On March 9 at 3 p.m., Anna Maria Baeza on clarinet, Joachim Woitun on cello, and Gregory Biss on piano will present a concert for the Sunday Afternoons at the Arts Center series. The program will include Beethoven’s affecting Clarinet Trio, opus 11, written in 1798 when the composer was 28; Bach’s Suite for Unaccompanied Cello, #2 in D minor, played on an instrument fitted out in the 18th century manner; shorter works by Joseph Rheinberger and Giovanni Grazioli; plus two miniatures by Telemann written and played on an ancient clarinet called a chalumeau.

By Paul Sylvain

Town officials in Machiasport are poised to assume management and grounds maintenance of six cemeteries currently overseen by separate cemetery associations.

But as the selectboard made clear at its Feb. 24 meeting, the town is not taking over the cemeteries’ care because of mismanagement or financial issues. In fact, the cemeteries are financially sound, the board said. According to town officials, the reason is simple: The people overseeing the associations are getting older and no one is willing to step in to take their place.

By Paul Sylvain

Newly hired Machias Town Manager Sarah Craighead Dedmon is living proof that someone “from away” can move downeast and find acceptance among its people. Not convinced? Not only is Dedmon now the town manager in Machias, but she defeated long-time Selectman Jeff Davis last June to win his seat on the selectboard in neighboring Machiasport, where she lives.

By Will Tuell

As Maine’s commercial fishing industry gathered at the Samoset Resort in Rockland last weekend for the industry’s annual Fishermen’s Forum, the state’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) released new data showing growth across the industry in 2024. Fishermen, DMR said, earned $74 million more in 2024 than in 2023, with landings valued at $709,509,984. 

By Paul Sylvain 

Former Maine Game Warden and Master Guide David Craven of Bucks Harbor is speaking out against a bill to restrict coyote hunting in Maine, after defeating a similar bill during the last legislative session. 

Craven, now a respected shepherd who has judged international competitions in the field, joined popular talk radio host Ric Tyler on Feb. 28 to discuss LD 716, “An Act to Restrict the Hunting of Coyotes,” prior to a March 3 public hearing on the issue in Augusta. 

By Paul Sylvain

Machiasport officials are taking the first steps toward providing an “opportunity” for perhaps a half-dozen young families just starting out to purchase a one- to two-acre lot for their first home.

Jordan-Chandler Says, ‘It’s Kind of the Final Step Before Combining Schools’

By Nancy Beal

Crystal Blackwood, athletic coordinator for both Beals and Jonesport elementary schools, went before the respective school committees of both Moosabec area pre-K through grade 8 schools last week to suggest that the schools combine their Pee Wee basketball teams starting next year. The reason: low student numbers. “Kids aren’t playing sports like they used to,” she said, attributing the change to the availability of video games.

by Jonathan Reisman

I drove down to Augusta under the theory that showing up at the work session for LD 495, requiring the DEP to issue an estimate as to how much adverse climate change their policies were averting and at what cost to consumers in terms of energy prices, might influence the outcome. The DEP testified neither for nor against, admitting that the estimates could be provided at minimal cost.

The Washington Academy Raider Student Council is on a mission! Every Tuesday afternoon, a large group of community-minded students gather in Mrs. Carol Anthony’s classroom to discuss how to create change. The discussions are lively and creative, but they aim to influence a positive culture inside and outside of Washington Academy. 

by Nancy Beal

It took approximately 50 Jonesporters just over an hour, on March 10, to raise three-quarters of a million dollars to run their town for another year, in what many old-timers claimed was the shortest town meeting they could remember. 

As in previous years, the most expensive categories were public works — $173,900 alone for snow and ice removal — and public safety, at a cost of $100,845 for just the ambulance. 

General government/

By Paul Sylvain

Look out Dunkin’, there’s a new coffee shop in town.

Leave it to West Branch Farms in Machias to take a shed that served as the former home of Sugar and Crumbs Bakery in Milbridge, move it to Machias, enlarge it, and open it for business on March 8 as the West Branch Bakery + Café.

Other than purchasing its building, West Branch Bakery + Café is not affiliated with Sugar and Crumbs, which has since reopened in a new, larger building in Milbridge.

By Nancy Beal

Beals selectmen have been busy recently preparing the warrant for the upcoming annual town meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 7, at Beals Elementary School gymnasium.

The annual report book was at the printer’s last week, and Daniel Davis, who has taken charge of the project, said on March 11 that he expected to be finished putting it together this week. 

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a webinar for home gardeners titled “Becoming a Resilient Vegetable Gardener” from 6-7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26. 

By Doss Dennison

Dating back to 1953, eight players born in Maine have made it to the NHL. UMaine has sent 70 players to the NHL, 11 of them were goalies. That being said, hockey doesn’t seem to be a favorite sport of Downeasters. I am going to attribute the lack of enthusiasm to limited access. 

By Nancy Beal

Members of the committee that put on Jonesport’s July 4 Moosabec Summerfest celebration came to the March 12 selectmen’s meeting to pitch a plan to bring electricity to the town’s ballfield. 

By Jayna Smith 

After serving northern Washington County for many decades, the Waite General Store will officially close its doors for good on March 31, marking the end of an era for the small town of Waite. The store has long been a staple of the community, offering everything from milk and eggs to moose tags and friendly conversation.

This week, the Raider Report is excited to share the news of Rowen Luuring's return to campus! 

Luuring is a Class of 2022 graduate and has served since September as one of the Sustainable Gardening & Agriculture AmeriCorps service members. During her years as a WA student, she was an active member of the Sustainability Club and highly engaged in her science classrooms. As a result, she created and maintained strong relationships with her science teachers, who recommended her for the open WA AmeriCorps service position last summer!