Last officer resigns from Machias PD

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The four-position Machias Police Department now has four vacant positions with the departure of officer Tyler Dunbar, who last week submitted his resignation. 

“He would like to be put on the reserve roster, and will probably be looking to return November, December,” said interim town manager Bill Kitchen. “That currently leaves us without any full-time officers.”

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East Machias Church game plan boosted by ideas, enthusiastic talent

by Ruth Leubecker

Close on the heels of a first meeting, a second gathering at the First Congregational Church in East Machias included discussion for application of a 501(3)(c), selection of officers and necessary next steps.

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Religious and philosophical vaccine waivers end Sept. 1

by Jayna Smith

When Maine students return to public schools this fall, all will be required to have their required vaccines, unless they have a medical exemption.

“Religious or philosophical” exemptions to refuse the required vaccines will no longer be honored.  All of the required vaccines have been required “for years,” according to Chief Health Improvement Officer for Maine Health Dr. Dora Mills.  “These are not new vaccines at all.”

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Machiasport seeks volunteers to blaze new trails Aug. 14

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Sturdy backs and friendly neighbors are asked to lend a hand at Machiasport’s Trailblazing Blitz, a trail-breaking work session scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 14. Town clerk Marcia Hayward says the town is ready to move forward on the project, which was originally planned for 2020 in honor of Maine’s bicentennial celebration. 

Once completed, the work will add extensive walking and biking trails to 27 acres of town property near the municipal center.

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Rescued bald eagle released after rehab

by Jayna Smith

Back in mid-June, Keith Ramos, of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, was notified of a possible injured eagle near the corner of Route 1 and Charlotte Road. The bird was on the road and not flying. 

Shortly after hearing of the eagle, Ramos’ wife Tabitha, who is also a volunteer at the refuge, also noticed the bird. She got it away from the road into the grass until biologist Ray Brown could arrive to capture it.

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Follow the political science

by Jonathan Reisman

 

President Biden, Governor Mills and Democratic tyrants across the country moved towards the permanent pandemic state last week with mask mandates for the vaccinated, vaccine mandates, and mandated obeisance to the “science” they selectively cherry picked. However, the “science” mask slipped off when Presidential spokesliar Jen Psaki explained that the reason for the making supposedly well protected and safe vaccinated people mask up was because she said so.

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EAC Concert Series kicks off Aug. 6

EAC’s Concert Series begins on Friday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m., with Trond Saeverud, violin, and Gregory Biss, piano, performing a program of Beethoven, Brahms, Saeverud, and Biss.

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‘Downeast’ author to speak at Porter Memorial Library Aug. 7

Gigi Georges, author of the recent bestseller Downeast: Five Maine Girls and the Unseen Story of Rural America will speak at Porter Memorial Library in Machias on Saturday, Aug. 7.

Based on five years of intimate reporting, Downeast follows five young women as they come of age in stunning but challenged Washington County, Maine — the northernmost county on the Maine coast.  All five girls know the pain and joy of life in an area whose rugged beauty and stoicism mask dwindling populations, vanishing job opportunities, and pervasive opioid addiction.

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Appropriations approves $3.625M in earmarks for Washington County projects

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, announced today that she successfully secured all six of the congressionally directed spending requests, or earmarks, that she submitted for the fiscal year 2022 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill and the Fiscal Year 2022 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill. 

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Wild blueberries: On the verge of a breakthrough milestone?

by Ruth Leubecker 

Wild blueberries, a cultural tradition lately facing tough options and even tougher obstacles, may just be embarking on a new chapter in their lengthy, historic life.

Ironically, even though the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival has been absent for two years, this celebrated tiny iconic fruit is not slipping into the background of life, commercial or otherwise. 

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Aug. 21 filled with blueberry excitement

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

If you’re a fan of wild blueberries, community spirit, or both, you’d better clear your calendar for Saturday, Aug. 21. Plan to be busy from dawn to dusk, and from Jonesboro to Machias.

In Machias, a pancake breakfast, an all-day craft fair, and an evening of dancing are planned.

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Public invited to watch Battle of Rim reenactment Aug. 21

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Revolutionary War Reenactors of Downeast Maine have battled the British several times over the years, and that’s just one of many things they have in common with the original Machias patriots who battled the Royal Navy three times in three years.  

“Even the local people here don’t realize there were three battles,” said reenactor leader Joseph McBrine.

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Area schools say indoor masking will not be mandatory

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Area school boards last week voted against making indoor masking mandatory when schools resume instruction next month. Masking will remain mandatory on all school transportation following a federal requirement.

Schools in Machias, Machiasport, East Machias, Whiting, Cutler, Jonesboro, and Wesley announced their decision after the U.S. Center for Disease Control released guidance recommending universal indoor masking for all people age 2 and older, a position the CDC attributes to the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.

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Freedom in jeopardy

by Jonathan Reisman

 

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Concert series ends with two nights of chamber music

EAC’s Concert Series will continue Friday, Aug. 20 at 7 p,m,, with Chamber Music of Bach, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Biss by Anna Maria Baeza, clarinet, Joachim Woitun, cello; and Gregory Biss, piano. The series will conclude with Chamber Music, including Beethoven’s “Ghost” Trio and Dvorak’s “Dumky” trio by Noreen Silver, cello, Phillip Silver, piano, and Trond Saeverud, violin, on August 27. 

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Roque Bluffs prepares to celebrate 100th anniversary of historic community center Aug. 21

At their June 14 regular monthly meeting, the Board of Directors of the Roque Bluffs Community Center voted to hold a COVID-19-delayed 100 Year Anniversary Celebration of their historic building from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday,  Aug. 21,  with supper to follow in the Roque Bluffs fire station.

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Mining company to begin exploratory drilling in Pembroke

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A Canadian-based junior mining company, Wolfden Resources Corporation, has announced plans to begin exploratory drilling in Pembroke next month, to evaluate the potential for a mining project it calls Big Silver.

Wolfden is the first company to attempt mining in Maine since 2017 when the state passed LD 820, An Act To Protect Maine's Clean Water and Taxpayers from Mining Pollution.  Wolfden CEO Ron Little says Maine’s new mining rules “set the highest standard in the country.”

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The educrats are all in on CRT

by Jonathan Reisman

 

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Celebrate DCC’s newest preserve Aug. 28

by Natalie Boomer 

Join Downeast Coastal Conservancy in a celebration of its newest preserve, the Vining Lake Community Preserve in Cooper, Cathance Township!

All are welcome to go check out the new lakeside trail on Saturday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m. 

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Island Institute launches new podcast

In addition to rolling out fresh new content, the Island Institute is spiffing up our podcast with a new name and logo: From the Sea Up. To kick things off, we're diving in with a six-part series focusing on the topic of sustainable seafood in Maine! We'll explore the diverse array of seafood that makes up our coastal economy and supports Maine's fishermen, aquaculturists, sea-farmers, and working waterfront businesses.

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Downeast driver trying to change direction on I-95 causes serious crash

On Saturday, Aug. 14, at approximately 8:45 a.m. State Troopers from Troop C responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash on I-95 in the town of Pittsfield. The preliminary investigation reveals that a 2005 Nissan Altima driven by 28-year-old Kaitlyn Hawkes of Eastport and her passenger, 33-year-old Tiffany Bowen of Pembroke were southbound in the travel lane when Hawkes tried to change directions north. Hawkes attempted to use the crossover and entered the passing lane to do so.

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Sierra Club’s wastewater appeal against Jonesport fish farm rejected by DEP

by Nancy Beal

One week after Maine Public broke the news that the Sierra Club had challenged the wastewater discharge license granted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to Kingfish Maine, a Dutch company planning to build a large land-based fish farming operation in Jonesport — and before many knew that the environmental group had lodged the complaint — its appeal was rejected for lack of standing.

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Machias entrepreneurship center campaign nears 75 percent of goal

by Jayna Smith

Machias Valley Center for Entrepreneurship is one step closer to its new building, thanks to a recent donation by Pratt Family Dealerships and other local businesses. 

The center, a program of Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC), will provide a physical space for coworking and collaboration, conference rooms, networking events, and training programs, all in an effort to create jobs and prosperity.

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Machias brewing company grant gets final green light at selectboard meeting

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A long bureaucratic road came to an end Wednesday, Aug. 11, when the Machias Board of Selectmen voted to accept $180,000 in federal CDBG funds on behalf of Bad Little Brewing Company. The vote followed a surprisingly lengthy public hearing where the board heard comments in support of and against accepting the grant monies, which Bad Little Brewing applied for in May following a public vote (52-18) authorizing them to do so.

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Downeast region struggles under swelling Rx price hikes

by Ruth Leubecker

As inflation inches upward on all fronts, the cost of prescription drugs continues to overshadow even the cost of food and shelter.

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Health care workers fear staffing shortage, plan rally in Machias 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A demonstration planned in support of Washington County health care workers affected by the state COVID-19 vaccine mandate is planned for 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Machias boat landing on Route 1. 

Governor Janet Mills last week announced the vaccine mandate, which requires all Maine health care workers to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1 as a condition of employment. The announcement came on the heels of two COVID-19 outbreaks affecting health care workers in southern Maine hospitals. 

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Town, local groups envision dike replacement possibility

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

How to repair the Machias dike has been under discussion for more than 10 years, but the need to repair it is becoming more urgent. The dike apparatus — four box culverts built with wooden cribbing — is rapidly decaying, made worse by recent storm surge and heavy rainfall events. The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) ranks the dike culverts’ condition 4 on a scale of 0 to 9, citing large cracks, and loss of mortar.

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Washington County lagging in statewide broadband upswing

by Ruth Leubecker

Rooted in community engagement, many towns and counties are responding to the availability of strengthened broadband … but not Washington County.

Having a plan in place expressing and explaining a community’s need for improved broadband provides a legup on enhanced connectivity. 

“But it’s not a requirement,” explains Peggy Schaffer, executive director of ConnectME. “We’ve been engaged with over 200 towns. We’ve funded some of them. And some of them have been funded by their counties.”

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Health care workers fear reduced services due to state vaccine mandate, host rally in Machias

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A demonstration in support of Washington County health care workers affected by the state COVID-19 vaccine mandate drew more than 125 people to the Machias boat landing on Saturday, Aug. 21. 

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Masks to be optional in Moosabec area schools

by Nancy Beal

It took the Moosabec area joint school committee 22 minutes to dispense with the issue of mask-wearing in their three schools August 17. Before an audience of approximately 30 interested citizens—more than the usual turnout for budget votes—the Moosabec CSD/Union 103 board voted unanimously to make the wearing of masks optional in Beals Elementary, Jonesport Elementary, and Jonesport-Beals High School.

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No apologies, no regrets

by Jonathan Reisman

 

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Largest piece of Mars on Earth to be unveiled Sept. 1 at Maine museum

When the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum opens on Sept. 1, it will include the largest intact Mars rock on Earth. The specimen weighs 32 pounds and measures 9” x 10” x 6.5” inches.

Mars is among the most exotic substances on our planet, with less than 500 pounds known to exist. It was an asteroid impact on the Martian surface that ejected surface material into an Earth-crossing orbit.

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Local artists showcased in Jonesport library show

by Nancy Beal

Seven artists who make their summer and year-round homes in the Moosabec area are featured in a show at Jonesport’s Peabody Memorial Library through September 9. 

Valerie Aponik came to Maine in her twenties as a back-to-the-lander, and has lived on Beals’ Great Wass Island for many of the remaining 45 years. She calls herself “passionate about painting outdoors” where the scene she is putting on canvas changes quickly. “Whether it is a grand landscape or a celebration of the everyday, my work is a response to being present.”

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Bad Little Falls Park concert series continues Aug. 26

Extreme BEER Trio will take the Bad Little Falls Park stage from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 26, as the “Sounds Like This” summer concert series continues in Machias.

The summer concert series will take place from 5-7 p.m. every Thursday through Sept. 9, and is free thanks to the sponsorship of R.H. Foster Energy / Freshies. Bad Little Falls Park is located on the north side of the Jeremiah O’Brien Memorial Bridge in Machias. Attendees are reminded not to park anywhere along Elm Street, but instead to use the public Water Street or Colonial Way parking lots.

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At meeting, Jonesport adopts recreational marijuana ordinance

by Nancy Beal

A special town meeting was held in Jonesport last week (August 25) to consider an ordinance regulating marijuana for recreational use (or “adult use” in legal parlance). The proposed ordinance was approved by a vote of 8-0 — the eight being the town’s three selectmen, two of its office employees, and two members of the public.

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Amber’s Best brings farm to market

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A family walks away smiling, one person carrying blueberries, another a bag of potatoes. A couple strolls back to their truck with an armful of gladiolas and two bags of dried beans. A woman climbs down from an 18-wheeler and walks purposefully toward the tables loaded with baskets of food. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there’s a happy buzz of customers around Amber’s Best farm stand.

It seems no one can resist Richard Merrill’s farm-fresh produce. 

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Machias child donates to local holiday charities

by Natalie Boomer

A young boy from Machias is on a mission to help those in need during the upcoming holiday season. 

Six-year-old Jase Stevens has a goal to collect 100 items to donate to local Christmas charities, like the  Community Christmas Giving Tree, by Oct. 15.

Charities such as this one ensure that children, teens, and even adults receive a gift on Christmas.

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Pioneering ‘home run’ network takes giant step Downeast

by Ruth Leubecker

“We believe this network model could be a blueprint for fiber networks across Maine,” says Dan Sullivan of his brainchild, Downeast Broadband Utility. “The state of broadband in Maine has been horrible for 20 years. Now we’ve turned a little bit of a corner.”

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First National Bank supports entrepreneurship center

First National Bank recently announced a $15,000 contribution to the Sunrise County Economic Council towards the future Machias Valley Center for Entrepreneurship. 

Located at 19 Main St. in Machias, the Machias Valley Center for Entrepreneurship will be a hub of vibrant networking, training, events and partnerships for entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Washington County. 

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Roque Bluffs Gallery art show Sept. 4

The Roque Bluffs Art Gallery and Learning Center so far is having a banner year. With two successful art show under their belt, they are going for a third Saturday, Sept. 4.  Each show has a theme with the next showing being ‘Flowers and Scenery’ to take advantage of the beautiful landscape of the local area.  

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University of Maine at Machias professors honored by school, warden service

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Professors Kay Kimball, Gene Nichols, and Gayle Kraus were celebrated at a University of Maine at Machias reception held in the Merrill Library on Aug. 16.

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