Local Politics
Ellsworth Voters to Weigh In on Allowing Retail Marijuana Stores
(Ellsworth) Ellsworth voters in November will weigh in on whether or not to allow retail recreational marijuana stores in the City. Bar Harbor voters rejected a similar proposal in 2022, and Ellsworth held a workshop on the idea in 2021, but nothing more came of it, according to the Bangor Daily News. Since then, there’s been nearly a complete turnover in City Council members and officials, who have now decided to revisit the issue. If voters approve the referendum, the city will have to develop regulations for such shops and related businesses. Hancock County hasn’t warmed to the idea overall. Currently, the only shop operating in the county is Meristem in Southwest Harbor.
(Ellsworth) Should Ellsworth allow retail recreational marijuana stores in the city? That’s an item that will go before Ellsworth voters in November. The issue has been looked at before. In 2021, Ellsworth held a workshop on the idea, but it went nowhere, according to the Bangor Daily News. Since then, there’s been a nearly complete turnover in City Council members and officials, who have now decided to revisit the issue. If voters approve the referendum, the City will have to develop regulations for such shops and related businesses. Hancock County hasn’t warmed to the idea overall. Bar Harbor rejected a similar proposal in 2022. And the only shop currently operating in the county is Meristem in Southwest Harbor.
Bar Harbor Proposes New Cruise Ship Option
(Bar Harbor) The Bar Harbor Town Council is proposing a new option for managing cruise ship traffic – an issue that has divided the town for the past several years. The Mount Desert Islander reports under the proposed plan, cruise ships would have to have a license in order to disembark passengers and ships would need to use a reservation system. The proposal would require a coordination contract with the dock owners and disembarking passengers. The current ordinance puts the burden of keeping track of those disembarking on the business owners who transport passengers from the ships into town, with a 1,000-person-per-day maximum. A public hearing is set for August 27th, after which Council will consider passing the ordinance. If passed, it would not go into effect unless voters chose to repeal the current ordinance at November’s town meeting.
(Bar Harbor) The cruise ship controversy in Bar Harbor has provided almost more drama than, say, a Paramount series set in far away Montana. The Mount Desert Islander reports under a proposed new plan, cruise ships would have to have a license in order to disembark passengers and ships would need to use a reservation system. It would also require a coordination contract with the dock owners and disembarking passengers. The current ordinance puts the burden of tracking the number of tourists from the cruise ships on the business owners who transport passengers from the ships into town, with a 1,000-person-per-day maximum. A public hearing is set for August 27th, after which Council will consider passing the ordinance. Voters would then have to choose to repeal the current ordinance at November’s town meeting in order for the new ordinance to go into effect.
New Poll Finds Harris Leading Trump in Maine’s Second District
(AP) Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted her party’s nomination for President last night. A new poll finds Harris has increased her lead on former President Donald Trump in Maine’s rural 2nd District – a District won by Trump twice. The survey by the University of New Hampshire contradicts experts who continue to give Trump sway in the District, including a recent internal poll by a Democratic group that found Harris down by a wide margin. But the UNH survey could lead the Harris campaign to focus more efforts in a District once thought to be an impossible win for Democrats.
(AP) Kamala Harris last night officially accepted her party’s nomination for President. A new poll by the University of New Hampshire shows Harris increasing her lead in Maine’s reliably red Second District. The UNH survey contradicts other findings, including a recent internal poll by a Democratic group that found Harris down by a significant margin. But it may help shift the Harris campaign’s focus to a more active role in the District, as a win there would give the Harris/Walz ticket one of Maine’s four electors.
Health
Supermarket Baby Foods Packed with Sugar and Salt
(CNN) Oh, baby! The supermarket baby food aisle in the U.S. is packed with non-nutritious foods containing far too much sugar and salt and misleading marketing claims, according to a new study published this week in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients. The study found 60% of 651 foods marketed for children ages 6 months to 36 months failed to meet recommended World Health Organization nutritional guidelines for infant and toddler foods. The study was conducted at 10 supermarkets throughout the US.
Pioneering Talk Show Host Remembered for Compassion in Early AIDS Crisis
(Rolling Stone) Pioneering talk show host Phil Donahue passed away this past weekend at the age of 88. Rolling Stone writes perhaps Donahue’s most important legacy was his compassion in the early days of the AIDS crisis. Just a year after the New York Times published its first article on the disease in 1981, and amidst the fear and misinformation, Donahue hosted an hour-long segment on the fear, confusion, bigotry and blind panic marking the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The magazine writes Donahue interviewed AIDS patients with his unique blend of curiosity, grace and empathy, a first step in turning the country’s recoil into research that has led to great strides in tackling the disease and the unfounded shunning of AIDS sufferers by the public that went along with it.
Infrastructure
Historical Society Preserves Section of Former Paper Mill
(Bucksport) Bucksport will soon have a museum honoring the paper mill that was a part of the town for more than 80 years. WABI-TV reports that after demolition a decade ago, the mill’s gatehouse was the only building that remained. Folks from the Bucksport Historical Society worked with the past owners of the building and were able to purchase it for one dollar. Now, closer to its opening, volunteers hope to shed light on what is considered a ‘Maine Heritage Industry’.
(Bucksport) The old paper mill may be gone, but its legacy will live on, thanks to the efforts of the Bucksport Historical Society. BHS members worked with the past owners of the building and were able to purchase the mill’s gatehouse, the only building that remained after demolition a decade ago, for one dollar. WABI-TV reports the plan was to turn the gatehouse into a museum honoring the paper mill that was a part of the town for more than 80 years. Now, close to its opening, volunteers hope to shed light on what is considered a “Maine Heritage Industry”.
Seawall Road Busy a Month After Reopening
(SW Harbor) The section of the Seawall Road in Bar Harbor devastated by a storm in March has been open a little over a month now. When the Maine Department of Transportation announced it would be unable to repair the road until next Spring, local contractors stepped in, cleaned up, repaved and reopened the road in just a week’s time. The Mount Desert Islander reports local business owners are thrilled, as traffic that had all but DRIED up is once again JAMMED up at their doors and cash registers. Thanks once again going out to John H. Goodwin, Jr., BFP Trucking and Construction, Doug Gott and Sons, Ring’s Paving, Northeast Paving, and GT Outhouses for making the repairs.
Ellsworth Road Work Scheduled
(Ellsworth) The City of Ellsworth giving motorists a heads up about several areas of road work planned for next week. There will be nightly road closures on Bridge Hill Road as Northeast Paving completes a Maine Department of Transportation project. That work begins this Sunday night and is expected to last up to three weeks, with closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. nightly. Northeast Paving recommends using an alternative route during the work if possible. Partial closing of Bayside Road for ditching will continue on Monday. The road will be reduced to one lane as the work continues there. Ditching will impact those who travel Kingsland Crossing on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 27th and 28th, with that road reduced to one lane as work is in progress. Finally, a partial closure of Red Bridge Road near Poors Road will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday as well, as crews work to patch that area. Expect the road to be down to one lane during the work. We’ve posted this information on our Star 97.7 FB page and with our daily news updates on our website.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Blue Hill Fair Enters 133rd Year
(Blue Hill) Hay Bale Tossing, Tire Flipping, Cow Tipping – well, maybe not that last one! But Blue Hill Fair Manager Erik Fitch tells Star 97.7, this year’s fairgoers will be treated to a new event, the Agricultural Olympics! (((BlueHill24 A “…right in our Agricultural section.” :16))). Everybody’s favorite the Blue Hill Fair runs August 29th through Labor Day. Get all the details on their FB page.
(Blue Hill) The ladies literally come from all over the world to compete – Blue Hill Fair Manager Erik Fitch tells Star 97.7 about one of the Fair’s most popular competitions … and one of its most delicious. (((BlueHill24 B “…the kids really enjoy that.” :21))) The Blue Hill Fair opens less than a week from today on August 29th and runs right through Labor Day. Find out more at blue hill fair dot com and on the Blue Hill Fair FB page.
(Blue Hill) It’s less than a week away – the Blue Hill Fair opens August 29th and runs through Labor Day. Fair Manager Erik Fitch tells Star 97.7, this year they’ve added even more exciting ground shows. (((BlueHill24 C “…they’ll be performing all five days also. :30))). And speaking of Charlotte’s Web, that exhibit is a permanent one, and Erik tells us it’s bigger and better than ever, as they’ve added many, many of Wilbur’s friends this year, along with Templeton, the geese, sheep and, of course the star of the show, Wilbur!
(Blue Hill) The ground shows, the entertainment, the competitions, the animals, flowers, and prize winning vegetables – they’re all part of the fabulous Blue Hill Fair that opens this coming Thursday! Fair Manager Erik Fitch tells Star 97.7, you can’t miss the midway with its games, rides, and food. (((BlueHill24 D “…some booths that you’ve never seen here in Blue Hill before.” :16))). Find a complete schedule of all the happenings at blue hill fair dot com or on their FB page.
Fundraiser for Dogs in Animal Cruelty Case
(Searsport) A fundraiser Sunday in Searsport, to help 27 dogs taken by the state during an animal cruelty investigation into Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary in Bucksport, where the animals were reportedly held in unthinkable conditions. WABI-TV reports the event is being held at H and H Mercantile on East Main Street in Searsport from eleven to 1 p.m. All proceeds will help cover veterinarian costs, as well as toys, treats, towels, and clean blankets.
(Searsport) A local business in Searsport is holding a fundraiser Sunday to help 27 dogs taken by the state during an animal cruelty investigation. The dogs were rescued from reportedly unthinkable conditions they endured at Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary in Bucksport. WABI-TV reports the fundraiser is being held at H and H Mercantile on East Main Street in Searsport from eleven to 1 p.m. All proceeds will help cover veterinarian costs, as well as toys, treats, towels, and clean blankets.
Ehrlenbach Honored for 45 Years’ Service
(Ellsworth) 45 years is a long time on the job, especially when it comes to keeping the public safe. This week, the Ellsworth Police Department honored Raleigh “Fred” Ehrlenbach, Badge #154, for his 45 years with the Department. Ehrlenbach began his career in 1979, working patrols and dispatch. And although officially retired, the Department says he remains deeply committed to serving Ellsworth and the surrounding communities. Quite the career. Congratulations, Fred!
(Ellsworth) A big congratulations to Raleigh “Fred” Ehrlenbach. Badge 154 served with the Ellsworth Police Department for 45 years, beginning in 1979 as a patrol officer and filling in at dispatch. This week, the Department honored Ehrlenbach for his service, noting that although officially retired, he remains deeply committed to serving Ellsworth and the surrounding communities, serving on boards, doing outreach, and standing in wherever needed. Congratulations!
Sports
The Red Sox home this weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Patriots in Washington Sunday to tackle the Commanders.