Jayna Smith

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If you’ve driven down South Street in Calais recently, you’ve probably noticed the striking woven fence that popped up; it’s hard to miss. That’s the work of Crow Boutin, a former professional cage fighter who was raised just down the road in Trescott and now owns Custom Wattle Fencing. His fences are unlike anything else around — hand-woven from beechwood and maple, and built to last.

Jayna Smith

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A new chapter is on the horizon for one of Baileyville’s older roadside properties, thanks to the vision and determination of local residents Lloyd and Karen Delaney. The former Airline Motel, located along Route 1 near the intersection with Route 9, is being revived under the nostalgic name Lloyd’s Motor Lodge, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2025.

Paul Sylvain

Scarcely a week after the last acrid cloud of black powder gunsmoke from last weekend’s Margaretta Days celebration has faded from the mock Revolutionary War battlefields at West Branch Farms, it’s time this weekend for the dust, exhaust smoke, and fun of the 4th Annual Machias ATV Jamboree downtown at the Pellon Center.

The first Machias ATV Jamboree was held in 2022, but organizers last year said the first “real” ATV jamboree was in 2023. The 2024 jamboree was even bigger, with more of the same on tap for next weekend.

Monday, June 16, was the Princeton Annual Town Meeting. Town clerk Sue Lawless read the introduction required by law. All selectboard members – Chair John Leighton, Wayne Croman, Steven Cilley, Shain Phelps, and Becky Hussey – and treasurer Donna Worden were the first panel. Then, selectboard member Wayne Croman presented a special plaque to retiring selectboard chair John Leighton for his many years on the board and service to the community. Then town clerk Sue Lawless gave the results of the election held on Tuesday, June 10. Next, the moderator was elected, who was Denise Hill.

Jon Reisman

“People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along?”-- Rodney King, May 1, 1992, after widespread Los Angeles riots in response to the acquittal of police accused of beating him.

“Defiance”- No Kings.org.

Our deep and widening divisions were on uncomfortable and transparent display in California,

Jayna Smith

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One of Maine’s most iconic Independence Day celebrations is back, and Eastport is planning a full slate of events leading up to and including the Fourth of July. This year’s festivities will feature live music, contests, community traditions, and a special highlight — the arrival of the U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107), with a crew of approximately 330 sailors.

Paul Sylvain

In a presentation that was part doomsday warning and an IT proposal, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy and Information Technology Ombudsman Dennis Dorsey told the county’s commissioners that unless a knowledgeable replacement for his position is found before Jan. 1, the county government’s IT systems will begin failing within three weeks of his departure on that date.

Jayna Smith

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Calais Free Library’s annual Children’s Summer Reading Program kicks off Thursday, June 26, and will run weekly through Thursday, July 31.

This year’s theme, “Color Our World,” will feature a different themed activity each Thursday. Every session includes a fun craft and a snack, and children of all ages are welcome to join. Participants can track their reading progress to earn prizes throughout the program.

Jayna Smith

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The Calais Blue Devils rallied in the fifth inning to defeat the Orono Red Riots, 6-3, in a Class C North preliminary matchup on Tuesday afternoon, June 10, at UMaine.

After falling behind early, Calais was held scoreless through four innings before exploding for five runs in the top of the fifth. The Blue Devils added an insurance run in the sixth and held off a late push from the Red Riots to secure the win and move on in postseason play.

The last Storytime session was with the Pembroke School children, including those from Dennysville, and focused on finding bits of nature to go into their personally-decorated jars. The storybook was the delightfully-crazy Tallyho Pinkerton by Steven Kellogg, which had been a favorite of the Guiltner family and, Storytime leader, Sarah when she was young.

Jayna Smith

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Dr. Kelly Delaney knew early on what she wanted to be when she grew up, thanks in large part to the influence of her mother’s dental practice. Now, after years of study and training, the 2017 Calais High School graduate has returned home to begin her career in dentistry.

Jayna Smith

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The Howard Fox Memorial Pool in Calais is gearing up for another season of summer fun under the leadership of new pool director Ava Brennan. According to Calais Recreation Director Craig Morrison, the pool is tentatively set to open for the season on Wednesday, June 18.

Paul Sylvain

Coinciding on the 250th anniversary of the June 12, 1775, Battle of the Margaretta, local artist Tom Brennan and many of the town’s Revolutionary War reenactors will be on hand at Machias Savings Bank, 4 Center St., on June 12, for a 6:30 p.m. unveiling of an oil painting by local artist Tom Brennan, depicting one of the events of that historic day.

Burnham Tavern serves as the backdrop for the painting, which shows a group of Machias patriots on their way to capture the British vessel HMS Margaretta on that fateful day.

Jon Reisman

As the legislative session winds down, numerous party-line votes highlight our divisions and dysfunction. Given the general thrashing majority Democrats have given Republicans on the budget; spending; the 1st, 2nd, and 14th Amendments; and energy, climate, and equity policy, one might have wondered if a mercy rule should have been imposed. But the beatdown has potential policy and political accountability consequences for the candidates and content of the 2026 elections for the Blaine House, the State House, Congress, and the Senate. 

Jayna Smith

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Last weekend, many in the community gathered at Immaculate Conception Church in Calais to celebrate Father Roland Berngeh’s Ruby Jubilee, marking 40 years of dedicated service in the priesthood. 

Jayna Smith

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At the most recently held Calais City Council meeting on May 22, 2025, the issue of downtown parking returned to the spotlight following a complaint from a local business owner. The concern centered around business owners and their employees occupying street-side parking spots intended for customers, an issue that has previously drawn attention and discussion from the council.

Jayna Smith

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As the Calais Lady Blue Devils softball team enters the final stretch of the season, the players are finishing strong — both on the field and in the classroom.

On Thursday, May 29, the team celebrated its seniors during a home matchup against Woodland, earning a 15-5 win. The game honored three graduating seniors: team manager Aubrey Stevens and team captains Natalie McDonald and Kayleigh Scott. 

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point recently received funding from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Onion Foundation, and Kate Svitek Foundation to support summer camp scholarships for Maine youth. With this and annual contributions from the Penobscot County Conservation Association and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Greenland Point can offer scholarships to most youth who register for camp.

Paul Sylvain 

Officers with the Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) arrested 11 people on drug trafficking and other charges in Roque Bluffs and Centerville following the simultaneous execution of two warrants on May 29. 

Maine’s Department of Public Safety said in a media release Friday that the arrests came as a result of a months-long drug trafficking investigation at 75 Duck Cove Road in Roque Bluffs and 43 Mitten Mountain Road in Centerville.