J.W. Oliver

The next principal of Harpswell Community School brings experience as an administrator in the district and a background as an intelligence analyst in the Navy. The Maine School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors appointed Bridgette Ortiz to the position in a unanimous vote on Thursday, March 26.

The town will improve public access to state land on Clark Cove after a 732-405 vote in favor of the proposal on Saturday, March 14. Also at the polls on Saturday, Kevin Johnson fended off a challenge from Ellen Glew to win a fifth term on the Harpswell Select Board, 789-303.

A house at 7 Hugh Ave. on Bailey Island burned down early Friday, Jan. 23. The four occupants of the house escaped largely unhurt, although one man was taken to a Portland hospital with "a burn injury to his wrist," according to the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office. Officials didn't name the occupants.