By Kaileigh Deacon

Times have been trying as the effects of COVID-19 are felt as far Downeast as Washington County. Recommended closures of businesses created a challenge for some families as to how food would be put on the table while they were out of work. The already large number of families in Washington County facing food insecurity grew as the effects of the virus and its precautions spread. 

(Critter Autonomous Zone)

Seattle might have its neo-anarchist/hipster/summer of love/ Capitol Hill Occupy Protest (CHOP), but it pales in police-free borderless entertainment value to the Critter Autonomous Zone in Cooper and Cathance Township.

The Raven Raucous Caucus

The Calais Farmers’ Market began its season downtown this week.  It will continue each Tuesday at the downtown triangle park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Photo by Jayna Smith)

by Jonathan Reisman

As the nation writhes under a leftist/media assault charging white privilege and systemic racism and advocating for defunding the police, silencing/deplatforming/canceling anyone who dares to disagree and demanding they kneel and apologize for voting for Trump and more, I’ve watched in horror as a woke leftist Jacobin mob has decided that we need to destroy the village in order to save it.

By Natalie Boomer

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The annual 4th of July celebration in Pembroke will still be taking place this year.

The parade will be held at 9 a.m. on the morning of the 4th of July. Floats, ATVs, bikes and more are all welcome to meet at the town office in Pembroke at 8:30 a.m. to participate. There will not be any prizes given this year, as the parade will be just for fun. 

By Kaileigh Deacon

Jayna Smith

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The 92 students who attend Perry Elementary School got to say good-bye for the summer to their teachers in a very unique way, all to end the very unique school year.  Last Friday, students got to watch a teacher parade that covered all of the roads and routes throughout the town and by the homes of the students.

Jayna Smith

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Calais Lioness Club recently celebrated its 35th annual Charter Night, an event that welcomes new members to the group.  It also pays tribute to the 43 ladies who joined together with the shared purpose of helping their community and its residents back in 1985.

Nolan McCullough and Paige Sockabasin each received a scholarship, presented annually in honor of Michael Severance.  Les Severance, Michael’s father, decided this year to present it to two of the Pine Tree Store employees, both of whom are graduating.  The store is owned by Les Severance and Brinda Leighton.  Each year they have a dance to raise money for this scholarship to be given so that Michael will not be forgotten.  Nolan has been a summer resident of Grand Lake Stream since the age of two, spending his summers with his grandparents, David and Jenifer McCullough.  He will attend the

By Kaileigh Deacon

Store Manager Drew Sansing and Assistant Manager Laura Donovan went all around Calais and even to Baileyville on Tuesday to thank first responders and those on the front lines during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As part of their Associates Week, which normally takes place in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart decided to spend this Associates Week giving back to their employees as well as the communities that serve them. 

By Natalie Boomer

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On May 30th, Sonya Lunn and Blaine McLaughlin were in a serious motorcycle accident on Route 9. 

According to Lunn’s brother, Michael Curran, the two were hit by a drunk driver and were both rushed to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with serious injuries. 

Lunn is on the road to recovery, but McLaughlin sadly passed at the hospital due to his injuries. 

Jayna Smith

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The former Townhouse Restaurant on Main Street has seen some drastic changes over the last few months.  The new owner of the property Tim Krug has been completely renovating the inside and will soon give the outside an overhaul as well.  He took on the project late last year after the property, which had been acquired by the city, was being considered for demolition.

By Kaileigh Deacon

In a caravan led by Baileyville Chief Bob Fitzsimmons, community members of all ages made their way through the Calais medical buildings area on Wednesday, June 3, honking horns and waving signs with enthusiasm.

Calais High School Graduates Class of 2020:

From Principal Spearin

You and your peers have faced challenges at the end of your Senior year that never could have been predicted. Most would say you were robbed of experiences every senior should experience, and I agree. However, I am incredibly impressed with the way you and your peers have handled these challenges. 

Jayna Smith

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It’s not uncommon to drive into or out of Calais through Magurrewock and spot the man who waves at passing vehicles.  He is sometimes seen jogging, sometimes walking, sometimes riding his bike, sometimes with his canine friend Candy, but always waving at each and every passing vehicle. That man is Rick Roussel.

Jayna Smith

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Those familiar with the 1986 movie Big Trouble in Little China, starring Kurt Russell, are likely familiar with “Pork Chop Express,” the 1985 Freightliner FLC-120 driven by Russell in the film.  What some may not know is that that truck made Calais its home in 2006.  

Owned by Wilfred O’Brien, the Freightliner was operated by him until just two years ago.  O’Brien drove the truck quite regularly, except during inclement weather.

Jayna Smith

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Submitted by Ann Montgomery

By Natalie Boomer

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Bill Seavey, of Princeton, has always wanted to become a pilot, but went for the next best thing and started flying radio-controlled aircraft, and he hasn’t stopped for the last 20 years.

Jayna Smith

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With the recent quarantine, many friends and members of the Calais Lioness Club have used the time to thoroughly clean their garages, basements, attics, and closets, gathering all those items that no longer fit, have been collecting dust, or simply are no longer useful.  Many of those items will be ready at the bargain hunter’s paradise--the annual Calais Lioness Yard Sale.

By Kaileigh Deacon

On Church Street, next to the city building, is the St. Croix No. 1 Firehouse, which has been a staple fixture in Calais for over 100 years. Though the operational days of the firehouse are long behind it, the building and its history are still very much a part of the Calais community. For hosting meetings and events, as well as the beloved community Christmas party, the Firehouse is an important part of moving forward while honoring the past.

First National Bank recently announced it has made donations totaling $2,200 to eleven Emergency Medical Service organizations in the bank’s market area in response to National EMS Week.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford proclaimed EMS Week to celebrate and recognize EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation. The 46th annual National EMS Week is held May 17th through May 23, 2020.

Washington County recipients included: Calais Fire-EMS and Downeast EMS.