Local News 2-25-26
MDI School Reorganization
(Bar Harbor) – The future of the school system serving towns on Mt. Desert Island, three offshore islands and Trenton will go before voters in a few months. Towns are being asked to vote at the statewide primary election on June 9th on whether to turn AOS 91 into a Regional School Unit. The Bar Harbor Story reports holding votes at annual town meetings is problematic because the dates for the town meetings vary from March to June in the 8-towns involved. Trenton agreed last week to hold the vote on June 9th.
Northport Vote
(Northport) – Northport voters have already approved a $3-and-a-half million dollar bond to build a new town office, and some of that money may go to purchase additional land next to the current facility. The Midcoast Villager reports the property recently came up for sale, and voters will decide on Monday whether to approve spending $325-thousand dollars for the purchase. The special town meeting starts at 6PM at the Drinkwater School.
Glass Recycling – Ellsworth
(Ellsworth) – Ellsworth residents have gone years without recycling glass jars. That changed yesterday as the city started accepting glass for recycling at the transfer station. City officials tell Star 97.7 the goal is to reduce the tonnage of trash going to the landfill in Old Town. Transfer Station Manager David Soper asks people who want to recycle jars to wash them and remove the lids and labels. They can’t take windows, candle jars with was, mirrors, pyrex, light bulbs or ceramics.
Nearing House – Historic
(Brooksville) – A complex of buildings in Brooksville that became synonymous the back to the land movement of the 1970s has ended up on the National Register of Historic Places. The Good Life Center was established by Scott and Helen Nearing. The 4-point-7 acre property also known as Forest Farm has a stone house and garage, a greenhouse, three wooden yurts and an outhouse. It’s open from June 19th to mid-October. The Nearings authored their book Living the Good Life and re-released it in 1970. Thousands visit the complex annually.
Pushaw Oil Spill
(Glenburn) – Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection has cleaned up a small oil spill on Pushaw Lake. The fire department in Glenburn reports it happened near Lakeside Landing. Fire Chief Jordan McLaughlin told WABI-TV a vehicle on the lake recently had a mechanical failure which resulted in an oil leak. The warm weather caused the oil to spread out, making it look larger than it really was. The DEP was able to safely clean it up.
Carrying Place Bridge
(Hancock) – Maine’s Department of Transportation plans to replace a nearly 100-year old bridge on Route 1 in Hancock beginning in the summer of 2027. The Ellsworth American reports the Carrying Place Bridge will double in length and be made of a fiber-reinforced polymer with a concrete deck. During construction a temporary 2-lane bridge will carry traffic on Route 1. The project may also improve the intersection with old Route 1.
Pies on parade
Mark your calendars in the Mid-coast. Pies on Parade happens next month. The weekend-long event benefits AIO Food Energy and Assistance. Over the “Pi Day” weekend March 14-15, hundreds of people will have the opportunity to visit about 45 participating “Pie Stops” from Thomaston to Camden to sample delicious pies. Tickets are $25 for one-day or $45 for the whole weekend.
Discovery Museum
Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor was among 10 institutions around the country to receive this year’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Museum says it is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. This is the first time a Maine museum has received the award. For Executive Director, Kate Dickerson, the honor carries special weight as MDM celebrates its 25th anniversary.
