Will Tuell

A bill sponsored by Representative Ken “Bucket” Davis (R-East Machias) to require Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) to split the state’s fall bear hunting season into two distinct parts received impassioned testimony from landowners, guides, and hunters in the Legislature’s IFW committee April 24. Davis, who sponsored the bill at the request of Machiasport bear hunters Brian and Joyce Smith, explained that he did so in an attempt to reduce conflict between hunters who use dogs to hunt bear and those who bait them. 

Will Tuell

For the second time in three weeks, Maine Forest Rangers, Wesley firefighters, and those from neighboring communities responded to a wildfire that charred part of the Route 9 community’s remote landscape last Friday afternoon (April 28). The blaze, contained at 27 acres, scorched blueberry land and some adjoining woodland, but was contained before it spread much further according to the Wesley Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page. 

Will Tuell

Jayna Smith

A familiar face to the Calais School Department will return, effective July 1, as superintendent of schools.

Mary Anne Spearin, former Calais Middle/High School Principal for over six years, was selected to fill the role currently held by Ron Jenkins, who will retire. 

Although a faulty decision with absolutely no basis whatsoever within the framework of U.S. Constitution, the Roe v. Wade decision forced a horrendous nation-wide requirement on the entire citizenry of the United States of America.

Currently, because the U.S. Supreme Court finally vacated its earlier constitutional error, we finally at least temporarily have the opportunity to debate both any arguable merits for, as well as various readily availability alternatives to abortion, absent the malicious national incumbrance caused by Roe v. Wade. 

Jayna Smith

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Jayna Smith

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Ian Pratt and his automobile dealerships support many local causes throughout the year.  One such cause Pratt has been a long-time supporter of is Down East Hospice Volunteers, and last week, he made his annual donation to the organization and challenges others to do the same.

Jayna Smith

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On Wednesday, May 3, the Calais Blue Devils hosted the Lee Academy Pandas.

Lee Academy jumped out quickly with a 2-0 lead and never looked back, beating the Blue Devils 8-3.

Ryley Case threw six strong innings for Calais, allowing only five hits.

Ethan Barnard and Kaeson Dana each had two hits for the Blue Devils.

On Friday, May 5, Calais traveled to Houlton for a doubleheader against the Shires.  

Jayna Smith

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The Main Street water/sewer project continues, and according to one worker from the construction company in charge of the project, the section from Church Street to Elm Street will be completed by June 1. 

Until then, that section of the street remains closed except for those vehicles with a destination inside the work zone, such as to a residence or a business.  There is a lane open for those vehicles only to pass through.  

Jayna Smith

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At the recently-held Volunteer Appreciation Day hosted by Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Ike Winchester was recognized for his extensive volunteerism with the organization.

Winchester has volunteered with EAAA for the last three years.  His involvement includes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program in Eastport and Calais, the Washington County CSFP delivery route for Furry Friends Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels.

Jayna Smith

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The Calais City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 11, 2023 with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Kevin Niles, Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, and Ellery Beale.  Not present were Mark Carr and James Macdonald.

City Manager Mike Ellis stressed that the downtown businesses through the Main Street construction project are open.  Access to those businesses is open alongside the construction.

Jayna Smith

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Crews from Perry Volunteer Fire Department and Eastport Fire Department assisted Pleasant Point Fire Department in battling a blaze that started in the early hours on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

According to Maine State Police, the call came in around 1:15 a.m. to a home at Bayview Lane in Pleasant Point.  

Monday, May 8: Calais 9 vs. Jonesport-Beals 14

Tuesday, May 9: Calais 21 @ Lee Academy 11

Thursday, May 11: Calais 2 vs. Machias 29

Friday, May 12: Calais 18 @ Shead 9

Jayna Smith

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The number of remaining “Fireworks Frenzy” raffle tickets is down in the teens after volunteers of International Homecoming Festival worked a table at Calais IGA last Friday.

Drawings of the tickets will begin on June 1, when four names will be drawn:  two for a cash prize of $25 and two for a cash prize of $50.  

Another draw will take place on June 8, this time for one $100 winner and one $150 winner.

There will be a "Warbler Walk" this Saturday, May 20, at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. 

Participants will meet at the Eagle Observation Platform parking lot at 7 a.m., then proceed to the Barn Meadow Extension Trail where the three-mile walk around the Barn Meadow Trail will begin.

Jayna Smith

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The American Legion recently recognized three veterans–Richard Monk, William Grass, and Hollis Beers–for their many years of continuous years of Legion membership.

The men are members of the Frederick S. Mills Post 172 American Legion in Vanceboro, and the honor was presented to them by Ike Hubbard, District Commander.

Ann Carter

Jayna Smith

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The Calais Blue Devils traveled to Harrington on Monday, May 15 to do battle with the Narraguagus Knights.  The Knights got the best of the Blue Devil boys, earning the 11-2 win.  Ryley Case had two of Calais’s five total hits.

 On Wednesday, May 17, the Blue Devils traveled to take on the Royals of Jonesport-Beals High School.  Calais dropped a hard-fought game, 14-7.  

Jayna Smith

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Students at Woodland Elementary School will see a new principal in the fall, but to most in the school community, it will be a familiar face.  

Alyssa Stephens, the school’s current special education teacher and assistant principal, has been hired to replace Amanda Belanger as principal.  Belanger has accepted the position of superintendent.  

Jayna Smith

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It was an exciting day on Friday, May 12, 2023, as St. Croix Regional Family Health Center held a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the start of its facility expansion.  The addition will add another 5,000 square feet to the existing structure.

Chloe Bernardini has joined the news team at The Calais Advertiser while home for her summer break.  Chloe just completed her first year at the University of King's College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she majors in journalism and minors in philosophy.  She said, “I’m ecstatic I get to work for a news outlet that still prints their news, rather than having it only available online,” adding, “Overall, I’m just very excited to be a part of something I grew up reading.”  Welcome, Chloe!

Will Tuell

Chloe Bernardini

On Wednesday, May 25th, the budget for the Charlotte Elementary School was rejected.

At the town meeting in Charlotte, the town voted against the budget for Charlotte Elementary School’s 2023-2024 year.

In Article 38, the School Committee recommended that the budget for the school be $297,541.43.  The article was voted against with 50 opposed and 34 in favor.

Jayna Smith

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In Calais’s only game last week, the Blue Devils jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead in the first inning when they hosted the Shead Tigers on Friday, May 26.  They then cruised to a 10-0 win.

Ryley Case threw a complete game three hitter, striking out six Tiger batters.

Case, Keegan Trainor, Muwin Dana, and Kaeson Dana all had hits for Calais.

Pictured before heading off to prom last Saturday night are seniors Ethan Monk, Shain McIver, Reece Sabattus, Cyrus Sewell, Weston Bailey, and Braden Richard.  See more photos on page 9 of this week's The Calais Advertiser.