Why Maine Lawmakers Want to Rename a Stretch of Route 3 for Deputy Luke Gross.
Public Testimony Backs Memorial Highway for Fallen Hancock County Deputy. Carrie Jones Jan 09, 2026 TRENTON—Back in September 2021, Hancock County Deputy Luke Gross was killed at work while responding to a one-car crash in Trenton. Yesterday, members of the public told the Legislative Committee on Transportation that they’d like to name a portion of Route 3 in Trenton after Deputy Gross, who was 44 … Continue reading Why Maine Lawmakers Want to Rename a Stretch of Route 3 for Deputy Luke Gross.
A Carefully Crafted Yes: Southwest Harbor Approves School Resource Officer
Carrie Jones Jan 09, 2026 SOUTHWEST HARBOR—After months of debate and revisions, the Southwest Harbor School Committee voted, January 8, to approve having a school resource officer in the school, leaving Tremont as the only Mount Desert Island school currently without a school resource officer. Southwest Harbor committee members emphasized that the decision hinged on the specific qualifications of the officer and the revised and … Continue reading A Carefully Crafted Yes: Southwest Harbor Approves School Resource Officer
As Bar Harbor Prepares for a New School, a Calendar Full of Trade-Offs Continues to Be Refined
Plans for student safety as they head to and leave school continuing Carrie Jones Jan 08, 2026 BAR HARBOR—At its meeting, Monday, January 5, the Bar Harbor School Committee continued to try to hash out a draft calendar for the upcoming school year, which was only distributed to the committee members during the meeting and passed back to Principal Dr. Heather Weir Webster. Making next … Continue reading As Bar Harbor Prepares for a New School, a Calendar Full of Trade-Offs Continues to Be Refined
Southwest Harbor Select Board Confronts Budget Pressures and Talks Capital Projects
Harbor Committee Members Split on the Value of Zoom Meetings Carrie Jones Jan 08, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Havana. SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Finances were at the forefront of the Southwest Harbor Select Board business during its January 6 meeting. First, Town Manager Karen Reddersen gave a quick review of the draft budget for the town’s next fiscal year. The board will also meet … Continue reading Southwest Harbor Select Board Confronts Budget Pressures and Talks Capital Projects
After 13 Seasons, CherrySTONES’ Building Passes to New Owner.
Local hospitality owner expands downtown Bar Harbor holdings with multi-million dollar purchase of three downtown properties. Carrie Jones Jan 07, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission. BAR HARBOR—CherrySTONES Restaurant, long anchored at the corner of Main and Mount Desert streets in downtown Bar Harbor, and two other nearby buildings have been sold to local businessman Stephen Coston, owner of Stay … Continue reading After 13 Seasons, CherrySTONES’ Building Passes to New Owner.
Mount Desert Board Selects New Finance Director, Talks Budget
Carrie Jones Jan 07, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Psychiatry. MOUNT DESERT—The Mount Desert Selectboard appointed Nancy Parsons as the town’s new finance director, January 5. “Nancy’s going to come to us with a wealth of experience,” Town Manager Alex Kimball said. “Can’t wait, thanks!” Parsons said via Zoom, smiling. She’ll begin work this Thursday, January 8. Parsons replaces Mae Wyler, … Continue reading Mount Desert Board Selects New Finance Director, Talks Budget
Bar Harbor Water Rates Likely to Increase by 35% to Cover Budget Shortfall
Carrie Jones Jan 07, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Choco-Latté Café. BAR HARBOR—After a decade of no change, the town’s water rates are likely to go up by 35%. The increase is meant to cover an approximate $1 million budget shortfall for an approved budget of $3.3 million. The current rate results in $2.2 million revenue. This makes the town a little … Continue reading Bar Harbor Water Rates Likely to Increase by 35% to Cover Budget Shortfall
Bar Harbor Warrant Committee Unanimously Appoints Kevin Knopp
Knopp takes Barbara Dunphey’s seat Carrie Jones Jan 06, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware. BAR HARBOR—At a special January 6 meeting, the Bar Harbor Warrant Committee unanimously appointed Kevin Knopp to fill the remainder of Barbara Dunphey’s term. “I want to thank the committee members for appointing me to this important position. I am glad that I will be able to serve our … Continue reading Bar Harbor Warrant Committee Unanimously Appoints Kevin Knopp
Duo of Accidents Send Drivers to the Hospital
Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Shaun Farrar Jan 06, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Bank. MOUNT DESERT—According to the weekly Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department press release, on January 2, 2026, Brenna Vansteenbergen, 26, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2002 Honda Civic east on Beech Hill … Continue reading Duo of Accidents Send Drivers to the Hospital
Island Towns Slow Fuller Police Consolidation to Revisit Governance, Costs, and Liability
Carrie Jones Jan 06, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund. BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT—A December 30 joint memo from the town managers of Bar Harbor and Mount Desert suggested pausing further consolidation of the two towns’ police forces for a bit. The departments have been sharing some services for more than a decade and work under … Continue reading Island Towns Slow Fuller Police Consolidation to Revisit Governance, Costs, and Liability