Peter Russell of Cumberland and East Boothbay was recently honored for more than 40 years of “distinguished service in human resources, leadership development, and organizational strategy,” by Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc.

Russell, son of Win Russell of East Boothbay and the late Ingeborg Russell, is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in marine engineering and a minor in industrial management.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, Sen. Cameron Reny, D-Bristol, and Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, met with child care providers from Coastal Kids Preschool in Damariscotta. Sen. Reny and President Daughtry heard directly from early childhood educators about the challenges they face and the support they need to continue this critical work.

As of Sept. 15, the Maine Department of Transportation began work at the intersection of Route 1, Cochran Road and Cross Road in Edgecomb.

Crews will remove the existing flashing beacons and install a new full traffic signal system.

This work will also include a lighted "Red Light Ahead" sign on the northbound Route 1 approach, stamped pavement, and new pavement markings.

Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 25.

First National Bank has been named among the Best Places to Work in Maine. This honor program, now in its 20th year, is organized by the Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, Best Companies Group and BridgeTower Media.  

This September, Tindal & Callahan Real Estate is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary of serving the Boothbay region. Since opening its doors in 1985, the company has become a trusted name in local real estate, known for its deep roots, long-standing relationships, and commitment to helping generations of families find their place along Maine’s midcoast.

Surface Warfare Schools Command headquarters in Newport, Rhode Island hosted a momentous occasion July 18 as colleagues, family, and a host of distinguished guests gathered to celebrate the remarkable career of Capt. (Ret.) Floyston "Bud" Weeks. After dedicating over half a century to the United States Navy, both as a Surface Warfare Officer and as a civilian employee, Capt.

Buyers of single-family existing homes in Maine are embracing a shifting market, with a higher volume of homes for sale statewide. According to Realtors and Maine Listings, 1,570 homes changed hands in July 2025, an increase of 5.02% over July 2024, and the statewide median sales price (MSP) reached $419,950—an increase of 5.25 percent over that same time period. The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

On Friday, Aug. 15, Washburn & Doughty Shipyard in East Boothbay launched its latest build, the 93-foot x 38-foot Gerard McAllister, a tractor tug for McAllister Towing and Transportation Co. Inc., New York.

According to the McAllister Towing website, the tug has a bollard pull of 84 tons. It sports a pair of EPA Tier 4-compliant Caterpillar 3516E engines that power Schottel SRP 490 FP Z-drive units.

The Maine Lobster Community Alliance (MLCA) invites the public to join in celebrating Maine’s iconic lobstering heritage and vibrant coastal communities at Music, Masts & Lobster Traps 2025, happening this Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Boothbay Railway Village Museum from 2 to 6 p.m.

The next Ocean on Tap is Thursday, Aug. 21 starting at 6 p.m. at Footbridge Brewery, 25 Granary Way in Boothbay Harbor. Science writer Leah Campbell of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences will be sharing about what causes — and how to prepare for — tsunamis, rogues, and other massive waves! Join us for a thrilling conversation!

Ocean on Tap is an informal, ocean-centric speaker series organized by researchers from Bigelow Laboratory and hosted by Footbridge Brewery.

With a splash of education and fun, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library’s (BHML) Ocean Day event Aug. 12 celebrated its third successful year. Community members gathered on the library lawn to learn more about marine life with hands-on activities and chats with volunteers from Bigelow Laboratory of Ocean Sciences, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and the Maine State Aquarium.

Freezie pops, a touch pool and a sprinkler also provided an oasis for kids to beat the heat.  

No, no one is starting an oil drilling project in the Boothbay region. However, the area’s newest construction boat was built and designed for it. Liftboat Enzo Charles came July 31 after almost a month’s travel to begin its new life with Fuller Marine Services.   

Captain Sam Fuller recently took the ship on an over 2,500-mile journey from New Iberia, Louisiana to its new home in Maine. The crew of four traveled from the Gulf of Mexico, around Key West in Florida, and up the Eastern Seaboard.  

Four U.S. Naval Academy vessels docked at Hodgdon Marina in Boothbay Harbor Monday evening, bringing with them around 120 crew members, students and staff. The ships are here as part of a two-week training trip from the academy in Maryland, and this is their northernmost stop. They came from Boston and plan to head for Martha’s Vineyard Wednesday.

The four Yard Patrol craft, or "YPs," are used by the Navy for training and research. Each carries around 30 people; in this case, mostly midshipmen from the academy.  

Things are looking a little greener in Boothbay Harbor. Heidi Fuller has expanded her home studio in Edgecomb to open Gracelynn’s, a one-stop shop for flower arrangements and house plants at 27 Townsend Ave. The store is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3  p.m.

With Gracelynn’s entering its second month of operation, Fuller said the local response has been “tremendous.” 

“It’s been really heartwarming. I've made some really good connections with my neighbors, and everyone in town has been very supportive.” 

Join local author Shannon M. Parker on Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. at Footbridge Brewery in Boothbay Harbor as she discusses her third novel, “Love & Lobsters."  Celebrated by Down East as “a love letter to Maine,” Parker’s book has been optioned for film and is Maine Public Radio’s August pick for “All Books Considered.”

While Parker relied on talks with Maine lobster fishers and the wide body of research around lobster behavior to inform her novel, she also drew from the pervasive commitment to community, care and sustainability cultivated by Mainers.

As anyone who has launched a business knows, it can’t be done alone. The engagement of local community is critical, as is the belief and financial support of donors. For the past eight years, Hearty Roots has been fortunate to be part of an enthusiastic village of helpers. Without the breadth and depth of generosity it has received, Hearty Roots could not have connected with the 600 kids who participated in its programs last year. 

AUGUSTA (July 23, 2025)—The Maine Association of Realtors reports 1,441 single family home sales during June 2025, 10.51 percent more than June 2024, with a median sales price (MSP) of $425,00, an increase of 4.94 percent compared to a year ago. The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.