People We’ve Lost
Phillip Stanton Smith. Brian Paul Colbeth. Clifford Carl Olson. Cortland Paul Bassett. Loren E. Alley Jr. Feb 15, 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
Legislative Committee Divided Over CAT Ferry Pilot Rules.
Majority looks to having state pay for the expense. Carrie Jones Feb 15, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Havana. AUGUSTA—The recent back-and-forth over whether pilots need to be on The CAT ferry has taken a significant turn. Last week, the state legislature’s transportation committee mostly came out in favor of a tweaked bill that still requires pilots on the CAT as it … Continue reading Legislative Committee Divided Over CAT Ferry Pilot Rules.
With Hopes for More Housing, Bar Harbor Weighs Eliminating One Density Restriction in Growth Areas.
Could Dropping a Density Rule Help Housing in Bar Harbor? Officials Debate, Voters Will Likely Decide in June. Carrie Jones Feb 13, 2026 BAR HARBOR—What initially seemed like a fast-moving meeting for the Bar Harbor Planning Board, February 4, hitched a bit when it came time to discuss area per family, a proposed change to the town’s rules that govern land use. That phrase—area per … Continue reading With Hopes for More Housing, Bar Harbor Weighs Eliminating One Density Restriction in Growth Areas.
The Legal Battle Over Bar Harbor’s Cruise Ship Limits Returns to Court
Federal Judge Lance Walker Hears Oral Arguments After Partial Remand Carrie Jones Feb 13, 2026 BANGOR — U.S. District Court Judge Lance Walker heard oral arguments on Wednesday in a partially remanded federal case challenging Bar Harbor’s cruise ship passenger cap, following a nuanced ruling from the First Circuit Court of Appeals. There were 30 attendees via Zoom, February 11, as four attorneys and Justice … Continue reading The Legal Battle Over Bar Harbor’s Cruise Ship Limits Returns to Court
Tremont Select Board Approves Proposed School Budget but Moves Some Money Into Reserve Account
Returned check policy and annual report memoriam also approved Shaun Farrar Feb 12, 2026 TREMONT—At its February 2 meeting, the Tremont Select Board approved the proposed Tremont Consolidated School budget which has come down by more than 3% in the town appropriation line. The town appropriation has gone from 12.55% in the first proposed budget to 9.30% in the newest iteration of the proposed budget. … Continue reading Tremont Select Board Approves Proposed School Budget but Moves Some Money Into Reserve Account
More Than $39 Million for Hancock County Secured by Senator Collins in FY26 Funding Bills
Bar Harbor Fire Department Likely to Receive Funds for New Ambulance, Southwest Harbor, YMCA, the Labs, and others Carrie Jones Feb 12, 2026 WASHINGTON, DC—Multiple organizations in Bar Harbor and throughout Hancock County will likely receive Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for projects in the upcoming fiscal year. Those projects include the expansion of the MDI YMCA, local laboratories, and funds to help pay for a … Continue reading More Than $39 Million for Hancock County Secured by Senator Collins in FY26 Funding Bills
After Bar Island Death, Bar Harbor Changes Skiff Access for Winter Months
Park is still reviewing the incident Carrie Jones Feb 12, 2026 BAR HARBOR—After two incidents in Frenchman Bay in the last month, the town has changed one aspect of where it keeps a boat during the winter months. One event involved a boat capsizing and sinking on its mooring. The other was when a young Maryland man died off Bar Island, which is part of … Continue reading After Bar Island Death, Bar Harbor Changes Skiff Access for Winter Months
Judge Orders $47K in Fines Over Unregistered Bar Harbor Short-Term Rental
Former Council Candidate Loses Short-Term Rental Case in Bar Harbor Carrie Jones Feb 11, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission. BAR HARBOR—An Ellsworth District Court judge supported the Town of Bar Harbor’s case against a short-term rental owner at 37 Eden Street in Bar Harbor. The February 2 ruling found that Keith Goodrich has “taken no proceedings since such … Continue reading Judge Orders $47K in Fines Over Unregistered Bar Harbor Short-Term Rental
Secretary of Interior Visited Acadia National Park Last Week
Carrie Jones Feb 11, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Choco-Latté Café. ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—The Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum visited Acadia National Park last week in an excursion that involved visiting at least two major park projects and also a meeting with some local officials. “Acadia National Park had the honor of hosting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum for a visit on … Continue reading Secretary of Interior Visited Acadia National Park Last Week
Former State Senate Candidate Charged with Alleged Vandalism at MDI Preserve
Feb 11, 2026 by Sabrina Martin/BDN MOUNT DESERT—A Mount Desert man who has run several times for elected office is facing a felony charge for allegedly vandalizing signs at a Mount Desert Island land preserve. Ian J. Schwartz is accused of damaging multiple signs and trail markers at a Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve on March 28, 2025. The damage amounted to $1,000, according … Continue reading Former State Senate Candidate Charged with Alleged Vandalism at MDI Preserve