Gov. Mills signs supplemental budget into law
Gov. Janet Mills officially signed the state’s supplemental budget into law on Friday at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.
Last week, the legislature passed the nearly $500 million budget along party lines.
WABI news reports legislative Republicans heavily opposed the budget saying it has left voices unheard.
The budget includes funding for reproductive health care, victims services and a cell phone ban in state schools.
https://www.wabi.tv/2026/04/10/gov-mills-officially-signs-supplemental-budget-law/
School budget and fire truck purchase approved in Ellsworth special meeting
The Ellsworth city council had a lot to discuss during a special meeting Thursday night regarding the 2027 fiscal year school budget along with the purchase of a new fire truck.
Along with that the council approved local funding allocations and the completion of all action on the school budget resolution list.
The Ellsworth American reports the total school budget is $34.6 million.
The publication reports the council has voted to also allow the Ellsworth fire chief to move forward in a purchase agreement for a new fire truck.
Healthy Acadia launches ‘Health and Hope Campaign’
In celebration of 25 years of service, Healthy Acadia has launched a new campaign to support programs, improve food access and community health services and so much more.
The ‘Health and Hope Campaign’ is officially underway with a $1.5 million goal by December 3.
On top of that, you can see what Healthy Acadia is all about through multiple programs being held throughout the year like the Art for Health and Hope community project, the Auction for Health and Hope and an opportunity to be a part of what’s next.
https://healthyacadia.org/ce-health-and-hope-campaign
City of Ellsworth seeking feedback on potential dog park
The City of Ellsworth wants to hear from you about a potential community dog park.
City leaders plan to discuss the matter during a public workshop at the Moore Community Center on April 30.
They want you to show up with ideas and be a part of guiding the planning process.
In the meantime, follow the link below to scan a QR code and submit a survey.
https://www.ellsworthmaine.gov/how-do-you-feel-about-a-community-dog-park-let-us-know/
Blue Hill Public Library to host teacher panel discussion
In light of Student Art Month, the Blue Hill Public Library will host a panel discussion with local art teachers on Tuesday, April 14.
Starting at 7 p.m. leaders say this discussion will open up the mind for educators and students as they share methods of what it takes to create successful student art.
It’s free and open to all.
https://bhpl.libcal.com/event/15954269
April events at Versant Power Astronomy Center
With the historical events we’ve seen above and beyond as the crew for Artemis II completed a record-breaking journey around the moon, leaders at the Versant Power Astronomy Center in Orono invite you to learn a little more about the stars.
There’s a great lineup of events for the remainder of the month such as their Messengers of Time and Space show on Friday April 17 and 24 at 7 p.m.
You can also enjoy their music show this month which is Rush: Moving Pictures in a Planetarium or their shows for K-12 Break like 3-2-1 Liftoff, Moonbase: The Next Step or Earth, Moon and Sun.
The director, Shawn Laatsch tells us why it’s so important to take a minute and learn about what is above us.
“You know the last time we were at the moon was between 1969 and 1972, so well over 50 years and so this is sort of a big step to head that way and we’ll have to see what happens with it,” said Laatsch.
“There’s talk of long-term colonization of the moon and things like that. There’s definitely some really great astronomy research that could be done there as well particularly in radio astronomy. Putting it on the far side of the moon which will shield it from a lot of radio noise here on earth which might be a really good opportunity.”
