Sheriff’s Office, Drug Agents Arrest 11 in Roque Bluffs, Centerville on Drug Trafficking, Other Charges

Paul Sylvain 

Officers with the Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) arrested 11 people on drug trafficking and other charges in Roque Bluffs and Centerville following the simultaneous execution of two warrants on May 29. 

Maine’s Department of Public Safety said in a media release Friday that the arrests came as a result of a months-long drug trafficking investigation at 75 Duck Cove Road in Roque Bluffs and 43 Mitten Mountain Road in Centerville. 

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Lauren Remington Honored with 2025 Award for Teaching Excellence

When Lauren Remington stepped into the Early Childhood Education classroom at St. Croix Regional Technical Center, she wasn’t just filling a position, she was reviving a program that had been dormant for two years.

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Donors Make Summer Camp at Greenland Point 4-H Learning Center Accessible for All Maine Youth

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point recently received funding from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Onion Foundation, and Kate Svitek Foundation to support summer camp scholarships for Maine youth. With this and annual contributions from the Penobscot County Conservation Association and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Greenland Point can offer scholarships to most youth who register for camp.

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The Courier Makes Headlines as it Returns to Print

Jayna Smith

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A voice of Charlotte County is making a return to the printed page. The Saint Croix Courier, originally founded in 1865, is once again in print as of June 1, now as The Courier. Though it had faded from newsstands in recent years, the paper’s iconic name is now attached to a fresh, free monthly edition spearheaded by CHCO-TV.

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As Season Winds Down, Blue Devils Softball Shines On and Off the Field

Jayna Smith

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As the Calais Lady Blue Devils softball team enters the final stretch of the season, the players are finishing strong — both on the field and in the classroom.

On Thursday, May 29, the team celebrated its seniors during a home matchup against Woodland, earning a 15-5 win. The game honored three graduating seniors: team manager Aubrey Stevens and team captains Natalie McDonald and Kayleigh Scott. 

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Senior Athletes Recognized

 

Softball seniors Natalie McDonald (captain), Aubrey Stevens (team manager), and Kayleigh Scott (captain) were joined by baseball senior Kaeson Dana (captain) and their families during last week’s final home game of the season. (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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Downtown Parking Concerns Revisited at Calais City Council Meeting

Jayna Smith

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At the most recently held Calais City Council meeting on May 22, 2025, the issue of downtown parking returned to the spotlight following a complaint from a local business owner. The concern centered around business owners and their employees occupying street-side parking spots intended for customers, an issue that has previously drawn attention and discussion from the council.

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Woodland High School Sends Off 37 at Graduation

Jayna Smith

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Graduation for the Woodland High School Class of 2025 was held Saturday morning, May 31, in front of a full gymnasium. The 37 graduates marched to their seats, led by Class President Haylee Scott to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstances,” in front of faculty and staff, friends and family, and other members of the community.

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Ruby Jubilee Mass and Reception Celebrate Father Roland’s Four Decades of Priesthood

Jayna Smith

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Last weekend, many in the community gathered at Immaculate Conception Church in Calais to celebrate Father Roland Berngeh’s Ruby Jubilee, marking 40 years of dedicated service in the priesthood. 

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Calais High School Celebrates Class of 2025 at Commencement Ceremony

Jayna Smith

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Calais High School held its graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 1, with 48 students receiving their diplomas as members of the Class of 2025.

Class President Savanah Waycott led her classmates in the processional, setting the tone for a proud occasion.

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Policy and Politics

Jon Reisman

As the legislative session winds down, numerous party-line votes highlight our divisions and dysfunction. Given the general thrashing majority Democrats have given Republicans on the budget; spending; the 1st, 2nd, and 14th Amendments; and energy, climate, and equity policy, one might have wondered if a mercy rule should have been imposed. But the beatdown has potential policy and political accountability consequences for the candidates and content of the 2026 elections for the Blaine House, the State House, Congress, and the Senate. 

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Dedication of Princeton’s Annual Report

The dedication of Princeton’s Annual Report was last Tuesday, June 9. This has been a tradition since 1976-77. This year’s 2025-26 selection for the dedication honor is John Leighton. He has been a selectman since 2005 and has served as chairman and road commissioner, and, before that, as animal control officer. 

Excerpts of the dedication pages from the town report read: “John has gone above and beyond by washing the outside of the library and town office, building shelves, moving furniture, putting up signs, placing and removing flags at the cemetery, and so much more.” 

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Painting Features Local Reenactors as Machias Patriots Preparing to Capture the Margaretta

Paul Sylvain

Coinciding on the 250th anniversary of the June 12, 1775, Battle of the Margaretta, local artist Tom Brennan and many of the town’s Revolutionary War reenactors will be on hand at Machias Savings Bank, 4 Center St., on June 12, for a 6:30 p.m. unveiling of an oil painting by local artist Tom Brennan, depicting one of the events of that historic day.

Burnham Tavern serves as the backdrop for the painting, which shows a group of Machias patriots on their way to capture the British vessel HMS Margaretta on that fateful day.

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Fourth Annual Rhubarb Festival Draws International Crowd to Washington County

Rain or shine, the Rhubarb Festival never fails to deliver, and this year’s fourth annual event was no exception. Held on the first Saturday of June, the festival welcomed more than 400 attendees from across the globe, including visitors from the United States, Canada, and even Germany. Festivalgoers hailed from 11 states, including Maine, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, New York, and California, along with 11 Maine counties and two Canadian provinces.

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Dr. Cressey Brazier Retires After Serving Community Since 1986

Dr. Cressey Brazier, emergency department physician, retired on May 31 from Calais Community Hospital. 

Dr. Brazier first came to Calais “moonlighting,” as he calls it, in the emergency department while working at Eastern Maine Medical Center in 1986. Over the years, he has maintained a consistent presence in Calais throughout all the transitions, ranging from occasional fill-in for shifts to regular full-time rotations in the department as of 1992. 

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Make a Splash at the Calais Pool, Set to Open Next Week

Jayna Smith

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The Howard Fox Memorial Pool in Calais is gearing up for another season of summer fun under the leadership of new pool director Ava Brennan. According to Calais Recreation Director Craig Morrison, the pool is tentatively set to open for the season on Wednesday, June 18.

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Generosity of Local Sponsors Keeps the Music Playing at Flat Iron Park

Jayna Smith

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Since 2007, Music on the Green has been a beloved summer tradition in downtown Calais, thanks to the vision and dedication of Britani Holloway. This year, the popular concert series is making a vibrant return — stronger than ever — thanks to the overwhelming generosity of local businesses who stepped up to make it possible.

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CHS Graduate Dr. Kelly Delaney Begins Dental Career in Calais

Jayna Smith

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Dr. Kelly Delaney knew early on what she wanted to be when she grew up, thanks in large part to the influence of her mother’s dental practice. Now, after years of study and training, the 2017 Calais High School graduate has returned home to begin her career in dentistry.

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Whimsical Crows ‘The Girls’ Take Flight in New Book by Calais Artist Nell Walton

Jayna Smith

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Downeast Maine has long been home to storytellers, but few are as uniquely whimsical — and unapologetically local — as Nell Walton, whose new book The Girls: Living Their Best Life in Downeast Maine is hitting racks this week, poised to earn praise and smiles from readers.

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Lincoln Memorial Public Library

The last Storytime session was with the Pembroke School children, including those from Dennysville, and focused on finding bits of nature to go into their personally-decorated jars. The storybook was the delightfully-crazy Tallyho Pinkerton by Steven Kellogg, which had been a favorite of the Guiltner family and, Storytime leader, Sarah when she was young.

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Margaretta Days Celebrates 250th Anniversary of Historic Machias Naval Battle

Paul Sylvain

On April 19, 1775, the first shots of the American Revolution were exchanged between British troops and the citizen army called the Minutemen at Lexington Common and North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. On June 12 — one week shy of two months later — Machias patriots, armed with a few rifles, pitchforks, and clubs, would claim their rightful place in history by chasing after and capturing the armed British schooner HMS Margaretta near Round Island in Machias Bay.

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Playoff Victory Highlights End of Blue Devils’ Season

Jayna Smith

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The Calais Blue Devils rallied in the fifth inning to defeat the Orono Red Riots, 6-3, in a Class C North preliminary matchup on Tuesday afternoon, June 10, at UMaine.

After falling behind early, Calais was held scoreless through four innings before exploding for five runs in the top of the fifth. The Blue Devils added an insurance run in the sixth and held off a late push from the Red Riots to secure the win and move on in postseason play.

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Public Invited to ARRL Field Day

The St. Croix Valley Amateur Radio Club will participate in the 2025 ARRL Field Day from 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Alexander Elementary School, 1430 Airline Road, Alexander.

Local amateur radio operators, or “hams,” will set up temporary stations powered by solar, battery, or generator to practice emergency communications. The public is invited to stop by, try out the “Get On The Air” (GOTA) station, and learn how hams connect across the globe when regular systems fail.

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Summer Reading Fun at Calais Free Library

Jayna Smith

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Calais Free Library’s annual Children’s Summer Reading Program kicks off Thursday, June 26, and will run weekly through Thursday, July 31.

This year’s theme, “Color Our World,” will feature a different themed activity each Thursday. Every session includes a fun craft and a snack, and children of all ages are welcome to join. Participants can track their reading progress to earn prizes throughout the program.

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Alexander Grange Flag Retirement Ceremony on Flag Day

On June 14, the Grange had another successful Flag Retirement Ceremony. The event was led by Lenny Hanson, Dale Holst (shown left), and Jim Sullivan (shown right). (Submitted photos)

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Sheriff’s Office, County Facing Systems Failure Without Dedicated IT Dept.

Paul Sylvain

In a presentation that was part doomsday warning and an IT proposal, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy and Information Technology Ombudsman Dennis Dorsey told the county’s commissioners that unless a knowledgeable replacement for his position is found before Jan. 1, the county government’s IT systems will begin failing within three weeks of his departure on that date.

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Celebration of Growth for Calais Eighth Graders

Calais Middle School eighth graders gather in the gymnasium on June 12 to celebrate their promotion to high school during a special ceremony recognizing their achievements and growth. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Gower)

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USS Gravely to Visit Eastport During Independence Day Celebration

Jayna Smith

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One of Maine’s most iconic Independence Day celebrations is back, and Eastport is planning a full slate of events leading up to and including the Fourth of July. This year’s festivities will feature live music, contests, community traditions, and a special highlight — the arrival of the U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107), with a crew of approximately 330 sailors.

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Calais City Council

Jayna Smith

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On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Marcia Rogers presiding over Councilors Elery Beale, Pete Foster, Bill Quinn, and James Macdonald. Councilor Mike Sherrard was absent from the meeting. 

What follows is a brief summary of the meeting, with the full meeting available for viewing on the City of Calais’s Facebook page.

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California Screaming

Jon Reisman

“People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along?”-- Rodney King, May 1, 1992, after widespread Los Angeles riots in response to the acquittal of police accused of beating him.

“Defiance”- No Kings.org.

Our deep and widening divisions were on uncomfortable and transparent display in California,

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That Was Special. May I Have Another?

Jon Reisman

The special “emergency” legislative session has mercifully almost completed its work and mission to advance leftist lunacy and screw over anyone who doesn’t agree, especially in rural Maine. 

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Princeton Town Meeting / Selectboard

Monday, June 16, was the Princeton Annual Town Meeting. Town clerk Sue Lawless read the introduction required by law. All selectboard members – Chair John Leighton, Wayne Croman, Steven Cilley, Shain Phelps, and Becky Hussey – and treasurer Donna Worden were the first panel. Then, selectboard member Wayne Croman presented a special plaque to retiring selectboard chair John Leighton for his many years on the board and service to the community. Then town clerk Sue Lawless gave the results of the election held on Tuesday, June 10. Next, the moderator was elected, who was Denise Hill.

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Field Day at Blueberry Hill Farm Highlights Future of Maine’s Wild Blueberries

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host the annual Blueberry Hill Farm Field Day on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Blueberry Hill Farm, 1643 US-1 in Jonesboro. This free event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to all wild blueberry growers, agricultural professionals and community members interested in the latest innovations and the basics of wild blueberry production.

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ATV Enthusiasts Getting Revved Up for 4th Annual Machias Jamboree

Paul Sylvain

Scarcely a week after the last acrid cloud of black powder gunsmoke from last weekend’s Margaretta Days celebration has faded from the mock Revolutionary War battlefields at West Branch Farms, it’s time this weekend for the dust, exhaust smoke, and fun of the 4th Annual Machias ATV Jamboree downtown at the Pellon Center.

The first Machias ATV Jamboree was held in 2022, but organizers last year said the first “real” ATV jamboree was in 2023. The 2024 jamboree was even bigger, with more of the same on tap for next weekend.

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What's Up, Calais?

Jayna Smith

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Maine Ensures Free Summer Meals for Children Through USDA Program

Jayna Smith

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As the school year comes to an end, Maine is once again stepping up to ensure no child goes hungry during the summer months. Thanks to the continued support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children across the state will have access to free, nutritious meals through the Summer Food Service Program.

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Lloyd’s Motor Lodge to Open in Baileyville This Fall

Jayna Smith

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A new chapter is on the horizon for one of Baileyville’s older roadside properties, thanks to the vision and determination of local residents Lloyd and Karen Delaney. The former Airline Motel, located along Route 1 near the intersection with Route 9, is being revived under the nostalgic name Lloyd’s Motor Lodge, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2025.

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CHS Alum Follows His Calling All the Way to Yale Medical Center

Jayna Smith

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A Calais native and 2012 graduate of Calais High School has made an inspiring leap from rural Maine to one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the country. Cole Tyler Bridges recently earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of New England and is now beginning his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Yale New Haven Hospital and the VA Hospital in Connecticut.

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Former Cage Fighter Finds His Way Back Through Wood and Work

Jayna Smith

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If you’ve driven down South Street in Calais recently, you’ve probably noticed the striking woven fence that popped up; it’s hard to miss. That’s the work of Crow Boutin, a former professional cage fighter who was raised just down the road in Trescott and now owns Custom Wattle Fencing. His fences are unlike anything else around — hand-woven from beechwood and maple, and built to last.

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