Newsweek - Senator Susan Collins, a five-term Republican, trails her Democratic challenger Graham Platner by only two points, according to a new survey—the latest sign of a tightening race in a must-win state for Democrat hopes in taking control of the upper chamber.
Among the NY Times annual restaurant awards was this: Outstanding Restaurateur: Dana Street; Fore Street, Scales and Standard Baking Company, Portland, Maine
Maine Morning Star - A report found Maine 14th out of all states on a number of factors that impact life satisfaction, ranking high on the environment and civil liberties but low on measures such as children and families, economic output and mental health.
As the country approaches its 250th anniversary, the nonpartisan State of the Nation Project created the State of States report to assess each of the 50 states and Washington D.C. on 31 measures — such as income inequality, social isolation, youth depression, etc. — created by a board of academics and advisers to the last five presidents.
Some of the overall takeaways include: states are becoming more alike in many ways but growing apart on issues that can drive feelings of division; only a small handful of states showed improvement on any measure of self-reported well-being; and a stronger economy does not seem to improve personal well-being, but it may build social trust.
Specifically, Maine received the top ranking for net greenhouse gas emissions and ranked third for air quality. Maine also ranked first for civil liberties, which the report calculated based on the rate of press freedom violations, such as assaults of reporters and restricting coverage, per 1 million residents.
On the other hand, Maine ranked low for fatal overdoses (43rd) and youth depression (42nd). Maine’s lowest rank of 44th was for economic output, which is based on real gross domestic product.
WCYY - For nearly six years, the old Sears location in Brunswick, Maine, has sat vacant. On a busy stretch of road in the city, it became a bit of an eyesore. But back in March, it was announced that eyesore would be getting a makeover. Retail giant Hobby Lobby had leased out a portion of the more than 82,000 square feet that was once Sears and would open their fifth location in Maine.
Construction estimates suggested the new Hobby Lobby location would open sometime in September. Now, it appears the store is going to open much, much sooner. While no firm grand opening date has been set yet, all of the signs point towards a Hobby Lobby grand opening in Brunswick, Maine, in the next few weeks.
Press Herald - A federal judge gave the Trump administration until July 3 to return signs it had removed from national parks and monuments, including climate change and Wabanaki displays at Acadia National Park....The ruling on Friday requires federal officials to restore dozens of Acadia’s displays on warming oceans and Wabanaki heritage by July 3. This legal victory ensures that the millions who visit Maine’s coast this summer will receive an unvarnished look at the state’s changing environment.
For months, hikers reaching the summit of Cadillac Mountain have found spectacular views but empty pedestals. The signs that once explained the summit’s Wabanaki origins or how a warming world is changing the park were gone, replaced by a silence that critics called political censorship.
“It was a kick in the teeth,” said former Acadia superintendent Sheridan Steele, who oversaw the park from 2003-15. “The public puts its trust in the park service. They want truth. The parks want to give it to them. It would be such a shame to lose that.”
FREEPORT
There will be an emergency outage on Prout Road in Freeport from approximately 11:45am to 2:00pm today, June 16th, to remove a large tree threatening power lines. Contact information for CMP: 1 800-696-1000 Email:
Maine Monitor - Freeport's once-leading clam flats have already seen harvests plunge about 70%, and scientists warn a strong El Niño could worsen pressures from green crabs, invasive seaweeds, and harmful algal blooms. The story explains how warming waters and changing winters may further reshape shellfish harvesting from Freeport to Lubec, while also noting a few potential upsides like faster clam growth and more nutrients from rainfall.
UPCOMING
The following closures in observance of the Juneteenth holiday:
Thursday, June 18: Town Hall Closed
Friday, June 19: Library & Recycling/Transfer Facility Closed
What’s more important this week than taking the time for a conversation about planetary sustainability? As luck would have it, Freeport Speech is bringing together global experts on Thursday, June 18, to do just that. Dr. Katherine Richardson is a professor in Biological Oceanography at the University of Copenhagen and leader of its Sustainability Science Centre, and Dr. Deborah Bronk is the CEO and President of Maine's Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and an oceanographer. Bring a friend and join the conversation. Freeport Performing Arts Center, Freeport Thursday, June 18 • 7 PM - 8:30 PM
- HAH Blood Pressure Clinic Cundy's Harbor Library, 935 Cundy's Harbor Rd, Harpswell 12:00 PM Wednesday, June 17
JOBS
Tree Stuff - We are hiring a fully remote sales person to manage large national accounts. We are looking for an individual with experience in longer form treecare sales. If you are interested in learning about joining the biggest and best team in Treecare, email MarkB@VerticalSupplyGroup.com