Many state and federal government offices were closed last Wednesday to mark a National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush. Flags were at half-staff and Governor LePage ordered that both the Stars and Stripes and the State of Maine flag are to be flown at half-staff for 30 days. The former president’s casket …
The Maine State Ferry Service is back in the spotlight after a recent public hearing on the flat rate structure implemented last summer and a new proposal for fee surcharges. Residents of the island community hardest hit by the new rate structure, Islesboro, filed a lawsuit seeking a stay on implementation of the new rates. …
All four Mount Desert Island towns have now held their annual community holiday celebrations with music, food, crafts and at least one chance for youngsters to spend a few minutes with Santa Claus. And this past weekend saw two different holiday “bazaar” events geared toward helping children choose gifts for family members. Little faces are …
During the recent county elections, more than 26,500 voters made an election choice for the district attorney position that oversees our criminal justice system for the county. Unfortunately, only 882 voters made a selection for the county treasurer’s role, a position that oversees a $20-million county budget. Through no fault of his own, Michael Boucher’s …
The National Park Service recently released visitation numbers for Acadia National Park, as it does every month. The park had record numbers of visitors in 2015, 2016 and 2017. These numbers carry enormous political weight. Officials in Bar Harbor often say the town and region are fortunate to have “an economic engine that’s revved right …
Doing your Christmas shopping in town has always been a good idea. The proliferation of year-round shops on MDI and the myriad of craft fairs and related events make it especially convenient this season. Keeping more of your money in your local economy, as distinct from spending it with an online retailer or national chain, …
Southwest Harbor recently became the first Mount Desert Island town to limit the use of single-use plastic bags and polystyrene food containers. Others seem likely to follow suit. Some businesses have already switched their bag and to-go food supplies. And many consumers have been using reusable bags, coffee cups and other items for years. But …
World governments recently paused to observe the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. That conflict was dubbed “the war to end all wars,” but ghastly years of stalemate, trenches, barbed wire and poison gas demonstrated that it was the war that could not even end itself. While the “end all wars” claim …
Sunshine sparkling on the fresh snow and ice last weekend gave many Mount Desert Island residents a chance to catch our breath and reflect on the privilege of calling this majestic place home. While we welcome many more wintertime tourists here than we used to, the turn of the season still signals a turning inward …
Maine voters moved the state left last week, electing Democratic majorities in the state House of Representatives and Senate and a Democrat to the Blaine House in a significant political shift. Mainers also elected their first female governor ever in Janet Mills. Plus, 39 percent of the incoming 186-seat Legislature will be female — an …
