By Paul Sylvain

It’s one-and-done, for first-term District 10 Rep. Kenneth “Bucket” Davis (R-East Machias), as he announced last week that he is not seeking re-election in 2024. Instead, Davis is endorsing former state Rep. Will Tuell (R-East Machias), whom Davis replaced two years ago. 

Davis, who was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2022, replaced Tuell, who termed out after serving from 2014 to 2022.

By Paul Sylvain  

The Machias selectboard and Town Manager Bill Kitchen have spent the better part of 2023 first considering, then committing to drafting an all-encompassing medical and adult-use, recreational marijuana ordinance they hope to present to Machias voters sometime next spring. However, given the apparent lack of interest and limited participation, even from the owners and operators of the town’s existing medical marijuana storefronts, the effort begs the question, “Why?”

By Jayna Smith

In a great display of community spirit, the Pratt dealership in Calais recently concluded its annual donation-match campaign to support food pantries in Washington County.  Owner Ian Pratt, recognizing the increasing challenges faced by local food pantries, generously raised the stakes by offering to match all donations up to $10,000, a significant increase from last year's cap of $7,500.

By Jayna Smith

In light of last month’s storm, with more than 2,000 people -including 1,400 line and tree crews- on the job working to restore power, Maine State Police issued a reminder of Maine’s “Move Over” Law, urging motorists to exercise caution when encountering emergency vehicles or public service vehicles displaying flashing lights.  

Eastport Arts Center’s “Sunday Afternoons at the Arts Center” series begins on Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. with pianist Danny Holt. Holt’s program traces the history of the sonatina from the 18th through the 21st centuries, highlighting an eclectic array of composers, many of whom are unknown to even the most ardent classical music fans. 

Developer Drafting Plans for New 8-Unit Apartment Building in Machias

By Paul Sylvain

Come April, new construction, now going up just inside Machias town limits on Outer Dublin Street/Route 1, will be the new home office for IMK Properties and King Construction, both owned by Northfield developer Justin King.

By Nancy Beal 

By Will Tuell

A new law requiring most Maine boaters under the age of 25 to complete a boater safety and education course kicked in on Jan. 1. While there are exceptions for those engaged in commercial fishing activities, Maine guides, and day boat renters, the law targets anyone born after Jan. 1, 1999, according to the state’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW). 

By Daisy Ratzlaff -- UMaine Cooperative Extension                 

The Cobscook Current 4-H Club and community members spread joy and seasonal cheer as they helped assemble dozens of gift bags and hand-delivered them to brighten the holidays for several elderly residents in the Edmunds area. 

The heartwarming community service project, organized by Debbie Leighton for the past 33 years, has become an annual tradition anticipated by the volunteers and the seniors.

By Paul Sylvain

When you think of winter storms in Downeast Maine, most people think of a good, old-fashioned nor'easter with a foot or two of snow and telephone pole-high drifts. But as Mother Nature proved last week, the destructive might and power of winter storms can come in many different forms.

The Washington County coast was assaulted last week by the full brunt of two such storms three days apart. The first arrived on Jan. 10 and the second on Jan. 13. They could have been named Winter Storm “Peat” and “Repeat”. 

By Wayne Smith

Johnny Brooks Jr. of Steuben brought some of the best musical talent to the stage at The Franklin Vets Club recently to raise $3,700 for the Machias Veterans Home activities fund. The music was amazing, and for many, including several residents from the home itself, the “Johnny Dream Show” came true. 

By Paul Sylvain

It wasn’t that long ago that the working relationship between the Machias Police Department and town officials was contentious at best. Selectboard meetings with past police chiefs and former board members were often confrontational and punctuated by fiery exchanges between both sides.

The Machias community at large was usually supportive of whoever the chief and the department’s officers were at the time; however, the same could not be said of the selectmen. 

The first baby born in 2024 at Down East Community Hospital in Machias arrived at 6:02 a.m, Sunday, Jan. 14.

Pierce Pineo, third son of Colin and Karmen Pineo of Jonesboro, weighed in at 9 lbs, 1 oz. and measured 21 inches.

This healthy, beautiful baby boy is the little brother of Bentlee, age 5, and Kiegan, age 2.

By Paul Sylvain

There was a chorus of excited “oohs” and “ahs” heard in Elm Street School’s music room on Jan. 8. However the students’ awestruck reaction had nothing to do with music and everything to do with meeting exotic critters that turned the school’s music room into a makeshift zoo for the day.

By Will Tuell

It’s a common refrain in law enforcement circles that the number of applicants for open police and corrections officer positions is dwindling while the demand for qualified officers continues to rise. Whether it’s the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, any one of Downeast Maine’s small-town police departments, or state law enforcement agencies, the demand for officers is high while interest is sagging. 

By Wayne Smith

I caught up with Amity Chipman of Chipman’s Wharf in Milbridge and Charles Kelley of Kelley’s Lobster Pound in Steuben last week, and their stories of the Jan. 10 storm illustrate just how bad it was in our area. They tell the story of heartache and survival, of picking up the pieces and going forward, as it had a direct impact on their businesses.  

by Jonathan Reisman

Fort O’Brien Elementary School in Machiasport has begun a new program to recognize students at the school who truly shine like stars as peer role models for other students at the school to aspire to. In fact, the school is even calling it the “Star Students” program.

“Students were chosen based on academic performance, kindness, and willingness to help in their own classroom and in the school,” said Suzanne Reynolds, who teaches combined first and second grades at Fort O’Brien. “These students are all ‘well rounded’ and show excellence in all aspects of school and community.”

By Steve Robinson

Five months after telling its staff and readers that it planned to disclose “the funders” behind the purchase of five Maine daily newspapers, the nonprofit trust now controlling several of Maine’s oldest news brands hasn’t kept the promise.

The sale of the Portland Press Herald, Lewiston Sun Journal, Kennebec Journal, and other Maine news brands to the “National Trust for Local News” was completed last summer.