Paul Sylvain

The assassination of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down while giving a speech at a Utah college campus on Sept. 10, has rippled across every fabric of American society and in communities big and small.

One such small community is the Washington County town of Dennysville, where selectman Scott Corey is drawing fire from locals angered by social media posts he made, including one characterizing Kirk’s death as “karma.”

Gallina Vows Scrutiny of County’s ‘Champagne’ Budget Proposal

Paul Sylvain

Admitting that the county is facing “profound challenges,” Washington County Budget Committee Chairman Brian Schuth opened the committee’s inaugural budget forging session for fiscal year 2026, on Sept. 17.

The creativity and dedication of local 4-H youth were on full display this year as part of the annual Washington County 4-H Photography Contest. Open to all enrolled 4-H members, the contest encourages participants to develop communication and expressive arts skills through photography.

‘Nothing but a Money Grab’ by Conservation Nonprofits, Whitney Says

Paul Sylvain

According to Machias businessman David Whitney, the efforts to replace the 150-year-old Machias dike and its flapper gates with a full-span bridge, mainly led by several nonprofit conservation groups, are simply a bridge too far.

From left to right are Reps. Mathew McIntyre (R-Lowell), Will Tuell (R-East Machias), and Tiffany Strout (R-Harrington) join Senator Marianne Moore (R-Calais) in presenting David and Julie Barker, owners of Helen’s Restaurant of Machias, with a legislative sentiment recognizing the eatery’s 75th anniversary in business following a lunch meeting Sept. 23. (Courtesy photo) 

Paul Sylvain

Members of the Washington County Legislative Delegation are taking matters into their own hands to hopefully find a way out of the county government’s current fiscal quagmire.

County Commissioners Courtney Hammond, Billy Howard, and Chairman David Burns are continuing to struggle without success in their efforts to find viable alternatives to an $11 million bond referendum question aimed at setting the county’s fiscal ship back on course. 

Down East Hospice Volunteers and friends were hosted by Audrey Patterson with a luncheon at her home on Blueberry Point in Perry to celebrate another year of compassionate volunteer hospice service in Washington County, our 44th year. DEHV is offering volunteer training on October 20, 23, 24, 28, and 29. For information about our free services or the upcoming volunteer training, call 207-454-7521, ext.

Jayna Smith

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The Baileyville Big Stop Restaurant, a long-standing fixture of the Irving-owned truck stop since the 1980s, is reportedly set to close this December. Yet, despite repeated inquiries over the past year, Irving Oil has remained tight-lipped about what’s next for the location.