by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The town of Machias has hired veteran police officer Keith Mercier to be the new chief of the Machias Police Department, a post that has been vacant since July 18. Mercier will assume his new position on Nov. 1.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

For weeks, Troy Quimby noticed an orange cat hanging around his property in East Machias. The cat seemed at ease and knew when Quimby’s dogs were kenneled so he could move safely around the yard. Then one Sunday morning, Quimby spotted the cat just lying in his garden.

“It looked like it was trying to get warm, I walked over and wondered what was sticking out from his arm,” said Quimby. “Then I realized the cat had something impaled in it.”

by Nancy Beal

by Natalie Boomer

A woman from northern Maine has recently moved Downeast and has noticed there is something missing in the area. 

Hannah Toothaker is opening a dance studio for children in East Machias!

“It will be small, privately hosted dance classes owned and operated by myself and I will rent space from a local church,” she said. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

COVID-19 vaccination rates among Maine health care workers rose rapidly in September according to data released last week by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Statewide, hospital vaccination rates climbed to an average of 91.6 percent. Rates also rose by more than 10 percent for assisted housing facilities and intermediate care facilities. 

Workers have until Oct. 29 to comply with the mandate.

by Jonathan Reisman

“Do you want to ban the construction of high-impact electric transmission lines in the Upper Kennebec Region and to require the Legislature to approve all other such projects anywhere in Maine, both retroactively to 2020, and to require the Legislature, retroactively to 2014, to approve by a two-thirds vote such projects using public land?”- Question one on the November Ballot.

Artist Anne Black will lead a workshop, Joy of Acrylics, from 1-4 pm, Saturday, October 30, at Eastport Arts Center. Black will take attendees on an exhilarating journey into the magic world of acrylic paints and mediums. “We will explore the incredible versatility of these materials with quick, playful warm-up pieces,” notes Black, who will then guide participants in creating a series of three small paintings using different techniques and combinations of acrylics and mixed media materials.

by Hazel Stark

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Down East Community hospital today provided clarification on recent ambulance diversions from its Machias emergency department, which took place over the weekend and ended midday Monday. There is a lot of confusion around the diversion status, said the hospital.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Former Governor Paul LePage spent last Thursday driving the campaign trail through Washington County, stopping at Wreaths Across America, Whitney Wreath, the Bluebird Family Ranch Restaurant, and Helen’s Restaurant, finally ending his day in an evening meet-and-greet at the Calais Motor Inn. 

LePage served as governor from 2011-2019 and in July formally announced his candidacy for a third term, last month hosting a kickoff event in Augusta.