Paul Sylvain

“Sell it to Hammond.”

Referring to Hammond Lumber in Machias, those words — uttered half jokingly, but said with an edge of truth by Machias Town Clerk Sandra Clifton at the selectboard’s March 12 meeting — might in fact be the town’s best option for what to do with the shuttered, flood damaged town office building at 7 Court Street.

The Machias Hammond Lumber and hardware store is located at 9 Quoddy Lane, directly behind the 7 Court Street town office building.

According to Wesley Fire Chief Lee Philbrook, on Sunday afternoon this tractor trailer truck carrying a load of peat moss, left the roadway on Route 9 at Day Hill to avoid hitting traffic, then struck several low-hanging power lines, and caught fire. Philbrook, who reported the driver of the truck escaped with minor injuries, said the intense blaze and thick smoke was caused by the burning peat moss. A section of Route 9 was closed for several hours. (Photo by Alvah Hawkins of Wesley used with permission)

Paul Sylvain

In a life full of choices, Michelle Murphy of East Machias readily admits that she’s made her share of poor ones, as she told County Commissioners John Crowley, Billy Howard, and Chairman David Burns at their March 20 meeting.

The new Washington County Public Safety Building, which will house the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement entities, is nearing completion. County Manager Renee Gray  briefed County Commissioners John Crowley, Billy Howard, and Chairman David Burns at their March 20 meeting, saying that the project should be completed by mid-April, just a week behind the original schedule and still under budget. An official ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for sometime in May, (Photos courtesy Paul Sylvain)

Paul Sylvain

A plan being floated by Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier, offering neighboring towns regional law enforcement services by the Machias Police Department, received a lukewarm reception from Machiasport officials at their March 24 meeting.

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.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office canines KIA and TANGO recently received their ballistic vests as well as some other equipment, which will keep them better protected while on patrol. Our K9s help keep their communities and their handlers/partners safe, and also help locate elderly family members who may suffer from things like Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Paul Sylvain 

Maine Veterans Homes — the state-run nonprofit providing long-term care for Maine’s veterans and their spouses — is once again warning that, without roughly $13 million in state funding, two or more of its facilities in the state, which includes homes in Machias and Caribou, will have to close their doors by 2026. 

The news comes three years after MVH nearly closed its Machias facility, located on the Down East Community Hospital campus, and a facility in Caribou before lawmakers intervened with emergency funding. 

Paul Sylvain

Seven-and-a-half years after the body of 48-year-old Wayne Foss was found dead in the charred remains of his Whitneyville mobile home, a New York City man has been sentenced to serve 16 years in prison for his role in Foss’ death.

Incident Remains Under Coast Guard, State Police Investigation

Paul Sylvain

For the second time in four months, families and friends of Washington County scallop fishermen are mourning the loss of a loved one taken much too soon, while a second man remains hospitalized with broken ribs and other injuries.