View in browser   |   Forward

Greetings from Downeast where bushels of nearly ripe tomatoes were snatched from gardens and scurried to warmer quarters ahead of the region’s first frost. It’s been a rough year for growers, big and small. Plants got off to a soggy start this spring and were parched all summer because of the ongoing drought. 

Farmers can’t seem to catch a break. According to news reports, our federal government shutdown could make it tough for farmers to seek relief from federal aid programs.

The cold chill of division is in the air locally too. 

You could get whiplash reading comments on social media over Washington County’s $11 million bond referendum on the November 4 ballot. Everyone from lawmakers to lobster fishers are lobbying yay or nay. There’s plenty to learn about the issue to help make up your mind. You can read about the latest machinations below in Dan O’Connor’s fine reports for The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News.

Speaking of figurative — and literal divisions — the Machias dike never fails to stir the waters on both sides of the argument. Business owners, clammers, conservationists and a host of other folks are revving up, once again, over the best replacement plan for the century-old crossing that straddles the Machias and Middle rivers. 

You can voice your opinion and hear more about what’s being done to, well, bridge the gap at the public meeting next month. My apologies for the note in last week’s newsletter that mistakenly omitted the date for the meeting. The Upper Machias Bay Master Plan public meeting will be held Monday, November 3, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias. 

WASHINGTON COUNTY BUDGET COVERAGE

Washington County officials sent details of its ongoing budget crisis to prosecutors while attempting to persuade voters to support an $11 million bond issue in November. | The Maine Monitor & Bangor Daily News

Washington County commissioners are behind a proposed $8 million bailout from the Maine Legislature that is one of a trio of bills aimed at helping Down East officials dig out of its ongoing budget crisis. | The Maine Monitor & BDN

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

The Sullivan-based Regional School Unit 24 is at least the sixth Maine school district to buck the state’s protections for transgender students. | The Maine Monitor & BDN

Maine utility regulators have sided with the Passamaquoddy Tribe in a dispute with its local utility to install solar panels and battery storage across more than 200 homes in Indian Township. | Bangor Daily News

Gov. Mills will challenge Sen. Collins in key 2026 Senate contest, AP sources say. | Associated Press

Sen. Bernie Sanders is warning Gov. Mills to keep out of the state’s midterm Senate race, while backing Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and veteran. | NOTUS & The Maine Monitor

New survey results indicate that most lobstermen are concerned more about economics and whale regulations than the lobster fishery itself. | Maine Public

Here’s what you need to know about Maine’s two ballot questions this November. | The Maine Monitor

Maine is reducing the amount that struggling households can receive each year for emergency heating fuel assistance. | Maine Public

The unusual weather cycle of the past year — which saw ample early rain in the spring followed by drought and high heat in the summer — has had a disastrous effect on the wild blueberry crops across Washington County. | Quoddy Tides

Maine is grappling with such a shortage of dentists that some doctors are adapting to treat early tooth decay themselves. | The Maine Monitor

State lawmakers urge the Trump administration to restore signs in Acadia National Park. | Mount Desert Islander

Farmers may find it difficult to access federal aid programs due to the government shutdown as Maine endures its worst drought in more than 20 years. | Maine Public

The ongoing severe drought keeps the risk of wildfires high, putting added pressure on fire departments already struggling with limited resources. | News Center Maine

The LifeFlight helicopter had its first helipad landing this week at its new, permanent home in Bar Harbor. | Mount Desert Islander

Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap announced Monday that he will challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden’s renomination. | NOTUS

Maine education officials going ‘back to basics’ on reading and math following ‘concerning declines’ in test scores on a national assessment. | Portland Press Herald

Maine is suing a protester for allegedly disrupting services at Planned Parenthood. He’s part of a small group pushing to criminalize abortion. | The Maine Monitor

A charge against a local state representative accused of attempting to exert influence at the Blue Hill polls has been dismissed. | Ellsworth American

Limited financing sets back an ambitious Ellsworth housing project. | Bangor Daily News

The Southwest Harbor Planning Board is split over a citizens’ petition to change the town’s land use ordinance meant to protect people from possible toxic soil. | Bar Harbor Story

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.

Manage preferences | Update email address