New community coat closet located at Immaculate Conception Church, 21 Calais Avenue in Calais. Open on February 7 and 21 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Coats, hats, mittens and scarves are available. Items for men, women and children all free of charge. Mask must be worn and there is a limit of 5 people inside. Contact tracing information will be collected.

Jayna Smith

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Last Thursday evening, Calais High School held its annual National Honor Society (NHS) Induction ceremony.  Due to COVID-19 guidelines, each NHS member was permitted two family members to attend in person, while others viewed from home, thanks to the event being live streamed on the school’s Facebook page.

Due to continued limits on COVID-19 vaccine availability, Maine is using a phased approach to providing the vaccine, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.  As the state begins to transition from Phase 1a into Phase 1b, Calais Regional Hospital announced the implementation of its COVID-19 information telephone line, (207) 454-9299.  Messages cannot be left at the number; only vaccination availability details are provided.  

On Friday, January 15th, team Members from all of the eight Downeast Credit Union and Downeast Insurance branches dressed down in red to show support for the family of little Jace Griffin.  

Jace is a four-year-old boy from Edmunds who was recently rushed to Boston Children's Hospital where he went through an 11-hour surgery and is now healing.  The Downeast Team opened up their own wallets and contributed $500 to help support Jace in his recovery and his family as they heal. 

All of those at Downeast Credit Union and Downeast Insurance say, "Get well soon, Jace!"

These kids are just some of many who have been enjoying the new downtown skating rink.  (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

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The adjustment to new models of learning throughout the pandemic has been a challenge for many students, from the need for reliable internet access and necessary electronic devices to working against at-home distractions and isolation from peers, among other things.  For children with special needs, however, they are often faced with their own set of challenges. 

Calais wasn't spared from the fast-falling snow that began early Tuesday morning.  The Nor'easter slammed across New England, bringing strong winds and dumping heavy snow.  Ron O'Brien, of O'Brien's Quality Auto Care, did his best plowing his lot to stay ahead of it.  (Photo by Jayna Smith) 

On Monday, Maine State Police issued a press release indicating that Jeff Bishop, age 53, of Cherryfield, had been arrested by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA).  Bishop was charged with four counts of Aggravated Furnishing of Schedule Drugs (Hydrocodone and Fentanyl) and one count of Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs.  

These charges, the press release said, are aggravated as a result of trafficking within 1,000 feet of a school and furnishing drugs to a minor.  

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Enacted in 2007, Maine’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit when encountering an emergency vehicle or public service vehicle stopped with flashing lights.  If possible, the law also requires drivers to move over at least one lane from the scene where the vehicle is working.  Drivers who fail to do so can face a fine of $326.