By Will Tuell

Washington County is in line for upwards of $50 million in federal spending, according to Maine’s Congressional delegation, following the passage of a second round of budget bills approved late last month. Earlier in March, the delegation had secured an estimated $20 million for Washington County projects, a figure which more than doubled with the most recent round of budget bills designed to avert a partial government shutdown. 

By Jayna Smith

In a bid to uphold fading historical narratives, one man stands resolute in his mission to immortalize the past.  Peter Duston, a retired US Army veteran, volunteers as a researcher with the Stories Behind the Stars organization, dedicated to documenting wartime stories of veterans.  With a focus on individuals from Washington County, Duston tirelessly seeks information on those who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.

By Will Tuell

Schools in the Machias area will be closing early for the total solar eclipse on April 8. The early release, which includes AOS 96 schools only, is set for 1 p.m., according to Superintendent Scott Porter, who confirmed the news on March 29. 

For the Month of April 2024, the StoryWalk® at Porter Memorial Library in Machias will feature the beloved children’s classic, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter. Potter's most popular and well-loved tale follows the story of mischievous young Peter Rabbit as he squeezes under the gate into Mr. McGregor's garden, where he finds himself in all kinds of trouble.

By Phil Stuart

Washington County has produced many outstanding runners over the years.  Most runners would probably agree that Jonesboro’s mystery runner, Bruce Bridgham, would be at the top of the list.

Bruce has been dealing with some medical issues recently, and a neighbor and friend reached out to the MVNO and asked if we might do an article on the former King of the Roads.

By Wayne Smith 

Few times in recent memory has a winter storm lived up to the hype generated on television and social media. Yet the nor’easter that dumped 10-12 inches or more of wet, heavy snow on some parts of the Sunrise County brought gusty 50 mph winds and left thousands without power, not only lived up to its billing but in many ways reminded Downeasters that while the calendar may say April, Old Man Winter isn’t going to leave without being heard from in a major way. 

by Jonathan Reisman

I take my blood pressure medication every day. I exercise and watch my weight. I practice yoga and mindfulness. But there is no protecting my blood pressure from Senator Collins using her Senate Appropriations Vice-Chairmanship to earmark and proudly announce more than half a million dollars for a woke Down East Non-Government Organization (NGO) allegedly committed to job creation and economic development to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI, also stands for “Didn’t Earn It”).

The Maine Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP) is looking for artists for its 2025 wall calendar, with a submission deadline of May 20. The 2025 calendar, which showcases artwork by Maine-based artists, will celebrate the theme of “farming and tending to the land and sea throughout the seasons.”

By Will Tuell

Four generations of Downeast women credited with keeping the Machias area’s rich Revolutionary War-era history alive are being immortalized on a coin designed by artist Tom Brennan, which the Downeast Revolutionary War Reenactors are selling as part of an annual fundraiser to help preserve local history. The women include Rose Hall, Michelle Stanhope, Heather Vose, and a woman widely regarded as the “Matriarch of Machias History,” former reporter and lifelong historian Valdine Atwood, now in her early 90s. 

By Nancy Beal

By Will Tuell

The Town of Machiasport is seeking the public’s feedback on a draft commercial solar ordinance, Town Clerk Marcia Hayward said in an interview on April 9. The fourteen-page document applies to commercial-scale solar projects only -- and not residential or rooftop solar -- Hayward said. 

by Jonathan Reisman

Last week, I vented over Senator Collins proudly bequeathing $541,000 to the Sunrise County Economic Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI, aka “Didn’t Earn It”) indoctrination efforts. Not to be outdone, Senator King (I-Brunswick) and Representative Golden (D-ME-02) announced $7.1 million in Inflation Reduction Act investments (aka inflationary spending for the green new deal) in renewable (aka as intermittent and expensive) energy (subsidized solar arrays). Here is their March 29th joint press release:

Miguel Zenón and Luis Perdomo just won a GRAMMY for Best Latin Jazz Album, now they're performing live on Thursday, April 18, at the UMaine Machias Performing Arts Center and on Friday, April 19, at Minsky Recital Hall, UMaine, Orono at 7:30 p.m. on both nights. Admission is $30 for the Orono concert; in Machias, voluntary contributions will be collected. K-12 free with an accompanying adult.

By Will Tuell

A novelist from Washington State who has family ties to the greater Machias area will be visiting the area in early May to promote his latest work, a historical novel spanning several generations of “Dooling” or Dowling family history and an entire continent. Mike Neir, author of Trees in the Mist, said that researching his family history led him to Machias, where he discovered, and incorporated, his ancestors’ participation in the Battle of the Margaretta into the historical romance. 

By Will Tuell

Barring a last-minute agreement, a union representing nurses and lab technicians at Down East Community Hospital (DECH) in Machias announced on April 19 that they will be going on strike for two days later this month. The decision comes as the two sides remain at loggerheads over a contract, which expired last October, and follows a late January rally where union members pushed for what they call “safe staffing” levels and better pay. 

I said goodbye to my wife and the Maine legislature last week. I will always miss Ernie, but I cannot say goodbye to the freedom-crushing 131st Maine Legislature fast enough. 

Ern’s memorial service was a blessing with friends, family, and community. Our grown-up sons delivered testimony that swelled me with both pride and grace. Testimony of her giving heart and many mitzvahs from friends and community buoyed me. Several suggested that Ernie was a Saint, which prompted me to bless her memory for sticking with me for 44 years.

By Nancy Beal 

Interest in a track and field program has cropped up at Jonesport-Beals High School this spring and a fledgling team of five has started competing. That was the message from athletic director Dan Campbell who informed members of the Moosabec CSD board at their April 10 meeting of what was happening and what was needed from the school.