Jayna Smith
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The 25th annual Maine State Junior High School and Elementary Cheering Championships took place on Sunday, March 6, at Bangor’s Cross Insurance Center.  The event is organized and directed each year by the Calais Recreation Department.

After the global pandemic prevented the competition for the last two years, it was back with 43 teams participating.  The teams were made up of cheerleaders in grades kindergarten through eight.

Jayna Smith
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There is a national blood crisis, and the Red Cross is urging people to donate.  

According to Tom Hinman of the American Red Cross, the national blood inventory is at an all-time low. “The Red Cross and other blood banks across the country are trying to rebuild the inventory.”

He said that in ideal conditions, hospitals would have a four to five day supply of blood on hand, but currently, most have less than a one-day supply on their shelves.  

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Washington County Jail is almost full.

Of 42 available beds, 38 are occupied, and nearly a quarter of its inmates — eight men and one woman — are charged with murder, setting a grim new record for the region.

“We passed the old record three murders ago,” said Washington County Jail Administrator Rich Rolfe. “This is an unusual and inordinate amount of murder cases.”

Jayna Smith
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Last July, Best Western Plus St. Stephen Hotel & Suites officially broke ground on Budd Avenue, right next to Garcelon Civic Center.  The construction project was initiated back in 2012, but like others, experienced setbacks in development caused by the pandemic.  

Jayna Smith
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A local woman organized a bake sale last week with all proceeds benefiting a very worthy cause–helping the people of Ukraine.
After learning of the continuing plight in Ukraine, Roxzanna Montague knew she had to do something to help.  That is why she decided to hold a bake sale with all proceeds going to the International Committee of the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Fund.

Natalie Boomer
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On Saturday, March 19, the Calais Free Library celebrated Dr. Seuss’ 118th birthday.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. children of all ages were invited into the children's room in the library to celebrate with games, prizes, cupcakes, snacks, and most importantly, books.

This is not all; those at the library have actually been celebrating all month long leading up to this event.

Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The St. Croix Historical Society in Calais recently drew social media attention to a Concord Coach that, in the mid-1800s, regularly traveled “the Shoreland Route” from Bangor to Ellsworth to Machias, finally arriving in Calais. Painted in its signature red, the roof of the coach is painted “Bangor, Machias, & Calais.” Nothing is known about where the coach stopped in Machias.

Jayna Smith
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The requirement of providing a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Canada will finally come to an end on April 1, 2022.  

Entry into Canada will still require the use of the ArriveCAN app or website.  As well, those who travel into Canada or into the United States will still need to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.  

Local veteran Chester McCray was recognized by the highest levels of The American Legion for his 50 years of continuous service on Monday, March 21st at the American Legion Auxiliary 23 William T. Wren Post in Baileyville.  “The old timers that drafted me into this are long gone now, the ones who took me under their wing many years ago from the Calais post,” he said. “It’s been enjoyable. I’ve seen a lot.”

Natalie Boomer
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Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting its Annual Amphibian Walk on Saturday, April 23rd.
Participants will meet at the headquarters trail parking area at 8 p.m. to begin their journey into the night in search of frogs, salamanders, and other aquatic life.