By Will Tuell

Maine’s commercial lobster fishermen certainly have had a lot on their plate for the past several years with federal regulators adopting or proposing stringent new gear requirements designed to protect North Atlantic Right Whales that may, or may not, be present in the Gulf of Maine; concern over the location and scale of floating offshore wind farms; and most recently, stock assessments that could trigger changes in the rules governing what constitutes a legal lobster. 

The Board of Directors at Harrington Family Health Center (HFHC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Demee Manchester to Chief Executive Officer.  For the past six months, Manchester served as the organization’s Interim CEO in addition to performing her duties as Chief Operating Officer. 

by Jonathan Reisman

I attended the 2024 Maine Republican Party Convention in Augusta, aptly named “Restoring Freedom.” What follows are my Statler and Waldorf intern observations and notes.

The First Congregational Church of Machiasport will serve a free community BBQ supper beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the church on Trafton’s Hill at 378 Port Road, in Machiasport. The menu includes ribs, brisket, burgers, hot dogs, macaroni and potato salads, mac and cheese, and a variety of desserts and soft drinks. 

By Will Tuell

The Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce honored two local women -- Lisa Griffin and Joanie Morin -- during its 2024 annual dinner meeting on April 22 at Helen’s Restaurant in Machias.

By Phil Stuart

With the start of the Major League Baseball season, it might be appropriate to recognize four major league baseball players who came from Washington County.  The Downeast area has produced some outstanding baseball talent over the years, but only four actually put on a major league uniform.  All of them came from within a 20-mile radius in Washington County.

Washington Academy Head of School Judson McBrine proudly announced senior Dakoda Davis as the recipient of the 2024 Maine Principal's Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals' Association (MPA), recognizes a high school senior's academic achievement and citizenship. Dakoda is the son of Adam and Sharon Davis of East Machias. 

By Will Tuell

Over 125 supporters of the Machias Valley Christian School gathered at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias on April 25 for the school’s annual art show, dinner, and auction. Diners were greeted with a healthy helping of spaghetti with a choice of three sauces -- including an extra hot and spicy meat sauce that singed the taste buds -- a tossed salad, and all the lemonade you could drink. A range of handcrafted items and savory desserts were auctioned off for the school’s benefit. 

By Johnny Chambers

LD227 has caused Maine to become the most anti-child, anti-family State in the nation. LD227 is the child of LD1735 which is better known as the "trans-trafficking bill", brought you by Anne Perry Democrat, is pushing for "gender affirming care" and "reproductive health care" as legal rights, without considering the detrimental effects it may have on children, parents, and the overall well-being of the state.

By Will Tuell

A novelist from Washington State who has family ties to the greater Machias area will be visiting the area in early May to promote his latest work, a historical novel spanning several generations of “Dooling” or Dowling family history and an entire continent. Mike Neir, author of Trees in the Mist, said that researching his family history led him to Machias, where he discovered, and incorporated, his ancestors’ participation in the Battle of the Margaretta into the historical romance. 

By Will Tuell

Barring a last-minute agreement, a union representing nurses and lab technicians at Down East Community Hospital (DECH) in Machias announced on April 19 that they will be going on strike for two days later this month. The decision comes as the two sides remain at loggerheads over a contract, which expired last October, and follows a late January rally where union members pushed for what they call “safe staffing” levels and better pay. 

I said goodbye to my wife and the Maine legislature last week. I will always miss Ernie, but I cannot say goodbye to the freedom-crushing 131st Maine Legislature fast enough. 

Ern’s memorial service was a blessing with friends, family, and community. Our grown-up sons delivered testimony that swelled me with both pride and grace. Testimony of her giving heart and many mitzvahs from friends and community buoyed me. Several suggested that Ernie was a Saint, which prompted me to bless her memory for sticking with me for 44 years.

By Nancy Beal 

Interest in a track and field program has cropped up at Jonesport-Beals High School this spring and a fledgling team of five has started competing. That was the message from athletic director Dan Campbell who informed members of the Moosabec CSD board at their April 10 meeting of what was happening and what was needed from the school.

By Will Tuell

Four generations of Downeast women credited with keeping the Machias area’s rich Revolutionary War-era history alive are being immortalized on a coin designed by artist Tom Brennan, which the Downeast Revolutionary War Reenactors are selling as part of an annual fundraiser to help preserve local history. The women include Rose Hall, Michelle Stanhope, Heather Vose, and a woman widely regarded as the “Matriarch of Machias History,” former reporter and lifelong historian Valdine Atwood, now in her early 90s. 

By Nancy Beal

By Will Tuell

The Town of Machiasport is seeking the public’s feedback on a draft commercial solar ordinance, Town Clerk Marcia Hayward said in an interview on April 9. The fourteen-page document applies to commercial-scale solar projects only -- and not residential or rooftop solar -- Hayward said. 

by Jonathan Reisman

Last week, I vented over Senator Collins proudly bequeathing $541,000 to the Sunrise County Economic Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI, aka “Didn’t Earn It”) indoctrination efforts. Not to be outdone, Senator King (I-Brunswick) and Representative Golden (D-ME-02) announced $7.1 million in Inflation Reduction Act investments (aka inflationary spending for the green new deal) in renewable (aka as intermittent and expensive) energy (subsidized solar arrays). Here is their March 29th joint press release:

Miguel Zenón and Luis Perdomo just won a GRAMMY for Best Latin Jazz Album, now they're performing live on Thursday, April 18, at the UMaine Machias Performing Arts Center and on Friday, April 19, at Minsky Recital Hall, UMaine, Orono at 7:30 p.m. on both nights. Admission is $30 for the Orono concert; in Machias, voluntary contributions will be collected. K-12 free with an accompanying adult.

By Phil Stuart

Washington County has produced many outstanding runners over the years.  Most runners would probably agree that Jonesboro’s mystery runner, Bruce Bridgham, would be at the top of the list.

Bruce has been dealing with some medical issues recently, and a neighbor and friend reached out to the MVNO and asked if we might do an article on the former King of the Roads.

By Wayne Smith 

Few times in recent memory has a winter storm lived up to the hype generated on television and social media. Yet the nor’easter that dumped 10-12 inches or more of wet, heavy snow on some parts of the Sunrise County brought gusty 50 mph winds and left thousands without power, not only lived up to its billing but in many ways reminded Downeasters that while the calendar may say April, Old Man Winter isn’t going to leave without being heard from in a major way. 

by Jonathan Reisman

I take my blood pressure medication every day. I exercise and watch my weight. I practice yoga and mindfulness. But there is no protecting my blood pressure from Senator Collins using her Senate Appropriations Vice-Chairmanship to earmark and proudly announce more than half a million dollars for a woke Down East Non-Government Organization (NGO) allegedly committed to job creation and economic development to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI, also stands for “Didn’t Earn It”).