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There was good news in Machias this week as Machias Wild Blueberry Festival Director Ellen Farnsworth accepted the inaugural “Make Here Better” award, presented in memory of former Town Manager Bill Kitchen.

Kitchen, who also served as a selectman, was more than the town’s manager. He was the town’s cheerleader.

When Kitchen died unexpectedly in 2024, former Machias Select Board Chairman Jake Patryn told The Quoddy Tides, “Bill Kitchen was a driving force behind so much of what makes Machias the community it is today.”

Before his death, Kitchen had pitched the idea of an annual award to recognize the good in Machias, including, as the award is engraved: “Making Machias a better place to live, a better place to visit, and a better place to play.”

For 50 years, the blueberry festival has done that.

This week, we also have a story out of Lubec, where Carol Dennison’s eligibility to serve on the Board of Selectmen is being challenged. Dennison, who is chair of the board, owns a home in Lubec and is registered to vote there, and has consulted a lawyer who she said supports her eligibility to serve.

A former selectman and several residents disagree. The issue is expected to be discussed again after town officials meet with legal counsel.

In Eastport, the Planning Board has recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance to permanently ban large-scale data centers. We have the details.

Finally, Washington County Manager Renée Gray was back at work Friday, just days after county commissioners unanimously voted to rescind her termination.

Enjoy the weekend, and please share this newsletter with family members and friends. They can sign up on our website to have it delivered to their inbox each Saturday. 

Thank you for reading.

Judy

Washington County Commission rescinds termination of County Manager Renée Gray: The unanimous vote follows a court order blocking the firing, and Gray is expected to return to work immediately as the lawsuit proceeds. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Eastport Planning Board recommends city adopt ordinance to permanently ban data centers: Council to weigh the proposal as federal regulators review DeepGreen’s subsea AI project and residents raise concerns about grid stability and the environment. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Washington County Commission sends 40 percent spending increase to Budget Advisory Committee for review: Chairman urged commissioners to make reductions before forwarding department requests, but was outvoted by the other two members. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Select Board presents inaugural ‘Make Here Better’ award to Machias Wild Blueberry Festival: The honor, created in memory of former Town Manager Bill Kitchen, recognizes the festival’s 50 years of contributing to the community. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Former selectman challenges Lubec board chair’s residency: Residents raised concerns at Wednesday’s meeting about damaged gravestones, town workers on school property and other municipal issues. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Calais City Council approves school, municipal budgets amid steep cost increases: County tax pressures push the municipal budget up nearly 30 percent, while the school budget rises 4.8 percent after cuts. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Maine waited years for a Lyme vaccine. RFK hobbled the panel needed for a smooth rollout: “All the rules are out the window,” said a physician who once served on the committee that gave guidance on new vaccines. “I don’t know how this plays out.” Read this story by Kate Kaufman

Maine universities hope to boost college aspirations with new course credits for high schoolers: The University of Maine System will accept credentials earned through the Jobs for Maine Graduates program. Read this story by Kristian Moravec

Consumer advocates argue against Central Maine Power’s requested returns in ongoing rate case: The scrutiny over Central Maine Power’s request is part of a growing movement to lower investor-owned utilities’ return on equity. Read this story by Delger Erdenesanaa

Living shorelines in Maine show mixed success: Efforts to combat erosion with natural materials at Popham Beach and Sebago Lake, among other places, show how landowners must factor continued upkeep into the projects’ costs. Read this story by Abi Brissett

The people behind 1 jail’s new approach to addiction treatment: Officials involved in the Franklin County Detention Center’s addiction treatment program sat down with health care reporter Emily Bader at the latest in a series of Monitor Talks. Read this story and watch the discussion

This Maine town shows how Flock camera opposition has gone national: Fryeburg’s police chief says his phone and email have not stopped buzzing this week over a plan involving Flock cameras. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

The following stories are from other newsrooms. While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind a paywall, some newsrooms we link to below may. Paywalled stories are followed by a ($). We encourage you to consider supporting local Maine newsrooms.

Attendees of a hearing organized by the state’s data center advisory council pushed for a moratorium | Maine Public

Field day observer team finds shorebirds declining in Lubec | Quoddy Tides

A hearing at the statehouse focused on the closure of labor and delivery units. The state has lost 12 in the past 12 years | WGME

Reasons for county's financial crisis are still being debated | Quoddy Tides

As ICE enforcement continues across the state, data from DHS indicates that 98 percent of those arrested had no criminal conviction | Public News Service

Eastport's only grocery store slated to close | Quoddy Tides

The collapse of trade talks with Canada and ensuing tariffs will likely impact Maine | Maine Public

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument marks 10 years | Public News Service | Public News Service

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can reach Monitor Local editor Judith Meyer directly via email:  judy@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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