COVID-19 cases increased slightly last week, climbing from 62 the week prior to 73 new cases detected the week ending Saturday, Dec. 4, according to data released Dec. 6 by Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC). One more person has died with COVID-19, bringing that cumulative total to 32. No new hospitalizations are reported, leaving that total at 77. 

by Nancy Beal

By a margin of 60 to four, Jonesporters voted “yes” December 1 for a moratorium on the development of an aerospace facility while a citizen panel writes and seeks approval of an ordinance outlining the parameters within which such a facility may be introduced into their town. The panel will now have six months to construct the ordinance, and potentially another six if it has been diligently working during the first six months.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A quarter of Jeff Davis’ ancestors came from Scotland, and a tiny percentage of his lobster gear lives there today. One buoy, to be precise, which made its way more than 2,700 miles from the waters around Bucks Harbor, Machiasport, all the way to the village of Gairloch, in the Scottish Highlands. 

“It’s taken quite a trip,” said Davis. “I was amazed there was enough paint on it that I could see my colors.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier began his second month on the job leading the Machias Parade of Lights on Friday, Dec. 3. He says his first month in Machias has been productive, and pleasantly surprising.

“What has struck me most is the amount of business in town. I like the vibe where it’s the county hub, there’s a lot more business in Machias than I ever knew,” said Mercier. “Traffic in the morning and afternoons is kind of crazy.” 

From the Desk of the Editor, Sarah Craighead Dedmon

My tall and skinny husband played the Machias town Santa Claus for two years, which is one way I know the amount of effort that goes into the Machias Community Christmas celebration. And I’m not even counting the work it took to make him look fat. 

Joe and Nancy Bell were walking their dog and picking up trash at the Jonesport campground recently and found this balloon in a tree. Someone named Caroline had written "I miss you" in Spanish. They would like to learn the story behind the balloon. Anyone with information can email [email protected], or call the MVNO at 255-6561.

by Ruth Leubecker

Aggravated by the pandemic and hampered by a cost crisis, rural ambulance service is struggling to cope with everyday emergencies.

“I think vaccine mandates have something to do with it,” says Rep. Will Tuell. “While most have chosen to get vaccinated, even a small percentage not doing so will affect the entire workforce.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A 1,000-pound church bell has descended from its East Machias steeple and moved to its new home on West Branch Farm in Machias, the future home of a Machias living history village.

“I’m shocked at how heavy the bell is,” said reenactor Joseph Dowling of Bucks Harbor, who delivered the bell from East Machias to its current storage place. “It’s probably 4 feet in diameter, it just barely fit between the wheel wells of my truck.” 

Down East Community Hospital’s Pediatrics Practice is now seeing patients at their new location at the Down East Health Center at 1031 Main Street in East Machias. The practice moved in on December 3 and the staff and patients are settling in nicely. The space they occupy in the new building doubles the space they had in the building on the hospital campus.  There are two waiting rooms, larger patient rooms, a room to draw labs, and ample parking. 

Lubec Community Outreach Center’s 9th annual Senior and Veterans holiday dinner was a success. Once again, the community pulled together to provide delicious, hot meals delivered throughout Lubec and Trescott.

by Hazel Stark

A raffle and spaghetti supper to support the family of Amanda Flynn will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19 at the Downeast Dragonfly Bar & Grill in Lubec.

Amanda died on Thanksgiving day and leaves behind her husband Kenny Sulkowski and their four children: Jordan, age 15, Ashley age 14, Alexis age 12, and Jason age 7.

Amanda, 35, of Calais, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Her friends are organizing this fundraiser to support her family, who now face their first Christmas without their wife and mother.

August 10,1946 - December 26, 2020

Connie Linn (Ring) Craighead, 74, of Evans, Georgia, passed away on December 26, 2020, after a brief illness. 

Connie was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, on August 10, 1946, to the late Donna Weik Ring and Theodore Roosevelt Ring. She was also raised by her beloved grandmother Sada Reeves Weik, and her stepfather Jack Muir Linn.

by Jayna Smith

For about ten years, Ian Pratt of the Pratt dealership has held a donation-match campaign throughout the month of November, all to benefit local food pantries. Through this program, Pratt has always committed to matching up to $5,000 of donations received.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering bundles of prerecorded webinars about various gardening-related topics for last-minute gift shoppers.

The On Demand Webinars, extension.umaine.edu/gardening/on-demand-webinars/, series includes bundles of three to four prerecorded webinars about starting and maintaining a home orchard, gardening with native plants, composting and soil health, and seed selection and starting. The webinars allow viewers to watch and learn at their own pace and include lists of recommended resources. 

by Hazel Stark

by Ruth Leubecker

“It’s not that Downeast Broadband Utility is actively trying to get other towns on board. We’re not,” says Dan Sullivan, president of DBU, “but when they approach us, we’re encouraging them to join.”

Sullivan, who created the nonprofit for bringing high-speed broadband to rural Maine, is a passionate cheerleader for the increasing potential of the fledgling initiative. Calais and Baileyville are now nearly 100-percent connected with the fiber network infrastructure. 

Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) announces the conclusion of its Capital Campaign and expresses much gratitude for the strong community support. The campaign exceeded its goal with $1.28 million in received and pledged contributions. Additional pledges from individuals and a $243,000 contribution from Libra Foundation helped SCEC surpass its $1.055 million goal, set to cover the cost to construct and launch the new center.

The cast and crew of Almost, Maine would like to wish everyone Season’s Greetings! Taking a well-deserved holiday break after their first three shows, the actors will resume performances on Friday December 31 and Saturday January 1 at 7 p.m., concluding the run with a matinee on January 2 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15, available in advance through the ‘Now Playing’ tab at stageeast.org or at the door. Patrons under 17 are admitted free of charge.

by Joseph Horn

In a very real, tangible, evolutionary way, we humans are a tropical species. Our genetic code speaks to this clearly as Africa has the greatest diversity of human genes—a marker of a species’ origin. So while you might feel most at home sitting on a bucket on a frozen lake pulling togue bare-handed through a hole in the ice, your ancestors evolved basking in the hot sun and stifling humidity of tropical Africa. As we slide ever closer to winter, how do we not freeze to death? Today, let’s take a little dive into keeping warm.