Jayna Smith

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Calais High School Athletic Director Randy Morrison recently caught up with former basketball standout Lauren Cook to present her with a special plaque that lists many of her high school accolades.  Among them, noted at the top of the long list, is “All-time leading scorer at CHS, 1,704 points.”  

Jayna Smith

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Last Thursday, Dec. 31, Calais Fire-EMS began COVID-19 vaccinations of area first responders.  

 According to Calais Fire Chief Ken Clark, the department received enough of the Moderna vaccine for licensed EMS personnel in the area, not just those members of Calais Fire-EMS.  

Those receiving the first dose of the vaccine will be required to receive the second dose in 28 days.  

Jayna Smith

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Baileyville Police Department kicked off 2021 by bringing out the grill and treating folks with a New Year’s Day hot dog stand, all in an effort to bring the community together with much needed positivity and friendship.

Natalie Boomer 

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Downeast Community Partners is now offering a Head Start program online to help younger children learn and grow throughout the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Teachers will be available to help parents learn and explore at home. 

“Head Start at home can be fun for your child and helpful for you,” said Trista Eaton, Enrollment Specialist at DCP. 

Some kids took advantage of the nice winter weather over the weekend and tried out the new ice rink on Main Street.  The rink was purchased by Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition (CDRC) and put in place recently by Calais Recreation and Public Works Departments.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

First thing Monday morning, city crews began the work of clearing snow.  When piled up, the snow causes issues with navigation, blocking sight lines, making storefront and driveway access difficult.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

The Lincoln Memorial Public Library in Dennysville is the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation for urgent repairs and future planning.  “We couldn’t be more grateful for this timely gift,” says the Chairman of the Library’s Board of Trustees, Colin Windhorst.  “We look forward to working with the community,” he adds, “to ensure the Library continues to serve the needs of the people well into the 21st  century.”

Natalie Boomer

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The Maine Youth Fish and Game Association is hosting a virtual winter camp throughout the months of January and February.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Richard Skinner doesn’t know exactly when he lost his class ring, but guesses it was not long after he graduated from Baileyville’s Woodland High School in 1989.  

“I had lost it so long ago, I figured it was long gone,” said Skinner. “I wasn’t even looking for it.”

It turns out he did not have to. Now, thanks to an enthusiastic community effort on Facebook, Skinner will soon be reunited with his ring, and it all began when Mary White received a text from a total stranger.

Eastport Health Care recently received a partial shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from the State of Maine, in accordance with phase 1a of the plan to vaccinate healthcare workers. 

 “Over the coming weeks,” EHC’s Facebook page read, “we plan to receive the remaining vaccine doses allocated to our healthcare staff.  We are excited about the protection it offers us, in order to safely provide care to our community!”

On Friday, January 15, Princeton Elementary School held its annual spelling bee with fans joining via Zoom. Participants were: grade 6: Nathan Batson and Alex Chesebrough; grade 7: Tristan Crowe; grade 8: Evan Borden, Rain Dee-Charles, and Jack Surles. Winners are shown in the picture with Nate placing first, Alex 3rd, and Rain 2nd. Congratulations to all the participants! (Submitted by Michele Cochran-Barnes, assistant to the principal Princeton Elementary School)

Natalie Boomer

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A local woman has turned her hobby into a business.

Chelsea Hampton creates resin jewelry and ornaments inspired by the great state of Maine.

Risk & Reward Off Cape Horn: The Story of Captain Jesse Thayer Carver, of Searsport, Maine, and the Wreck of the Maine-built Downeaster St. Mary

Should the state of Maine impose a tax on the federal emergency loan funds sent to Maine’s private businesses who were forced to shut down last year?

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.

Jayna Smith

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Our local UPS drivers are greatly appreciated for their delivery service, bringing us our awaited packages, however, on a day just recently, two UPS drivers did much more than that and are credited with saving the lives of a man and his dog.

Two weeks ago, UPS driver Josh Gillespie made a stop at an East Machias home.  This particular stop was not supposed to be part of Gillespie’s route that day, so he took care of it very first thing.  

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!"

Woodland’s Emily Curtis, a senior, scored her 1,000th career point in high school basketball at a home game last week.  Going into the game, Curtis needed 22 points to reach the feat, and conquered that in the fourth quarter with 3:37 left on the clock.  Her performance lifted the Dragons to a 50-19 victory over the Narraguagus Knights in the teams' season opener.  (Photo by John Rogers) Order Customized Action Shots At: [email protected]