Letters from our Readers
Mike Reynolds. Brian Hubbell. Annlinn Kruger Carrie Jones Feb 22, 2026 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY We always welcome letter submissions to The Bar Harbor Story. For details on our policy, please visit our about page and scroll down or just visit here. As with all newspapers, the beliefs, opinions, and viewpoints expressed by the writers of letters to the editor and included here do not necessarily reflect the … Continue reading Letters from our Readers
People We’ve Lost
Amy Manring. Lawrence A. Goldfarb. Daniel Powell Poteet II. Robert Gerald Hersey- “Buddy/Bud.” Dale Roger Fugel. David Earle Keep. Lois I. (Myrick) Crowley. Carrie Jones Feb 22, 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 … Continue reading People We’ve Lost
Consultant Says Bar Harbor Sees 15,000 Visitors a Day in Summer Peaks. Fewer Than 500 in Winter.
Bar Harbor’s Tourism Economy Faces Big Swings and Big Planning Implications. Carrie Jones Feb 21, 2026 BAR HARBOR—Bar Harbor may feel crowded in July, but to much of the world it barely exists. It can host fifteen thousand people a day at the waterfront in July and fewer than 500 in winter. Those extremes, outlined in a new tourism analysis presented by Australian data consultant … Continue reading Consultant Says Bar Harbor Sees 15,000 Visitors a Day in Summer Peaks. Fewer Than 500 in Winter.
Maine to Help Fund Wetland Restoration in Acadia National Park
Feb 21, 2026 by Sabrina Martin/Bangor Daily News ACADIA NATIONAL PARK—A Mount Desert Island nonprofit will receive $308,000 in state funding for an ongoing restoration project at Acadia National Park’s largest freshwater wetland. The grant awarded to Friends of Acadia will help address damage already caused by climate change at Great Meadow, and will help prepare Acadia National Park for a host of future climate-driven impacts: among them, … Continue reading Maine to Help Fund Wetland Restoration in Acadia National Park
State Housing Expansion Law Prompts Local Review in Southwest Harbor.
Planning Board Begins to Review State Law About Outdoor Lights in Public Places. Carrie Jones Feb 20, 2026 SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Multiple island towns are delving into how and if—and what— they might need to do to meet the state’s recent rules about how many dwellings are allowed on residential lots. The state’s LD 2003 changes residential zoning and is meant to inspire more homes built for … Continue reading State Housing Expansion Law Prompts Local Review in Southwest Harbor.
Goodwin’s Donates Equipment Service After Trenton Fire Billing Concern
Who Pays for Extraordinary Fire Costs? Trenton Board Weighs Limits of Public Funds Shaun Farrar Feb 20, 2026 TRENTON—After being a hot topic of discussion at the Trenton Select Board meeting, Tuesday, February 17, a bill for construction equipment used at a December 22 evening fire at 48 Pressey Lane in Trenton has already been taken care of according to Goodwin’s Construction on Friday. Goodwin’s … Continue reading Goodwin’s Donates Equipment Service After Trenton Fire Billing Concern
As Canada Reviews Ferry Contract, Maine Weighs State Support
International Transit Route Could Face Political and Financial Headwinds Carrie Jones Feb 19, 2026 BAR HARBOR—As Bay Ferries continues to seek roughly $325,000 in annual funding from the State of Maine to cover piloting fees for the CAT’s trips between Nova Scotia and Bar Harbor, the Canadian government is simultaneously reviewing a final consultant report on the ferry service prepared by 21 FSP Advisory Inc. … Continue reading As Canada Reviews Ferry Contract, Maine Weighs State Support
Nearly Two Decades in the Making, Southwest Harbor’s Garage Project May Be Coming Soon
Planning Board finds application complete. Special election is March 24. Carrie Jones Feb 19, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Psychiatry. SOUTHWEST HARBOR—The Southwest Harbor Planning Board gave a preliminary review of the town’s new public works garage on February 17 and found the project’s application complete. The garage is expected to cost approximately $2,455,890. Voters have already approved the garage. “The … Continue reading Nearly Two Decades in the Making, Southwest Harbor’s Garage Project May Be Coming Soon
After a Decade of Flat Rates, Bar Harbor Confronts the True Cost of Water
Residents Warn of Impact on Housing Affordability, Change Still Must Be Approved by State PUC Carrie Jones Feb 19, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Havana. BAR HARBOR—Bar Harbor residents, nonprofits, and businesses who use town water are one step closer to paying more for that service after a split-town council approved a new rate structure. The change comes after a decade of … Continue reading After a Decade of Flat Rates, Bar Harbor Confronts the True Cost of Water
After 95-Year Ban, Tremont Advances Limited Deer Hunt for Town Meeting Vote.
Three-year trial would move forward only after both town voters and state regulators sign off. Shaun Farrar Feb 18, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission. TREMONT—Partially reversing a ban that has been in effect for 95 years takes a lot of work. In the case of a proposed deer hunt in Tremont, an activity that has been banned on … Continue reading After 95-Year Ban, Tremont Advances Limited Deer Hunt for Town Meeting Vote.