Jayna Smith

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The City of Calais has announced that all items and objects must be removed from city sidewalks by Monday, January 20, 2025, to ensure safe and efficient snow removal during the winter season. Items left on sidewalks make it difficult for crews to plow effectively, impacting the safety and accessibility of the community, and crews appreciate everyone’s cooperation.

Jayna Smith

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The Calais Elementary School PTO recently announced its upcoming Winter Wonderland Adult Prom, an evening set to bring the community together for a night of nostalgia and fun. Scheduled for this Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 8 to 11 p.m., the event will take place at St. Croix Tap & Table.

Jayna Smith

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GameTime Sports Bar & Grill celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 159 Main Street in Baileyville. This new hotspot boasts an array of amenities designed for sports enthusiasts and casual diners alike, including multiple large-screen televisions for optimal game viewing, a pool table, arcade games, and plenty of parking and seating to accommodate guests comfortably.

The St. Croix Council #149 of the Knights of Columbus donated 48 brand-new coats to the We Care Community Baby Center in Machias in January. The donations were part of the Knights’ Coats for Kids program, which has distributed more than one million coats to children in need around the world. The Knights also delivered knitted clothing, diapers, and wipes donated by parishioners of St. Kateri Tekakwitha parish, as part of the ASAP (Aid & Support After Pregnancy) program.

Paul Sylvain

Just because parts of Maine are considered “rural” and “sparsely populated” doesn’t mean there’s any lesser need for a strong law enforcement presence in places that fit those descriptions, like Washington County.

The county’s legislative delegation heard that message loud and early last week at a legislative breakfast sponsored by the Maine Sheriff’s Association. Among those traveling to Augusta for the 7 a.m. gathering were Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis and Chief Deputy Mike Crabtree.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved sister, daughter, and friend, Holli A. Tapley, on January 7th, 2025. Holli was born on December 19, 1978, in Presque Isle, Maine and raised in Calais,Maine. She was a basketball icon, known not only for her incredible skills but also for the positive influence she had on the Calais and Maine basketball communities.

Jayna Smith

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Calais citizens now have an easy way to stay updated on the latest city news, events, meetings, and emergencies through a new notification service. This service allows residents to receive updates via text or email, ensuring they are always informed about important community developments.

Jayna Smith

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At Woodland on Thursday, January 9, the junior high boys' basketball team hosted Calais in a competitive matchup. Calais emerged victorious with a final score of 48-38. 

Jacob Footer led the charge for Calais, scoring an impressive 15 points. 

Supporting Footer's efforts, Brock Collins and Rylan Harnoise each contributed 7 points, while Brayan Shirley added 6. 

Downeast Credit Union and Insurance is proud to announce a new partnership with area schools, including Calais High School Athletics.

 In a new program coined “Downeast Dunkers,” participating schools will receive around $4,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from Downeast Credit Union and Insurance throughout the 2024/2025 basketball season.

Jon Reisman

January has brought an array of alarms in California, Maine, and North America

Fire alarms in California

The California wildfires are both a natural and human-enhanced disaster. Governor Gavin Newsom’s inferno was made worse by decades of water policies prioritizing endangered snail darters and green liturgy over reservoirs and aqueducts. Controlled burns and fuel load management are apparently not consistent with a conviction that the cause of wildfires is anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change.

Paul Sylvain

The Washington County commissioners have a new look for the first time in a dozen years, following the swearing-in of District 1 Commissioner Billy Howard and District 2 Commissioner David C Burns at a brief ceremony at the commissioners’ meeting room on Jan. 2. 

Looking on was District 3 Commissioner John B. Crowley, whose seat was not up for reelection in 2024. 

Jayna Smith

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In a tremendous show of community support and generosity, the Pratt dealership in Calais has set a new record with its annual donation-match campaign to aid food pantries in Washington County. This year, the campaign reached an all-time high, collecting a total of $27,614 — the highest amount since Ian Pratt initiated this charitable effort.

Paul Sylvain

Maine winters aren’t what they used to be, considering the string of relatively mild winters we’ve enjoyed Downeast the past several years. Of course, with the snowiest and coldest winter months yet to come, it remains to be seen how Washington County will fare in this winter of 2024-25.

Still, the lingering memory of that last truly harsh, “old-fashioned” Maine winter a decade ago is one that anyone who experienced it won’t ever forget. 

The first baby born at Down East Community Hospital in Machias for the new year arrived at 6:36 p.m. on January 5.

 Davis Joseph Green, the first child of Brenna Davis and Austin Green, of Campobello, weighed in at 9 pounds 7 ounces and a length of 21 ¾ inches. Both parents said Dr. Inegbenijie and the nurses were phenomenal, and they were very impressed by and happy to be at DECH. As to what they had to say about Davis, “We are in love; he is just perfect!”

Jon Reisman

The events in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and the Swamp have quickly turned post-election optimism and confidence to pre-inaugural Sturm Und Drang fear, uncertainty, and turmoil. I am, and have been certain, Joe Biden was never “sharp as a tack” or “in charge,” despite having been told that repeatedly over the last four years. A wide swath of the left and the media chose to ignore and cover up Biden’s decline.

Jayna Smith

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Mary (Mulholland) Powling, a beloved matriarch and long-time resident of Princeton, celebrated her 100th birthday on December 26, 2024. Born in 1924 to Isaac and Delphine Mulholland, her life has been filled with love, dedication, and an enduring connection to her family and community.

Jayna Smith

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Jo's Diner & Pizzeria, owned by Tim Crowe, has announced the success of its inaugural Grammar for Giving contest, which culminated in a significant donation to Down East Hospice Volunteers (DEHV). 

Pierre Little

I never thought I would be writing this article about my dear friend Ron Pooler, but unfortunate circumstances have given me the desire to share this story about a wonderful American and veteran. I owe it to him and our friendship to share the connection I forged with one of America’s most honest and straightforward soldiers.

EAC is very grateful to the many creative, energetic, and tireless hands that made its 15th annual holiday fundraiser — the Festival of Trees — a great success. 

EAC expressed gratitude to this year’s tree decorators and the many helping hands who assisted with set up and break down, raffle sales and drawings, cookies and beverages, food donations, tree and light donations and cuttings, and photographers. 

Paul Sylvain

The long talked about plan for PFAS remediation research testing at Machias Valley Airport, appears to be cleared for take-off in 2025, according to Machias Selectboard Vice Chairman Ben Edwards.

Jonathan Reisman

Jayna Smith

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The holiday spirit was alive and well at Calais Elementary School as the much-loved Santa Shop made its return from December 16 to 19. Organized by the CES Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), the special shopping experience gave students the chance to purchase gifts for their loved ones, all priced at just 25 cents each.