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Good morning from the shores of Gouldsboro Bay, where it really is beginning to look like spring, despite a few snow falls that, thankfully, have melted within 24 hours. 

A few updates from the week: First, sad news from Gouldsboro, where Dana Rice Sr., a longtime selectman, harbormaster, and fisheries dealer passed away. One of his favorite sayings was: “Traditions make wonderful rudders, but poor anchors.” He will be missed.

The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is “cautiously concerned” about whether Acadia National Park will have enough staff to deal with this summer’s visitors, who numbered nearly four million last year. A new invasive fish called the Northern Pike has entered the St. John River, where there is already a competing voracious fish, known as the muskie. 

Mount Desert Island Hospital is not budging on closing its labor and delivery unit. And a bill has been submitted to reintroduce hunting on Mount Desert Island, where it has been outlawed since 1905.

Plus, the latest on Kingfish in Jonesport in my story below.

With court ruling, aquaculture farm set to move ahead in Jonesport

Opponents argue the fish farm’s wastewater would pollute Chandler Bay, and tried to appeal a permit. The court denied their request.

Read this story by Jacqueline Weaver of The Maine Monitor.

While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. 

ICYMI: A cadre of Hancock County officials and residents testified recently in support of a bill they say is their last hope to save a pair of dams that local communities rely on for waterfront property values and recreation. | The Maine Monitor

The imposition of new tariffs, paired with strained relations between the U.S. and Canada, are causing a slowdown for Calais businesses, some of which have seen their international sales decline by more than half. | Quoddy Tides

Deer hunting on Mount Desert Island has been banned since 1905, but a state legislator has submitted a bill to once again legalize hunting on MDI. | Mount Desert Islander

A $300 million data center project planned for the former Great Northern Paper Co. mill in Millinocket has been canceled. | Bangor Daily News

ICYMI: Maine doesn’t have a statewide system to track rape kits. Lawmakers are considering a bill to change that. | The Maine Monitor

Blue Hill’s planning board has denied a developer’s application to subdivide a blueberry barren into nine lots for high-end homes. | Bangor Daily News

The Maine and New Brunswick lobster industries are facing potential financial losses as a result of an escalating global trade war and declining consumer confidence. | Quoddy Tides

Deer Isle is looking at building a new fire station. The preliminary cost estimate is $6.9 million. | Ellsworth American

The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is concerned about staff reductions at Acadia National Park due to federal cuts. | Mount Desert Islander

Mount Desert Island Hospital is standing firm on its decision to close its labor and delivery unit, despite a public outcry. | Mount Desert Islander

More than 30 people offered testimony in support of legislation to extend the Down East Sunrise Trail from Pembroke into Calais. | Quoddy Tides

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is holding two graduations this year to accommodate 1,000 graduates, more than double last year’s graduating class. | Mainebiz

Proposed legislation to allow ATVs to be driven on public roads received strong pushback from state government officials and other residents during a recent hearing. | Quoddy Tides

A voracious invasive fish is moving down from Canada into the St. John River. | Bangor Daily News

State suspends Hancock County probate judge from practicing law | Bangor Daily News

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. If you have feedback or a tip that you want to send to Jacqueline Weaver
directly, email her at: jacqueline@themainemonitor.org. 

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

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