ELLSWORTH — A state task force is recommending that all public water system managers be required to test for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS and nicknamed “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment and human bodies. In a draft report released before Thanksgiving, the group outlined seven recommendations for dealing with …
FRANKLIN — In the decades that John Eliasberg has been visiting his home on Georges Pond in Franklin, one of his great pleasures has been taking a dip in the pond’s cool, clear waters. Except in recent years. “In 2017 was the first time in my 60 years I said I’m not going swimming,” Eliasberg …
ELLSWORTH — You’ve likely seen the photos: pristine lake waters transformed into murky, toxic green sludge, the result of a blue-green algae bloom. You’ve probably also read the articles, about how several dog deaths have been attributed to blooms in North Carolina and Georgia, and about how the blooms are increasing in frequency as waters …
ELLSWORTH — When Governor Janet Mills spoke at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York at the end of September, she made a surprise announcement: she had issued an executive order pledging that Maine would be carbon-neutral by 2045. Going carbon-neutral means the state would make no net contribution of carbon dioxide to …
ELLSWORTH — On Sept 20, millions of demonstrators in cities across the globe gathered to demand that communities and leaders take action to confront climate change. Among the participants in the Global Climate Strike was the group of 70 or so activists who assembled in downtown Ellsworth last Friday afternoon. The turnout was so large …
ELLSWORTH — Standing before the United Nations General Assembly Monday, Governor Janet Mills announced that she had signed an executive order committing the state to carbon neutrality by 2045. Carbon neutrality means achieving a net zero of carbon emissions, either by eliminating emissions altogether, offsetting them or a combination of the two. “We all have …
ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Green Action Team is inviting the public to join a local demonstration Friday, Sept. 20, as part of the Global Climate Strike demanding action on climate change. The event will be held from 4-5 p.m. on the downtown Union River bridge. State Rep. Nicole Grohoski (D-Ellsworth) will speak at 4:30. Building …
ELLSWORTH — Say farewell to stinky backyard compost piles, Ellsworth residents: the City Council approved an agreement on Monday evening with DM&J Waste (also known as Maine Organics) that will allow residents to drop food waste off at the transfer station for composting. “This is getting stuff out of our waste stream that’s impacting our …
DEER ISLE — For Maine lobstermen, 2019 is likely to bring a summer of discontent. Fuel prices are high. Cuts in herring fishing quotas — with further cuts likely — mean that bait is likely to be extremely scarce, and whatever’s available extremely expensive as the season develops. And that’s the good news. What really …
BUCKSPORT — It’s official: Whole Oceans now owns a piece of the former Verso mill site, where it plans to raise salmon. Whole Oceans, which intends to use a state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system to raise Atlantic salmon, announced Tuesday the completion of a purchase and sale agreement with AIM (American Iron and Metal) for a …
ELLSWORTH—Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) has been awarded $15,000 to create a parking area and improve a public trail on the Jordan Homestead Preserve in Ellsworth. The city of Ellsworth will match the grant with a $2,500 contribution. “This grant money will allow FBC to create a great asset for the Ellsworth community. We plan to …
ELLSWORTH — Maine became the first state to ban Styrofoam food and beverage containers last month, but, at least in Ellsworth, many restaurants and coffee shops have already transitioned away from them. “Really the only Styrofoam we use is our cups and that’s a corporate thing,” said Sonny Whittaker, deli manager at Freshies. Dunkin’ (formerly …
