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Greetings from Downeast, where cooler days are creeping in and crimson fields are emerging where wild blueberries once grew. 

Unfortunately, due to this year’s severely dry conditions, the harvest is expected to be lower than usual — possibly much lower. Maine’s Wild Blueberry Commission says that it's too soon for a final tally, but the last time Maine experienced a significant drought, the harvest dropped by 45 percent.

Meanwhile, other numbers continue to rise. Revaluations and rising costs are blowing up municipal and school budgets. In Lubec, the total projected hike is nearly 10 percent over the current budget. Part of that increase is due to the ballooning Washington County budget. Commissioners say an $11 million bond is needed to pay the county’s bills. 

Machias Town Manager Sarah Craighead Dedmon was among those who attended a public hearing last week last week to learn more about the county’s fiscal troubles. One Washington County commissioner said the county is barely staying afloat. Residents will vote on the bond in November.

The Machias Water Company wants more money too — 27 percent more. Dedmon sent a letter to the Maine Public Utilities Commission on behalf of the town select board protesting the dramatic rate hike. The Commission will have the final say.

But it’s not all gloom and doom. Folks are still flocking to summer events and festivals like the Salmon & Seafood Festival is going on in Eastport today and tomorrow.

Our guide to researching nursing homes and assisted living facilities

Transitioning an older loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility is difficult, especially when you’re trying to figure out whether a facility will be safe and meet their needs.

Read this story by Rose Lundy of The Maine Monitor

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

Princeton man allegedly faked his death after learning he was being investigated for VA fraud. | Bangor Daily News

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court upholds workforce housing project in Northeast Harbor. | Mount Desert Islander

Despite recent showers, fire risk for Mount Desert Island remains high. | Mount Desert Islander

Maine authorities have restricted outdoor burning permits during much of August as the state grapples with a mix of summer heat, a weekslong drought and high wildfire danger. | Portland Press Herald

Dick Wolf, the creator and producer of the hit series “Law & Order,” has donated $10 million to Mount Desert Island Hospital. | Bangor Daily News

Eric Venturini, executive director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, said while it's too soon to offer an estimate, this year's harvest will likely be smaller compared to recent years. | Maine Public

Concerns about environmental safety prompted a citizen-led petition that forced a proposed amendment to Southwest Harbor's current land use ordinance to be brought before voters in November. | Mount Desert Islander

Northern Light Health agreed to take part in mediation with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as a “last-ditch effort” to resolve the contract stalemate between the two parties. | Ellsworth American

During a special town meeting, Blue Hill voted to purchase the former George Stevens Academy dormitory and the 16.9 acres of land it sits on. | Ellsworth American

Faith leaders are working to set up protocols for interacting with federal agents and ensuring immigrants know their rights, as well as helping to launch an ICE Watch initiative. | The Maine Monitor

Local fisherman Jordan Piper made quite the discovery when he noticed a large shark’s tooth sticking out of one of his buoys off Little Stave Island near Sorrento. Ellsworth American

The Maine Community College System's early enrollment is up for the third straight year, roughly 3% from last year. But Washington County Community College was one of three that saw a decline. | Maine Public

Responding to Maine's high rate of child food insecurity, summer meal programs in Calais and other municipalities are helping meet demand. | Maine Public

As more Maine public school districts prepare to take over services for three- to five-year-olds with disabilities, a pilot program shows positive results and steep challenges ahead. | The Maine Monitor

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 Joyce Kryszak directly, email her at: joyce@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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