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On Wednesday, residents in Machias will have an opportunity to weigh in on options to permanently fix the Machias Dike Bridge, a project that has been under discussion for 17 years. Our story this week explores the history of the project and possible solutions, along with information about how and when the public can comment.

We also have an update on progress the Washington County Budget Advisory Committee is making on the 2027 budget, and a report with details on the wrongful termination settlement agreement between Washington County and its top administrator.

In Lubec, where there have been frequent discussions about speeding enforcement and pedestrian safety over the years, that discussion is back on the table after two dogs were killed in separate accidents last month. We talked to the pet owners this week about what they’d like to see happen.

And, as we near the start of early voting on Oct. 5, if you haven’t seen our voter guide, please take a look. You can drop in your home address and find out who will be on your ballot, along with information about each of those candidates. 

Have a great 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

MaineDOT asks residents to weigh in as Machias Dike Bridge enters federal review: A Sept. 30 hearing and an online meeting running Sept. 23 to Oct. 31 are expected to gather local input on long‑debated fixes. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Dog deaths spotlight Lubec’s ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety and speed limit enforcement: A stop sign once stood at Main and Washington, but a local resident removed it and it was never replaced. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Washington County’s budget committee leans on public safety department head requests: The Budget Advisory Committee reviewed draft budget requests from the Regional Communications Center and Sheriff’s Office this week without taking any action. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Renée Gray settles wrongful termination lawsuit against Washington County for $2,500: The county must also pay $7,000 in legal fees and accept new limits on how the county manager can be suspended or fired. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Machias to begin enforcing new transfer station sticker rule Jan. 1: Select Board approves new fuel and sand contracts and schedules a hearing on proposed general assistance changes. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Hospital spending on contract staff almost back to a pre-pandemic normal: At the height of the pandemic, hospitals in Maine spent $560 million on contract staffing. This year, that number dropped to $214 million. Read this story by John Forbes

Her Alzheimer’s diagnosis took 2 years. New blood tests might help others get answers sooner: Not all insurance companies cover the tests, which help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. But some do, and more may in the future. Read this story by Rose Lundy

Maine ethics staff want to require candidates for governor to file personal financial statements: The proposed change follows reporting by The Maine Monitor this summer that highlighted an inconsistency in the state’s financial disclosure requirements. Read this story by Matt Junker

Here’s how ranked-choice voting will work in Maine’s 2026 election: Ranked-choice voting will be used in the contests for U.S. Senate and the 2nd Congressional District, but not in the governor’s race. Read this story by Matt Junker

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.

Ocean advocates fight 'bluewashing' of industrial aquaculture | Public News Service

State analysts says that Maine hospitals have some of the highest prices in the country | Maine Public

Eastport to amend bow ordinance after complaints about hunters | Quoddy Tides

Conservationists rally support for America's roadless public lands | Public News Service

The average cost of heating oil in the state is now at a record high $6.02 per gallon | WMTW

Tragedy sparks action to install boat ramp gate | Quoddy Tides

The state’s minimum wage will increase by 60 cents next year | Maine Public

Maine sues Trump administration for canceling offshore wind leases | WGME

Concerns over propane dealers not retrieving rented tanks promptly has sparked some calls for new state requirements | WGME

Customs supervisor in Calais charged with theft of computer parts | Quoddy Tides

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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