Governor Mills directs flags lowered immediately in honor of Virginia Beach victims

In accordance with a directive from the President, Governor Janet Mills directed that the United States and State of Maine flags be flown at half-staff statewide immediately until sunset on Tuesday, June 4, in honor of the victims of a Friday shooting in Virginia Beach, Virginia and issued the following statement: "Maine grieves with Virginia for the lives lost Friday in a devastating, senseless act of violence," said Governor Mills.

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12 Machias voters adopt $5.3M school budget

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Twelve Machias voters attended the town meeting held Tuesday, May 28, and approved a 2019/20 school budget of $5,302,588.68, an increase of $161,964.43, or 3.13 percent, over last year’s budget.

In the coming year, $2,090,708.57 in revenue will be contributed toward that budget via state subsidy, and $1,301,838.00 is projected in revenue from tuition students.

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What to expect at the Annual Machias Town Meeting June 12

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

This year’s edition of the Town of Machias Annual Report begins with a dedication to Warren Gay, Machias Board of Selectmen Chairman who died last year. The report speaks of Gay fondly, and recalls his 13 years of service on the board. “He could often be seen socializing on official business at the town office, riding his scooter through town, or working on vehicles for friends, family, or even strangers.”

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Congressman Jared Golden visits Washington County Democrats

 

by Nancy Beal

Maine 2nd Congressional District Representative Jared Golden was the featured speaker at the Washington County Democrats’ Norman Nelson Dinner in Machias May 18. The dinner was held to present the group’s community service award (it went to Fred and Linda Gralenski of Pembroke), and Golden echoed the theme of the evening in his remarks.

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Search continues for former Princeton resident

 

by Jayna Smith

Police in Massachusetts are searching for a former Princeton, Maine woman.  Jacqueline “Jackie” Coutinho, age 53, was last seen on the morning of Wednesday, May 15 in Hinsdale, Massachusetts.  She had been spending time there with her sister for the last month.

Coutinho is described as a white female, approximately 5’ 6”, 130 pounds, with blonde and gray hair.  She was last seen wearing a purple and red sweater, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

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Veterans’ emergency financial assistance available

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is pleased to announce that the American Legion and Easterseals Maine will be points of contact for distribution of Veterans’ Emergency Financial Assistance (VEFA), which is the result of the passage of LD 1736 in the 128th Maine State Legislature, a bill that was originally sponsored by Representative Louis Luchini of Ellsworth and Representative Bradlee Farrin of Norridgewock.

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Farm tidbits

 

by Wayne Smith

My father started dairy farming at his house in Jonesboro with about nine cows back in the 50s. He used stainless steel machines and put the milk in milk cans, and he had a cooler with water in it so that the milk wouldn't curdle. Every day, Shoppe’s Dairy in Machias would pick up the milk and bottle it over there. When he went in the service for two years, my grandfather and grandmother milked the cows. Every night, my grandmother washed the dishes.

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Castlebay returns to Jonesport’s PML Music Series

 

By Nancy Beal

Maine vocalists and musicians Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee have been weaving the musical heritage of New England and Celtic lands since 1987 and, as Castlebay, they are a familiar duo in Jonesport. On Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m., they will bring their distinctive Celtic flair back to the Peabody Memorial Library’s summer series Music in the Library for the series’ opening concert of the season and Castlebay’s ninth appearance since the series began.

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Candidate Jackson celebrates history, bright future of Machias

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Jim Jackson wants to serve the town of Machias as a selectman, so he’s running for office again.

“I wanted it the first time and I didn’t get, but that’s no reason to stop and just give up,” said Jackson, who ran in the Feb. 26 election and lost by two votes to Glenn Davis, who was elected in February to finish a term ending in June. Davis announced he would not run again shortly after taking office.

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Blueberry power struggles to take center stage at field day

by Ruth Leubecker

As the wild blueberry industry continues to combat a severe economic downturn, a recent bill for expanding and diversifying the Wild Blueberry Commission offers hope for change.

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Out and about in Columbia

One more week and school will be out for the summer break. I know the kids are looking forward to having some fun this summer. Hopefully, they will be busy and not too bored. I am looking forward to doing some fun things myself and going places.

Carroll and I were in Ellsworth on Tuesday for his appointment; it was a quick trip but we did enjoy a meal at Governor’s before returning home.

On Thursday I met up with Nancy Pike and her mother Jeannette Smith at 44 Degrees North Restaurant in Milbridge for a nice meal. A pleasant way to spend an evening with great company.

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John H. Ahlin and Norman Nelson scholarships awarded

The John H. Ahlin Scholarship and Norman Nelson Scholarship have been awarded to four graduating high school seniors from Washington Academy in East Machias. The John H. Ahlin Scholarship, each in the amount of $500, has been awarded to Devyn Seeley and Donald Soctomah. The Norman Nelson Scholarship, also in the amount of $500 each, has been awarded to Cole Avery and Josiah Brown.

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‘Beyond Acadia’ charts beauty of Washington County’s Bold Coast

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Becky Bard used to attend the Margaretta Days Festival each year with her small children, but this year she’ll be at the festival tending something altogether different — her husband’s first book, which is also the very first guide book ever written exclusively about Washington County.

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Moosabec teachers, school board approach new contract agreement

 

by Nancy Beal

The Moose-A-Bec Teachers Association (MTA) and the Union 103 school board (which oversees matters pertaining to all three schools in Jonesport and Beals) have been in contracts talks for over a year. Negotiating teams from each side have been through various levels of discussions — all unsuccessful — including a three-person fact-finding panel whose recommendations, delivered last month, favored the teachers but were rejected by the school board. Last week, it appeared that the two sides were approaching a compromise.

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Artist to presidents, Princess Diana, at home in Jonesboro

by Ruth Leubecker

Yogi Morgan is a woman of many talents, contradictions and surprises.

She was born 68 years ago in Louisville, Kentucky, though her family never lived there. Years ago she left her home in Presque Isle to accidentally find her life’s work in Chicago. She lived in more than 50 places before settling in Jonesboro, Maine.

And the list goes on. Hers has been a peripatetic life, with an astounding number of experiences integrated into the entire process. Understandably, her parents did not name their infant daughter Yogi …

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Margaretta Days Festival brings history to life in Machias

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

This weekend Machias will celebrate its Revolutionary War history in a way no other town in the nation can.

“What a treasure we have here. So many of our historic reenactors, as well as many of the Wabanaki reenactors, are direct descendants of the actual heroes!” said Carlene Holmes. “Where else can you find such a historical reenactment? Williamsburg or Gettysburg, Plymouth?”

No.

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Countywide crime spree ends in arrest

 

by Jayna Smith

A day that included three structure fires, a home invasion and auto theft started early in Princeton on Sunday, June 9 and ended late the same day in Trenton after drawing multiple law enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency dispatchers into its wake.

It all started at dawn when Princeton Fire Chief Tony Ramsdell said a call came in at 4:29 a.m. and “was dispatched as a double structure fire.” Six area fire departments responded to two early morning structure fires in Princeton.

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New owners invite you to linger at Whole Life Natural Market

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

When Patti Sansing opened Whole Life Natural Market in 2003 it checked two boxes for her: it allowed Sansing and her family to move closer to their extended family, and it allowed her to share her knowledge of natural healing through the store’s products.

“I was studying to be a holistic nutritionist, but my family is from here so we used to come here all the time for vacations,” said Sansing. When the previous owner put the store up for sale, Sansing and her husband purchased it and moved to Machias.

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Machias River General Store plans to sweeten up a Main Street favorite

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Three generations of the Hoyt family owned and operated the Machias Hardware Co., the shopping centerpiece of Main Street, Machias. Now, two new families will continue in their tradition when they reopen as the Machias River General Store.

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Expressions builds on 76 years of tradition in Machias

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

It was hot that June, more than 75 years ago. A young woman was about to graduate from Machias Memorial High School, so she and her two sisters made the long drive to Ellsworth for celebratory flowers. By the time they arrived back in Machias, all of their flowers were wilted. Having no other florist nearby, they asked their parents for help.

“Mr. and Mrs. Parlin had beautiful gardens, so they went to them and asked them if they could have some for graduation,” said Rhonda Reynolds.

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Farm tidbits, part two

 

by Wayne Smith

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Jackson elected to Machias Board of Selectmen

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

 

Jim Jackson was elected to the Machias Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 11 with 50 votes. Jackson was the only candidate on the Machias ballot, having completed the town's election paperwork earlier in the spring. Both Ed Pellon and Bruce Smith ran write-in campaigns for the position. Pellon received 29 votes and Smith received 25 votes.

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Calais toddler burned in campfire

 

The Maine State Police have released the following statement.

The State Fire Marshal's Office says an 18-month-old Calais boy was seriously burned Wednesday, June 12,  when a flammable liquid was poured on a campfire.   Wyatt Chandler is being treated for burns to 60% of his body at Mass General in Boston.

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Seaweed Symposium set for June 20-21

An educational two-day workshop led by Greenhorns will explore all elements of marine algae including basic marine botany, the impacts of proposed salmon aquaculture in Maine, what the new ruling on rockweed ownership will mean for the wild harvest of rockweed in Cobscook Bay, and about salmon restoration efforts in our rivers.

Two days of seminars will include field trips to the shore, boat trips in Cobscook Bay, farm-grown lunches, and an optional harvesting trip on June 19.

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Wesley News

 

by Camille Hawkins

 

Wesley School had their pizza party get-together last Friday, June 7th. Two students going on to high school and other kids received awards, books and art supplies for the summer months. They were about 25 people at the get-together. Ginny Sawick also got a little roasting by Emily and Janine Hawkins. Ginny even got a graduation diploma. Happy Retirement, Ginny.

DDL Creations by Dana, our Wesley Town Clerk, got material and t-shirts and her time for kids to make their very own shirts. Thank you, Dana.

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Out and about in Columbia

 

by Ronie Strout

 

I enjoyed meeting up with Nancy Pike and her mother, Jeannette Smith, on Monday the 10th at the Pickled Wrinkle Restaurant in Birch Harbor for lunch and also met her cousin Tristan Harrington and his family.

On Tuesday, June 11 about 20 folks attended the Milbridge Historical Society presentation of Wayne Smith, Growing up on a Dairy Farm in Cherryfield. His talk was very interesting. Wayne had already written an article on his presentation in the last two issues of this paper.

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Whitneyville Library news

Here a turkey...there a turkey...everywhere a turkey turkey...that’s our next supper menu. July 6 is our next public supper, and if I haven’t told you yet it will be fried turkey. LOL Fried turkey with potato salad, cole slaw, macaroni salad, cucumber salad as well as Janet’s rolls along with homemade pies and cakes. So mark this date on your calendar.

A representative from the US Census was at the library meeting with people that are going to be working for the Census, fingerprinting and filling out the information needed to work for the Census.

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Speaking on dairy farming

 

by Wayne Smith

I spoke about dairy farming on Tuesday, June 11, at the Milbridge Historical Society to a crowd of about 20 people. It was the first presentation of the summer. There will be a speaker in July and August also. I took questions afterward. There were about 20 slides to my presentation. There were refreshments served consisting of items like cookies, lemonade and iced tea. There was also dip with cut-up vegetables. The presentation went on for about 45 minutes. At times the crowd laughed. They came from all walks of life.

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Benefit planned for Calais toddler

 

by Jayna Smith

The State Fire Marshal's Office says an 18-month-old Calais boy was seriously burned Wednesday, June 12, when a flammable liquid was poured on a campfire.

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Sheriff’s office shines at Shooting Star competition

 

On Wednesday, June 5 the Maine Sheriffs Association held the Shawn Donahue Memorial “Shooting Star” Competition, named for a Washington County Chief Deputywho died in 2014. The competition recognizes the best shots in the state and the best-shooting sheriff’s department. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office team finished the day in first place.

 

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All-Ireland group HighTime to play Calais Celtic Concerts June 22

Calais Celtic Concerts is very excited to present the multi-award-winning new group from Connemara Ireland, HighTime, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2 Park St., Calais, on Saturday, June 22, at 7 p.m. US / 8 p.m. Canadian time. The doors will open at 6 p.m. EST.

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Machias High alumni kick it into high gear

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Wendy Schoppee is the newly elected president of the Machias Memorial High School Alumni Association and she is overflowing with ideas for a new, improved association.

“Last year the association was going to close,” said Schoppee, pointing to volunteer fatigue on an overworked steering committee. Instead, they rallied, recruited a few more people to the board, and elected Schoppee as their president. Now they’ve set their sights on welcoming Machias alumni back to the best August reunion ever.

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DECH annual meeting keys on growth, goals for year

 

by Ruth Leubecker

Announcing added staff, a nurse midwife and expanded ultrasound hours, Down East Community Hospital anticipates a coming year of forward motion on many fronts.

The annual meeting of the hospital’s board of corporators this year realized an uptick in admissions -- both inpatient and outpatient -- over last year and reported increased volumes in services, births and rehab visits.

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Entrepreneurial 4th graders make donations from business profits

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Fourth graders at the Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias created, branded, bottled and sold their very own bug spray. Oofer Bugs is a natural bug repellent, and it was so popular they even had to make a second batch to fill all of their orders.

“We had originally started with 100 of these bottles, thinking that if we could get $5 apiece, if we can get the $500, we would do well,” said RMG teacher Tom Manship. “We ended up selling over $1,000 worth.”

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Doe permits below last year

 

by V. Paul Reynolds

This is the time of year when Maine’s state regional wildlife biologists examine their deer data in each of their wildlife management districts (WMDs) and make recommendations for the issuance of any-deer or doe permits in their respective districts.

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Machias Bay Chamber Series begins its 50th season

The Machias Bay Chamber Concert Series launches its 50th Anniversary season with 4 evening performances.  The opening concert on Tuesday, July 9 features the Jupiter String Quartet, a world-class ensemble in residence at the University of Illinois. Next, the Series offers a Piano Trio performing pieces both “old and new” on July 16. On July 23, MBCC presents a program of French music with tenor, oboe and piano. The originator of the Series, Thomas Wolf, will be attending this concert and speaking a bit about the history of Bay Chamber Concerts.  

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Nurses’ union gains strength in numbers since picket

by Ruth Leubecker

 

The struggle of the Calais nurses continues. But with one important change.

Following last week’s picket, the technical unit at the Calais hospital voted unanimously to join the nurses’ union. That means lab, surgical and radiology technicians are now on board. Such support is viewed as further proof that the nurses are not backing down from management’s mandates.

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Whale proposals draw hundreds to E. Machias lobster council meeting

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Due to its controversial agenda, attendance was unusually high at a Zone A Lobster Council Meeting meeting held Tuesday, June 18 at Washington Academy in East Machias. State scientists and regulators came to discuss proposed regulations to reduce mortality risk to the North Atlantic right whale.

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Moosabec area teachers, school board reach contract agreement

by Nancy Beal

It would not become public knowledge until the following week, but hours before a June 6 public forum on the standoff between the Moose-a-bec Teachers Association and the Union 103 school board over teacher contracts (see Machias Valley News Observer, June 12), the two sides had met and come to an agreement. An hour after the forum ended, the school board voted unanimously to accept the negotiated terms and, four days later, the teachers ratified the compromise document.

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In Machias, experts explore fisheries management from a bird’s-eye view at State of the Science Conference

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

For two days last week Machias was the epicenter of Maine fisheries knowledge when more than 150 scientists, fishermen, and regulators attended the State of the Science Conference at the University of Maine at Machias (UMM). The event was designed to create intellectual cross-pollination between fields ranging from marine biology to social science, with the goal of creating better science to support ecosystem-based fishery management practices.

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Gateway Milbridge to sparkle with lighthouse art project

by Ruth Leubecker

Creative artistry, generous funding and a benefit for local business all dovetail into 10 wooden lighthouses that will dot the landscape of downtown Milbridge this summer.
“Although this will be in August, it’s already generating interest, and we are excited to be creating a totally new event for the community to enjoy this summer,” says Richard Bondurant, Gateway Milbridge chair and Milbridge resident.

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Machias parts ways with Police Chief Dwelley

 

 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

 

Machias Town Manager Christina Therrien has confirmed that Machias Police Chief Grady Dwelley is no longer employed by the town of Machias, effective Friday, June 28.

Therrien said only that it is a town personnel matter and therefore she is unable to comment, but the town will now begin the search for a new police chief.

Dwelley said he would not comment "on the termination," but that he has consulted an attorney.

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