by Sarah Craighead Dedmon 

It’s Tuesday afternoon in Machiasport, election day, and voters are lined up in the short town office hallway waiting for their turn at the three-person voting booth. Machiasport’s old wooden ballot box has already been called into service once because the new ballot scanner wasn’t working. But it’s up and running now, and town clerk Marcia Hayward is glad. With it, she’ll be able to head home around 9:30 tonight.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Worcester family has unveiled plans to fly the world’s largest American flag atop the world’s tallest flagpole at the center of a 2,500-acre park to be located in the town of Columbia Falls. Details about the project were publicly announced at a press conference held Tuesday at the Augusta Civic Center.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Leaked news that the Machias and Caribou Maine Veterans Homes will close was confirmed today, Thursday, Feb. 24, in an official release from Maine Veterans Homes. News of the closure was met with a wide range of emotions Downeast, including sadness, shock, outrage, and calls to action, especially from the Washington County Commissioners' office. 

Families and employees of the Machias home were informed in advance of the public release, which said the decision was made “after several years of consideration.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Following extradition from Virginia where he was arrested Jan. 11, Paul DeForest of Lubec today made his initial court appearance via Zoom. DeForest is charged in the murder of 58-year-old Eva Cox, also of Lubec. Cox was found deceased in the locked trunk of a car.

From the Desk of the Editor, Sarah Craighead Dedmon

My tall and skinny husband played the Machias town Santa Claus for two years, which is one way I know the amount of effort that goes into the Machias Community Christmas celebration. And I’m not even counting the work it took to make him look fat. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Maine State Police today announced a fourth murder suspect has been arrested in connection with the Nov. 4 shooting of 17-year-old Brandin Guerrero, whose body was found on High Street in Machias.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the death of a 17-year-old boy as a homicide, according to Lieutenant Darrin Crane, who led a press conference today, Nov. 5, on the steps of the Washington County Sheriff's Office on Court Street.

Because the victim is a juvenile, their name will not be released.

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

Machias residents voted overwhelmingly to support a Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) application on behalf of Bad Little Brewing Company, a craft beer and farm-to-table restaurant soon to be located at 101 Court Street in the historic Clark Perry House. 

The dining and taproom will be located in the property’s barn, which could be moved to begin construction on a new foundation as early as next week.