by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The worst of Machias’s Route 1 potholes were patched earlier this year by the Maine Department of Transportation, with asphalt covering more than half of the north and southbound lanes. 

Today, Downeast drivers do their best to keep all four wheels on those smooth parts of the road, but their lane navigation skills will no longer be necessary by 2023-24 when the DOT plans to complete a full rehabilitation of Route 1 through Machias. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

After years of uncertainty nationwide, the Machias Bay Area Transfer Station can now accept four household materials for recycling: corrugated cardboard, #2 colored and clear plastics, magazines, and newspapers. 

“The market has come back a little bit,” says Machias Town Manager Bill Kitchen. “Three years ago, the bottom fell out, China just stopped taking recycling, and everything went away.”

Downeast Community Partners announces the hiring of Tawney Jacobs as the Director of Supportive Services. A lifelong resident of the Schoodic Peninsula, Jacobs is a graduate of Sumer Memorial High School, holds a bachelor’s in Food Science and Nutrition, with a minor in Child Development, from the University of Maine, and a Master of Public Health from UNE. “I am thrilled to be at DCP, an agency with which I feel a deep affinity. My family knows the power of the supportive services DCP offers.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

An early morning house fire that started before 6 a.m. did significant damage to a Bucks Harbor, Machiasport home on Saturday, Oct. 8.  

Machiasport, Machias, East Machias, Marshfield, and Jonesboro/Roque Bluffs fire departments rendered mutual aid.

“There were no injuries, and the departments did a great job saving the structure,” said Machiasport Fire Chief Dave Nielsen. 

by Nancy Beal

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

After autumn rains postponed the first groundbreaking ceremony, a happy crowd of volunteers and supporters were blessed with a spring-like afternoon last Wednesday, Oct. 5, to break ground on the new Machias Food Pantry.

“I just want to acknowledge the people who have helped along the way and the volunteers,” said Machias Food Pantry Interim Board President Lynn Gibson. “I appreciate everyone coming today, and we’re thankful for all of the donors who have helped us raise money.”

by Jonathan Reisman

Cobscook Institute is excited to announce the return of Apple & Arts Day on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Originally launched in 2019, this free arts, heritage food, and harvest-focused family event will take place rain or shine on Cobscook Institute’s charming  Trescott campus. Highlights of the day include live music featuring four local acts, as well as all-ages arts workshops with the Tides Institute and Museum of Art.  

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 19, the Washington County Commissioners will host a candidate forum in Machias. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. and will be held in the gymnasium of the Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias.

In-person and mail-in absentee voting is currently underway in Maine. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 8. For more information on this region's candidates, pick up a copy of this week's Machias Valley News Observer or Calais Advertiser for our 10-page 2022 Voter's Guide.

by Joseph Horn

by David Dahl, Maine Monitor

Town officials in Columbia Falls are discussing a moratorium on big projects like the proposed $1 billion Flagpole of Freedom Park and have also passed a resolution asking the developer to set aside $150,000 with the town for costs associated with its planning.

by Nancy Beal 

Last week, the Jonesport planning board wrapped up its examination of the application from Kingfish Maine, a subsidiary of a Dutch firm that wants to build a $110 million land-based fish farm on 94 acres adjacent to Chandler Bay. By unanimous vote, the panel also declared the Oct. 13 session — the seventh since early August--to be the last at which oral public comment would be taken.

Members of the Hannah Weston Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, gathered recently to remember several members who, through their untiring efforts

have supported not only the local Hannah Weston Chapter but the Maine State DAR and the National Society DAR through their outstanding service and dedication.

Machias Savings Bank (MSB) announced today that it will donate $250,000 to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association’s (MLA) Save Maine Lobstermen campaign. The donation comes after a federal appeals court granted a motion to expedite the MLA’s appeal of a decision in its lawsuit against National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The MLA seeks to reverse what it calls a scientifically flawed federal whale plan that will cripple Maine’s lobster industry and negatively impact the economy of Maine and our coastal communities.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Washington Academy Boys Varsity soccer has ended its regular season play ranked second in Class C North with an undefeated 14-0 record. Local sports fans can support the team as they advance to their first quarterfinals game, to be held at home in East Machias on Wednesday, Oct. 26. As of press time, the time has not been set. See the website schedule link below for the most updated information.

by Jonathan Reisman

The legislative candidates who hope to represent Cooper were invited to a forum at the Cooper Community Center (formerly the Grange) by the Select Board. On a rainy Tuesday evening, House District 10 Candidates Kenneth “Bucket” Davis (R-East Machias) and Melissa Hinerman (U-Machiasport) were joined by Senator Marianne Moore (R-Calais). Jonathan Goble (D-Cherryfield) did not respond to the invitation.

I e-mailed all the candidates the following:

by Nancy Beal 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

All are invited to enjoy a harvest dinner together this Friday, Oct. 28, when the Community Caring Collaborative’s Annual Family Harvest Meal returns for its fourth year. The dinner will take place at the Lee Pellon Center, Route 1, Machias, from 4 to 6 p.m.

“We love to have this event that helps get a really healthy meal out to families when so many families are already in town,” said Community Caring Collaborative Executive Director Charley Martin-Berry.