By Paul Sylvain

Machiasport officials are taking the first steps toward providing an “opportunity” for perhaps a half-dozen young families just starting out to purchase a one- to two-acre lot for their first home.

By Jayna Smith

For residents of Washington County, access to specialized medical care often requires significant travel. Thanks to PALS SkyHope, a charitable aviation organization, patients in remote areas can receive free flights to medical facilities, providing a lifeline to those in need.

Jordan-Chandler Says, ‘It’s Kind of the Final Step Before Combining Schools’

By Nancy Beal

Crystal Blackwood, athletic coordinator for both Beals and Jonesport elementary schools, went before the respective school committees of both Moosabec area pre-K through grade 8 schools last week to suggest that the schools combine their Pee Wee basketball teams starting next year. The reason: low student numbers. “Kids aren’t playing sports like they used to,” she said, attributing the change to the availability of video games.

By Doss Dennison

As soon as the kids returned from February break, grades 3 through 6 were back in the gym, getting ready for the final chapter of Downeast basketball, Pee Wee season. 

Most of the teams in the county are made up of kids in grades 4 through 6. A few of the larger schools offer both a combined grades 5 and 6 team and a combined grades 3 and 4 team. Some of the smaller schools have to dip down to grade 3 to have enough kids to make up a team. 

The Sunday Afternoons at the Arts Center series will present Paul Cox and Chris Bartlett with a talk, “Scalloping in Cobscook Bay,” Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m. The two will invite attendees into the world of the sea scallop fishery in Cobscook Bay, with a walk-through of a day on the water with Paul and his crew, detailing efforts taken to harvest scallops from the seafloor and the fishing gear that is used.

The Washington Academy Raider Student Council is on a mission! Every Tuesday afternoon, a large group of community-minded students gather in Mrs. Carol Anthony’s classroom to discuss how to create change. The discussions are lively and creative, but they aim to influence a positive culture inside and outside of Washington Academy. 

By Paul Sylvain

Town officials in Machiasport are poised to assume management and grounds maintenance of six cemeteries currently overseen by separate cemetery associations.

But as the selectboard made clear at its Feb. 24 meeting, the town is not taking over the cemeteries’ care because of mismanagement or financial issues. In fact, the cemeteries are financially sound, the board said. According to town officials, the reason is simple: The people overseeing the associations are getting older and no one is willing to step in to take their place.

By Paul Sylvain

The brown 1954 Bangor and Aroostook Railroad boxcar parked at the Machias Station 1898 site has a new owner, following its purchase last week by the Machias Ridge Riders ATV trail club.

By Paul Sylvain

Newly hired Machias Town Manager Sarah Craighead Dedmon is living proof that someone “from away” can move downeast and find acceptance among its people. Not convinced? Not only is Dedmon now the town manager in Machias, but she defeated long-time Selectman Jeff Davis last June to win his seat on the selectboard in neighboring Machiasport, where she lives.

Analysis by Wendell “Doss” Dennison                                         

As the old saying goes, “Opinions are like noses, everybody has one.” 

There’s no denying that the subject of transgender females, who were born biologically as males and are now competing in female athletics, is a hot topic that everyone has an opinion on.

Everyone, including myself, brings to this discussion certain ideologies and biases. However, I have endeavored to write this from a position of neutrality. If I’ve failed in that, it was unintentional.