People We’ve Lost
Sheldon F. Goldthwait Jr. Lynn Ann Parsons. Kenneth Joseph Salvatore. Lawrence Charles Johnston. Edward Blanchard Jackson. Feb 08, 2026 Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks. We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible and not behind paywalls or … Continue reading People We’ve Lost
Bar Harbor Looks for Honest Feedback Amid Tourism Work
Tourism, Trust, and Tension: Inside Bar Harbor’s Community Debate When Some Feel Even Talking About Things Feels Risky Carrie Jones Feb 07, 2026 BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Town Council seems to collectively have no issues with consultants for the town’s sustainable tourism task force speaking to individuals throughout the community—and keeping those individuals’ identities anonymous—to gather deeper insight into tourism and the community. The discussion … Continue reading Bar Harbor Looks for Honest Feedback Amid Tourism Work
It’s All the Briefs and Press Releases.
(So, basically all the inside parts of the paper that reporters don’t write themselves, but you should read it.) Carrie Jones Feb 07, 2026 Each week we compile briefs and put them initially only on the website (Substack) and then send them all on Friday or sometimes Saturday if things are chaotic. We do that so that: If you click through to a release that … Continue reading It’s All the Briefs and Press Releases.
“A Dangerous Precedent”: Mount Desert Discussing Using Reserve Funds for Budget
Upcoming panel set for changes to Mount Desert’s recycling program. Carrie Jones Feb 06, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Elise N. Frank. MOUNT DESERT—The town’s new Finance Director Nancy Parsons and new Town Manager Alex Kimball said Monday that though the town is going to use a bit of its fund balance to cover budget deficits, this cannot … Continue reading “A Dangerous Precedent”: Mount Desert Discussing Using Reserve Funds for Budget
Maryland Man Who Died at Acadia Was a ‘Source of Laughter’
Feb 06, 2026 by Sabrina Martin/Bangor Daily News ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—A man who apparently drowned last week off Bar Island in Acadia National Park has been identified as a restaurant worker from Maryland, according to his friends and family. A Bar Harbor police summary report on the incident, which started on Jan. 28 as a rescue effort after the man had reportedly been trapped on … Continue reading Maryland Man Who Died at Acadia Was a ‘Source of Laughter’
Trenton Select Board Gets a Little More Technical For Transparency and Accessibility
Upcoming public workshop for the Trenton community resilience partnership with the Hancock County Planning Commission Shaun Farrar Feb 05, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Havana. TRENTON—When Trenton resident Adam Fraley stood in front of the Trenton Select Board at its January 20 meeting and asked if the town had ever thought about posting its meetings to YouTube so people could watch at their convenience, … Continue reading Trenton Select Board Gets a Little More Technical For Transparency and Accessibility
Fired Southwest Harbor Police Sergeant Files Grievance Against Town
Feb 05, 2026 by Sabrina Martin/Bangor Daily News SOUTHWEST HARBOR—A former sergeant with the Southwest Harbor Police Department who was fired last month from his job has filed a grievance against the town over his dismissal, according to the police chief. The Southwest Harbor Police Department terminated Ryan Blakeney’s employment on January 12. Blakeney filed a grievance with the officers’ police union, New England Police Benevolent … Continue reading Fired Southwest Harbor Police Sergeant Files Grievance Against Town
Subdivision Near Worcester Landfill Approved After Retesting and Public Concerns
Board also approves changes at two other properties. Carrie Jones Feb 05, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Bank. SOUTHWEST HARBOR—After months of discussions, a subdivision by an old landfill has been approved by the town’s planning board this week, after the board unanimously accepted the newest soil test on the property by the six-acre Worcester Landfill off the Long Pond … Continue reading Subdivision Near Worcester Landfill Approved After Retesting and Public Concerns
Street Safety Draft Plan Promises Safer Roads, But School Officials Want More for Kids
Conners Emerson School Committee Feels Vision Zero Draft Plan Currently Lacks Detail for Safety of Student Movement Shaun Farrar Feb 04, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden. BAR HARBOR—At a meeting with a plethora of reports and updates, the Bar Harbor School Committee appeared to be most interested, and slightly troubled, by Principal Dr. Heather Weir Webster’s “sidewalk … Continue reading Street Safety Draft Plan Promises Safer Roads, But School Officials Want More for Kids
Town Workshops Draft Changes to Music and Entertainment Permits
Bar Harbor Takes a Look at Noise, Music, and Community Impact Carrie Jones Feb 04, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund. BAR HARBOR—It’s a draft. Nothing is solid, and the public will have a time to weigh in, Bar Harbor Town Manager James Smith stressed, February 3, as he introduced a “pure draft” of a potential new … Continue reading Town Workshops Draft Changes to Music and Entertainment Permits