Latest News
CDRC Kicks Off Fundraising for 2026 Music on the Green Series
Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC) is seeking donations to support the continuation of its popular Music on the Green summer concert series, set for Thursday evenings mid-May through mid-September. Although it’s early in the year, CDRC has already begun booking bands and musicians for the upcoming season. Downeast Credit
Senate Pursuits
Jon Reisman Janet Mills, Graham Platner, and Susan Collins are all campaigning hard for the U.S. Senate. The June Democratic primary and the November general election will likely set Maine expenditure records. All that money and attention is going to produce a lot of friction and heat, but illuminating
Woodland’s Evan Monk Joins Elite Scoring Club
Evan Monk, a junior at Woodland High School, scored his 1,000th career point during a game against Schenck on Saturday, Jan. 24. He is shown with his parents, Scott and Leslie Monk, and his brother, Ethan, who reached the 1,000-point milestone at WHS in 2023. (Photo by Jayna
Freedom Studies - Secretary Grima Wormtongue Speaks to the Minions
Jon Reisman Secretary of State and Democratic Gubernatorial hopeful Shenna Bellows was in the news recently for her decision to change a longstanding policy and forbid the issuance of undercover license plates to undercover law enforcement (e.g., ICE) because there was no “guarantee” they were engaged in lawful (i.
Princeton Educator Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award
Jayna Smith jayna@calais.news Heather Bowles, a teacher at Princeton Elementary School, has been nominated for the National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Award, a national program that honors K‑12 educators and school staff who make a meaningful difference in the lives of students. Bowles, a classroom
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Women’s Group 2025 Christmas Raffle
Congratulations to Julie Leppin, who was the winner of the gift baskets and other treasures assembled by the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Women's Group. Julie's name was drawn after the 8:30 a.m. Mass in Calais on Sunday, December 14, 2025. (Submitted photo)
Woodland Teams Stand Together for National Anthem
The Woodland boys varsity basketball team, high school cheerleaders, and Woodland Recreation cheerleaders stood together for the national anthem. The youth cheerleaders joined the high school squad for the first half of the boys’ game and performed at halftime on Jan. 13. (Photo by Kimberly Seeley)
Freedom Studies: January Thaw Reflections: RIP Kathy Javner
Jon Reisman Representative Kathy Javner (R-Chester) passed away in early January. Kathy was a 52-year-old wife, mother, public servant, and advocate and defender of rural Maine and freedom. When she was first elected in 2020, her district (141) included a wide swath of rural Maine, including the Penobscot County towns
Skate Into Winter Fun in Milltown
The Calais Recreation Department has installed its outdoor skating rink in Milltown, providing a fun winter destination for the community. Lights allow for night skating, and skaters can enjoy the rink at their own risk. (Photo by Jayna Smith)
Woodland Elementary Recognizes Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Students at Woodland Elementary School pose for photos on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Jan. 9, 2026, in recognition of the Baileyville Police Department for protecting and serving the community. (WES photo)
Freedom Studies - Hobgoblins and Division
Jon Reisman The new year opened with a roar — Mamdani, Trump, Venezuela, Minnesota, Collins, Mills, Platner, Lewiston, and Fraud all bombarded my inbox before 2026 was 10 days old. Widespread gaslighting, misdirection, hypocrisy, and propagandizing immediately ensued, highlighting both our divisions and dilemmas. Mayor Mamdani’s inaugural pledge and the
Annual Christmas Toy Donation
Barbara’s International School of Dance presented a generous collection of toys to Calais Elementary School, an annual gift funded by proceeds from their Christmas show. Pictured are Barbara Lara (left) and Felice Storey (right) with CES Principal Sue Carter and secretary Betsy Barnard. (Submitted photo)
Freedom Studies - Affordability vs. Fraud
Jon Reisman Two different complaints/problems are vying for political, media, and narrative dominance: affordability and fraud. Affordability is favored by the Democrats and the legacy media. Fraud is favored by the Republicans and the upstart internet-based media like the Mainewire. As usual, neither side has much incentive to carefully
Woodland’s Asher Bishop Hits 100 Career Wins
Senior Asher Bishop of Woodland High School surpassed the 100-career-win milestone on January 3, 2025, becoming just the second wrestler in school history to achieve the feat. The only other Woodland wrestler to reach 100 wins was Billy Romanelli, who finished as a state runner-up in 2001 after falling to
Freedom Studies - 2026 Ruminations
Jon Reisman 2026 looks to be a year of consequence for Maine, the U.S., and me personally — elections, weddings, and migrations. Elections The Gubernatorial and Senate elections are going to be loud, expensive, and divisive. The division will be generational, geographic, and ideological/partisan. I don’t see a
WCCC Celebrates First Graduating Class of Nursing Program
Jayna Smith jayna@calais.news It was a day of celebration at Washington County Community College on Thursday, December 18, as the college held the first-ever Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony, marking a historic milestone for both the institution and the region. Nine students graduated as the inaugural class of WCCC’
VFW Post #9779 Announces Voice of Democracy Winner
Jayna Smith jayna@calais.news Pastor Bobby Oliver of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9779 has announced that Maggie O’Rourke is this year’s local winner of the VFW Voice of Democracy (VOD) competition. Each year, the VFW sponsors two youth essay contests: Voice of Democracy, an audio-essay competition
Students Find Perfect Presents at CES Santa Shop
Jayna Smith jayna@calais.news dents at Calais Elementary School enjoyed a festive and meaningful shopping experience this month as they searched for the perfect gifts for family members at the annual Santa Shop. Now in its second year, the Santa Shop was organized by the CES Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)