Jayna Smith

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The spirited students of Mrs. Lori Ellis’ Advanced Placement English class at Calais High School are once again preparing an event that both celebrates the heroism of local veterans and provides a meaningful learning experience for those organizing it. The annual Veterans Day Assembly, set for Monday, November 10, promises to be a heartfelt tribute to those who have served our country.

Jayna Smith

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It’s once again the season of giving, and at Pratt auto dealership, generosity goes twice as far. The dealership has launched its annual food pantry matching campaign to support Washington County’s pantries, doubling community contributions throughout November and December.

Submitted by Chief David Randall

Oct. 2: Male, 42, Magmatcook, NS – summonsed for furnishing scheduled drugs

Oct. 9: Male, 81, Perry – summonsed for failure to stop for a school bus.

Oct. 21: Male, 18, Princeton – summonsed for theft.

Oct. 27: Male, 34, East Machias – arrested on a warrant.

Oct. 31: Male, 38, Roque Bluffs – arrested on a warrant.

All First National Bank branches are collecting items for local food pantries throughout the month of November.

If you would like to help, First National Bank welcomes donations to your local branches. Most-needed items include: canned meats/fish, chili, soup, skillet meals, cereal, canned vegetables, and fruit.

John Reisman

I’m writing this as Halloween approaches and the election is less than a week away. I know how I’m voting, but I can’t say I have a lot of confidence in any poll or partisan analysis, including my own. I expect turnout and sharp differences between the Congressional Districts to determine the statewide outcome. 

Commissioners Hold Off Decision on Staff Cuts Until After Election Day 

Paul Sylvain 

A bone-chilling wind failed to deter media and some hearty county citizens from attending an outdoor press conference on the steps of the Washington County Courthouse on Oct. 23. 

Pay Hikes ‘Difficult to Ignore in the Face of Bankruptcy’ says Edwards

Paul Sylvain

The county Budget Advisory Committee’s (BAC) daylong session on Oct. 22 got off to a rocky start when officials from two of the three unions representing all but a handful of county employees slammed the door on reopening salary discussions over three-year contracts agreed to last fall by former county commissioners Vinton Cassidy, John Crowley, and Chris Gardner.

Jayna Smith

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Jo’s Diner & Pizzeria, owned by Tim Crowe, is excited to announce its second annual Grammar for Giving Contest, offering local high school juniors and seniors a unique opportunity to spotlight a charity they care about — and potentially secure a meaningful donation for their cause.

Jayna Smith

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The Downeast Athletic Conference (DAC) has announced its All-Star selections for the fall 2024 sports season, recognizing outstanding athletes, coaches, and teams across soccer, volleyball, cross country, and golf.

Members of the Calais High School Class of 1966 gathered for their 50th class reunion in August 2016 at St. Croix Country Club.

The Maine Press Association’s annual state conference, held October 18 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Portland, proved to be a night of outstanding achievement for The Calais Advertiser and its sister publication, the Machias Valley News Observer. The Calais Advertiser earned an impressive 21 awards, while the Machias Valley News Observer captured 26 honors – a remarkable combined total of 47 awards for Washington County’s only two weekly newspapers.

Jayna Smith

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There’s no shortage of Halloween fun in the area this season. From trunk-or-treats to witches parades, here’s a roundup of frightfully fun happenings for all ages to celebrate the season.  

Thursday, October 23

Jayna Smith

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After months of construction and detours, North Street has officially reopened to traffic.

Downeast Credit Union (DECU) is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Maine, earning 18th place in the Mid-Sized Business Category at the 2025 awards ceremony held on October 7 at the Augusta Civic Center.

This past week, Down East Community and Calais Community Hospitals had the pleasure of once again bringing another Top National Youth Speaker to over 1200 high school students in Washington County. This is the fourth occasion a speaker was brought to the area by the local hospitals. 

Jayna Smith

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Last week, Rev. Robert S. “Bobby” Oliver Jr., of Baileyville, was presented with a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his dedicated service to both God and country. The handcrafted quilt was formally awarded by Paula Z. of the Kaleidoscope Quilters, honoring Oliver’s courage and sacrifice during his time in the United States Army.

Jayna Smith

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The 21st Annual Classic Hits Turkey-a-Thon, held last Friday, October 10, was a tremendous success, raising an impressive $39,022 by the end of the day — and with donations still coming in. The total equates to over 3,200 turkeys, ensuring that families across Washington County will have food on the table this holiday season.

Paul Sylvain

Motorists who rely on Route 189 to travel between Trescott and Lubec can expect a temporary miles-long detour via Wilcox Road sometime in 2027.

That’s according to Washington County Unorganized Territories Supervisor Heron Weston, who informed county commissioners at their Oct. 9 meeting that the Maine Department of Transportation recently notified him that plans are underway to replace the current bridge that spans East Stream. The bridge is located just before Cobscook Institute on the way into Lubec.

Jon Reisman

Sullivan oyster farmer and Democratic socialist Graham Platner is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Senator Collins. He has money ($3.4 million in “small” donations claimed, no breakdown of in-state vs. out-of-state offered), energy, charisma, youth (born 1984), veteran status (100% disabled, three tours in Iraq as a Marine, one tour in Afghanistan in the Army), digital chops, and fire in his belly. He held a town hall in Calais on Oct. 6, and I left believing him to be the likely Democratic nominee.

Mia Lursen shows her pumpkin craft from a free event hosted by St. Croix Tap & Table as part of the Harvest Festival fun.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Jayna Smith

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CDRC’s Harvest Festival was a successful day of fun for all. Thanks to all those businesses and organizations that hosted events and made it possible.