My Down East family still cuts ice in Maine like ‘Frozen’

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 18, 2026

Every winter, Munson Island on West Grand Lake carries on a tradition that has lasted decades. This past weekend, my husband, Ed Tomah, made history by completing a job that normally takes three to five men. He cut and hauled 60 blocks of ice entirely on his own — something no one had ever done before on the island. Large blocks were scored, sawn free, hauled from the lake and stacked inside the ice house on the lower north side of the island. Sawdust was packed, as it still is today, to preserve the blocks through the summer. Through changing times, modern tools and evolving island life, the winter ice harvest has remained meaningful. Three generations of my family have taken part in the work. For us, it has always been more than a job — it’s shared labor, pride and history. ~ Tonya Tobey-Tomah

Column: Maine lawmakers look for ways to keep private land open to hunters

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 17, 2026

This month, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will submit a report to the Legislature. An excerpt: “To support landowners who voluntarily provide safe, dependable access for the public, Maine must develop funding mechanisms that more equitably share responsibility and provide predictable support for key infrastructure to willing landowners. The recommendations that follow focus on establishing dedicated funding for high-use road systems, creating voluntary cost-sharing opportunities for private landowners and implementing a statewide program to maintain recreational infrastructure across land ownerships. Together, these measures will help secure long-term access and strengthen the overall resilience of Maine’s outdoor recreation network.” The problem of access can be stated plainly: Too much prime hunting land is being posted. What can be done to turn this disturbing trend around? The access problems for hunters are focused in central, southern and coastal Maine, where development and liability concerns continue to change the landscape. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

Stay AWAY From These OWLS

YOUTUBE • February 17, 2026

Rare birds - especially owls - tempt bad ethical behavior from good birders. How close is too close? Ethics are always personal and sometimes situational. What is the right thing to do around rare birds? Snowy owls, great gray owls, northern hawk-owls, boreal owls and others often get too much attention. ~ Bob Duchesne

Jetport to pay South Portland $125K for removing trees

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 17, 2026

The Portland International Jetport reached a $125,000 settlement with the city of South Portland in a dispute about the removal of trees and disturbance of wetlands along Interstate 295 as part of a runway approach project last year. The agreement approved by the City Council Tuesday night provides remediation for at least 158 trees that were removed. The $125,000 includes mitigation for 83 trees per the tree ordinance, and the jetport will plant a minimum of 75 mature trees in a buffer area near residential properties. City Manager Scott Morelli welcomed the outcome. Some neighbors, however, were dissatisfied with the agreement, wanting a more substantial financial penalty.

Letter: Life jackets save lives — once they are worn

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 17, 2026

The recent rescue of a duck hunter in Casco Bay is a stark reminder that wearing a life jacket can save your life when the water is cold. The hunter’s boat began sinking, but he was prepared. With his life jacket on, he stayed afloat until help arrived and has recovered despite severe hypothermia. Not every water emergency ends this well. Life jackets save lives. Don’t take the risk. ~ Gail Kulp, Executive Director, Sea Tow Foundation, Southold, N.Y.

Waldoboro eel farm shutters, leaving harvesters and tribe high and dry

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 17, 2026

American Unagi — the first-of-its-kind Waldoboro aquaculture business that grew elvers into full-sized eels — has shuttered, at least for the time being. About a dozen fisherman who netted glass eels for the company last spring are owed thousands of dollars each, according to court records. The business filed for bankruptcy in federal court for the District of Maine in September 2025 and remained in operation as it looked for a new owner to keep the company afloat. Bidders showed “meaningful interest” in the company, founder and CEO Sara Rademaker told elver fishers in an email last week. But nothing materialized.

Central Maine Power plan would lower average customer's electric bill by about $4 a month

MAINE PUBLIC • February 17, 2026

Central Maine Power is proposing a temporary rate that could lower an average customer's bill by about $4 a month. "If authorized, this proposal will help protect customers from rising costs, reduce financial risk, continue to strengthen the grid and lower the average residential bill by about $4 a month starting this summer," said CMP President Linda Ball in a press release.

Kennebunk Land Trust undertaking effort to make trails more accessible

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 17, 2026

The Kennebunk Land Trust is undertaking a project to improve accessibility throughout its trail system, seeking to open its pathways to more people. The work — which began last year and is still ongoing — includes making trails wider to allow easier access by people using wheelchairs, improving signage and parking areas, and sharing clearer information about trails’ layouts and difficulty. The physical work of widening trails has begun with a new Alewive Woods Preserve trail, which the land trust describes as its crown jewel. The organization hopes to expand the effort to its other 13 preserves in the future.

2nd worker dies after gas exposure at Woodland Pulp mill

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 17, 2026

A second person has died following a chemical release at Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville last month. The worker, who has not been publicly identified, died from injuries sustained from the gas exposure, mill spokesperson Scott Beal confirmed Tuesday. It was not clear Tuesday when the second worker passed away. Kasie Malcolm, a University of Maine junior interning at the mill, died the morning after the exposure on Jan. 27. The workers were exposed to hydrogen sulfide while in the facility’s bleach plant.

NY man accused of poisoning his Maine neighbor’s trees to get better view of water

MIDCOAST VILLAGER • February 17, 2026

A state board is scheduled to vote Feb. 27 on a consent agreement with Stephen Antonson of Brooklyn, New York, who is accused of poisoning his nonagenarian neighbor’s trees to improve his view of the harbor. The 2022 poisoning involved five to six trees on property at 11 Mechanic St. owned by Ruth Graham, who died in February 2024 at the age of 95. The two homes sit close together, perched above the east side of Rockport Harbor. A Maine Forest Service entomologist noticed declining tree health, large drill holes and curling leaves at the Graham property. Pesticides Control Board representatives conducted an inspection and collected samples of a liquid present in the bore holes of the affected trees. The samples were positive for Imazapic and Triclopyr, common herbicides.

Baxter State Park Visiting Artist & Writer Programs

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • February 17, 2026

The Baxter State Park Visiting Artist Program offers one visual artist two weeks of rustic cabin lodging in September to immerse themselves and draw inspiration from this 200,000+ acre paradise. In return, Visiting Artists are asked to hold one evening program and one open studio with the public during their stay. Applications will be accepted for September if postmarked by March 15. The Visiting Writer will stay at a rustic cabin at Kidney Pond during the second full week of June. On the last night of their stay, they will host a one hour evening program that is open to the public. Applications will be accepted for June 2026 if postmarked by March 15.

Column: The lessons that birds can teach us

TIMES RECORD • February 17, 2026

“Wind Over Wings” made a profound impact on thousands of people as well as birds for nearly 30 years. Hope Douglas and her partner Carol Fackler moved to Maine in 2012. She and other volunteers for Wind Over Wings made over 300 presentations per year to school groups, libraries, senior centers and other places during that time span. She would bring four birds to each presentation, often hawks or eagles or cockatoos. She would explain the history of each bird, describing the lesson the particular bird can teach us. The lessons ranged from life course change or the power of play to the ability to adapt or how to respect natural defenses. Hope Douglas says, we can learn a lot from birds. Clearly, we can also learn from this woman who dared to change her life course to pursue a fine vision. ~ David Treadwell

Earmarks for Maine Secured by Senator Collins

U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that she secured earmarks for 156 projects in Maine in FY2026 appropriations bills. Projects include:
• $3,288,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Caribou
• $3,500,000 to improve wastewater infrastructure in Fort Kent
• $1,740,000 to upgrade water infrastructure in Loring
• $2,000,000to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Presque Isle
• $3,000,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Gorham
• $1,000,000 to upgrade stream crossings in the Rangeley Lakes Region
• $12,000,000 to improve the causeway at Deer Isle
• $3,250,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Clinton
• $1,422,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Gardiner
• $3,555,000 to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Monmouth
• $386,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Vassalboro
• $4,000,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in North Haven
• $1,000,000 to survey lobster settlement in the Gulf of Maine
• $129,000 to support bluefin tuna research
• $5,000,000 to expand the Gulf of Maine ocean observation system
• $1,250,000 to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Canton
• $1,576,000 to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Brewer
• $5,000,000 to support rehabilitation of the former Great Northern Paper Mill site
• $4,000,000 to support redevelopment of an abandoned [paper] mill site
• $3,560,000 to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Old Town
• $500,000 to purchase equipment for the UMaine Forest Health lab
• $600,000 to support spruce budworm research
• $1,878,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Veazie
• $2,500,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Richmond
• $1,019,000 to purchase equipment for logging workforce training
• $2,350,000 to remediate algae blooms in North Pond
• $2,000,000 to remediate algae blooms in Unity Pond
• $2,000,000 to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Lubec
• $1,378,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Machias
• $5,000,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Washington County
• $6,000,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Biddeford
• $1,000,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Old Orchard Beach
• $3,000,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in South Berwick
• $3,000,000 to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Wells

What’s driving up Maine’s energy bills? Natural gas.

MAINE MORNING STAR • February 17, 2026

Natural gas, not solar panels and wind turbines, is the primary driver behind soaring power prices in Maine, according to a new report released this week by the state’s energy department. Mainers pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country. Possible solutions to the problem of high energy costs are developing clean power, investing in load-flexibility strategies, and continuing to push for home-heating electrification. The report does not suggest gas pipeline expansion as a solution to the state’s energy-cost problems.

Letter: Susan Collins helpful on energy policy

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 17, 2026

Energy policy viscerally impacts families, businesses and communities in Aroostook County and across northern Maine. We really feel it during these cold winters when the heating bills stack up. That’s when reliability and affordability matter the most. Sen. Susan Collins deserves a lot of credit for the way she’s handled energy policy in Washington. Her no-nonsense approach has helped keep energy more affordable and reliable. Her support for battery storage technologies is especially important for Maine families and businesses because storage offers the potential to strengthen the reliability of our electric infrastructure. ~ Sen. Sue Bernard, (R), Caribou

Hancock County towns grapple with keeping coastal roads above rising seas

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 17, 2026

Moving “coastal resiliency” projects from planning to construction has been difficult for small communities in Hancock County that suffered damage from the 2024 storms. One major difficulty is the steep cost of projects like raising roads. Designing and permitting can run hundreds of thousands of dollars, with actual construction easily running ten times more. The towns interviewed for the article had limited funds available for roads in tight budgets. At the same time, federal priorities have moved away from climate change projects and construction costs have increased. “We don’t have a choice to not do these things,” he said of making sure the local roads are usable. “So, knowing that, it’s: ‘How do we do that?’” said Bill Zoellick, chair of Gouldsboro’s coastal resilience committee.

Sprawling complex including a resort and nearly 100 housing units proposed for Katahdin area

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 16, 2026

The owner of a Katahdin-region outdoor center is hoping to expand the site’s complex to include nearly 100 units of housing, 10 commercial spaces and a resort in the coming years. The development would be added to existing cabins and event spaces owned by the New England Outdoor Center, located roughly 10 miles north of Millinocket, in the Hammond Ridge area. Matt Polstein, the owner of New England Outdoor Center, is holding the project’s exact details close to his chest, but said more information will be shared at a public hearing on March 4.

Coastal Rivers enhances visitor access at La Verna Preserve

PENOBSCOT BAY PILOT • February 15, 2026

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust announces major improvements to La Verna Preserve in Bristol. In October, Coastal Rivers completed a new parking lot on the same side of Route 32 as the trailhead. This addresses previous parking challenges, enhancing safety and convenience by lessening the need for visitors to cross Route 32. The old parking lot now serves as overflow parking. Space for the new parking area was made possible by the sale of a 10-acre property next to the preserve by Steve and Vicki Nichols in 2022. And last year, a generous 13-acre donation of land from neighbor Rebecca Bell further expanded the preserve, creating new connections with other Coastal Rivers properties in the La Verna neighborhood. Planned additions to the preserve include a new kiosk and interpretive panel at the trailhead, set to be installed later this winter.

MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals advance sustainability through food waste reduction

PENOBSCOT BAY PILOT • February 15, 2026

MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals are making meaningful operational changes to reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment in the communities they serve. In addition to eight energy conservation projects completed over the last 12 months, ranging from air handler efficiency upgrades to weatherization and building envelope improvements, the hospitals continue to expand sustainability efforts, including zero-sort recycling and composting, with plans underway for a community garden this spring. A key focus area in recent years has been food waste reduction. In 2024, the Food and Nutrition Services teams at both hospitals launched a composting initiative to divert food scraps from landfills. Composting reduces methane emissions while transforming food waste into nutrient-rich soil. Through a partnership with ScrapDogs Community Compost, a local composting service, Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals composted more than 15,000 pounds of food waste in 2024.

Sailing Ships Maine wins two national educational awards

PENOBSCOT BAY PILOT • February 15, 2026

Youth educational non-profit Sailing Ships Maine, based in Portland, has won two major national awards, according to Tall Ships America and the American Sail Training Association, in a news release. At Tall Ships America’s annual conference, Sailing Ships Maine Senior Captain Anna Maria Hansen was selected as US Young Sail Trainer of the Year, and Sailing Ships Maine, the program she leads, was named US Sea Education Program of the Year. “Thank you so much for the unexpected honor! I feel really touched by the recognition," she wrote in acknowledging the award. "I feel deeply fortunate to offer meaningful wilderness experiences and voyages of self- discovery for young people. I cannot imagine work more worth doing than to empower youth to develop problem-solving skills, communication, teamwork, and environmental awareness."