By Paul Sylvain

Military veterans and auxiliary members of the Ephriam H. Johnson American Legion Post 9 in Machias have been busy in recent weeks giving Santa a hand to bring Christmas cheer to youngsters and senior members of the greater Machias community alike.

By Will Tuell

Down East Community Hospital in Machias announced Julie Balzer, RN, and Linda Crowley, EVSI as its 2024 Employees of the Year and recognized several employees for their longevity during a Christmas luncheon for employees Dec. 12.

Balzer, the hospital said on its social media page, “is a role model” and “a well-rounded nurse. She is constantly thinking of others and how and where she can help [them]. She is always seen with a smile, a positive attitude, and a joke to make you laugh. She helps keep others feeling positive,” the hospital said. 

By Nancy Beal

By Doss Dennison

I recently interviewed four student-athletes from Fort O’Brien School in Machiasport, for The Machias Valley News Observer. The following is a summary of those interviews:

Mattie Huntley

Mattie came to FOB as an eighth grader at the beginning of this school year. So far this year, she has played volleyball, ran cross country, is now playing on the combined girls FOB/Jonesboro Jets junior high basketball team, and plans on playing softball this spring. 

UPDATED: 9:28 AM Dec 26, 2024

By Paul Sylvain

Firefighters from Machias and surrounding towns struggled against single-digit temperature and unrelenting winds that enveloped them in thick breath-choking smoke to battle a Christmas Eve fire at the Bluebird Motel on Route 1/Dublin Street  in Machias.

That’s according to Machias Fire Chief Joey Dennison, who, on Wednesday — though still exhausted from the experience the previous night — recounted the details of the Christmas Eve fire.

By Peter Pinette 

When we contemplate that the divine Christ Child came to earth to become one of us, God tells us by this humility that He wants to share in our humanity without wanting any worldly praise. Christ was born in the most humble setting, coming to earth amongst barn animals and only having a feeding trough as His cradle. All of these godly virtues will be on display in the life of the Christ Child — kindness and compassion and total giving of Himself to offer forgiveness and mercy to all of humanity. 

By Will Tuell

For the third year in a row, the Wesley Foundation announced that its popular Christmas tree festival designed to raise funds for area youth enrichment activities, has raised over $100,000. Foundation spokesman Dean McGuire said in a post on the group’s Facebook page Dec. 10 that Team Wes was “incredibly humbled” by the support some fifty tree donors, thousands of attendees, and the broader Machias area business community has shown since four-year-old Wesley Keeton, the son of Kate and Lee Keeton of East Machias, died in an ATV accident in 2013. 

Former Flea Market Demolished to Make Way for Healthcare, Dental Facility

By Paul Sylvain

All that remains of the former Sandy’s Sales on Route 1 in East Machias is the cement slab it stood on until being crushed into a pile of rubble on Dec. 11. 

Eventually replacing it will be a 7,500-square-foot fully equipped healthcare facility which will serve as the new home for Healthways/East Machias Clinic.

By Paul Sylvain

The Machias selectboard this week began the next phase of the hiring process to select a new town manager, following the untimely passing of late town manager Bill Kitchen on Sept. 9. However, the board’s search for a permanent operations manager is expected to be reopened in the coming weeks.

Land Swap with Library A Go

By Nancy Beal

Nearly 50 Jonesporters turned out Dec. 10 for a special town meeting to consider buying real estate. On the warrant were items asking voters’ minds on purchasing the former nine-unit U.S. Coast Guard housing complex on Route 187 north of Greenwood Cemetery and an old store on Main Street in front of the town’s fire department.