Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Maine Warden Service Holds Information Sessions
(Bangor) The Maine Warden Service is looking for a few good men – and women. They’re hoping to recruit new team members who are dedicated to conserving the state’s fish, wildlife, and other natural resources and protect the people who enjoy them. Several information sessions are planned in early October, including Thursday, October 5th in Bangor. If you can’t make it to one of the sessions scheduled, or if you’d like to register for a session, visit maine game warden dot com forward slash get hired.
(Bangor) Dreamed of a career as a Maine Game Warden? The Maine Warden Service is hoping to recruit new team members who are dedicated to conserving the state’s natural resources and protecting the people who enjoy them. They’ve scheduled information sessions during the first week of October in Gray, Sidney, Bangor and Kittery. Learn more and register online at maine game warden dot com forward slash get hired, where you can also set up a time to meet with a recruiter or have your questions about the career answered.
Hurricane Lee
(Maine) Still too early to make a solid prediction about Hurricane Lee’s affect on Maine and New Hampshire, but boaters and boatyards along the coast are pulling vessels in anticipation of the storm. Large swells, storm surge, and strong winds a possibility, with coastal communities likely to see the strongest impacts of the storm.
(Maine) West Cove Boatyard in Sorrento among many busy pulling boats from harbors in anticipation of the effects of Hurricane Lee this weekend. The National Weather Service says it’s still too early to determine the track of the storm, but heavy rain, storm surge, and winds could bring power outages and large swells along the coast.
Longtime Bar Harbor Officer Retires
(Bar Harbor) He spent 18 of his 38 years in law enforcement serving the Mount Desert and Bar Harbor police departments. Last week, the departments said goodbye to Sergeant Leigh Guildford as he entered retirement. Guildford worked with the Ellsworth Police Department prior to his duties on MDI. Members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, the National Park Service, and the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Departments were on hand for his final sign off last Friday.
(Bar Harbor) A familiar face said goodbye to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Departments last Friday as he stepped into retirement. Sergeant Leigh Guildford served with the Ellsworth Police Department until 2005, when he began working on the island, where he’s served the past 18 years. Guildford was honored at a send off attended by members of the departments he served, along with National Park Service personnel and members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Local Politics
Ellsworth Tax Bills
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth mailed real estate and personal property tax bills in August. They say if you haven’t yet received yours, it could be because of a change in mailing address that hasn’t yet been communicated to the Assessing Office. Residents and business owners can mail in their payments or pay them online through links found on the City of Ellsworth’s website and FB page.
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth says most residents by now should have received their real estate and personal property tax bills, which were mailed out last month. They say if you haven’t received yours, it could be due to a change in mailing address that hasn’t yet been communicated to the Assessing Office. You can make payments online through links you’ll find on the City’s website or FB page, or mail them to One City Hall Plaza.
Economy
Popular Machias Restaurant Sold
(Machias) A popular Machias restaurant will soon close its doors. The owners of The Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant posted on their FB page their last day in business will be October 1st. Mason’s Brewing Company will move into the space that’s been occupied by the Bluebird Ranch for more than 25 years. Mason’s currently has a waterfront location in Brewer. Bethany Prout Foss, who started the Bluebird with her mother, Hope Prout, back in 1996, thanked their loyal customers for the many meals and memories made through the years and says she’s excited about the new dining experience Mason’s will bring to Washington County.
(Machias) They’ve served Machias and Washington County for more than a quarter of a century, but the owner of the Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant says it’s time to hang up the apron. Bethany Prout Foss started the Bluebird with her mother, Hope Prout, back in 1996, but posted on the restaurant’s FB page October 1st will be their last day. Mason’s Brewing Company, which currently has a waterfront location in Brewer, will be moving into the space. Foss writes Mason’s is excited about bringing a new dining experience to Washington County with their food and craft beer. No word yet on when Mason’s will be opening.
Town Hill to be Home to Rental Cottage Business
(Town Hill) A rental cottage business will soon be on tap in Town Hill. The Mount Desert Islander reports Acadia Woods Cottages will feature ten seasonal two-bedroom rental cottages, located on Route 102 on the same property as Acadia Integrative Medicine, the primary care practice of the cottages’ owner. For safety reasons, the cottages will not be allowed to have individual fire pits, and no pets will be permitted. Some Town Hill residents expressed concerns about water scarcity in Town Hill and how that would be affected. The business was ultimately given unanimous approval by Planning Board members.
(Town Hill) Christy Seed runs a primary care practice on Route 102 in Town Hill. She’ll also soon manage a rental cottage business on the same property as Acadia Integrative Medicine. The Mount Desert Islander reports Acadia Woods Cottages will feature ten seasonal two-bedroom rental cottages. Due to safety concerns, the cottages will not be allowed to have individual fire pits, and no pets will be allowed. Despite concerns over Town Hill’s water scarcity, the Planning Board ultimately unanimously approved plans for the cottages. No word on a timeline for the project.
Friends of Acadia Purchase Land for Seasonal Workforce Housing
(Bar Harbor) With seasonal workforce housing a major deterrent to attracting workers, Friends of Acadia this month became the official owner of a parcel of land where they intend to construct housing for seasonal employees of Acadia National Park. FOA has partnered with the National Park Service to begin addressing the ongoing housing crisis. The property, purchased from Seal Harbor Properties, which is governed by members of the Rockefeller family, sits on the northern end of Jordan Pond Road and provides easy access to the park, making it a good fit for Acadia seasonal housing.
(Bar Harbor) The group Friends of Acadia has teamed with the National Park Service to address the lack of seasonal workforce housing at Acadia National Park. In the latest effort, FOA has purchased a 4-acre parcel on the northern end of Jordan Pond Road where the group plans to construct a primary residence with five bedrooms and an accessory dwelling with three bedrooms, as allowed under current Mt. Desert town zoning. Once construction is complete, FOA plans to donate the land and buildings to Acadia National Park for long-term ownership and management.
Bar Harbor Needs to Balance Short Term Rentals with Long Term Housing
(Bar Harbor) To offset the effect of houses turned into short-term rental units, Bar Harbor will need more than 600 new year-round dwellings by 2033. That’s the findings of an analysis by town staffers. MaineBiz reports the town has registered 637 short term rentals over the years, which could otherwise have been used for year round housing for area workers and students. Town Councilors say a number of construction projects are in the pipeline to accommodate various living situations. But they agree it took a long time to get into the current situation, and will take a long time to dig out.
(Bar Harbor) Over the years, the Town of Bar Harbor has registered 637 short term rentals. The growth in such rentals has resulted in a shortage of year round dwellings – housing for area workers and students. MaineBiz reports an analysis by town staffers found that in order to offset the short term rental growth, Bar Harbor will need 616 new year-round dwellings by 2033 – just a decade from now. While a number of construction projects are in the pipeline, Town Councilors agree it took time to get into the current situation, and it will also take a long time to dig out.
Education
EdGE After School Enrollment Now Open
(Cherryfield) Registration has opened for Maine Seacoast Mission’s EdGE afterschool programs for the 2023-24 school year. The program is offered to students at seven Washington County schools, including Beals, Cherryfield, Harrington, Jonesport and Milbridge Elementary schools, D.W. Merritt Elementary in Addison, and Rose M. Gaffney Elementary in Machias. Afterschool programming begins in October and operates throughout the school year. Register at seacoast mission dot org.
(Cherryfield) If your child attends one of these seven elementary schools in Washington County, registration is now open for Maine Seacoast Mission’s EdGE afterschool programs. The program is offered to students at Beals, Cherryfield, Harrington, Jonesport and Milbridge Elementary schools, D.W. Merritt Elementary in Addison, and Rose M. Gaffney Elementary in Machias. Programs begin in October, and registration is open throughout the school year at seacoast mission dot org or by calling 546-4466.
Health
Blood Supplies Fall to Critically Low Levels
(Undated) The nation’s supply of blood and platelets has fallen to critically low levels. That’s the word from the American Red Cross, which yesterday called on people to donate, as the blood supply has dropped nearly 25% since early August. The Red Cross says that’s a shortfall of about 30,000 blood and platelet donors. Blood has a shelf life of just about 40 days, so the need is not only critical, but ongoing. Find a drive near you at red cross blood dot org.
(Undated) If you or a loved one is in an accident, finds themselves critically ill, or in need of a transfusion, the last thing you want to hear is that there’s no blood available. The American Red Cross yesterday announced the nation’s supply of blood and platelets has fallen to critically low levels, dropping 25% since early August. If you’re able to donate, please find a blood drive near you and donate at red cross blood dot org.
Sports
Not a great day for the Red Sox Tuesday – they lost both games to the Yankees, 3-2 and 4-1. Teams back on the field at Fenway this evening.