by Nancy Beal

A bill that would grant to apprentice lobstermen who have been waiting for a license for 10 years or more was heard in Augusta February 5. Most spoke against it, including the president of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. The Department of Marine Resources, which issues lobster licenses, did not take a position, indicating that it would wait until after any new restrictions on fishing were issued by the federal government in its attempt to protect North Atlantic right whales.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

When David Wood volunteered his services to demolish and relocate a house, he thought the Machiasport Fire Department would soon proceed with their plans to use it for a training burn, per the owner’s wishes. Instead, the monster two-story pile of demolition debris has greeted drivers entering Machiasport from the Rim Road since last October.

by Nancy Beal

Legislation that would expand the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission (WBC), under discussion since December by members of the WBC and by small growers who sought the expansion, was heard in Augusta February 5 by the legislature’s Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Not scheduled at press time, but expected to follow soon, is a second bill on the subject prepared and promoted by the WBC itself.

by Wayne Smith

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis and Chief Deputy Michael Crabtree say they’ve hired two new deputies and identified a third to hire in April. One new hire will backfill a vacant position, and the other will fill one of three new positions funded for 2019.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12 will invite residents of Roque Bluffs to learn more about the potential for a town-owned internet offering. Roque Bluffs Selectwoman Lisa Hanscom said this is the third in a series of conversations the town has held since last year.

“The people who have attended are really interested, “ said Hancom. “We’re asking people from the community to come again and discuss all this with Axiom and Island Institute.”

by Nancy Beal

The Jonesport budget committee met January 30 and reviewed selectmen’s recommendations for a 2019-20 budget that totaled $728,961. After an hour’s discussion, the five-person panel added nearly $6,000 to that total. Members of the committee present included Wendy Beal, chair, John Church, Shane Farris, Lois Hubbard and Jane McMichen. Absent for medical reasons were Boyde Crowley and Paul Iossa. Also present were the town’s three selectmen, their office assistant and the town treasurer/tax collector.

Whether the journalist’s assignment is about politics, religion, or scallops, there are always at least two sides to every story, and everybody in the story thinks she holds the golden mantle of truth. Perhaps never before – in today’s climate of fake news and sharply divided politics – has this been truer. But the truth, as Edward R. Murrow observed, doesn’t always fall equally on both sides.

by Wayne Smith

by Joseph Horn

by Ruth Leubecker

On a dramatically significant journey from the blueberry barrens to the far reaches of Iceland, Maine’s signature crop will be the subject of a five-part television series beginning February 4.

Lynn Thurston, owner of Blue Sky Produce, is promoting the series “Ship Me Out”, which will be televised on newscentermaine.com and News Center’s YouTube page during the 5:30 newscasts the week of February 4. (While News Center’s Channel 6 out of Portland may be the sole channel, the series can be found on their web page.)

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Washington County may be on the verge of getting its first dedicated Career and Technical Education center for youth. A group of schools who filed a state grant application last November have been told they are one of four grant winners statewide but do not yet know the exact amount of the state’s award. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Last week’s heavy rains exacerbated rough road conditions along a stretch of Route 1 in East Machias, which is slated for repairs next year.

Whiting resident Gregory Maxwell said his wife had to replace two wheels after driving through the now-infamous potholes that appear after inclement weather at a cost of $800. The potholes are located just north of Pope’s Bridge. 

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is partnering with Joy Asuncion, Maine’s Ambassador for the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation (Women’s Memorial) for the first “Maine Women Veterans Memorial Challenge.” The Challenge is a statewide, community-led drive to register all eligible women veterans from the state of Maine, past and present, for recognition on the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

by Hazel Start

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Fighting fire has always been a dangerous profession, and scientists are now learning that the risks to life and limb continue long after the fire has been extinguished. Simple exposure to fire smoke is a silent killer, and 27 local firefighters spent an evening last week learning how to protect themselves from the toxins that are spiking cancer and heart disease rates in their field.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon 

The yurt that was home to Machiasport legend Bill Coperthwaite was severely vandalized in December and now the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the property’s caretakers and owners are hoping to find those responsible.

by Lura Jackson

In the center of Maine, a debate has taken hold of the community: should Skowhegan Area High School change the name of its high school teams from the “Indians” – a change supported by many indigenous members of the extended community – or keep them as is, in keeping with the group calling itself Skowhegan Indian Pride? At the most recent meeting, which took place on Jan. 8 in Skowhegan and drew approximately 200 people, Passamaquoddy Dwayne Tomah was the first to speak out.

View full video of talk at www.machiasnews.com/facebook-fakenews

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Machias Valley News Observer publisher Pierre Little spoke at the monthly meeting of the Machias Bay Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Jan. 10. Little also publishes the Calais Advertiser.