‘It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over’: Eminent Domain Vote Faces Expected Court Challenge

By Paul Sylvain

There was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air at the Fort O’Brien School gymnasium in Machiasport on Feb. 26. It felt more like Garth Brooks was about to step out onto the gym’s stage and perform than a special town meeting gathering.

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Jonesport’s Makers Point Residents Seek Town Takeover of Access Road

By Nancy Beal

Several residents of Jonesport’s Makers Point subdivision attended the Feb. 28 meeting of their town’s selectmen, asking how to convince the town to take over their access road, which is currently a private way. The lane starts at the end of Alexander Avenue (the road to the former town landfill) and leads for .9 of a mile into the subdivision on Indian River.

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Machias Officials Weigh Schedule Change for Annual Town Meeting, Municipal Elections, Warrant

Town Urgently Needs Budget Committee Members

 

By Paul Sylvain

Under a proposal being floated by the Machias selectboard, the annual Machias town meeting and municipal election date could be moved permanently from June to September. At least two other area towns — Marshfield and Whitneyville — also hold their annual meetings in September.

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Cannabis Committee Nears First Draft of New Medical & Recreational Marijuana Shop Ordinance

By Paul Sylvain

One of the biggest hurdles the Machias cannabis ordinance subcommittee is grappling with is just how a medical or adult-use/recreational marijuana storefront’s license can be transferred or acquired when it closes and still remain within the town’s five-shop cap.

Much of the group’s discussion at its Feb. 28 workshop centered around that question.  The subcommittee is composed of all five selectboard members and Town Manager Bill Kitchen.

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Renovations Underway to Make Temp Town Office Workable As Storm Damaged Office Remains Shuttered

Machias Officials Pursuing Federal Disaster Relief

 

By Paul Sylvain

Like the classic book by Charles Dickens that begins with, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” you might call the post-flood Machias town office building saga A Tale of Two Town Offices

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March StoryWalk® at Porter Memorial Library to Highlight Maine Lobster Fishery

For the month of March 2024, the StoryWalk® at Porter Memorial Library in Machias will feature the beloved children’s book, The Lobsterman, by Dahlov Ipcar. The classic children’s favorite follows a day in the life of a lobsterman in Maine, told from the perspective of the life of a lobsterman's son working alongside his father. Ipcar, in his signature style, captures the unique beauty and culture of the Maine coast and conveys the importance of hard work and stewardship of nature.

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Machias Police Locate Protective Custody Escapee From DECH

At around 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2, the Machias Police Department issued a community alert stating that officers were “actively searching” for 33-year-old Jesse Perez-Robicheau. According to police, Robicheau “escaped protective custody” at the hospital “wearing a hospital gown and no shoes.”

The alert was lifted about an hour later, saying Robicheau had been located without incident. No details were given about where he was found; although, one person posted on social media that Robicheau simply returned to the hospital on his own.

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Living on the Dark Side: Gangs, Drugs & Murder on the Streets of Machias

One of the first lessons learned in life is if you play with fire, you’re going to get burned. The second lesson is that actions have consequences, sometimes deadly ones, as two witnesses in a murder trial in Machias learned the hard way in November 2021.

On trial for murder at Washington County Superior Court are Emanuel “Chepu” Ramos, 32, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and Juan “Bebo” Ortiz, 29, of Concord, New Hampshire.

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Super Tuesday Bruises

by Jonathan Reisman

Bruises often turn purple, which is a much more interesting political color than red or blue. I took a couple of blows on Super Tuesday…what the bruises will look like and the degree to which they will heal remains to be seen.

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Another Storm, Another Flood

By Paul Sylvain

If the first three months are any indication, 2024 will go down in the annals of Machias as “The Year of the Floods.”

This winter hasn’t seen much in the way of snow, but precipitation in the form of heavy amounts of rain, all too often accompanied by gale and even near hurricane-force winds, has created a whole other set of problems for the area.

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4-H Ag Ambassador Program Features Farm Visits and Career Exploration for Teens

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is offering its Ag Ambassador program in March and April. The program, open to all Maine teens ages 14-18, focuses on career exploration in the local food system through farm and production visits around the state and provides opportunities to build relationships with industry professionals.

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Washington County to Receive $20+ Million in Federal Budget Deal

By Will Tuell

After months of congressional gridlock, lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate passed six bills designed to avoid a partial government shutdown last week. The six bills, totaling an estimated $460 billion, provide at least $21 million in funding for Washington County projects, including $12.8 million for fish passage restoration on the St. Croix River, $7.8 million to reconstruct Route 1A between Milbridge and Harrington, and $1 million for wastewater treatment upgrades in Lubec.  

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Maine Lobstermen Honor Marine Patrol Officer with Local Ties at Fishermen’s Forum

By Will Tuell

Maine Marine Patrol Officer Alex Michaud received the 2024 Maine Lobstermen’s Association Officer of the Year Award during a ceremony at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum on March 2 in Rockport. Michaud, who is the grandson of former state Senator Joyce Maker of Calais and whose parents Rik and Elizabeth “Liz” (Maker) Michaud are summer residents of Lubec, joined Marine Patrol in 2017. 

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Machias High School Students Raising Money for ‘Close Up’ Trip to US Capitol

By Will Tuell

Five Machias high school students and their advisor, Alaina Albee, are headed to Washington, D.C., to get a “Close Up” view of how our nation’s government works later this month. The group, which is hoping to raise $5,000 to cover the cost of the trip, is expected to tour the Capitol Building, meet with members of Maine’s congressional delegation, and participate in a week of training with students from across the state and country. 

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Cannabis Committee Continues Work on Machias Ordinance

By Paul Sylvain

Another week, another Wednesday evening cannabis ordinance workshop at 17 Stackpole Drive in Machias. 

After nearly six months of almost weekly workshop meetings, the committee — composed of all five selectboard members and Town Manager Bill Kitchen — appeared visibly exhausted and expressed their desire to wrap up their work as soon as possible on a new ordinance.

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Publisher’s Statement regarding the withdrawal and reprinting of the Wednesday edition of the Machias Valley News Observer and the Thursday Edition of the Calais Advertiser

Yesterday, Thursday morning, the office of the judge overseeing the ongoing Brandin Guerrero murder trial at the Washington County Superior Court reached out to us. They informed us that the Court Administrative Order for the press issued on February 29th, which initially granted permission for photography, was amended on Monday, March 11th, prohibiting photography in the courtroom. This was very late into our production windows for this week’s issue.  We were unaware of the court's modification to the order until this Thursday.

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Master Jeweler to Present at Eastport Arts Center

The Sunday Afternoons at the Arts Center series will continue on March 24 with Éric  Messin presenting The Art of Jewelry Making: From Stones to Stars—One Light.

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Jonesporters Re-elect Fish, Pass Comprehensive Plan, Working Waterfront Article at March 11 Town Meeting

By Nancy Beal

Nearly 150 Jonesporters gathered in their high school gym on March 11 and, in under three hours, kept their budget under $1 million, approved a comprehensive plan, dedicated a future marine site to working waterfront, returned their top selectman to office, and voted two new faces onto the town and CSD school boards. In addition to the usual motions and votes, the session exhibited a bit of campaigning, fears of sanctuary city status, and opinions on a future fish farm. There were no changes to suggested money items in the municipal budget.

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Washington Academy Students Honored at State House

By Will Tuell

Two Washington Academy seniors -- Dakoda Davis of East Machias and Emerson Morris of Charlotte -- were honored at the State House in Augusta on March 14 after being named the school’s valedictorian and salutatorian. The pair received legislative sentiments from Davis’s grandfather, State Representative Kenneth “Bucket” Davis (R-East Machias), and State Senator Marianne Moore (R-Calais), highlighting their academic accomplishments over the past four years. 

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UMM Student Teams up with Trail Riders, Local Businesses to Plan Rest Areas on Sunrise Trail

By Will Tuell

Despite unprecedented storm damage and the Sunrise Trail being closed to ATV traffic, a University of Maine Machias senior is working with the state, local businesses, and the Sunrise Trail Coalition to install benches along one of the most heavily traveled sections of the corridor, from Dunkin’ in Machias to Archibald’s One-Stop in East Machias. 

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Maine on the Map for Total Eclipse of the Sun

By Jayna Smith

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a spectacular celestial event, the total solar eclipse, will dazzle parts of the United States. This eclipse marks the final opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse from the contiguous United States until 2044. The eclipse will commence its journey into the nation from Texas and traverse through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, along with small portions of Tennessee and Michigan.

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Mason’s Downeast Opening Delayed

By Will Tuell

In the ideal world, kids turn in their homework early, road crews finish major reconstruction projects ahead of schedule, and you’re able to move into a new home before you have to move out of the old one. But that isn’t always the case, as Mason’s Downeast announced last week on social media that their renovation of the former Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant in Machias would not be ready for a Saint Patrick’s Day relaunch as the popular brewpub had once hoped. 

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Two Men Convicted in Machias Murder Trial

By Will Tuell

Two men on trial in a Machias courtroom for murdering 17-year-old Brandin Guerrero of Massapequa, New York, on Nov. 4, 2021, were found guilty of the murder on March 15 following nearly two weeks of testimony dominated by witnesses presented by the Maine Attorney General’s Office who implicated both the accused and the victim in a complex web of gang-related drug trafficking that has sent shockwaves throughout coastal Washington County since gunshots echoed throughout downtown Machias nearly two-and-a-half years ago. 

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NOLA Nuptials

I took a break from mud season to travel to New Orleans for the wedding of my eldest son, Asher, to the lovely Savannah, amongst family and friends. Savannah’s large Southern family warmly welcomed us to their clan. I bonded with my new in-laws, Johnny and Mary, who joined me in approving of this match if not quite forgiving Asher for convincing Savannah to abandon warm and welcoming New Orleans for Maine winters; although, they did allow that Acadia was pretty special.

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WA Players Perform Murder at the Book Club March 28 & 29

The WA Players are proud to announce their upcoming production of Murder at the Book Club, directed by Washington Academy English teacher Mr. Michael Campbell. 

Murder at the Book Club, by Sam Havens, takes a dark twist when a threatening telephone call sets the Queen Anne Murder Mystery Book Club on edge. Suddenly, all the lights go out, and gentle Nellie is murdered. But who is the killer…and why? Colorful characters and sparkling clues ingeniously hidden in plain sight will keep you enthralled until the final reveal.

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Downeast Maine Ushers in Holy Week

By Will Tuell

As winter gives way to spring -- at least on paper -- Downeasters are preparing to celebrate Holy Week, the time of year when Christians around the world mark the final moments of Christ’s life, as well as his crucifixion and resurrection. While many churches will hold special services commemorating the events leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday, community groups around the county are offering a range of secular activities such as Easter egg hunts, basket raffles, and such that the community can also participate in. 

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Downeasters Prep for April 8 Solar Eclipse

By Wayne Smith

People across Washington County are getting ready for the solar eclipse occurring on April 8. Here are some of their thoughts and reactions as the eclipse is less than two weeks away. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing it,” Jeanne Ireland said. 

“I’ve seen one back when I was a kid,” said John Brooks Jr. “It was pretty cool.”

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Championship Volleyball Team Honored at State House

By Will Tuell

Senator Marianne Moore (R-Calais) and Representative Tiffany Strout (R-Harrington) honored the Class C Volleyball State Champion Narraguagus Lady Knights at the State House in Augusta last week. The team, which defeated the Calais Blue Devils for the title last October in the state championship game, finished the season with only one loss -- to volleyball powerhouse and Class B runners-up, Washington Academy. 

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Washington County LEGO Robotics Team Heads to International Competition in Texas

The Fellowship LEGO Robotics Team, part of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Cobscook Currents 4-H Club in Washington County, was one of 25 teams to compete in the state’s first LEGO League Challenge.

The team won the Champions Award and an invitation to represent Maine in the first Championship World Festival in Houston, Texas, in April. That event will feature 160 LEGO League teams from all 50 states and 66 other countries.

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NPV Tabled Amidst Some Confusion

by Jonathan Reisman

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Volleyball Tournament Raises $4,000 For Faith-Based Rehab

By Will Tuell

Final figures are in for the annual Rise Above volleyball tournament organized by Steven and Britannia Balyint, and the charitable event has raised over $4,000 for Arise Addiction Recovery in Machias. 

The event was held the weekend of March 8-10 and featured some fourteen pick-up volleyball teams from Downeast and beyond. Arise merchandise, concessions, and sweets were available for purchase as well. 

All told, the weekend generated $4,200 in donations, the Balyints said via the “Rise Above” volleyball tournament Facebook page. 

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Children’s Opera to Reach Students of 15 Area Schools, Conclude with Public Performance

You Can’t Sit Here, an original children’s opera from Eastport Arts Center’s Music for Children project, will be presented for 5th through 8th grade students from 15 local schools at the end of this month, followed by an evening performance for the public, Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m., at Eastport Arts Center. The characters are students at a small elementary school who experience loneliness, anger, and frustration in reaction to bullying, isolation, loss of status, and school mores. 

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