By Nancy Beal

The article on Jonesport’s annual town meeting warrant allowing the selectboard to accept a variety of state and federal grants will be enhanced at next year’s annual town meeting in March. 

The additional language is being added to include “gifts, donations and pledges for specific town projects” to the traditional list. That language arose in connection with Jonesport’s current controversy over what to do with the old Cummins & Norton store in West Jonesport, now called the Dow building.

By Paul Sylvain

Machias business owners and residents should sleep a little easier at night beginning Sept. 21. That’s when the Machias Police Department will initiate 24-hour, ‘round-the-clock law enforcement coverage at least three nights a week.

Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier told the selectboard on Sept. 10 that providing a 24-hour presence had been a priority goal for him since his arrival in Machias four years ago. His biggest hurdle, he said, was building a department with enough reserve officers to make it happen.

By Paul Sylvain

Washington County’s budget advisory committee — made up of municipal officials and staff from across the Sunrise County — did not waste any time rolling up their sleeves and getting down to business at their Thursday, Sept. 11, inaugural meeting. 

Bonnie Ellen (Bassett) Healy of Whiting leaves $207,716 of her estate to Down East Community Hospital.

CEO, Steve Lail, on the donation, “We are very appreciative and humbled to receive this very generous donation from Bonnie Healy. It is coming at a time when hospitals are experiencing challenging changes in state and federal reimbursements. This donation will help us to continue our mission to improve healthcare for those in Sunrise County. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Healy but am so grateful she thought of us and the healthcare of the people in this county.”

By Paul Sylvain

Three men were arrested last Friday by Machias police and charged with aggravated drug trafficking, Class A. 

According to a prepared statement issued by the  MPD Monday, officers were called to a reported disturbance at 1 Pleasant Street, in Machias, at 12:08 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

“Upon investigating the call, officers determined that a physical altercation had occurred, with two of the parties subsequently being transported to Downeast Community Hospital for cuts and bruises,” police said.

By Will Tuell

But for the heroic actions of the family’s St. Bernard, Jeremiah and Katherine Jurdak of Pembroke, their daughters, and infant grandchild would not have escaped a blaze that took their Pembroke home, and virtually all of their belongings recently. 

By Paul Sylvain

Thanks to a vote of support by the Machias Selectboard, on Sept. 10, Longfellow Cemetery on Route 1A in Machias will become an official Wreaths Across America cemetery.

“This cemetery is more than just a place on a map to me,” Jennifer Vane told the board last week. “It’s where my family is.” She explained that when she visits the cemetery she is reminded of the many veterans laid to rest there.

By Paul Sylvain

If last week’s special meeting of the Washington County Commissioners meeting is a preview of budget discussions to come, the 2026 county spending package could be in for a long, rocky ride over the next two months. 

Commissioners Billy Howard, Courtney Hammond and Chairman David Burns bounced around between three versions of the budget, trying to decide which one they would turn over to the county budget advisory committee this week at the commissioners' Sept. 11 meeting.

By Will Tuell

Board Mistook Existing Motel Buildings as Proposed New Construction

By Paul Sylvain

A misread of a building permit application by the Machias Planning Board at its Sept. 3 meeting may have cost the owners of the Bluebird Motel valuable time in their effort to rebuild a 20-unit building that was destroyed by fire last Christmas Eve.