by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Maine State Police tonight state the Feb. 9 death of a Pembroke woman is being ruled a homicide, following a Thursday autopsy.

On Wednesday near 5:30 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff's Office Wednesday responded to 515 Leighton Point Road in Pembroke to a report of an unresponsive female, who died under suspicious circumstances. The victim has been identified as Paula Johnson, 53, of Pembroke.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

When Nick Gustafson, his wife, and two children last summer visited Maine, they fell in love with the coast and resolved to buy a home Downeast. But a tight housing market meant they went home empty-handed. 

Gustafson decided to get creative with their house-hunting strategy. A licensed real estate broker in both Florida and Maine, he mailed letters directly to dozens of homeowners, asking if they were willing to sell.

“I was trying to think a little outside of the box,” he said.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Residents and staff of Narraguagus Bay Health Care nursing home in Milbridge have been evacuated after high winds created roof damage. Parts of the roof have collapsed during the storm which covered the entire coast of Maine today, Monday, Jan. 17. The National Weather Service warned of gusts greater than 65 mph.

An employee of the nursing home has confirmed that no one has been injured by the damage.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for central and coastal Washington County due to a storm predicted to drop between 8 and 11 inches of snow starting Friday, Jan. 7 at 7 a.m. The warning will expire Saturday at 1 a.m. Winds gusting up to 45 mph will lead to significant blowing and drifting snow, especially during the afternoon and evening. White-out conditions are possible at times. High winds could cause tree damage and lead to scattered power outages. 

A new Maine law requiring gas detectors in some commercial businesses and rental properties will go into effect on January 1.

Under the law, many commercial businesses such as hotels, motels, non-profit organizations, shelters, and rental properties must install a detector in any room where there's a gas or propane-fueled appliance.

Currently, private homes are not impacted by the new law unless the home is sold.

A raffle and spaghetti supper to support the family of Amanda Flynn will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19 at the Downeast Dragonfly Bar & Grill in Lubec.

Amanda died on Thanksgiving day and leaves behind her husband Kenny Sulkowski and their four children: Jordan, age 15, Ashley age 14, Alexis age 12, and Jason age 7.

Amanda, 35, of Calais, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Her friends are organizing this fundraiser to support her family, who now face their first Christmas without their wife and mother.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

It all began with a question.

“I was wondering if it might be possible to decorate the bridge for Christmas?” asked Joel Ross of Lubec, posting Nov. 29 on Facebook. Readers enthusiastically applauded his idea, and this week for the first time ever, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Bridge —  and the saltwater beneath it —  shine with Christmas lights. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Schools in Machias and East Machias will adjust their holiday break schedules to offer a little more time at home, hoping to break a cycle of sickness and give their teachers additional rest after a challenging few months. Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School (RMG), Machias Memorial High School, and Elm Street Elementary School will go remote for the full days of Dec. 20 and 21, and half day of Dec. 22, and break will run through Sunday, Jan. 2.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the death of a 17-year-old boy as a homicide, according to Lieutenant Darrin Crane, who led a press conference today, Nov. 5, on the steps of the Washington County Sheriff's Office on Court Street.

Because the victim is a juvenile, their name will not be released.

Video coverage: https://fb.watch/93Q_-zXCzC/

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Law enforcement was this morning called to High Street in Machias where neighbors report the discovery of a body, apparently shot.

Multiple residents report hearing gunshots late on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 3.