by Ruth Leubecker

It was a year with record-breaking events and divisive issues -- issues that promise great tumult in 2019.

But first, looking in the rearview mirror, the year 2018 began with a dramatic international incident when a brining shed collapsed in a storm and sailed to Campobello. Tempers flared and dialogue festered, but not for long after the battered shed -- such as it was -- came home to Lubec.

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner Patrick Keliher signed an experimental lease approval on Dec. 18 for a 3.7-acre sugar kelp operation to be located west of Hog Island in Machiasport. The site will be used for the cultivation of sugar kelp using suspended culture techniques and will be one of many already approved in the Machias Bay.  

by Lura Jackson

On Dec. 12, Maine patients’ ability to access medical marijuana became significantly easier as a new law, L.D. 1539, went into effect. The new law makes it easier for patients to receive medical certification by removing the list of qualifying conditions and leaving medical providers with more freedom to prescribe medical marijuana themselves.

by Ruth Leubecker

Everyone loves Will’s newsletter, and most could guess what he led off with recently. “2018 was a tough year for everyone associated with the Downeast Correctional Facility,” said the East Machias legislator. “2019 is our chance to pick up the pieces, start over again, and turn heartache into joy. Trials and challenges turn around with good people fighting to turn them around. Each of us is up to the task, our community is up for the task, and the rest of the state will see that again in 2019.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

State Senator Marianne Moore (R-Washington) won election to the Maine Senate in November and has come out of the gate sponsoring 13 bills for the 2019 legislative session.

At the top of Moore’s list are two bills that would restore full revenue sharing to Maine municipalities. Under Governor LePage, revenue sharing was cut from 5 percent to 2 percent, creating a reduction in municipal revenues. 

Matt and Molly Hall and their three daughters welcomed Ezra James Hall to their family on January 1, 2019 at Down East Community Hospital in Machias. Pictured left to right, with a basket full of gifts from DECH and local businesses, are Molly, Ezra, Gianna, Bella, Matt and Delia Hall. See story page 4. Submitted photo

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The majority of the Lady Clippers’ games will be played in Machias for the month of January. Basketball fans will want to mark their calendars for six of their seven remaining home games.

The University of Maine at Machias women’s basketball team defeated Green Mountain College in Machias 70-62 on Sunday, Jan. 6, bringing their season record to 7-5. 

The Lady Clippers will play at home against Paul Smith’s College on Friday, Jan. 11 at noon. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Elissa Sieber went online Dec. 27 to make a sad announcement. After struggling to stay open for many months, Sieber and her husband, Ryan Sieber, decided to close their Machias-based consignment shop, Posh: Home of the Frugal Fashionista, but an automated suggestion from Facebook changed their course.

“As soon as I made the post, right on the top of it Facebook suggested ‘Ask your community for support,’” said Elissa Sieber, “and I thought well, I could try this one last thing.” 

by Lura Jackson

by Wayne Smith

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Machias residents are invited to a public hearing on Thursday, Jan. 31 to discuss three matters including the proposed Machias Revitalization Municipal Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program, or “Machias Revitalization TIF” for short.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) has plans to repair 1.79 miles of Route 1 in East Machias but, unfortunately for frustrated local drivers, those repairs can’t take place until 2020. 

The stretch of Route 1 northbound that immediately follows Pope’s Bridge in East Machias has become notorious for its enormous potholes during the winter months. Though DOT crews work regularly to refill the holes, many local drivers complain of damage to their vehicles.

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Seven charges against Jason Smith of East Machias have been dismissed and he has pled no contest to aggravated assault, for which he will be on probation for three years.

Smith spent 125 days in the Washington County Jail after being charged with gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual conduct and assault, visual aggression against a child, solicitation of a child, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges dated to an alleged incident in June, 2017.

U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that Hannah Hudson, a Columbia Falls native, has been hired as a legislative correspondent in her Washington, D.C. office.  Hannah is the daughter of Tom and Cheri Hudson of Columbia Falls.  She was previously a Senior Associate at The Cohen Group, a firm led by former Secretary of Defense and Maine Senator Bill Cohen.

Representative Will Tuell (R-E. Machias) won re-election in November and sits on the Marine Resources Committee. Tuell represents House District 139, which includes the towns of Cutler, East Machias, Eastport, Lubec, Machias, Machiasport, Roque Bluffs, Whiting, and Trescott Township.

An Act to Reopen the Downeast Correctional Facility 

Resolve, Naming a Highway and Renaming a Bridge in the Town of Whiting

An Act Concerning the Composition of the Criminal Law Advisory Commission 

by Joseph Horn

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Fighting fire has always been a dangerous profession, and scientists are now learning that the risks to life and limb continue long after the fire has been extinguished. Simple exposure to fire smoke is a silent killer, and 27 local firefighters spent an evening last week learning how to protect themselves from the toxins that are spiking cancer and heart disease rates in their field.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon 

The yurt that was home to Machiasport legend Bill Coperthwaite was severely vandalized in December and now the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the property’s caretakers and owners are hoping to find those responsible.

by Lura Jackson

In the center of Maine, a debate has taken hold of the community: should Skowhegan Area High School change the name of its high school teams from the “Indians” – a change supported by many indigenous members of the extended community – or keep them as is, in keeping with the group calling itself Skowhegan Indian Pride? At the most recent meeting, which took place on Jan. 8 in Skowhegan and drew approximately 200 people, Passamaquoddy Dwayne Tomah was the first to speak out.

Publisher’s Note: This letter is being published with our full support and we hope all Machias residents vote in support Feb 7.  Any initiative that will bring jobs and economic growth to our community is exactly what we need.  Congratulations on this excellent initiative.  Pierre M. Little, MVNO Publisher

Dear Machias Community,

by Nancy Beal

Wendy Newell Dyer, 54, of Jonesport, was taken from her 15-year-old mother at the age of 17 days and placed in foster care. Her early removal from her mother’s arms was the demand of the young mother’s father, and the reason was that the baby’s father was a Native American. Wendy’s foster parents, who were Caucasian, became her adoptive parents. She was raised in their culture, went to public school and college (UMaine-Machias 2003) and married a Jonesport boy. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Several hundred people turned out to support their local fire departments at a public supper held Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Rose M. Gaffney School in Machias. 

The revitalized Board of the Machias Bay Chamber Concerts (MBCC) is happy to announce Susan Aceto has agreed to serve as President of the concert board and there will be a 50th season of concerts in Machias. Ms. Aceto has had a long association with the MBCC as a supporter, volunteer, benefactor and performer. 

Pictured:  Chef Beriau, students Robert Swallow, Aric McCurdy, Destiny Floyd, Leif McKenna and Tyler Demerest. Submitted photo