To most people, winter in Maine means sub-zero temperatures, shoveling driveways and being cooped up in the house for days on end. To the kids of Chebeague Island, winter means sledding on Thompson’s hill, a little snowmobiling and, most importantly, skating on Sanford’s Pond. For nearly three decades, the pond has been a part of
Inactive Matinicus Rock weather station to be fixed
For years, Penobscot Bay fishermen and other boaters have relied on a government-run weather monitoring station at Matinicus Rock. It spewed out data available via Internet on any home computer, and many lobstermen checked it before heading out to sea or, depending on conditions, deciding to stay home. Last year, the station went off line.
By taking test, you can help broadband mapping project
Maine residents have a chance to shape the future development of broadband service, according to a press release. The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NITA) on January 12 awarded the ConnectME Authority about $1.3 million for broadband data collection and mapping over a two-year period and almost $440,000 for broadband planning over
Freight is needed to make ferry route work
Ever since the acrimonious split between the City of Portland and the owners of the cruise ship Scotia Prince that started in 2004, the ferry service to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia has had a difficult history. Now the Canadian government will no longer provide the $6 million subsidy (in Canadian dollars) that Bay Ferries Ltd. says
Container service returns to Portland
In late November stacks of 40-foot long containers started reappearing at the International Marine cargo terminal on Commercial Street in Portland. On December 1, the barge Columbia Charleston was loading containers of wood pulp bound to the Port of New York and New Jersey for onward transshipment to destinations around the world. The barge service
Vinalhaven students explore ethics
Most high school students will tell you they are not thrilled to go back to school after Christmas vacation. This year the Vinalhaven High School staff found a way to ease back into the swing of things by holding a week-long exploration of ethics. Ethics Week ran January 4-8 and included a viewing of the
Cranberry Isles residents consider paying for more winter ferry runs
For over 50 years, the town of Cranberry Isles has depended on one ferry service provider to bring the mail, transport residents to medical appointments, and be their dependable, year-round connection to the mainland. At the March Town Meeting, the town will be seeking funds from voters to subsidize a second morning and evening commuter
Milbridge workforce housing proposal tangled up in lawsuits
The town of Milbridge faces two lawsuits and a possible federal complaint over its handling of an application to build low-income workforce housing. In July 2009, Mano en Mano, a nonprofit that wishes to build the workforce housing, filed suit against the town, alleging officials there illegally discriminated against the group by blocking and delaying
Challenges of island government appeal to new town manager
“I enjoy town administration because it’s never boring and sometimes affords the opportunity to be innovative; that could be particularly true here,” says Islesboro’s new Town Manager Jeffrey Grossman. When asked what attracted him to the position in Islesboro, Grossman replies, “I liked the thought that some problems which might be solved simply in other places
For Matinicus students, leaving home comes early
From the time they are big enough to ride a wobbly bicycle a quarter of a mile until they are, in some cases, capable of running a boat to the mainland, Matinicus kids assemble daily in their one schoolroom. Preschoolers look forward to it. Students learning the alphabet work beside teens working on algebra and