1. Chamber Embraces, Honors Kitchen at Annual Gala

    Dunn, Rosignol, Warner, The Anchor Win MBACC Awards

    By Will Tuell

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  2. Help Wanted — Machias Launches Search for Operations Coordinator

    By Paul Sylvain

    A newly created position of Machias operations manager, which was vaguely funded without being specifically named in last year’s annual town meeting warrant, has been reposted with a new name — operations coordinator — and a revised set of qualifications and responsibilities. 

    In the span of about a year, Sarah Craighead Dedmon went from serving as recording secretary for the Machias Selectboard and Planning Board to the town’s first operations manager, on an interim basis, and for the past two months, permanent town manager.

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  3. Kingfish Maine Wins Final Court Challenge

    Construction a Go but Still a ‘Wait-See’

    By Nancy Beal

    One year to the day from last spring’s oral arguments before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court,

    Kingfish Maine received word that it had prevailed in the last of a string of challenges mounted by groups opposed to its plan to bring industrial land-based fish farming to Jonesport. 

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  4. Machias School Committee Submits Proposed Budget, but Federal Funding Concerns Remain

    By Paul Sylvain

    The Machias School Board last week submitted its proposed 2025-26 budget to town officials, representing an overall increase of around 3.15%, which is up $265,157 to $8,674,699, from $8,409,542 last year. However, the proverbial elephant in the room is what the education cost will actually be if President Trump makes good on his threat to withhold federal money from Maine over Gov. Janet Mills’ hard-line stand allowing transgenders born as males to play in girls’ sports in Maine’s schools.

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  5. Maine Senate Unanimously Confirms Wilson as Marine Resources Commissioner

    By Paul Sylvain

    Governor Janet Mills swore in Carl Wilson as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) on April 8, following the Maine Senate’s unanimous vote to confirm his nomination.

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  6. Beals Holds Annual Town Meeting

    By Nancy Beal

    Some 30 Beals residents gathered in the elementary school gym April 7 to act on a 58-article warrant at their annual town meeting.

    Moderator Terry Beal guided voters in a meeting lasting a little over two hours. In the end, voters agreed to raise a total of $348,251, as well as reelecting all incumbent town officers to their posts. 

    One departmental position — road commissioner — was absorbed into the selectmen’s duties, and the $3,000 salary, raised for that role last year, was moved into the surplus account. 

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  7. Federalism and Freedom

    by Jonathan Reisman

    Federalism is the balance and sharing of powers between the national government and the states. Federalism is a means of protecting against the tyranny of majorities and of allowing for a diverse electorate and political cultures. Maine can be Maine rather than California, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire. The Electoral College, the U.S. Senate, and the 10th Amendment are all elements of Federalism designed to protect freedom.

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  8. Cutler Loans Jonesport FD a Pumper Truck as Town Searches to Replace Truck Destroyed in Beals Blaze

    By Nancy Beal

    Jonesport Fire Chief Boyde Crowley brought good news to his town’s selectmen April 9; the department’s pumper truck that was destroyed while battling a fire on Beals on March 28 is covered by insurance. 

    And he had even more good news to share with the board. The town of Cutler has loaned the Jonesport Fire Department a 40-year-old pumper until a permanent replacement for the destroyed vehicle can be found.

    Jonesport’s truck was pumping water on a massive, fully involved house fire on Beals Island last

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  9. Two Generations of Thespians had Roles in Machias ACT’s Steel Magnolias

    Last weekend, a local family collaboration took center stage as two generations of talented women came together for the first time in Machias Arts Council Theatre’s (Machias ACT) production of the beloved classic Steel Magnolias.

    Set in a small-town beauty salon in Louisiana, Steel Magnolias -- in a 1987 script by Robert Harling -- is a touching and humorous story about friendship, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds between women. 

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  10. Whitneyville Selectman Disputes Claims Town was Invited but Absent at Regional Policing Meeting

    By Paul Sylvain

    Whitneyville Selectboard Chairman Nate Pennell is disputing claims at a public meeting that his town was invited but failed to attend a March 21 meeting in Machias to discuss a regional policing plan being floated by Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier.

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  11. Dedicated to Community, Committed to Training

    By Paul Sylvain

    Any team is only as strong as its weakest member. It’s true in sports, the military, and with first responders. And as Machiasport volunteer firefighter David Cale will tell you, strength comes from teamwork and training. Lots of training.

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  12. Community Rallies Behind Local Women Who Lost Home

    By Will Tuell

    It is a cornerstone of life Downeast that, when a beloved community member is in distress, his or her family members, friends, and the broader community respond to the crisis in a big way. 

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  13. Draft Machias Solar, Wind Ordinances Highlight Alternative Energy Development Concerns

    By Paul Sylvain

    A handful of Machias voters at a special town meeting two weeks ago enacted 180-day moratoriums on commercial solar farm applications and development and, in a separate warrant article, on commercial wind energy facilities.

    The pause will give the town time to formulate specific ordinances addressing both endeavors and could, in fact, be ready in time for the annual town meeting warrant on June 11.

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  14. Jonesboro Grange Holds 4th Annual Easter Basket Festival, Egg Hunt

    By Paul Sylvain

    Looking for something fun to do with your children or grandchildren this coming weekend? We have it on good authority from Jonesboro Grange 357 that the Easter Bunny will be making an appearance via Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Department truck at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, outside Jonesboro Elementary School for a free Easter egg hunt. Rain date is April 13 at 1 p.m.

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  15. Maine Veterans Homes Facing Closure in Two Years Without Additional State Funding

    By Paul Sylvain 

    Maine Veterans Homes — the state-run nonprofit providing long-term care for Maine’s veterans and their spouses — is once again warning that, without roughly $13 million in state funding, two or more of its facilities in the state, which includes homes in Machias and Caribou, will have to close their doors by 2026. 

    The news comes three years after MVH nearly closed its Machias facility, located on the Down East Community Hospital campus, and a facility in Caribou before lawmakers intervened with emergency funding. 

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  16. White Rabbits and Jabberwocky in Augusta

    by Jonathan Reisman

    This Maine political season of partisan budgets and censures, gubernatorial and presidential petulance, DEI deflection, and narrative nonsense from Maine’s Soros bought-and-sold legacy media have brought Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass into clear metaphorical focus.

    My first white rabbit sighting came with apologies to Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane:

     

    White Rabbit in Augusta

     

    Budgets can make you larger,

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  17. Meet the Music Duo of Chase 'n' Lamb

    By Paul Sylvain

    Musicians Alan Cook and Gary Lamb, appearing individually and as an occasional duo, are familiar to Downeast music audiences. Although the popular duo were among last year's performers at the Bad Little Falls Park Summer Concert Series, be prepared to meet and hear the remarkably talented duo of guitarist Matt Chase and drummer/percussionist Gary Lamb — appearing as Chase ‘n’ Lamb — on July 17 at this year's renamed Kitchen Summer Concert Series at Bad Little Park.

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  18. UMM Reopens Newly Renovated Reynolds Gymnasium

    The University of Maine at Machias celebrated the completion of the long-awaited Reynolds Gymnasium renovation, as students, regional and state leaders, and guests took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility rededication on April 4.

    Extensive renovations to the gym include a brand new, NCAA-compliant hardwood floor, modernized bleachers with computerized mechanisms, upgraded scoreboards, a new sound system, and various other enhancements to support both student and community events.

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  19. Blaze Destroys Beals Homestead, Jonesport Fire Department’s Pumper Truck

    By Nancy Beal

    Beals Island became the scene of a horrendous house fire on March 28, as two island ladies lost their home in a conflagration that required four fire departments to extinguish. 

    It took about three hours for the old Danny and Susie Alley homestead, where their daughter and friend were living, to be reduced to ashes and memories. Meanwhile, neighbors, friends, and curious onlookers could only watch and hope the flames would not spread in the tightly packed neighborhood.

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  20. Regional Policing Plan Gets Lukewarm Reception from Machiasport Selectboard

    By Paul Sylvain

    A plan being floated by Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier, offering neighboring towns regional law enforcement services by the Machias Police Department, received a lukewarm reception from Machiasport officials at their March 24 meeting.

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  21. Machiasport Fire Dept. Bolstered by Surge in New Volunteers

    By Paul Sylvain 

    Normally, it’s the volunteer fire department that rushes to battle a blaze at the home of a neighbor. However, it was the neighbors in town who, in recent weeks, turned the tables by responding to Machiasport Fire Department Chief David Neilson’s urgent plea for help.

    In nothing short of a miracle, the Machiasport Fire Department more than doubled its number of volunteer firefighters over the past two months, with more people expected to sign up. 

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  22. Key Tariff Rules Outlined for Maine Travelers Bringing Goods Across the Border from Canada

    By Jayna Smith 

    Until recently, cross-border travel was a routine part of life for many in the area. Now, for both travelers and businesses, understanding what to expect at the U.S.-Canada border regarding tariffs and import regulations is crucial to avoid unexpected costs. To help clear up common concerns, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided insights on how tariffs and duties apply to goods entering Maine from Canada.

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  23. Maine Coast Heritage Briefs Jonesport Selectboard on Mason’s Bay Preserve Activities, April 12 Night Hike

    By Nancy Beal

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  24. Healthy Acadia Hosting Community Gatherings During National Public Health Week

    Healthy Acadia is hosting a series of community gatherings in Hancock and Washington counties during National Public Health Week, April 7-13. These events provide an opportunity to learn more about Healthy Acadia’s role as a nonprofit public health organization serving Maine’s Hancock and Washington counties, as well as the various health and wellness resources available.

    The event will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the following locations and dates:

    • April 9 in Calais at the Wabanaki Culture Center, 39 Union Street

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  25. Spring?

    by Jonathan Reisman

    I am more than ready for Spring, so the fresh, wet, white blanket that I observed at sunrise several days after spring had allegedly sprung was worth at least a question mark, but the preceding days of melting, initial raking, and garden prep, and baseball dreams were sufficient to somewhat salve the political and policy pounding Governor Mills and her Democratic legislative majorities have been so kindly administering to me, rural Maine, and the 2nd Congressional District.

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  26. Planning Underway for Kitchen Summer Concert Series

    By Paul Sylvain

    A group of local musicians, of which many have appeared in some or all of the first four series of summer concerts at Bad Little Falls Park, met with Machias Town Manager Sarah Craighead Dedmon on March 28 to begin mapping out plans for the 2025 Kitchen Summer Concert Series and beyond.

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  27. Cherryfield’s Oldest Citizen, WWII Veteran Bob Harvey, Presented Boston Post Cane

    World War II Veteran 96-year-old Robert “Bob” Harvey of Cherryfield received the Boston Post Cane on March 29 at his Bion Lane home with his wife, Meg Nalle, proudly looking on. Cherryfield Selectboard members Mary Knapp and Art Tatangelo presented Harvey with the cane on behalf of the town.

    Harvey shared some facts about his interesting life.

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  28. From Troubled Past to Promising Future, Michelle Murphy Helping Others Find a Path Forward

    By Paul Sylvain

    In a life full of choices, Michelle Murphy of East Machias readily admits that she’s made her share of poor ones, as she told County Commissioners John Crowley, Billy Howard, and Chairman David Burns at their March 20 meeting.

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  29. Fort O’Brien School Science Students Have a ‘Field” Day at Downeast Institute

    By Paul Sylvain

    Whoever thinks learning can’t be fun has never been a student in Tom Manship’s science and math classes at Fort O’Brien School in Machiasport. 

    And on the very first day of spring, the “little school that can,” once again did, by taking a group of eager fifth and sixth graders on a field trip to Downeast Institute (DEI) on Beals.

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  30. Hockey Anyone?

    By Doss Dennison

    Dating back to 1953, eight players born in Maine have made it to the NHL. UMaine has sent 70 players to the NHL, 11 of them were goalies. That being said, hockey doesn’t seem to be a favorite sport of Downeasters. I am going to attribute the lack of enthusiasm to limited access. 

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  31. Commissioners Briefed by Workforce Agency Representative on Washington County Jobs Programs

    By Paul Sylvain

    Connecting people in need of jobs and providing others with the training and skills leading to employment opportunities topped March 20 presentations to Washington County commissioners by Northeastern Workforce Development Board (NWDB) Executive Director Gallen Williamson and Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) Workforce Development Specialist Saydee Plaster

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  32. Property Bid Openings, Ballfield Light Top Jonesport Selectboard Meeting

    By Nancy Beal

    Members of the committee that put on Jonesport’s July 4 Moosabec Summerfest celebration came to the March 12 selectmen’s meeting to pitch a plan to bring electricity to the town’s ballfield. 

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  33. Marden’s Surplus Accused of Selling Counterfeit Patagonia Gear, Lawsuit Filed

    By Jayna Smith

    Patagonia, a well-known outdoor clothing company, has filed a lawsuit against Maine-based retailer Marden's Surplus and Salvage, accusing the company of knowingly selling counterfeit products.

    The lawsuit, filed in federal court last week, claims that Marden's sold fake Patagonia jackets and other items at its 13 retail locations across the state. According to Patagonia, the counterfeit products are "visually identical" to the brand’s authentic items but are of inferior quality.

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  34. Waite General Store to Close Its Doors for Good on March 31

    By Jayna Smith 

    After serving northern Washington County for many decades, the Waite General Store will officially close its doors for good on March 31, marking the end of an era for the small town of Waite. The store has long been a staple of the community, offering everything from milk and eggs to moose tags and friendly conversation.

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  35. Sustain This

    by Jonathan Reisman

    At the heart of green liturgy is the holy concept of sustainability. Everyone wants to be sustainable, but actually defining it in practice has proven wholly unlikely. Sustainability is often explained with the saying, “Don’t eat the seed corn,” or managing our resources in a manner that doesn’t reduce the opportunities of future generations. As a practical policy matter, what is or is not sustainable depends on baseline and future assumptions about technology, human behavior, and the planet/nature.

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  36. Raider Report

    This week, the Raider Report is excited to share the news of Rowen Luuring's return to campus! 

    Luuring is a Class of 2022 graduate and has served since September as one of the Sustainable Gardening & Agriculture AmeriCorps service members. During her years as a WA student, she was an active member of the Sustainability Club and highly engaged in her science classrooms. As a result, she created and maintained strong relationships with her science teachers, who recommended her for the open WA AmeriCorps service position last summer! 

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  37. Machias Officials Stunned by Six-Figure Repair Bid for Flood Damaged Town Office Building

    By Paul Sylvain

    “Sell it to Hammond.”

    Referring to Hammond Lumber in Machias, those words — uttered half jokingly, but said with an edge of truth by Machias Town Clerk Sandra Clifton at the selectboard’s March 12 meeting — might in fact be the town’s best option for dealing with the shuttered, flood damaged town office building at 7 Court Street.

    The Machias Hammond Lumber and hardware store is located at 9 Quoddy Lane, directly behind the 7 Court Street town office building.

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  38. Cutting to the Chase — Jonesporters Zip Through Annual Meeting Warrant in Record Time

    by Nancy Beal

    It took approximately 50 Jonesporters just over an hour, on March 10, to raise three-quarters of a million dollars to run their town for another year, in what many old-timers claimed was the shortest town meeting they could remember. 

    As in previous years, the most expensive categories were public works — $173,900 alone for snow and ice removal — and public safety, at a cost of $100,845 for just the ambulance. 

    General government/

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  39. One for the ‘Books’ as Machias Assessor J. Douglas Guy III Prepares to Step Down After 30 Years

    By Paul Sylvain

    Citing “pretty much old age and health issues,” J. Douglas Guy III is closing the books, so to speak, on 30 years as the Shiretown’s tax assessor.

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  40. West Branch Farms’ New ‘Bakery + Café’ Offers Freshly Baked, Brewed, and Infused Beverages and Goodies

    By Paul Sylvain

    Look out Dunkin’, there’s a new coffee shop in town.

    Leave it to West Branch Farms in Machias to take a shed that served as the former home of Sugar and Crumbs Bakery in Milbridge, move it to Machias, enlarge it, and open it for business on March 8 as the West Branch Bakery + Café.

    Other than purchasing its building, West Branch Bakery + Café is not affiliated with Sugar and Crumbs, which has since reopened in a new, larger building in Milbridge.

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  41. Jonesport to Light Up the Town’s Ballfield

    By Nancy Beal

    Members of the committee that puts on the Moosabec Summerfest celebration on July 4 attended the March 12 Jonesport Selectmen’s meeting to pitch bringing electricity to the town’s ballfield behind the library. 

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  42. Beals Annual Town Meeting Set for April 7

    By Nancy Beal

    Beals selectmen have been busy recently preparing the warrant for the upcoming annual town meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 7, at Beals Elementary School gymnasium.

    The annual report book was at the printer’s last week, and Daniel Davis, who has taken charge of the project, said on March 11 that he expected to be finished putting it together this week. 

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  43. Comity and Contretemps

    by Jonathan Reisman

    Amid increasing contretemps over Trump, tariffs, taxes, and transgender toxicity, I watched the Soros backed, matching blood-red shirt, pro-Hamas/anti-Israel/antisemitic protest/rant at Trump Tower in Manhattan Thursday afternoon, followed by the blood-red lunar eclipse moon at 2 a.m. Friday. 

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  44. Webinar on Becoming a Resilient Gardener Hosted by UMaine Extension on March 26

    University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a webinar for home gardeners titled “Becoming a Resilient Vegetable Gardener” from 6-7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26. 

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  45. No Need to be ’Wile-E’ About It: Retired Game Warden Opposing Bill to Restrict Coyote Hunting

    By Paul Sylvain 

    Former Maine Game Warden and Master Guide David Craven of Bucks Harbor is speaking out against a bill to restrict coyote hunting in Maine, after defeating a similar bill during the last legislative session. 

    Craven, now a respected shepherd who has judged international competitions in the field, joined popular talk radio host Ric Tyler on Feb. 28 to discuss LD 716, “An Act to Restrict the Hunting of Coyotes,” prior to a March 3 public hearing on the issue in Augusta. 

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