Sheriff Turns to Pennsylvania for New Cruisers as Automakers Close Maine Dealers Refusing to Sell Electric Vehicles

By Paul Sylvain

A discussion at the regular meeting of Washington County commissioners on July 11 has brought to light a troubling trend facing the county’s sheriff’s office and perhaps law enforcement agencies around the state when looking to purchase new cruisers.

“We have a slight problem as far as trying to purchase vehicles,” Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis told commissioners. “We sent out all that paperwork, and nobody responded from all over the state.”

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Remembering Les Haynes as Machias Mourns the Passing of a True Community ‘Spirit’

By Paul Sylvain

Few people have left such an indelible mark on the community they loved and faithfully served as Leslie “Les” Haynes.

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Currier Leads Miracle Comeback as Machias 10U Softball Clinches District 1 Championship

By Will Tuell

Audrey Currier and the Machias Area Little League 10U softball squad dug themselves a hole in the District 1 Little League tournament two weeks ago, losing 9-3 against Ellsworth, before going on a historic do-or-die run that saw the underdog Shiretown girls win back-to-back-to-back games -- including two against their Hancock County nemesis in stunning, nail-biting fashion last Tuesday to punch their ticket to the state tourney which began this past weekend. 

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NMDC Buys Back Former Bad Little Brewery Property at Auction

By Paul Sylvain

Already on the hook for $221,880 on a failed loan it financed in 2021, Caribou-based Northern Maine Development Commission, at a June 25 auction, essentially bought back the 101 Court St. property with a winning bid of $400,000. 

However, NMDC was, in fact, the sole bidder on the property and now is in it for at least $621,880, between the loan balance and the winning bid. Known as the Clark Perry House, the home’s barn into the Bad Little Brewery, which operated from there until closing permanently in December 2022.

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Longtime Dispatcher Retires after 15 Years

By Will Tuell

Longtime dispatcher Karen Redman of Marshfield retired from the Washington County Regional Communications Center in Machias on July 6 after fifteen years of sending out police, fire, and ambulance services to emergencies across the Sunrise County on a full-time basis. 

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Beals Selectmen Told Eastern Bay Salmon Deaths were Due to Algae Bloom, not Disease

By Nancy Beal

A recent die-off of penned salmon in Eastern Bay, the body of water between the islands that make up the town of Beals to the west and Jonesport’s Head Harbor Island to the east, became the immediate topic of conversation among the towns’ lobstermen, for whom the bay is a popular fishing ground, when it began June 20. At the Beals selectmen’s July 9 meeting, Glenda Beal reported on the inquiries that she had made of the parties involved.

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So Many Goodies, So Little Time at Sugar & Crumbs Bakery

By Paul Sylvain

Tucked away on the right side of Kennedy Highway/Route 1A, a little over a mile east of downtown Milbridge is one of the sweetest places you’ll find in Washington County. However, if you’re not careful and blink too fast, you might just miss the tempting goodies within.

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East Machias Voters Act on 43-Article Warrant in 30-Minute Town Meeting

Becomes Latest Town to Adopt Home-Grown Solar Ordinance

By Paul Sylvain

In about the time it takes to brew some coffee and scramble up some eggs and lobster, around 40 East Machias residents met and quickly passed the town’s 43-article annual town meeting warrant June 29.

The meeting moved swiftly toward adjournment some 34 minutes after it started, thanks to consolidating into single votes the bulk of the school, and later town, budgets.

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Surging Machias All Stars Win Little League Championships

By Will Tuell

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Bad Little Falls Park Summer Concert Series Returns July 11 with Hot Velvet

By Paul Sylvain

The outdoor stage overlooking the series of rapids and falls from which Machias earned its Abenaki name comes alive with nine weeks of smokin’ hot bands and cool tunes beginning with Hot Velvet on July 11.

Yes, the Bad Little Falls Park Summer Concert Series is back and better than ever for its fourth straight year. From rock and blues to Americana, folk, and more, the lineup for 2024 features a broad variety of musical styles and genres. 

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