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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It won’t be pretty. “We’re gonna be in a real pickle.”
— Washington County Commissioner Billy Howard on what would happen if voters reject an $11 million bond to fill a budget gap.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
Washington County is asking voters to approve an $11 million bond to help cover a massive gap caused by years of mismanagement. Inaccurate recordkeeping and slow audits caused officials to repeatedly overestimate the county’s reserves and underestimate how much it needed to raise taxes to cover its expenses.
Northern Light Health closed its Bangor walk-in clinic and cut 3 percent of its staff. The changes come amid ongoing financial troubles for the health care system, which lost $156 million in 2024.
A handful of Maine municipalities have used the location-tracking services Old Town is considering. But some have balked at the idea of using data collected from the cellphones of residents and visitors, citing privacy and ethical concerns.
It may be harder for Mainers to get COVID-19 vaccines this fall. New federal guidelines mostly restrict the vaccines to those over 65 or people with at least one separate health condition that puts them at high risk.
A Castine bakery and coffee shop opened a new location in Orland. Ebee’s Sweets opened Wednesday in the Hancock County town’s former school-turned-community center.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Maine’s drought is causing trees to lose leaves before foliage season
- 2 men to plead guilty to committing bank fraud to buy Maine homes for illegal marijuana grows
- Bangor man allegedly used Maryland resident’s stolen identity to withdraw money from bank
- No charges expected after ambulance fatally struck Aroostook girl
- A bigger passenger jet is now serving Presque Isle’s airport
- Martha Stewart has nearly converted a basement into a swimming pool on MDI
- Acadia visitor center in Trenton opens after months of delays
- Maine school has tried fake coyotes, lasers and golf carts to scare off geese
- Maine motorcyclist dies after collision with pickup truck
- 3rd woman dies after Flagstaff Lake boat crash
- Massachusetts man pleads not guilty in Maine chef’s slaying
- Good luck trying to score goals on Bangor girls soccer this year
- How to watch all 5 UMaine home football games on TV
- Cooper Flagg’s ping-pong skills could help at Dirk Nowitzki charity tennis event
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“Maine’s first synagogue dedications show that communities can gather in solidarity and celebration, across lines of difference, when they choose to.”
Opinion: Maine’s first synagogues remind us how to come together despite differences
LIFE IN MAINE
A “Two-Fly Bug Bumper” fishing tournament is exactly what it sounds like — you’re only allowed to use two flies of your choice for the entire event.