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Residents of Jonesport and Eastport have had a busy first part of the year as they debate the pros and cons of proposed large-scale commercial projects in their respective communities.

In Jonesport Wednesday, voters overwhelmingly approved special ordinance variances for Kingfish Maine, giving the Netherlands-based company more time to start construction on its proposed $100 million land-based aquaculture project. 

Residents in Eastport, meanwhile, gathered for two public hearings on citizen-initiated ordinances that could, if passed, halt early preparations for an underwater artificial intelligence data center in the Bay of Fundy’s Western Passage.

Our stories this week explain the projects and how voters weighed in.

We also have a story about budget concerns at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the county jail, along with a story about what’s driving overtime costs for law enforcement.

All of the stories published by Monitor Local are written by community reporters, and we’re interested in training more people to cover local civic news in their hometowns.

We are ready to start a new training session, in partnership with Journalism New England,  in September. For more information about the program and application process, click here. The deadline to apply for our next Career Lab is Aug. 21.

If you’re interested in freelance work but are interested in this training opportunity, please reach out to me at judy@themainemonitor.org. I’d love to hear from you.

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 own inbox each Saturday. 

Jonesport voters overwhelmingly approve ordinances extending construction window for Kingfish Maine: The land-based aquaculture project secured local backing for a 30-month timeline, but final approval rests with state environmental regulators and an upcoming permit review. Read this story by Jessica Brockington

Eastport residents fill hearings to oppose DeepGreen’s underwater AI data‑center plan: Residents, Tribal leaders and regional advocates pressed for passage of citizen‑initiated ordinances aimed at stopping the Western Passage project. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Overtime and repair costs are pushing Washington County departments over budget: In their first look at the 2027 budget, commissioners reviewed requests that could drive spending up by more than $1.8 million over the current year. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Three years after the state police left, sheriff’s deputies in Washington County are still stretched thin: With just four deputies covering the region’s 3,258 square miles, staffing shortages and surging communication demands continue to strain resources and taxpayers. Read this story by Makayla Morello

Machias Select Board raises transfer station bag fees, approves resident sticker system: The board approved a new windshield decal system to streamline residency checks at the facility. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Machias Planning Board gives OK for North Street golf simulator construction: New permits for two airport hangars signal continued expansion at the town‑owned Machias Valley Airport. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Machiasport wins decades-long fight over a gravel road: “It’s been a whole thing in town,” Clerk Marcia Hayward said. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Iberdrola must open its books as CMP seeks greater profits in ongoing rate case, Maine utility regulator says: A group representing customers is seeking to understand why Central Maine Power is requesting higher returns than its parent company Iberdrola has previously said is necessary for its U.S. holdings. Read this story by Delger Erdenesanaa

Prediction market users wager millions on Maine elections: There is more money wagered on the financial trading platform Kalshi for Maine’s Senate contest than in that of any other state besides Texas. Read this story by Kate Kaufman

Maine man who watched immigration agents puts U.S. government in crosshairs of lawsuit: This is the first lawsuit filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act against the United States for the actions of immigration agents during “Operation Catch of the Day” in January. Read this story by Kristian Moravec

‘Massive Easter egg hunt’ yields new record of puffin burrows on Eastern Egg Rock: Researchers with the Audubon Seabird Institute counted 200 active puffin burrows on the island, up from 188 in 2019. They also spotted a razorbill chick. Read this story by Derrick Z. Jackson

Washington County municipal elections and annual town meetings, August 11-12: Lubec

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.

The state has announced the suspension of Medicaid payments to five providers for alleged fraud, as the federal government focuses on Maine | Maine Public

More than 25 communities in Maine are working to control mobile home park rental rates | Spectrum News Maine

Roughly 13,000 Mainers have stopped using SNAP, following a federal tightening of eligibility requirements | WABI

After a dry July, roughly 20 percent of the state is now in a moderate drought | WMTW

The state’s community college system will benefit from a $5 million federal grant to expand manufacturing training opportunities | Sun Journal ($)

Absentee ballots can now be requested for the Nov. 3 election | Daily Bulldog

In far northern Maine, there's a new push to preserve Acadian French before it fades away | Maine Public

The number of Mainers facing hunger continues to rise; Washington County has the highest food insecurity rate of any county in New England | Portland Press Herald ($)

Maine blueberry farmers hopeful for 2026 after ‘devastating’ losses last year | Bangor Daily News ($)

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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