Join Maine Master Naturalists as a rite of spring is observed, while watching for the evening dance of the American woodcock and new sounds of spring at the Woodcock Walks on April 4, 11, and 25 at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. 

The walks begin at 7 p.m., or 30 minutes before sunset. Participants will meet in the upper parking lot by bathrooms. Bring a flashlight with red covers, and binoculars will be provided. Dress warmly. 

The walk, sponsored by Fundy Audubon and Friends of Moosehorn, will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain. 

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Sipayik Elementary School has been nationally recognized for pioneering the implementation of electric school buses in rural Tribal communities. The initiative, which has successfully electrified the school bus fleet at Sipayik Elementary School on the Pleasant Point (Sipayik) Reservation, was featured in a prominent national publication as part of their Electric School Bus Series.

Last Saturday, March 29, 2025, the Calais Beckett Center basketball team showcased their talent and determination at the Basketball Special Olympics in Orono, bringing home an impressive second-place finish. Congratulations to the team on their outstanding achievement! (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

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Until recently, cross-border travel was a routine part of life for many in the area. Now, for both travelers and businesses, understanding what to expect at the U.S.-Canada border regarding tariffs and import regulations is crucial to avoid unexpected costs. To help clear up common concerns, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided insights on how tariffs and duties apply to goods entering Maine from Canada.

In 2022, Dead River Company donated a truck it could no longer use to Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology in Columbia.

Over the past two years, many students at the career and technical education (CTE) Center have had a hand in refurbishing the vehicle for use as a Class B training truck. Most of the heavy lifting was done by Jason Tyler and his diesel class. The welding technology students also played a big part in the truck body’s reconstruction.

During the week of March 24, 2025, 32 middle school students and 12 staff from Maine Indian Education’s three schools – Indian Island School, Indian Township School, and Sipayik Elementary School – journeyed to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for a transformative STEM experience hosted by the Beaver Works Summer Institute @ MIT. 

Bishop Johnny Chambers was awarded the 2025 We Believe Change Marker Award at the annual gala on Friday, April 4. Selected from over 800 nominees across the Maritime Provinces, Chambers received the highest number of nominations, a testament to the widespread recognition of his compassionate leadership and far-reaching impact.

Jayna Smith

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The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has launched an on-demand preliminary public meeting to gather feedback on planned improvements to the International Bridge connecting Calais and St. Stephen.

Jayna Smith

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The Calais Lioness Club recently celebrated its 41st Charter Night, marking more than four decades of dedicated community service.

Founded in 1985 by 43 pioneering women, the club honors its legacy each year during this special event by welcoming new members and recognizing the original founders.

Jon Reisman

Federalism is the balance and sharing of powers between the national government and the states. Federalism is a means of protecting against the tyranny of majorities and of allowing for a diverse electorate and political cultures. Maine can be Maine rather than California, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire. The Electoral College, the U.S. Senate, and the 10th Amendment are all elements of Federalism designed to protect freedom.

The Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, Downeast Maine Amateur Astronomers, and Calais Free Library will jointly host a daytime astronomy program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 17. This is a drop-in program, and participants can come whenever they would like between those times at the Calais Free Library, 9 Union Street, Calais.

For 51 years, the City of Calais, Maine, and Town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, have celebrated the International Festival, a testament to the strong friendship between the two communities. Despite challenges like COVID, border restrictions, and declining participation, the festival remains a beloved tradition. The International Festival Committee has committed to continuing this tradition, focusing on its core values of cross-cultural cooperation and respect.

Jayna Smith

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In honor of what would have been Sarah Robinson’s 40th birthday, Sarah’s House has launched an ambitious campaign: to raise $40,000 in just 40 days to coincide with the special milestone.

Located in Holden, Sarah’s House serves as a “home away from home” for rural Maine cancer patients. Over the past decade, it has supported more than 700 guests, saving patients and their families more than 1.3 million miles of travel during treatment.

April marks Youth Month for Credit Unions across the nation, and Downeast Credit Union is proudly celebrating at all eight of its locations throughout Maine. This annual event highlights the importance of saving and financial education, encouraging young individuals to build strong financial habits early in life.

Jayna Smith

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Wednesday afternoon, April 16, is the deadline to preorder takeout for the baked bean supper at Calais United Methodist Church, which takes place on Thursday, April 17, at 5 p.m. The supper will feature casseroles, coleslaw, rolls, pie, and more. To place an order, call 207-454-3926.

The fourth annual Rhubarb Festival is set to return to Kendall Farm in Perry on Saturday, June 7, from noon to 5 p.m., with food, live music, demonstrations, and family-friendly fun in store — and a fresh batch of award-winning student artwork to promote it.

The festival’s annual rhubarb-themed art competition featured 12 entries from local students at Calais Middle High School (CMHS), Eastport Elementary School, and Shead High School. For the fourth year in a row, art teachers Bobbi Tardif (CMHS) and Sara Myrick (Eastport Schools) inspired their students to participate.

Jayna Smith

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As the spring season settles in, Calais and Woodland High School baseball programs are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting year on the diamond. Woodland High School, a perennial contender under Coach Ryan Lincoln, returns with high expectations and veteran leadership. Meanwhile, Calais High School enters a new era under first-year head coach Randy White, with a young team embracing a rebuilding season with optimism and youthful energy. 

Last week, on Tuesday, the older students from the Pembroke School, who usually attend Storytime, were off on a field trip, leaving only three students to enjoy It’s Mine by Leo Lionni and making colored paper linking chains, with their names and a little something about ourselves on each strip. These are now decorating the library, instead of the, now out-of-season, snowflakes. Although the school vacation preempts Storytime this week, the Edmunds School students will be enjoying the same book and craft next week.

Jayna Smith

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Following the great response to April’s event, the St. Croix Historical Society has announced a continuation of its presentation, The Houses of Calais, led by local historian Jerry LaPointe.

Part two of the presentation will be held on Monday, May 5, at 7 p.m. at The Holmestead, 527 Main Street, adjacent to the Holmes Cottage. Like the first, this event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments served.

Jayna Smith

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Jon Reisman

“Equity” is promoted across Maine State Government and the University of Maine System as part of broad Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts and within specific policy initiatives like the Climate Action Plan, which has a significant and significantly funded equity component. What equity does not have is a definition. Promoting an undefined policy goal is pure policy malpractice. Determining what equity actually is and what Maine State Government is doing to promote it has turned into a strange dance called the equity limbo. 

Jayna Smith

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Get ready for a fun, high-energy night on Friday, May 16, when the Harlem Wizards basketball team comes to Woodland High School.

This event promises a night of jaw-dropping “trick hoops and alley oops,” as the Harlem Wizards take on a team of local student-athletes and teachers in an action-packed game. Expect plenty of laughs, impressive skills, and a great time for the whole family.

This past Saturday, Princeton’s Fire Association persevered, despite the Washington County heavy spring rain storm and a callout for a structure fire in Baileyville. The Craft Fair was set up at the fire station, with the local crafters having a wide assortment of items and the Girl Scouts’ young representatives working hard to sell their cookies. The Weenie Wagon crew of Robert Ripley, Susan Cilley, and Moses Cilley took over the kitchen. They cooked up hot dogs, sausages, and their new item, steak and cheese. All proceeds went to the association. (Photos submitted by Sandra Smith)

Jayna Smith

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A high-speed pursuit that began in Hancock County and extended into Washington County on Saturday, April 19, 2025, ended in tragedy and the arrest of a 21-year-old Bangor man.

Paul Sylvain

A 67-year-old man was arrested at his Wesley home on April 23 and charged with six counts of gross sexual assault involving a minor.

According to a prepared statement issued by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Duane E. Geel was arrested without incident by sheriff’s deputies on a felony warrant issued by the Machias Unified Court following an extended Sheriff’s Office investigation.