meaning most workers are effectively taking a pay cut, even as the White House cheers its economic record.  

Maine Economic Vision Released

(Maine)  Meanwhile, businesses in Maine say while they’re keen to invest in and grow their operations, they need a more predictable environment and more workers in order to make it happen.  This week, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce released “Maine Economic Vision 2035”, which lays out priorities to boost business competitiveness, lower housing costs, and increase wages by 20% over the next decade.  The Portland Press Herald reports the proposal outlines four major goals designed to reach those goals – boost business competitiveness, improve household affordability, increase private investment in research, and grow the state’s workforce and wages.  The report also concludes Maine must invest in early education, improve reading and math proficiency, and attract 25K new workers to offset projected retirements.  

Thomaston Boat Builder Expands

(Thomaston)  Thomaston-based Lyman Morse Boatbuilding is expanding its business with a new 15K square foot composites facility.  According to MaineBiz, the expansion allows the premier boatbuilder to scale advanced manufacturing operations for custom yachts, commercial vessels, and sustainable marine projects.  The new structure is the third build on the Thomaston campus.

Pugnuts Now Open Daily

(Surry) … and since they’ve been so good to us and our “Where in the World is Sonnie?” contests, we’re proud to announce you can now get your Pugnuts ice cream, gelato, and other treats every day from 11-5.  Yep, they’re now open daily for the season.  Located right on the main drag in Surry, you can’t miss the bright pink building … and you don’t WANT to miss out on the best treats around.  Bring the pups – they love sharing pup cups with our furry friends!

Farmer’s Markets Open

(Downeast)  Who doesn’t love shopping for fresh produce and baked goods at area farmer’s markets?!  Some opening dates and locations in our area …  Shop the Ellsworth Farmer’s Market beginning this Saturday at Harbor Park from 9:30 to 12:30.  The Blue Hill Farmer’s Market opens May 23rd – you’ll find them at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds.  And a new, wholly organic and cruelty free Farmer’s Market opens May 24th at Swan Song Saltwater Farm on US 1 in Sullivan.  They’ll include the Fancy Plants food truck, baked goods from Tunk Tasty micro-bakery and more.

Education

Narraguagus Educator One Class Away from Degree Begun 47 Years Ago

(Harrington)  A Narraguagus educator is just one class away from earning his degree from the University of Maine, which wouldn’t be so unusual, except for the fact that 65 yo David Rinkle first began college 47 years ago.  UMaine reports in the decades between, Rinkle’s path led him to Florida and Maine seafood processing plants, building, fixing, and teaching.  For the past nine years, he’s shared his hands-on skills with students at Narraguagus Junior-Senior High School, where he teaches woodworking, plumbing, and electrical skills.  Rinkle is part of UMaine’s Finish Strong Program, which helps students complete degrees years after they first enrolled – and proving it’s never too late to finish what you started.

Environment 

Lubec Clam Conservation

(Lubec)  It may not involve diapers and formula, but clammers throughout the state are working to preserve and grow clams by creating nurseries where juvenile clams can grow to market size. The Lubec Shellfish Committee is working to increase clam conservation by moving juvenile clams from one flat to another, then closing those flats to harvesting while the clams mature. The Maine Monitor reports moving juvenile clams – ones large enough to rake but still under the 2-inch market size – is more affordable and simpler than sowing clam seed (tiny, nursery-raised clams that measure one-sixteenth of an inch or less).  The Down East Institute in Beals, on the other hand, recommends building seed beds. Although the method is more expensive and requires monitoring and permitting from the US Army Corps of Engineers, and may take up to five years to produce harvestable results, some say it provides a better chance of successful results.

Health

Maine Health Waldo Hospital Earns Top Pediatric Designation

(Belfast)  MaineHealth Waldo Hospital has earned top honors for its readiness to care for pediatric patients. The Pediatric Innovator designation was awarded by Maine Emergency Medical Services for Children and is the highest recognition offered by the Always Ready for Children program.  According to The Pen Bay Pilot, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital is the sixth hospital in the state to earn the award, which will be formally presented during a ceremony outside the hospital’s administration building on Tuesday, May 26th, beginning at 10 a.m.  The public is welcome to attend.

ModivCare Partners with Waldo CAP for Transportation Coverage

(Belfast)  Waldo County residents who frequently need non-emergency transportation are breathing a sigh of relief.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports ModivCare will partner with Waldo Community Action Partners to provide services to Region Five in Maine  – that’s Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties.  The organization says it is committed to working with Maine DHHS, local partners, and transportation providers in Region Five and throughout the state to meet the healthcare transportation needs of MaineCare members.

Finding Our Voices Dental Program Honored

(Augusta)  The Finding Our Voices dental program has been honored with the Governor’s Award for Service and Volunteerism.  The program is composed of dozens of dentists who donate dental care to women domestic abuse survivors.  In presenting the award, Governor Janet Mills said the program “delivers dignified high-quality care to low-income Maine women whose oral health has been impacted by abuse.”  That sometimes involves physical abuse or control in which women aren’t allowed to practice good oral hygiene.  Forty dental providers in ten Maine counties currently volunteer with the program.

Ports Propose Awareness Policies to Address Infectious Disease Outbreaks

(Portland)  The hantavirus outbreaks on cruise ships has prompted the Portland Public Health Division to propose a new communications policy that aims to raise awareness when docking cruise ships have infectious disease outbreaks. The Portland Press Herald reports last October, the city notified the public about a cruise ship arriving with an outbreak of norovirus.  Portland expects more than 80 dockings between May 22 and early November.  Other popular ports of call here in Maine – Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Rockland, Bangor, Boothbay Harbor, Bath, and Eastport

Human Interest

Friends’ Spring Book Sale on at Ellsworth Public Library

(Ellsworth)  Good books – great cause.  Shop hundreds of gently used fiction and nonfiction books, books for kids and teens, DVDs, puzzles and more.  The Friends of the Ellsworth Public Library Spring Book Sale is here – beginning today from 1-5.  Stop by and take home a treasure – most sales are by donation, cash or check only.  All proceeds are used by the Friends to fund library programming – and, thus, the community.  The sale also runs Friday from 10 to 2 and Saturday from 9 to 1.

Weekend Opportunities

(Ellsworth)  A few reminders of upcoming opportunities to serve, learn, and grow this weekend.  First, the Union River Watershed Summit and Race begins Friday evening.  Local experts and indigenous leaders will discuss ways to support a healthy, sustainable future for the river.  Learn more at green ellsworth dot org.  Also, on Saturday, it’s Heart of Ellsworth’s Annual Spring Clean up.  Help spruce up, down, and all around Main Street while enjoying fruit, water, and great camaraderie.  Meet at the Parklet at 10 a.m. and stay for an hour or until 1 p.m.  Finally, the Makerspace at 16 State Street in Ellsworth is inviting artists to submit work for their upcoming juried summer exhibition.  Be part of the show – submit your work by May 31st.

National News 05/14/26

Republican Resistance to War Grows

(AP)  Senate Republicans again yesterday blocked Democratic legislation that would halt President Trump’s war with Iran.  But the Associated Press reports the number of GOP senators voting against the war grew.  Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the war for the first time since it began on February 28th.  Maine Senator Susan Collins and Kentucky’s Rand Paul also voted against the war, as they had done previously.  The war powers legislation failed to advance 49-50, with Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania the only Democrat to oppose it.

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