Asticou Hotel to be sold for $60 million
A hotel in Northeast Harbor will be sold for $60 million after the owner is forced into bankruptcy.
The owner of the Asticou Inn has faced numerous liens from contractors on top of legal complaints for shorting them in funds for materials and services during the renovation of the hotel.
The Bangor Daily News reports 11 separate contractors have filed liens and the owner has signed an agreement to sell the hotel to a subsidiary of Ocean Properties which owns multiple hotels in Bar Harbor.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/03/23/hancock/hancock-business/asticou-hotel-bankruptcy-sale/
Road in Penobscot to close in April
Starting on April 20, a month-long road closure could cause disruption in travel within Penobscot.
The infrastructure upgrade planned for Bayview Road on Route 175 will bring long-term benefits for transportation safety, climate resilience and ecological health of Mill Creek as well as the Bagaduce River.
The Ellsworth American reports the road is expected to be closed for up to four weeks.
Town officials say the granite culvert will be replaced, a larger concrete structure will be installed and the roadway will be raised to reduce the possibility of flooding.
New MMA Ship has arrived in Maine
On Saturday, Maine Maritime Academy’s new training vessel, State of Maine, arrived in Maine.
On its way to Castine, the vessel will bring plenty of opportunity to the school being its first purpose-built training vessel.
The Ellsworth American reports students will have hands-on training, the vessel will provide the chance to aid in federal humanitarian relief efforts and it can accommodate 600 cadets.
The celebration of the delivery will take place on Monday, March 30.
Carrot shortage ahead of Easter
If you can’t find any carrots at the grocery store — it’s not because the Easter bunny ate them.
According to Hannaford Supermarkets, there is a reduced carrot inventory at their stores due to “The impact of weather conditions in several key growing regions.”
Hannaford says the shortage is not just impacting them but the industry as a whole.
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/03/20/carrot-supply-tight-hannaford-due-weather-impacts-growing-regions/
Mark your calendar to support the 15th Hancock County Food Drive
Starting on April 4-11 you can support the 15th Annual Hancock County Food Drive which is put on by Healthy Acadia, Hancock County Food Security Network and Heart of Maine United Way.
Multiple community partners have collaborated including Star 97.7 to bring awareness of the ongoing issue of food insecurity in our neighborhoods.
The project will collect food and funds that support food pantries, free meal programs, school backpack programs across Hancock County.
Organizers say more than one in ten Maine households go without nutritious foods and in the region, food insecurity among children is even higher.
Follow the link below to stay up to date on the drive and how you can make a difference.
https://healthyacadia.org/hffa-hcfd
Easter Egg Hunt at Knowlton Park
Before you know it the Easter bunny will be hopping around Ellsworth!
On Saturday, April 4, join the Easter Bunny and your neighbors for an easter egg hunt.
There will be over 1,000 eggs filled with candy and there will be a special egg unlocking the prize to a brand new bike!
The hunt starts at 1 p.m. so if you have any questions just follow the link below.
https://www.ellsworthmaine.gov/it-will-be-the-best-easter-egg-hunt/
