Last week, the Calais Lions Club proudly presented the Calais Fire Department with six new inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (life vests) for their rescue boat crew. This generous contribution is part of the Calais Lions Public Safety Program, which was launched last year as an addition to their long-standing charitable efforts.

By Will Tuell

Last spring Washington County’s two regional hospitals -- Calais Community and Down East Community -- brought Hawaii’s Kyle Quilausing to the area to address sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders about the dangers of drug abuse. Hospital officials and Quilausing, one of the top youth golfers in the country before a life of drugs and crime derailed his career, crisscrossed the county, visiting junior high schools in western Washington County, the Machias area, and the St. Croix region. 

Jayna Smith

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School is back in session for all the area students.  Here’s to everyone starting for the first time or returning, especially to our amazing teachers who are diving into the classroom, ready to inspire, educate, and tackle the ups and downs of the classroom.

Downeast Community Partners (DCP), the community action program (CAP) that serves Hancock and Washington counties, received a $20,000.00 gift from Versant Power, recently, for The Heating And Warmth (THAW) fund.

“The THAW fund has a tremendous impact in our community and helps families when they need it most,” said Versant President John Flynn. “Versant Power is happy to contribute to the fund and allow Downeast Community Partners to keep more homes warm this winter.”

Jayna Smith

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As students are now back to school, local authorities are reminding drivers to reduce speed and remain vigilant, particularly in school zones. 

Jon Reisman

Jayna Smith

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Julia Gagnon, the American Idol sensation known for her powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence, has rescheduled her performance at Flat Iron Park in downtown Calais to Monday, September 16, following a brief vocal rest due to laryngitis.  Gagnon’s one-hour performance will showcase a variety of familiar tunes, promising an impressive and unforgettable concert experience.

Jayna Smith

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The National Park Service (NPS) was created on August 25, 1916, by President Woodrow Wilson.  This federal agency, part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, oversees more than 400 national parks, monuments, historical sites, and other protected areas across the United States.

Will Tuell

Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife drew the winners of its 2024 Antlerless Deer Permit Lottery on Aug. 15 with winners having until 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2024, to purchase their permit through the state website. Of the approximately 128,000 names drawn, 442 hail from Sunrise County. 

Princeton Parks & Recreation along with the Princeton Fire Department held their Second Annual Summer Sunset Bash this past Saturday, August 24, from 2-4 p.m. at Brewer Andrews Field. This was a free event to celebrate the end of summer. The fire department brought their Weenie Wagon and provided lots of water for the slip ’n slide and dunk tank. Because it was a hot day, there were plenty of volunteers for the dunk tank. Other activities included balloon darts, nerf targets, cornhole, air hockey, soccer, basketball, frisbee, and rubber ducky pool.

Helen Brooks was chosen to go to Washington on the Honor Flight in June, and to her honor, she laid the wreath on the unknown soldier’s grave.  (Submitted photo)

Jon Reisman

Hannah Pingree was appointed by Governor Mills as the Director of Maine’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and as the co-chair of the climate council. She is a former Speaker of the Maine House and the daughter of longtime 1st District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. Hannah is the Governor’s right-hand woman on policy and planning and is on the short list of potential Democratic Gubernatorial and/or Senatorial nominees. She is also one of Maine’s most visible climate alarmists.

Calais Fire/EMS continues its tradition of welcoming a new generation of members to its ranks.  Over the past few years, the department has successfully filled open positions with a diverse group of dedicated individuals.  The fire service operates as a family, and it’s this unity that enables them to serve their community with excellence.  Pictured are Hunter Sousa, Remy Courtois, and Collin Fraser.  Hunter and Remy joined through the Washington County Community College program, while Collin is a graduate of Calais High School.  If you see them, be sure to thank them for their service!  (C

Pictured are Dwayne Tomah, Joseph Sapiel, and Gary Moore. (Passamaquoddy Cultural Museum photo)

Jayna Smith

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Residents of Calais may have noticed an unusual taste or odor in their tap water recently, particularly during the hot summer months.  The Calais Water Department is addressing these concerns by focusing on the issue of iron in the water supply.

Paul Sylvain

“If you don’t say ‘wild’, it’s just another festival.”

That’s according to Machias Town Manager Bill Kitchen who made that statement as a reminder to the town’s selectboard at the close of its Aug. 14 meeting. And indeed, last weekend’s 47th annual edition of the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival proved wild in a good way.

Jayna Smith

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On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Kevin Niles, Marcia Rogers, Elery Beale, and Bill Quinn.  Councilor Mike Sherrard and James Macdonald were absent.

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

St. Stephen, New Brunswick Mayor Allan MacEachern and Calais, Maine Mayor Artie Mingo lead the International Homecoming Festival parade on Saturday, highlighting the strong partnership between the two communities. See more International Festival photos in this week's The Calais Advertiser. (Photo by Jayna Smith)

The Maine Secretary of State revealed Monday the final design for the proposed state flag upon which voters will be asked to decide in November.

The selected design was one of more than four hundred submissions sent into the Secretary of State’s office as part of a contest hosted earlier this summer.

State lawmakers passed a bill last year that — pending voter approval this November — will replace Maine’s current flag with a version of that which was used from 1901 to 1909.

Jayna Smith

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The pink flamingos that frequently appear in the greater-Calais area are a sure sign that the Friends of Sarah's House are up to something special.  This time, they were seen at the street fair, where volunteers were selling tickets for chances to win cash prizes.  

At the Skate 4 Life event, hosted annually during International Homecoming Festival by the Brendan Leddy Memorial Fund, winners from the beginner division, pictured with all their prizes, were Mayson, Mea Jay, and Ella.  Learn more about the Brendan Leddy Memorial Fund by following it on Facebook.  (BLMF photo)