Jayna Smith

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Don’t forget the public baked bean supper at All Saints United Methodist Church this Thursday, September 18, beginning at 5 p.m. On the menu with the beans are corn scallop, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, rolls, and an assortment of desserts. The cost is $10 per person. These suppers are held March through October on the third Thursday of each month, with the final one of the year scheduled for October 16.

Maine State Senator Marianne Moore and State Representative Will Tuell recently presented Alexander town officials with a Legislative Sentiment in honor of the town’s 200th birthday. Shown are (back) school board chair Stephen Seavey, AES Principal Trevor Flood, selectperson Carl Oakes, first responder Jan Sullivan, fire chief Ed Burgess, Alexander Grange President Dale Holst (front) Senator Marianne Moore, selectboard chair Skip Colson, selectperson Beth Johnson, and Representative Will Tuell. (Photo by Rhonda Oakes)

Former Commissioner Chairman Gardner Accepts Blame, Admits, ‘I’m Your Huckleberry’

Paul Sylvain 

A packed trial room at Washington County Superior Court was the setting for a highly anticipated, often fiery public hearing on the county’s fiscal crisis last week, with County Commissioners David Burns (R-Whiting), Courtney Hammond (R-Harrington), and Billy Howard (R-Calais) presiding. 

On Friday, September 19, all are invited to join the local VFW for a moving POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony at the Calais Fire Station. This solemn occasion, hosted by Boyd Smith Mitchell Sivret VFW Post 9779, honors the immeasurable sacrifices of American service members who were Prisoners of War (POWs) and those still Missing in Action (MIA).

On Tuesday, September 30, at 6:30 p.m., the Dennys River Historical Society (DRHS) will be presenting the story of the community as seen through the eyes of a local nineteenth century teacher, storekeeper, selectman, magistrate, deacon, and family man. 

Paul Sylvain

Washington County’s budget advisory committee — made up of municipal officials and staff from across the Sunrise County — did not waste any time rolling up their sleeves and getting down to business at their Thursday, Sept. 11, inaugural meeting. 

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The Calais Lioness Club reconvened last week following its regular summer hiatus, with the primary focus of the meeting on the installation of the club’s officers for the upcoming year.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Calais is set to celebrate the season with its annual Harvest Festival, packed with a number of family-friendly activities, all thanks to Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC). The festival kicks off Saturday morning with the Kids’ Scarecrow Shuffle, a free one-mile fun run for children, followed by a fall market featuring local crafters and vendors running through to early afternoon.

Will Tuell

Downeast Community Partners (DCP) of Ellsworth has announced it is phasing out its transportation services program by Sept.30, ending what it says is a “long-standing and vital service that has connected thousands of residents in Washington and Hancock counties to essential resources for decades.” 

Will Tuell

But for the heroic actions of the family’s St. Bernard, Jeremiah and Katherine Jurdak of Pembroke, their daughters, and infant grandchild would not have escaped a blaze that took their Pembroke home, and virtually all of their belongings last week. 

Manager Confirms County Contacted State Auditor

By Paul Sylvain

Washington County Commissioners Dave Burns, Courtney Hammond, and Billy Howard were meeting Sept. 3 to continue their work on a 2026 budget package. What that budget ultimately looks like is anybody’s guess, given the turmoil stirred up by the current fiscal crisis at the county.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its Annual Meeting and Awards Gala, set for Friday, Sept. 19, at GameTime Sports Bar & Grill in Baileyville.

Early fall enrollment is up 3.2% at Maine’s community colleges for a third straight year of record-breaking enrollment at the seven colleges.

(Excerpt from Princeton News by Sandra Smith)

By Paul Sylvain

There used to be a TV ad that asked, “Is it live or is it Memorex?” Now, Washington County Manager Renee Gray is hoping to bring the monthly county commissioners meetings “live” to your cell phone, tablet, or computer screen soon.

Currently in her third year as the county government’s manager, and working for an all-new board of county commissioners, Gray is poised to make several changes to increase transparency in the county’s operation and better inform county residents about what the commissioners are doing.

These kids loved the pig scramble at Washington County Fair this past weekend. See more photos on page 11 of this week's paper. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

Calais’ Downeast Recovery Center will once again recognize International Overdose Awareness Day this Sunday, August 31, with a memorial walk and community vigil. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at DownEast Recovery Support Center, 311 Main Street.

Jayna Smith

[email protected]

The Crafting Clovers, the Calais area’s own 4-H Cloverbud club, is making a big impact on local children by combining creativity, community service, and fun. Led by Tanya Zivkovic, the group has been active for three years and meets monthly at the Calais Free Library.

Paul Sylvain

“We’re just staying afloat, and I mean just barely.”

 Those words, spoken by Washington County Commissioner Billy Howard at an Aug. 21 public hearing, sum up the current state of the county’s government finances. And the situation could get worse — a lot worse — if a $11 million bond referendum being sought by the county fails in the Nov. 4 election. Among other things, the county will be unable to repay its $7.6 million tax anticipation note that comes due in full on Dec. 31.

Will Tuell

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, will be a solemn day for the family of slain Korean War soldier Oscar Sprague, who lost his life serving our country during the Korean War. Sprague, 22, was reported missing in action on Sept. 3, 1950, in the vicinity of Yongsan, South Korea, and, until recently, remained unaccounted for. Now, 75 years later, Sprague’s hometown of Milbridge will welcome home their fallen hero with full military honors, funeral organizers said last week. 

On Friday, August 8, 2025, during the International Homecoming Festival, the Calais Memorial High School Class of 1958 gathered at Karen’s Diner to celebrate 67 years since graduation. Fifty-one students graduated on June 12, 1958. Of the 23 still with us, eight attended the reunion. After graduating from high school, the class has celebrated together 21 times. This year marks the 17th consecutive year (excluding 2020) the class has met. It was voted to do the same for next year on the Friday during the week of the festival.