By Paul Sylvain

The Machias selectboard learned at its Feb. 12 meeting that a former 2.5-acre municipal landfill from 1930 until capped in 1996, is leaching per- and polyfluoroalkyl, or PFAS, substances near and possibly into the Middle River marsh behind the site, adding yet another complication to the seesaw battle over the future of the Machias dike replacement. 

The Machias landfill occupied an area near the Marshfield town line, behind the current transfer station off Broadway.

Eastport Arts Center is pleased to present the first of a recurring series of drawing classes on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Ann Cannizzaro will lead sessions in “Zentangle: A Mindful Drawing Practice” in February, March, and April, at the Center. The sessions are offered for students ages 12 and up.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hosting online informational sessions for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers. Participants can choose from two options: noon to 1 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 21 and 28, or 6-7 p.m. Mondays, March 3 and 10.

By Paul Sylvain 

State Senator Marianne Moore, R-Calais, and Representative Will Tuell, R-East Machias, welcomed members of the Washington Academy volleyball team to the State House on Feb. 4 to receive a legislative sentiment congratulating them on their 2024 Class B state championship. 

By Doss Dennison

Amid some disruptive weather area schools had to deal with last week, the junior high basketball season continued to move closer to its final chapter — the chance to play for a Washington County championship. 

On Monday and Tuesday evenings — Feb. 3 and 4 — both the East and the West were able to get in all of their prelim games. In the East, the Cutler girls lost to St. Stephen 76-13, the Rose M. Gaffney boys defeated Cutler 50-13, the Elm Street boys defeated St. Stephen 69-41, and the Lubec boys beat Woodland 47-33.

By Paul Sylvain

A group of students in teacher Tom Manship’s math and science class have proven once again that Fort O’Brien is the little school that can (and does). 

As Manship explained on Feb. 7, “My class created a product last fall called Astro Balm. They created a business plan for it, manufactured, advertised, and sold it.” 

Astro Balm is described as an “all natural lip balm” made from bees’ wax, coconut oil, and shea butter. 

The demonstration and informal discussion for area fishermen and the public on the use of alternative lobster fishing gear that was scheduled for Feb. 6 has been rescheduled for 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Local Businessman, Jeff Huntley, Floats Possible Solution

By Paul Sylvain

If words were punches, there would have been a lot of black eyes in Machiasport, following a fiery discussion on Jan. 27 between fishermen, members of the Jasper Head Homeowners Association (HOA), and the town’s selectboard about a proposed truck turnaround on Pettegrow Point Road.

By Will Tuell

By Paul Sylvain

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has a new “Deputy Dog” with the arrival of K9 Tango and his handler, Cpl. Matt Carter.

Tango is an 18-month-old German Shepherd who began his training on drug and evidence detection, in addition to tracking, on Jan. 28 with Cpl Carter. 

“We are expecting big things from this team and they are a great addition to the agency,” the Sheriff’s office said in a post on its Facebook page. “We consider ourselves pretty fortunate, as we have several MCJA trainers.”

I’m headed to Augusta for a Feb. 6 public hearing of some consequence to Washington County, rural Maine, the 2nd Congressional District, and Maine as a whole.

LD 183, An Act to Cap Publicly Owned Land Area at No More than 50 Percent of Any County, is sponsored by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, and the entire Washington County delegation. Here’s the summary:

By Paul Sylvain

The Machiasport Fire Department, like many small-town Maine fire departments, is struggling to fill its roster of volunteer firefighters to adequately attack a blaze when one occurs in the community. As the department’s chief, David Neilsen, told the town’s selectboard on Jan. 27, “We need help really bad.”

By Paul Sylvain

Sleep tight, Machias. Your police department has you covered.

That’s despite a reduction in local coverage outlined in a letter sent to municipal police departments in Machias and four other towns in mid-January by Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis. 

“Over the past decade, we … have worked very hard to help fill in gaps in your police department's schedule, as we have all faced challenges with filling rosters and budget issues over that time period,” Curtis wrote in the undated letter. 

Benefit Supper, Chinese Auction Planned to Aid Family

By Paul Sylvain

The family and friends of two commercial fishermen from South Addison who are believed to have lost their lives when their 34-foot scallop dragger, F/V Sudden Impact, sank after encountering rough seas on Jan. 18, continue to grieve and pray that divers will bring their loved ones home for closure.

by Jonathan Reisman

That mouthful refers to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, now less than 18 months away. I have a feeling that Donald Trump’s TV and showman experience is going to play a big part in what I hope is a huge, happy party. I think there is a lot of work and planning to do for that to happen.

Award-winning Casting Director and Producer Laura Stanczyk will offer ‘Scene Study for Beginning Actors,’ for students aged 18 and up, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 4 thru March 25, at Eastport Arts Center. The course will offer an opportunity for beginning and established actors to develop skills specifically in relation to written material, including plays, films and episodics. 

“This is not improvisation, relaxation, or a vocal production class,” noted Stanczyk. “This is scene study.”

Public Hearing Thursday February 6 on LD 183 9:00 AM, Cross Building, Room 214, in Augusta.

The Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 6 on LD 183, “An Act to Cap Publicly Owned Land Area at No More Than 50 Percent of Any County. The proposal is sponsored by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, and the entire Washington County legislative delegation. 

The bill summary reads as follows:

Vessel Found Under 160 Feet of Water Off Long Point Believed to be Sudden Impact

By Paul Sylvain

After a more than 25-hour search involving 11 rescue vessels over two days, and encompassing 950 square miles of open sea and coastline in eastern Washington County, the U.S. Coast Guard officially called off its search Sunday evening for a South Addison scallop dragger and its two-man crew reported missing since Jan. 18. 

By Nancy Beal

After 17 years as the town’s only complete grocery store serving shoppers in the greater Jonesport-Beals area, Manaford’s Grocery will close its doors for good on Jan. 31.

That news was announced in a recent post on Manaford’s Facebook page, which stated, “With a heavy heart and deep regret, we want to let you know that after 17 years, Manaford’s Grocery will be closing its doors, effective Jan 31, 2025. With great appreciation and gratitude to our customers and employees. Thank you all.” 

By Nancy Beal

by Jonathan Reisman

The opening weeks of 2025 have brought home the consequences of mixing climate alarmism with identity/woke politics. The Energy, Utilities and Technology committee held a Public Advocate confirmation hearing where the Senate Chair ruled that any discussion of Maine’s energy and climate policies would not be allowed.