Mount Desert Will Likely Weigh Using Debt Service Reserve to Cushion Tax Impact of School and Municipal Bonds
Planning board approves on Hall Quarry Road Carrie Jones Dec 20, 2025 MOUNT DESERT—Facing approximately $775,000 in annual debt payments tied to school renovations and municipal borrowing, Mount Desert officials are weighing whether now might be the moment to tap a long-set-aside reserve fund. It’s an effort the town manager says that could soften future tax increases even as rising costs ripple through budgets across … Continue reading Mount Desert Will Likely Weigh Using Debt Service Reserve to Cushion Tax Impact of School and Municipal Bonds
Acadia National Park and the Case of the Missing Ivory Gull
BAR HARBOR—For forty years a stuffed gull that had been the possession of Acadia National Park was missing. People looked. People sleuthed. People tried to imagine where the gull might have been, but the gull could not be found. This month the Ivory Gull was located. She’d been hiding out in a Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife collection. “A quick drive to Augusta … Continue reading Acadia National Park and the Case of the Missing Ivory Gull
Tourism Task Force Reviews Survey Results, Hears Call for Year-Round Economy
Carrie Jones Dec 18, 2025 BAR HARBOR—Moving from a chair in the back of the council chambers, Stewart Brecher took a seat at the workshop table, December 10, telling the members of the town’s sustainable tourism task force that he’d been a resident of Bar Harbor for approximately half his life. Politely, he explained to the members that he didn’t think that the town was … Continue reading Tourism Task Force Reviews Survey Results, Hears Call for Year-Round Economy
Legal Battle Over Bar Harbor Cruise Limits Continues With New Court Filings
Opponents Say Bar Harbor Cruise Cap Hurts Bar Harbor Businesses, Other Towns, and Commerce Carrie Jones Dec 18, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Choco-Latté Café. BAR HARBOR—Both the Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods (APPLL), and the Penobscot Bay and River Pilots Association have filed briefs this week in a long-lasting court case against the town’s rules that limit cruise ship … Continue reading Legal Battle Over Bar Harbor Cruise Limits Continues With New Court Filings
Southwest Harbor Board Accepts Soil Testing Description for Subdivision Near Landfill
Southwest Harbor’s Former Harbormaster Will Be Its New CEO Carrie Jones Dec 17, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops. SOUTHWEST HARBOR—The Southwest Harbor Planning Board approved the written description of the soil tests for the Trundy Farm Subdivision required for its approval. “I’m very fine with it,” Priscilla Ksionzyk said. The board had originally asked for a soil test for the … Continue reading Southwest Harbor Board Accepts Soil Testing Description for Subdivision Near Landfill
Solicitors Causing Police Complaints and Social Media Commentary.
Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Shaun Farrar Dec 17, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund. MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—The police in many area towns have taken complaints from residents about people going from door-to-door asking for power bills and representing an energy company. Some area … Continue reading Solicitors Causing Police Complaints and Social Media Commentary.
Bar Harbor’s Moratorium Extension Moves to Public Hearing on December 29
Why Bar Harbor Is Still Pausing Lodging Development—and What Comes Next Carrie Jones Dec 17, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Psychiatry. BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Town Council unanimously moved to schedule a public hearing on the potential extension of the town’s moratorium on building or renovating any lodging. The public hearing is scheduled for December 29, which Council Chair Val Peacock … Continue reading Bar Harbor’s Moratorium Extension Moves to Public Hearing on December 29
US News Names Bar Harbor Best Small Town to Visit in the United States
Carrie Jones Dec 16, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden. BAR HARBOR—Bar Harbor was named the top spot on the Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA rankings by U.S. News & World Report. “Bar Harbor’s blend of natural beauty and local charms caused the area to rise to the top of the list,” Elizabeth Von Tersch, senior travel editor … Continue reading US News Names Bar Harbor Best Small Town to Visit in the United States
With Glen Mary Closed, Bar Harbor Looks to Temporary Ice Rink for Winter Fun at the Town’s Athletic Fields
Bar Harbor Council Likely to Decide on Temporary Ice Rink Tonight Carrie Jones and Shaun Farrar Dec 16, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware. TOWN HILL—The first town step for a temporary ice skating rink on Bar Harbor’s ball fields happened Monday when the Bar Harbor Parks and Recreation Committee recommended the rink’s approval to the town council. Tonight, Tuesday, the town … Continue reading With Glen Mary Closed, Bar Harbor Looks to Temporary Ice Rink for Winter Fun at the Town’s Athletic Fields
Asticou Hotel Consent Agreement Extended by Mount Desert Officials
Carrie Jones Dec 16, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Wealth Management. MOUNT DESERT—After leaving executive session, the Mount Desert select board unanimously agreed to continue its consent agreement with the Asticou Hotel, and thanked the town’s code enforcement officer, Kim Keene, for her work. The Asticou is owned by Tim Harrington who owns three hotels on MDI and one of … Continue reading Asticou Hotel Consent Agreement Extended by Mount Desert Officials