Paula Brewer

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Paula Brewer

LIMESTONE, Maine — After numerous technical delays, construction is underway on a $55 million potato chip plant on the former Loring Air Force Base, with plans to open for production about a year from now. The Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co. expects to begin producing chips in spring of 2026, then reach full capacity that June, Loring Development Authority president and CEO Jonathan Judkins told board members this week.

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Paula Brewer

EASTON, Maine — Easton residents will see a higher tax bill this summer because the town is changing its fiscal year. Voters passed the 2025-2026 budget, which will cover 16 1/2 months, at Monday’s annual town meeting. The change has been discussed at various public meetings and mailings also went out to residents, Town Manager Cheryl Clark said Tuesday. The fiscal year, which was previously Feb. 16 to the following Feb. 15, will now run from July 1 through June 30.

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Paula Brewer |Chris Bouchard

VAN BUREN, Maine — In a continuation of the town’s work with Drexel University, Van Buren is working with students on plans to renovate the town’s former municipal building and transition it into a community and business incubator space. The town began its work with Drexel about a year ago when it started working with the college on a 10-week project that involved making about a dozen art pieces for the town’s historical pathway.

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Paula Brewer

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Go down any produce aisle, and you’ll see all manner of fruits and vegetables with tags declaring “Product of Canada” or “Product of Mexico.”That’s not unusual in Maine, or in other places where the climate forces grocers to buy goods from elsewhere. But last week, the Trump administration enacted tariffs on goods from many countries, including Canada and Mexico. Federal leaders say the tariffs will eventually spark U.S. growth by decreasing dependence on other countries.

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Paula Brewer

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Presque Isle city councilors considered for a second time, but did not enact, a moratorium on commercial solar farms during an April 2 meeting. The idea came about in March, when several residents who live in the area around Longview Drive protested an energy company’s plans to expand an installation in the neighborhood. Residents didn’t want the solar farm enlarged because they feared it would decrease home values, disrupt wildlife and damage the environment.