By Will Tuell

A proposed expansion at the Machias Valley Airport has drawn concern from officials with the Machias Water Company who urged customers to contact the town’s five-member selectboard and Town Manager Bill Kitchen in a letter dated April 22. 

Machias Water Company President James Learned and General Manager Jesse Davis cite concerns by the Maine CDC over whether a proposed new runway intersecting the airport’s existing runway would be significantly closer to the town’s main water production well than the 2500 feet recommended. 

By Nancy Beal 

Jonesport selectmen met for the first time since mid-March last week (Board chair Harry Fish had been on a trans-Atlantic cruise) and tackled an agenda with 11 items on it. The last of these, concerning the school board’s request for a new auditor for Jonesport-Beals High School, prompted most of the discussion. 

By Will Tuell

Maine’s commercial lobster fishermen certainly have had a lot on their plate for the past several years with federal regulators adopting or proposing stringent new gear requirements designed to protect North Atlantic Right Whales that may, or may not, be present in the Gulf of Maine; concern over the location and scale of floating offshore wind farms; and most recently, stock assessments that could trigger changes in the rules governing what constitutes a legal lobster. 

By Wayne Smith

C.H. Mathews Store in Cherryfield is in the process of being sold this month. The store has been in the Mathews family since its opening in 1891. It’s being sold by Bruce and Karen Mathews of Milbridge and bought by Ahmad Rehman of Augusta, Maine. Mathews talked with me about his memories of the oldest family-run store in Maine recently, and this is what he said in his own words.

The Board of Directors at Harrington Family Health Center (HFHC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Demee Manchester to Chief Executive Officer.  For the past six months, Manchester served as the organization’s Interim CEO in addition to performing her duties as Chief Operating Officer. 

Down East Hospice Volunteers of Washington County proudly accepts a grant award from Bangor Savings Bank through the “Community Matters More” program. We want to thank everyone who voted for DEHV along the way.

You can also apply for the June 2024 volunteer hospice training and join our team at www.downeasthospicevolunteers.org, [email protected], or 454-7521 ext. 9126.

The Polar Treat in Perry is ready for its 75th season.  

After John and Mary Macdonald operated the take-out restaurant for 50 years, Jack and Bernadette Maloney did another 19, and, now, in their sixth year, Judson and Michelle Curtis recently held a ribbon cutting to commemorate the milestone.

The Polar Treat has been recently renovated, with the building having been expanded and outdoor seating included. 

The First Congregational Church of Machiasport will serve a free community BBQ supper beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the church on Trafton’s Hill at 378 Port Road, in Machiasport. The menu includes ribs, brisket, burgers, hot dogs, macaroni and potato salads, mac and cheese, and a variety of desserts and soft drinks. 

By Will Tuell

Sergeant Josh Beal of Marshfield and University of Maine at Machias professor Dr. Gerard “Gerry” Zegers came away from the annual Maine Warden Service awards ceremony on April 26 with two of the organization’s highest honors. Beal, who was tapped to lead Downeast game wardens in 2021, picked up 2023 Supervisor of the Year, while Zegers brought home the 2023 MWSA Merit Award for his work using cutting-edge DNA technology to solve several high-profile crimes the Warden Service has been investigating. 

By Will Tuell

The Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce honored two local women -- Lisa Griffin and Joanie Morin -- during its 2024 annual dinner meeting on April 22 at Helen’s Restaurant in Machias.