By Paul Sylvain

The Washington County commissioners have a new look for the first time in a dozen years, following the swearing-in of District 1 Commissioner Billy Howard and District 2 Commissioner David C Burns at a brief ceremony at the commissioners’ meeting room on Jan. 2. 

Looking on was District 3 Commissioner John B. Crowley, whose seat was not up for reelection in 2024. 

By Paul Sylvain

Maine winters aren’t what they used to be, considering the string of relatively mild winters we’ve enjoyed Downeast the past several years. Of course, with the snowiest and coldest winter months yet to come, it remains to be seen how Washington County will fare in this winter of 2024-25.

Still, the lingering memory of that last truly harsh, “old-fashioned” Maine winter a decade ago is one that anyone who experienced it won’t ever forget. 

By Paul Sylvain 

(This is the first in a series of articles spotlighting legislative bills being submitted by the Washington County Legislative Delegation.)

In the days leading up to the Jan. 8 start of the 132nd Legislature, District 10 Rep. Will Tuell, R-East Machias, has provided a preview of bills he’s already submitted or plans to enter by the Jan. 10 filing deadline for proposed legislation.

Selectmen Make Offer on Dow Building, State Rejects 2nd Liquor Licensee in Town

By Nancy Beal

Jonesport selectmen Harry Fish and Denise Cilley met Jan. 2 and, although it was not on the agenda, difficulty accessing disaster aid took up much of the public part of the meeting. 

 Down East Community Hospital in Machias delivered its first baby of the new year — Davis Joseph Green — at 6:36 p.m. on Jan. 5.

Green is also the first child born to Brenna Davis and Austin Green of Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada. He arrived weighing in at nine pounds, seven ounces. and measured 21 ¾ inches in length. Both parents said Dr. Christian Inegbenijie and all the nurses involved were “phenomenal,” and were impressed by and happy to be at DECH.  As to what they had to say about baby Davis, the parents stressed, “We are in love; he is just perfect”!

Zachery Allen was sworn in as a Marine Patrol Officer (MPO) by Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher Dec. 9 in Augusta. MPO Allen has been assigned to the Milbridge patrol in Washington County and previously served as a Hancock County deputy sheriff, a position he held since 2017. 

Zach holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Husson University and is currently working on his master’s degree. Zach is also a 2018 graduate of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Program. 

Water, Wi-Fi Issues Force Motel to Cancel Bookings Until February

By Paul Sylvain

The cause of a Christmas Eve fire that destroyed two-thirds of the Bluebird Motel’s main lodging building, fronting Route 1/Dublin Street in Machias, has been classified as “undetermined” by investigators with the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Down East Community Hospital Auxiliary hosted the 51st Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. The Rose Gaffney Elementary School generously allowed the Auxiliary to use their gym and hallways in the school.

By Paul Sylvain

As we prepare to put 2024 in the proverbial rear-view mirror and usher in 2025, let’s take a look back at some of the local stories and events that topped the news in this 366-day leap year.

Barely 10 days into the new year, coastal Maine was slammed with the first of two major winter storms, three days apart, that could have been named “Peat” and "Repeat” for their similarities.

By Will Tuell

From the sudden passing of Machias Town Manager Bill Kitchen on Sept. 9 to the loss of beloved family physician Dr. John Gaddis weeks later, Downeasters had a lot to grapple with in 2024.

Avowed environmental activist Nancy Oden passed away in May. Three Machias mainstays — former selectman and first responder Les Haynes; former Machias lawmaker, businessman, and philanthropist Ed Pellon; and former selectman Stephen “Smitty” Smith — died within two months of Kitchen.