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. 

By Paul Sylvain

The trial of two people accused of murder in the brutal slaying of a 43-year-old Pleasant Point, Perry, woman on April 21, 2022, came to an abrupt and unexpected end Wednesday afternoon in a split verdict, leaving one person found guilty and the case against a co-defendant declared a mistrial.

By Paul Sylvain

The Machias selectboard’s almost weekly workshop as the marijuana subcommittee opened on Dec. 20 with Town Manager Bill Kitchen addressing allegations of conflict of interest in the group’s membership.

By Will Tuell

Down East Community Hospital in Machias recently paid tribute to its most valuable asset -- the men and women who provide care to tens of thousands of Downeasters and their families -- during an employee recognition ceremony on Dec. 14. 

Paige Sinford and Lyman Beecher were chosen as DECH 2023 Employees of the Year, while nearly two dozen employees received recognition for having served the hospital for at least five years. 

The January 2024 StoryWalk at Porter Memorial Library will feature the beloved children’s book The Cool Bean by Jory Johns and Pete Oswald. This heartwarming children's book explores themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and the importance of kindness as it follows the journey of a once-cool bean who learns valuable lessons about true friendship and the beauty of being oneself.

By Ronie Strout and T.J. DiBiasse  

Soccer is on the rise at Narraguagus High School, thanks to head coach Tyler Tenney. Coach Tenney took over the program in 2019 and quickly turned a 2018 team that went 3-9 into an 8-4 team that finished 9th in North C and earned a prelim game. 

By Paul Sylvain

“Dike is OPEN”!

Who could have ever imagined that those three little words, composed of just ten letters in all, would be the buzz of the town? But, a buzz, they did stir, shortly before noon on Dec. 15, when Machias Town Manager Bill Kitchen blasted them out in an email to local media.

By Nancy Beal

The joint board that determines what happens in the three schools in Union 103--Beals and Jonesport Elementary Schools and Jonesport-Beals High School—held its annual meeting last week at which members elect officers for the board and a superintendent to oversee the schools. In 45 minutes, there was a new board chair and superintendent.

by Jonathan Reisman

The explosion of campus antisemitism and support for Jewish genocide (from the river to the sea) has shocked many Americans, but for this retired professor who spent 40 years on New England college campuses, it is no surprise at all. The sources of that antisemitism are relatively easy to identify.

By Will Tuell

There wasn’t a seat to be found at the Machias Valley Baptist Church amphitheater last Thursday evening as parents, teachers, and community members gathered to watch the 42 Machias Valley Christian School students from preK-6 re-enact the birth of Christ as only children can. 

Board Uses New Checklist, Approves Two Other Permits in 45-Minute Meeting

By Paul Sylvain

The Machias Planning Board has cleared the way for a new county public safety building to be built on the site of the former District Attorney’s office building at 85 Court St.

By Paul Sylvain

After three grueling days of jury selection and pre-trial discussions between attorneys and Judge Robert E. Murray Jr., the trial of accused murderers Kailie Brackett and Donnell Dana Jr. finally got underway Friday morning in Washington County Superior Court in Machias.

Brackett, 39, and Dana, 40, both of Pleasant Point, Perry, are charged with “intentional or knowing or depraved indifference murder” in the stabbing death of 43-year-old Kimberly Neptune on April 21, 2022. 

by Jonathan Reisman

By Will Tuell

Wayne Smith’s recent piece about Christmas wreath-making, known simply as “wreathing” to most longtime Downeasters, got me to thinking about my own family’s forays into the woods in search of fir boughs -- “tips” -- during the months of November and December and our own family wreathing operation out of my grandfather’s garage. 

“Oh, I ought to write that up,” I said to myself, not really expecting to have the time to do so amidst several other articles I had in the works at the time. 

By Paul Sylvain

A Robbinston woman accused of murdering her former lover and principal drug supplier last year in Pembroke, faces a prison sentence of 32 years after changing her plea to guilty in Washington County Superior Court on Dec. 7.

In changing her plea from not guilty to guilty, Rebecca Moores, 43, admitted to shooting 53-year-old Paula Johnson in Johnson’s home at 515 Leighton Point Rd, in Pembroke, on Feb. 9, 2022, Moores was arrested in Pembroke on July 6, 2022, and charged with Johnson’s murder.

By Will Tuell

While Machias and Milbridge were ring-ting-tingling with Christmas cheer this past weekend, there’s still plenty to do for Downeast families who want to get in on the December fun before Santa and his reindeer make their annual trek across the Sunrise County. From one end of the county to the other, there’s a little something for everyone from Friday to Sunday. 

By Paul Sylvain

The trial of a Pleasant Point couple accused of murdering 43-year-old Kimberly Neptune on April 21, 2022, is scheduled to begin with jury selection at Washington County Superior Court in Machias on the morning of Dec. 5. 

By Jayna Smith

'Tis the season once more as Pratt Auto Dealership embarks on its annual tradition of matching donations for the local food pantry.  However, this time around, the challenge has grown in scale.  Owner Ian Pratt has increased his commitment by offering to match donations up to $10,000, an increase from last year's cap of $7,500.  Even more, the campaign's duration has been extended through Christmas, extending from only November in years past.