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Area Halloween Events!
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Second Scarecrow Drawing Winner!
Griffin Z. Merrill’s scarecrow, created at just 21 months old! We didn’t have enough room on last week’s front page to feature all of the scarecrow winners, so we’re continuing the fun this week with Griffin’s creation. Be sure to check out the final scarecrow
Freedom Studies - Another Fine Mess
Jon Reisman Message to Democratic candidates Hannah Pingree (governor), Troy Jackson (senator), Matt Dunlap (2nd Congressional District), and Shenna Bellows (secretary of state): Hannah, Troy, Matt, and Shenna: all I can say is this is another fine mess you’ve gotten Maine into. The end of September featured the following
First Scarecrow Drawing Winner!
A sweet scarecrow accompanied by pumpkins by Kinslee Occhiogrosso, age 9. We didn’t have quite enough room on this week’s front page to showcase all of the scarecrows! We will feature the next two on the front page of the October 8 and 15 issue.
PAWS Bravehearts Pet of the Week
Baby Zenith would love to be adopted with his mommy, Solstice! This affectionate little pair are happiest together and love spending time with their foster mom. Zenith and Solstice both adore attention and would be wonderful additions to a gentle, loving family.
Freedom Studies - Education Policy
Jon Reisman I took another snap trip down the airline and beyond, this time all the way to Windham and back, with a drive through drive-by-shooting third-world Lewiston before entering the First Congressional District. I wasn’t asked for my papers or passport despite the Collins/Charles/
Maine’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.70 Per Hour in 2027
The Maine Department of Labor announced last week that, effective January 1, 2027, the state minimum wage will increase from $15.10 to $15.70 per hour, based on data recently made available by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. MDOL is required under
PAWS Bravehearts Pet of the Week
Alvin and Simon, 12-week-old very good natured little brothers. They love to wrestle and compete for attention and affection from staff and volunteers.
Freedom Studies - Return to Hannah
Jon Reisman I made a snap trip down the airline to Bangor to attend the Bobby Charles affordable energy policy presser. A crowd of about 50 materialized at the no-frills business incubator building just off the airport, where Flexware entrepreneur and Charles/LePage energy policy advisor Jim LaBrecque is
PAWS Bravehearts Pet of the Week
Meet Grady, Ruth, Idgie and Georgie, 14-week-old playful little family. Very affectionate and have loved being in foster care! FMI: pawsbravehearts.org, info@pawsbravehearts.org, 368 South Street, Calais, 207-454-7662
Local Veteran Turns 90
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, during the Pembroke American Legion’s weekly coffee, State Senator Marianne Moore (R-Calais) and Rep. Will Tuell (R-East Machias) presented Charlotte resident Ken Carter with a legislative sentiment commemorating his 90th birthday earlier this summer. Carter comes from a long line of nanogenarians — his
Freedom Studies - The Energy/Climate Policy Con
Jon Reisman On Sept. 10th, I attended a zoom meeting/briefing/webinar put on by the Department of Energy Resources, Maine’s newest cabinet level agency. The DOER (https://www.maine.gov/energy/home) is a legacy of eight years of Janet Mills, Hannah Pingree, and Democratic control of Maine.
PAWS Bravehearts Pet of the Week
Pappus (female) and Albert (male) are siblings who have been through a lot of hardship. They are a very sweet quiet pair just learning to purr and explore affection with people. Pappus and Albert are approximately 12 weeks old and looking for a gentle quiet home together. If you would
Remembering the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks 25 Years Later
Paul Sylvain “Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? Teaching a class full of innocent children or drivin’ down some cold interstate? Did you feel guilty ‘cause you’re a survivor? In a crowded room did you feel alone? Did you call up your mother and
Freedom Studies - September
Jon Reisman I thoroughly enjoyed a spectacular early September, including crisp morning walks, blue skies, warm sunny afternoons, haunting loon cries at dusk, and moonlit starry skies with an occasional shooting star. I spent almost 50 Septembers on New England college campuses as a student (Colby, Brown, University of Southern
PAWS Bravehearts Pet of the Week
Name: Mr. Poppins • Age: 1-2 years old About: An affectionate social butterfly.
Freedom Studies - Post-Perseid Potpourri
Jon Reisman An end-of-summer visit from my late wife’s best high school friend and our Maid of Honor, coupled with some traditional Downeast activities involving lobster, clams, blueberries, the Red Sox, Cathance Lake’s clear cold waters, and some deep conversations and reminisces about faith, family, freedom,
St. Croix Regional Family Health Center Recognized Nationally for Quality of Care
Jayna Smith jayna@calais.news St. Croix Regional Family Health Center (SCRFHC) has once again been recognized nationally for its commitment to quality healthcare, receiving three 2025 Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The health center received distinctions for Health Center Quality