Hancock County Case Highlight Pitfalls of Electing Probate Judges
Mar 14, 2026 by Sabrina Martin/BDN HANCOCK COUNTY—Probate judges in Maine are part-time elected officials, and, with probate matters not being considered public, they rarely get much attention. But with the messy situation with Hancock County’s probate judge William Blaisdell — who is serving a suspension and is facing arrest for not paying child support to his ex-wife — the position has come under renewed scrutiny. A bill … Continue reading Hancock County Case Highlight Pitfalls of Electing Probate Judges
Split Bar Harbor Vote Proposes Redirecting Some School Capital Improvement Funds to Tax Relief
Carrie Jones Mar 13, 2026 BAR HARBOR—The public hearing for the Bar Harbor budget on March 12 led to zero comments and there was no discussion of any of the Warrant Committee’s suggestions, nor were any of those suggestions taken. However, the Town Council did tweak and reduce the budget by taking money out of some of the Conners Emerson capital improvement plan (CIP) budget … Continue reading Split Bar Harbor Vote Proposes Redirecting Some School Capital Improvement Funds to Tax Relief
Consultants Discuss Tourism ‘Tensions’ in Bar Harbor.
Town, they suggest, faces three. Carrie Jones Mar 13, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Wealth Management. BAR HARBOR—There are three key problems for Bar Harbor when it comes to sustainable tourism, a consultant from J.E. Austin Associates explained to a 13-member task force the town formed to help create a goal and actions relating to tourism. “At some point we’re going to … Continue reading Consultants Discuss Tourism ‘Tensions’ in Bar Harbor.
After Years With Lyme Disease, a Bar Harbor Woman Is Fighting Back.
Tick Diseases Are Rising in Maine. This Bar Harbor Business Is Trying to Help Carrie Jones Mar 12, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Elise N. Frank. BAR HARBOR—Hannah Paradis has joined a list of Bar Harbor residents who have been impacted by tick-borne diseases. But it’s more than that. She wants to do something about it. Some Bar … Continue reading After Years With Lyme Disease, a Bar Harbor Woman Is Fighting Back.
Southwest Harbor Moves a Step Forward With Paid Parking.
Papers returned for four-way Select Board race and for School Board seats. Carrie Jones Mar 12, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Choco-Latté Café. SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Everything isn’t finalized yet, but the Southwest Harbor Select Board made a large step forward this week when it decided to spend the $51,029 in its harbor department fund to purchase parking equipment for seasonal paid parking at … Continue reading Southwest Harbor Moves a Step Forward With Paid Parking.
Bar Harbor May Scrap “Area-Per-Family” Housing Rule in Growth Areas.
Voters can learn more at two events tomorrow and will have the ultimate decision about this and other proposed changes. Carrie Jones Mar 11, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Restaurant Barn. BAR HARBOR—This Thursday, locals can head to either the the Town Council chambers at the Bar Harbor Municipal Building or the College of the Atlantic to talk to planning staff about … Continue reading Bar Harbor May Scrap “Area-Per-Family” Housing Rule in Growth Areas.
Maine Lawmakers Split Over Bill to Help Fund Pilots for Bar Harbor Ferry.
Senate supports measure. Carrie Jones Mar 11, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Choco-Latté Café. AUGUSTA—An act meant to help Bay Ferries and The CAT with expenses incurred from having an onboard pilot received a split reception in the Maine State Legislature this week, finding support in the state Senate but not in the House. The Senate passed the bill to be engrossed … Continue reading Maine Lawmakers Split Over Bill to Help Fund Pilots for Bar Harbor Ferry.
Subdivision Near Landfill Faces Appeal in Southwest Harbor
Acadia Disposal District representative and former selectman leads charge Carrie Jones Mar 11, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Havana. SOUTHWEST HARBOR—An appeal has been filed to overturn the town’s recent Planning Board approval of the Trundy Farms Subdivision. That subdivision was proposed by Southwest Harbor Planning Board Vice Chair Ben Lee Worcester and underwent multiple meetings as some board members worried about … Continue reading Subdivision Near Landfill Faces Appeal in Southwest Harbor
Bar Harbor Local Cafés Launch Reusable Takeout Container Pilot to Cut Waste
Carrie Jones Mar 10, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission. BAR HARBOR—A July 2022 waste audit in Bar Harbor showed that approximately 12% of the town’s solid waste came from single-use containers. The town also spends more than $2.5 million to dispose of municipal solid waste (MSW) each year, according to volunteer Elizabeth Chen. “By reducing MSW, that money … Continue reading Bar Harbor Local Cafés Launch Reusable Takeout Container Pilot to Cut Waste
Police Beat
Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Shaun Farrar Mar 10, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden. BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOGS The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert last week according to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department police logs, … Continue reading Police Beat