Water one could walk on

Rockland Harbor froze all the way out to the breakwater at Jameson Point during February’s frigid weather, and lobstermen could walk to their boats. Most boats stayed on their moorings, but the island ferries plowed through the ice-bound harbor, and a Coast Guard icebreaker also cleared channels. Local historian Bert Snow, who comes from a

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Cranberry Isles: standing room only

Cranberry Isles held its town meeting on Great Cranberry March 10 in the newly renovated Fire House. Not unexpectedly, Hugh Dwelley was elected moderator and sworn in before a standing-room-only crowd that included Islesford students observing the process for a lesson in civics. Frances Bartlett was sworn in as Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes

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North Haven hires full-time doctor

North Haven came together on March 8 for a rich discussion that covered 92 articles in five hours. Tom Marx, the school superintendent, led the town through a process that resulted in a majority of articles passing. Highlights were discussions of education, recreation, the library and most important, the hiring of an island doctor. After

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Island classrooms offer the small-school advantage

Debates over education are often politically charged, with many more slogans than solutions. “Assessment,” “standards” and “consolidation” are battle cries, and budget shortfalls only make the arguments more intense. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Maine Learning Results exemplify increased intervention in local school decision-making. Maine’s small, rural schools – including

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LURC allows island dredging

The Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) has approved a plan to dredge a portion of the small harbor at privately owned Lassell Island in Penobscot Bay off Camden. The project is designed to improve access to the island. Working with a consultant, the island’s owner offered to remove and re-plant eelgrass in the vicinity of

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