Heather Grindle News Today

Not all library services require a card, including Wi-Fi, resume help and library events, and Wisehart said informal surveys show that 70 percent of out-of-towners shopped in Ellsworth before or after visiting the library. “We’re structured as a county library but funded as a city library,” she noted.

The city has announced that nomination papers for the Nov. 2 local election will be available starting Monday, Aug. 9, at the city clerk’s office.

City Council still fine-tuning fire prevention ordinance ELLSWORTH — The City Council took no action on amending its fire prevention ordinance July 19 despite recommendations submitted by Fire Chief Scott Guillerault that would exempt minor subdivisions from installing fire prevention measures if specific criteria were met. The discussion continued the councilors’ efforts to strive for balance between safety and cost when it comes to fire prevention measures, after developer Christopher Der...

On Sunday, Ellsworth, Maine will have its first-ever pride celebration. Community members say it is all because of Ellsworth High School’s Gender and Sexuality Diversity Alliance, or GSDA.

increase font size Homemade ‘house float’ on Green Lake irks shorefront dwellers Houseboat-like structures anchored in one spot for days or weeks for recreational use are under fire. By Anne BerleantEllsworth American Share Jason Spinney, half owner of the pontoon-style floating structure pictured on the screen, speaks to city councilors and Green Lake shorefront property owners on April 19. Ellsworth American photo by Anne Berleant ELLSWORTH — The tension between lakefront residents a...

Homemade “house float” on Green Lake irks shorefront dwellers ELLSWORTH — The tension between lakefront residents and recreational users of Green Lake ticked up at an April 19 City Council meeting, in an agenda item sponsored by Councilor Heather Grindle. “It was brought to me by a number of folks,” she said. Under fire are houseboat-like structures anchored in one spot for days or weeks for recreational use, and that often attract their like, tied side-to-side for a fl...

“Sanctuary City” status rejected ELLSWORTH — A resolution sponsored by Councilor Michelle Kaplan to declare Ellsworth as a Second Amendment Sanctuary City failed to find approval at the March 15 City Council meeting. Instead, a motion to not approve the resolution to approve Ellsworth as a Second Amendment Sanctuary City first passed 5-2, with Kaplan and Gene Lyons dissenting. A second vote, after Council Chairman Dale Hamilton clarified that the decision was not binding and coul...

Councilors’ letter to lawmakers raises open-meeting issue ELLSWORTH — A March 5 letter signed by all seven City Council members and sent to state Sen. Louie Luchini (D-Hancock County) and Rep. Nicole Grohoski (D-Ellsworth) may not have been in compliance with state right-to-know laws. Emailed to the two legislators, with the subject line “Urgent Request,” the letter opens: “It is important to state that this letter is being written from the point of view as citizens. Al...

Rainbow crosswalks group disbands after failing to reach consensus ELLSWORTH — An effort to paint crosswalks in rainbow colors in the city of Ellsworth has hit the wall. A committee formed to study the issue was disbanded last week after two meetings after failing to reach agreement to move forward with a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council last August denied a request to rainbow-stripe several city crosswalks in support of the LGTBQ+ community because of safety concerns. Ins...

City manager negotiations move forward ELLSWORTH — Negotiations to hire Interim City Manager Glenn Moshier in a dual role combining the police chief and city manager positions is moving forward, City Council Chairman Dale Hamilton said on Dec. 29. “We’re still negotiating, there’s no final decision on how the position will be structured,” Hamilton said, noting there wasn’t “much in the way of new information.” The new ad hoc group Citizens Acting for a Responsible Ellsworth woul...