Jayna Smith

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Last month, area fire crews responded to a devastating blaze at 319 River Road in Calais. The home, owned by Pete and Brandi Cline, was completely destroyed.

Peter and Brandi, a beloved teacher at Calais High School, their daughter, Jenna, a well-known student and friend to many, and their son, Josh, a college student, lost all their belongings and pets. 

Paul Sylvain 

Former Maine Game Warden and Master Guide David Craven of Bucks Harbor is speaking out against a bill to restrict coyote hunting in Maine after defeating a similar bill during the last legislative session. Craven, now a respected shepherd who has judged international competitions in the field, joined popular talk radio host Ric Tyler Feb. 28 to discuss LD 716, “An Act to Restrict the Hunting of Coyotes,” prior to a March 3 public hearing on the issue in Augusta. 

Jayna Smith

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The American Red Cross is bringing its Home Fire Campaign to Calais on Friday, April 26, offering free smoke alarm installations for individuals and families in need. This program works to improve home safety and preparedness by ensuring that residents have working smoke alarms and a plan in case of fire.

Last week, Storytime at the Lincoln Memorial Public Library had a record dozen young folks enjoying the wonderful book You Are Special by Max Lucado and making “All About Me” books to show how special and unique each child is. This group was from the Pembroke school and included children from Dennysville.

Jon Reisman

I drove down to Augusta under the theory that showing up at the work session for LD 495, requiring the DEP to issue an estimate as to how much adverse climate change their policies were averting and at what cost to consumers in terms of energy prices, might influence the outcome. The DEP testified neither for nor against, admitting that the estimates could be provided at minimal cost.

Jayna Smith

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Every fourth Sunday in March, the Maine Maple Producers Association invites all to celebrate Maine Maple Sunday. Sugarhouses across the state open their doors, offering visitors the chance to tour, learn about the maple syrup-making process, and enjoy one of Maine’s most cherished products. Notably, Maine ranks among the top three maple syrup producers in the nation.

Jayna Smith

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Calais Fire-EMS responded to a structure fire at 293 River Road on Wednesday, Feb. 26, after receiving a direct report of the blaze.

Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire rolling out of the front side of the building, CFD Chief Bill Lee said. Firefighters were informed that two dogs were inside, and crews managed to locate and remove the dogs from the garage, but despite efforts to revive them, the dogs did not survive.

Will Tuell

As Maine’s commercial fishing industry gathered at the Samoset Resort in Rockland last weekend for the industry’s annual Fishermen’s Forum, the state’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) released new data showing growth across the industry in 2024. Fishermen, DMR said, earned $74 million more in 2024 than in 2023, with landings valued at $709,509,984. 

Jayna Smith

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A much-needed child care and education center is coming to the former Charlotte Elementary School, providing services for children from infancy through middle school. Maritime Munchkins LLC, founded by Heather Doughty, is set to open soon, offering daycare, a private K-8 school, after-school care, and summer programs to families throughout Washington County.

Jon Reisman

Paul Sylvain

Class was in session at the Feb. 20 County Commissioners meeting in Machias, as Sheriff Barry Curtis schooled Commissioner Billy Howard in defense of a letter Curtis wrote last month, outlining a policy of not responding to non-emergent complaints in towns with an active police department.

The undated letter sent out mid-January sparked a few moments of sometimes confused discussion between Howard and Curtis.

Paul Sylvain

Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North is conducting an investigation into the Feb. 19 death of an inmate found unresponsive in an intake cell at the Washington County Jail in Machias.

Jail Administrator Richard Rolfe said on Feb. 20 that 27-year-old Joseph Shields was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct late morning on Feb. 19 and booked into the jail. At about 5:15 p.m., Shields, who was still in an intake cell, was found unresponsive by officers at the jail. 

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, Mike Boies, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council #149, presented pastor Father Roland Berngeh with a check for $5,000 to be used in support of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish. On hand for the presentation held at St. James the Greater Church in Baileyville were Knights Claude Landry, Gary Madore, Marc Podschlne, Weston Ranalli, Grand Knight Michael Boies, and District Deputy Edward Stover. Father Roland Berngeh is also a member of the Knights. 

Paul Sylvain

Except for traveling to and from the courthouse in Machias to testify in criminal proceedings, it has been a rare sight since July 2023 to encounter a Maine State Police trooper in Washington County.

Council # 149 of the Knights of Columbus held its annual Free Throw Competition on Saturday, January 25, at Calais Elementary School. Male and female winners of each age division qualified for the State Competition to be held on Saturday, March 8, in Old Town. K. of C.

Doss Dennison

The junior high east and west basketball finals both took place last Monday evening, with the east side playing their games at the Machias Memorial High School gymnasium, while the west side played at the Narraguagus High School gym. Most of these contests were extremely close through two or three quarters, with a few of them going right down to the final buzzer.

Jayna Smith

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Last Thursday’s Calais City Council meeting was canceled due to inclement weather. The next regular Calais City Council meeting is slated for Thursday, February 27, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m. These meetings are held in the council chambers at the city building and are open to the public. They are also live-streamed on Zoom and the city’s Facebook page.

Jayna Smith

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A powerful winter storm swept through Calais on Sunday, Feb. 16, leading to widespread disruptions as heavy snowfall and icy conditions prompted numerous closures and cancellations across the region.

There was a celebration in the Town of Princeton on Saturday, Feb. 15, to honor firefighter John McDowell, who was retiring from the Princeton Fire Department. McDowell has been an active member of the department since 1985.

Outside, in front of the fire station, the ladder truck was extended and a flag flown in McDowell’s honor. Inside, tables were set up and a wall display had been made with his name. A luncheon, donated by Princeton IGA and Town of Princeton, was served. There was also a specially designed cake. 

Jon Reisman

Maine’s 2020 Climate Action Plan and 2024 Update commit Maine to:

• reducing our Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG);

• transitioning away from fossil fuels and gas-powered vehicles;

• promoting equity;

• increasing public conserved lands to 30% of the state by 2030. 

What you will not find in the Plan/Update is:

• any estimate of how much climate change will be averted by the GHG emission reductions;

• any estimate of the effects on energy prices;

Jayna Smith

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Maine law prohibits motor vehicles from using snowmobile trails unless authorized by landowners, or in cases of emergency, but illegal use continues to be a recurring issue. Brad Richard, a game warden with the Maine Warden Service, explained that this situation not only poses significant safety concerns for snowmobilers but can also cause extensive damage to the trails.

Jayna Smith

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The bird flu crisis is forcing farmers to cull millions of chickens every month, driving U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost from the summer of 2023. With Easter approaching and demand surging, relief seems unlikely.