The Washington County Fair Queens recently represented Washington County with distinction at the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs (MAAF) Annual Conference and Celebration. This event brought together fair queens from across Maine, providing a unique opportunity for networking, knowledge sharing, and professional development. Miss Washington County Fair Shayna Cook and Jr. Miss Washington County Fair Maddie Gardner engaged with fair leadership and volunteers, sharing their experiences and insights gained from their time representing the county.

Jon Reisman

I’m headed to Augusta for a Feb. 6 public hearing of some consequence to Washington County, rural Maine, the 2nd Congressional District, and Maine as a whole.

LD 183, An Act to Cap Publicly Owned Land Area at No More than 50 Percent of Any County, is sponsored by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, and the entire Washington County delegation. Here’s the summary:

Paul Sylvain

The body of one of two South Addison scallop fishermen lost when their boat, F/V Sudden Impact, sank on Jan. 18, in high winds and rough seas near Moose Cove, was recovered by a dive team on Feb. 2.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources reported on Feb. 2, that a team of “highly-skilled volunteer divers” located and recovered the body from inside Sudden Impact’s cabin. The body of the second crew member was not found on or near the wreckage. 

Jayna Smith

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For the second straight year, the Calais Lady Blue Devils junior varsity basketball team has claimed the Downeast Athletic Conference (DAC) Championship.

Competing in the DAC tournament at Sumner High School, Coach Allie Hill’s squad secured back-to-back victories — despite having just five players — to earn the title once again.

Jayna Smith

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Following the success of the PTO’s Adult Prom fundraiser at St. Croix Tap & Table, another community event was held to support the Calais Elementary School playground fund. A cribbage tournament took place the following week at the same location, drawing teams of two to compete in a double-elimination format.

David Cale

I didn’t know Chet and Aaron Barrett, but yet, we are related as fellow fishermen. I set off to Jonesport on Feb. 5 for the Bennett family’s benefit supper, not knowing them but wanting to pay my respects and give my condolences to the family of these two men. Many thoughts went through my mind on the 40-minute drive from Machiasport to the Community of Christ Church in Jonesport.

The Cross Insurance Center in Bangor hoThe Cross Insurance Center in Bangor hosted Class A and B North Wrestling Regionals this past Saturday, Feb. 9. Calais High School brought eight wrestlers to this tournament in hopes of placing in the top four, which would punch their ticket to the MPA Wrestling State Tournament. 

Jayna Smith

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TThe Calais Lady Blue Devils hosted the Woodland Dragons on Friday, Feb. 7, in the final game of the regular season for both teams. Calais, with a strong 14-4 record, won the game, 46-33, and finished in fifth place, securing a home playoff game, where they faced George Stevens Academy on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Meanwhile, the Dragons wrapped up their season with a 1-17 record. 

Jayna Smith

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The bird flu crisis is forcing farmers to cull millions of chickens every month, driving U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost from the summer of 2023. With Easter approaching and demand surging, relief seems unlikely.

Jayna Smith

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Maine law prohibits motor vehicles from using snowmobile trails unless authorized by landowners, or in cases of emergency, but illegal use continues to be a recurring issue. Brad Richard, a game warden with the Maine Warden Service, explained that this situation not only poses significant safety concerns for snowmobilers but can also cause extensive damage to the trails.

Jon Reisman

Maine’s 2020 Climate Action Plan and 2024 Update commit Maine to:

• reducing our Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG);

• transitioning away from fossil fuels and gas-powered vehicles;

• promoting equity;

• increasing public conserved lands to 30% of the state by 2030. 

What you will not find in the Plan/Update is:

• any estimate of how much climate change will be averted by the GHG emission reductions;

• any estimate of the effects on energy prices;

There was a celebration in the Town of Princeton on Saturday, Feb. 15, to honor firefighter John McDowell, who was retiring from the Princeton Fire Department. McDowell has been an active member of the department since 1985.

Outside, in front of the fire station, the ladder truck was extended and a flag flown in McDowell’s honor. Inside, tables were set up and a wall display had been made with his name. A luncheon, donated by Princeton IGA and Town of Princeton, was served. There was also a specially designed cake. 

Jayna Smith

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A powerful winter storm swept through Calais on Sunday, Feb. 16, leading to widespread disruptions as heavy snowfall and icy conditions prompted numerous closures and cancellations across the region.

Jayna Smith

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Last Thursday’s Calais City Council meeting was canceled due to inclement weather. The next regular Calais City Council meeting is slated for Thursday, February 27, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m. These meetings are held in the council chambers at the city building and are open to the public. They are also live-streamed on Zoom and the city’s Facebook page.

Doss Dennison

The junior high east and west basketball finals both took place last Monday evening, with the east side playing their games at the Machias Memorial High School gymnasium, while the west side played at the Narraguagus High School gym. Most of these contests were extremely close through two or three quarters, with a few of them going right down to the final buzzer.

Council # 149 of the Knights of Columbus held its annual Free Throw Competition on Saturday, January 25, at Calais Elementary School. Male and female winners of each age division qualified for the State Competition to be held on Saturday, March 8, in Old Town. K. of C.

Paul Sylvain

Except for traveling to and from the courthouse in Machias to testify in criminal proceedings, it has been a rare sight since July 2023 to encounter a Maine State Police trooper in Washington County.

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, Mike Boies, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council #149, presented pastor Father Roland Berngeh with a check for $5,000 to be used in support of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish. On hand for the presentation held at St. James the Greater Church in Baileyville were Knights Claude Landry, Gary Madore, Marc Podschlne, Weston Ranalli, Grand Knight Michael Boies, and District Deputy Edward Stover. Father Roland Berngeh is also a member of the Knights. 

Paul Sylvain

Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North is conducting an investigation into the Feb. 19 death of an inmate found unresponsive in an intake cell at the Washington County Jail in Machias.

Jail Administrator Richard Rolfe said on Feb. 20 that 27-year-old Joseph Shields was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct late morning on Feb. 19 and booked into the jail. At about 5:15 p.m., Shields, who was still in an intake cell, was found unresponsive by officers at the jail. 

Paul Sylvain

Class was in session at the Feb. 20 County Commissioners meeting in Machias, as Sheriff Barry Curtis schooled Commissioner Billy Howard in defense of a letter Curtis wrote last month, outlining a policy of not responding to non-emergent complaints in towns with an active police department.

The undated letter sent out mid-January sparked a few moments of sometimes confused discussion between Howard and Curtis.