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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

by Jonathan Reisman

National Popular Vote

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.

By Staff

Jury Selection Gets Underway Feb. 29

By Paul Sylvain

The trial of two men charged with felony murder in the  drug-related shooting death and robbery of 17-year-old Brandin Guerrero of Massapequa, New York, is set to begin with jury selection on Feb. 29. Guerrero’s body was found on Nov. 4, 2021, in a resident’s yard on High Street.

By Will Tuell

Wood has always been in our family. 

By Paul Sylvain

Calling Machias Hannaford’s “our community store,” Machias Food Pantry co-directors Nancy Lewis and Ken Warner on Feb. 23 accepted a $12,000 donation for the purchase of a new freezer/cooler from the store’s manager, John Thimlar.

By Nancy Beal

The former welding shop of Ronnie Gray on Route 187 in the Indian River district of Addison burned down in the early morning hours of Feb. 21. Fire crews from three towns -- Addison, Columbia, and Jonesport -- brought the blaze under control in about three hours. Heat from the fire blistered an exposed wall of a nearby dwelling. The former Gray’s welding shop was currently being used by Robbins Construction. No injuries were reported as of press time. The cost of damage related to the blaze is, as yet, unknown.

Selectboard Approves Liquor License, Entertainment Permit at Feb. 14 Meeting

By Paul Sylvain

What should have been a routine order of business on Feb. 14, involving a simple selectboard vote to approve an on-premises liquor license and a special entertainment permit in advance of Mason’s Brewing Company’s much anticipated mid-March opening Downeast, evolved into several moments of drama by selectboard member Ben Edwards.

By Phil Stuart

Ten out of 14 Washington County high school girls' and boys’ basketball teams are qualified for post-season play based on the final point standings. Only the Jonesport-Beals girls, Machias boys, and Calais boys got automatic bids to the Cross Center, while the Narraguagus girls, Machias girls, Washington Academy girls, and Woodland girls had to play a preliminary game in order to qualify for the northern tournament along with the Narraguagus, Jonesport-Beals, and Washington Academy boys.

Dr. Reza Namin, Superintendent of Maine Indian Education and former University of Maine Machias chemistry professor, has been selected to serve as a judge for the Future Engineers Program. 

The Future Engineers Program was founded in 2015 by leading engineering associations to address the shortage of students pursuing engineering careers. Through an annual competition, students submit innovative proposals for tackling issues such as climate change, space exploration, and sustainability. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of engineers and STEM experts, including Dr. Namin.

by Jonathan Reisman

“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” - Matthew 12:25

“A house divided against itself, cannot stand.” - Senate candidate Abraham Lincoln, 1858

Friends and acquaintances from left, right, and middle have shared their anxiety and concerns concerning possible violence and social unrest this year. Fear of desolation is a rare area of unity in our otherwise divided American house.

By Will Tuell

Town Attorney Claims DeFalcos, Aschettino ‘Offering Land They Do Not Own’

By Paul Sylvain

More than 100 of Machiasport’s estimated 1,000 citizens packed the Fort O’Brien School gymnasium on a bitterly cold evening on Feb. 5 for a tense and emotionally charged public hearing on eminent domain.