Jayna Smith

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Local young talents, eight-year-old RJ Kendall and ten-year-old Connor Grass, recently showcased their skills at the Good-Fight Sub-Only World Championship in Manheim, PA, a prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition.

At the world championship held last month, RJ secured silver in the no-gi category.  Connor earned bronze in both gi and no-gi divisions.  

Paul Sylvain

It’s one-and-done for first-term District 10 Rep. Kenneth “Bucket” Davis (R-East Machias), as he announced last week that he is not seeking re-election in 2024. Instead, Davis is endorsing former state Rep. Will Tuell (R-East Machias), whom Davis replaced two years ago. 

Davis, who was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2022, replaced Tuell, who termed out after serving from 2015 to 2022.

Jayna Smith

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In a recent update, data from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed a notable increase in COVID-19 cases within the state.

A late-last month report showed 96 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, marking an uptick from 85 hospitalizations in mid-December and 65 in mid-November.  Of those cases, 14 were classified as critical, and four required ventilator support.

Jayna Smith

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On Wednesday, December 27, the Lady Blue Devils staged an exciting comeback against the Sumner Tigers, securing a win in the final seconds of the game.

The kindergarten and pre-K kids who took part in the Dribbling Dragons program, shown here with their coaches from the girls’ varsity team, showed off their skills during halftime of the women’s alumni game last week.  (WHS photo)

Jon Reisman

More than a century ago, William Butler Yeats penned this first stanza of The Second Coming:

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Jayna Smith

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New Brunswick Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) have secured funding from the Provincial Department of Environment and Local Government through the Downtown New Brunswick fund, specifically the Investment Initiative for Business Improvement Areas.

Administered by the Downtown New Brunswick Association, this initiative allocates grants for collaborative projects co-funded by the BIAs in the Province of New Brunswick.

Jayna Smith

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The Lady Dragons basketball team of Woodland High School experienced a mixed week on the court, with a defeat and a victory highlighting their recent performances.

At Lincoln on Wednesday, January 3, facing the Mattanawcook Lynx, Woodland was handed their fourth loss of the season, succumbing to the height-advantaged Lynx team, 41-90.

Sophomore Karleigh Smith led the Dragons with 16 points, while senior Brooke Smith contributed 10.

Will Tuell

Jayna Smith

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Pastor Bobby Oliver of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9779 has announced that Jonna Travis is this year’s winner of the local Voice of Democracy competition. 

Every year, local students take part in the VFW-sponsored VOD youth essay competitions, an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9 through 12, and Patriot’s Pen for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.  

Jayna Smith

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Congratulations to Eastern Maine Appliances and the Smith family, celebrating 50 years in business this month!  

The Milltown skating rink has already had a good amount of use since being set up recently.  Thanks to Craig at the Calais Rec. Department for making this happen each year.

Jayna Smith

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In an exciting Friday night matchup last week in Woodland, sophomore Kaylin Hamilton’s impressive 34-point performance, combined with sophomore Karleigh Smith’s clutch three-pointer to force overtime, led Woodland to a 73-61 victory over Narraguagus.

Coach Leeman’s Dragons staged a remarkable comeback in the final eight minutes of the game, scoring 27 points, with Smith’s deep three-pointer tying the game at 59 by the end of regulation. 

The first baby born at Downeast Community Hospital in 2024 arrived at 6:02 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14.  Pierce Pineo, third son of Colin and Karmen Pineo, of Jonesboro, weighed 9 pounds, one ounce and was 21 inches long.  Pierce is little brother to five-year-old Bently and two-year-old Kiegan.  The basket presented to the family was filled with items from the DECH Auxiliary Gift Shop, gift cards from local businesses, and a handmade blanket crocheted by Kay Richmond.  (DECH photo)

Jayna Smith

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The Brendan Leddy Memorial Fund, a locally renowned tribute to the late Brendan Leddy, who passed away in 2021, is dedicated to honoring his memory through community contributions. Brendan, a passionate skateboarder, military veteran, and integral member of the Calais Skatepark Committee, left a lasting impact on many.

Mary Ann O’Brien of Calais was the winner of the Ohio Star quilt raffle for 2023. The quilt was created and donated by Brenda Lang of Skowhegan. The finish quilting was done by Ginny Sirois of Norridgewock.  

DEHV wishes to thank everyone who helped make the fundraising event successful. 

Down East Community and Calais Community Hospitals are proud to announce that both facilities will begin offering low-dose lung cancer screenings in February.

The Woodland cheerleading team, coached by Holly Mercier-Ward, was one of five teams that competed at the DAC Championship last Saturday at Calais High School.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Will Tuell

It’s a common refrain in law enforcement circles that the number of applicants for open police and corrections officer positions is dwindling while the demand for qualified officers continues to rise. Whether it’s the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, any one of Downeast Maine’s small-town police departments, or state law enforcement agencies, the demand for officers is high while interest is sagging. 

Sandra Smith

The event in honor of Virginia Newman was held at the Princeton Town Office. The ever-busy town treasurer, Donna Worden, and town clerk, Sue Lawless, had set up tables for guests and decorated a serving table to display the cane and plaque, along with a cake commemorating her special day. The presentation of the cane and plaque was made by selectman Wayne Croman, and Princeton photographer Fred Knapp took the official photograph, which will be hung in the town office.

Jayna Smith

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It’s Girl Scout Cookie time!  Through selling cookies, girls earn badges representing proficiency in skills ranging from financial management to business planning and more. They also learn the basic skills and acumen they need to be leaders in business and sales, manage their personal and family finances, and gain self-sufficiency and confidence handling money.  Be on the lookout for girls selling locally!

A total of 505 student-athletes from the 14 institutions of the North Atlantic Conference have been recognized with Fall 2023 NAC All-Academic Team honors.

In order to be eligible for All-Academic honors, student-athletes must be participating members of their respective teams and achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Member institutions are responsible for identifying eligible student-athletes.

Jayna Smith

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At Shead High School in Eastport on Wednesday night, Jan. 24, sophomore Karleigh Smith and freshman Mishun Cornelius propelled the Woodland Dragons team to a 54-41 victory over the Tigerettes. 

Both girls dropped in 18 points for the winners.  Cornelius also dominated the boards with an impressive 24 rebounds

Jayna Smith

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In an unfortunate incident at Dunkin’ last week, a 65-year-old female inadvertently caused minor chaos when her 2021 Ford Expedition rolled into the exterior wall of Dunkin’. The woman, parking in front of the building, exited her vehicle but forgot to secure her vehicle in park, Calais Police reported, leading to the unexpected collision.

Nurses Working Since October Without a Contract

Paul Sylvain

Bone-chilling cold on Jan. 27 failed to deter at least 22 nurses and techs employed at Down East Community Hospital in Machias from rallying on the Jeremiah O’Brien Bridge. The nurses have been working without a contract since October and are trying to leverage public support for what they call “safe staffing” levels as part of their new contract.