1. Washington County Game Warden Follows Instincts, Locates Missing Topsham Women

     

    Sarah Craighead Dedmon

    Kimberly Pushard and Angela Bussell had been missing since Wednesday, Feb. 22, when they were last seen in a Springfield, Maine, gas station. The Topsham police department had issued a silver alert the day prior, and Maine law enforcement agencies, including Maine Game Wardens, joined in the search.

    Warden Brad Richard of Princeton was brought onto the search on Sunday, Feb. 26, after two days of single-digit and subzero temperatures. 

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  2. F.A. Peabody Donates Local Book

     

    In honor of last week's Read Across America Day, staff in all 11 FA Peabody branches donated 10-year-old Harleigh Clark's book Can You Teach Me? to local schools.  The company is also conducted a drawing for one of three copies of the book.  Pictured is Kristina Dean of the Calais office, presenting the book to the St. Croix Regional Technical Center early childhood education students and instructor Lauren Gillespie.  (FA Peabody photo)

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  3. Storytime at Lincoln Memorial Library

     

    Storytime came at the Lincoln Memorial Library in Dennysville on Tuesday, March 7.  First, we read a winter-themed book called Stranger in the Woods that’s also titled A Photographic Fantasy. Then, we checked out some of the animals that were present to discover the “stranger” in a book called Animals in Winter.

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  4. Lots of Hardware Won by Downeast Wrestling Club

     

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  5. Tangled up in Wu

     

    Jon Reisman

    Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”- Walter Scott

    Liar, Liar, pants on fire”- various attributions, most recently credited to anyone exposed to Joe Biden, Adam Schiff, Anthony Fauci, Andrea Mitchell and/or White House spokesweenies.

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  6. Number One-Ranked Calais Blue Devils Dominate Class C North Tournament

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Quarterfinal

    Coach Dean Preston’s top-ranked Calais Blue Devils outscored the Penobscot Valley Howlers 46-36 in Maine Principals’ Association Class C North quarterfinal action on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

    The Blue Devils had three players in double digits in the victory.  Jacob Sockabasin paced Calais with 14 points, Jace Cook had 12, and Evan Gillespie had 11.

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  7. School Spirit on Full Display at Downeast Cheer Comp

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Calais High School was the place to be on Saturday, Feb. 25, for the 2023 Down East Cheering Invitational.

    According to organizer Calais Cheer Coach Heidi Ryan, this is the tenth year of the competition.  

    This year, it drew 10 different teams of various divisions, consisting of cheerleaders in grades pre-kindergarten through eight.

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  8. Dragons Eliminated from Tourney with Heartbreaking Loss

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    It was not the outcome hoped for by the number five seed Woodland Dragons when they met up with the number four seed Fort Fairfield Tigers on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Bangor’s Cross Insurance Center.  The matchup was a Class C North quarterfinal game in the Maine Principals’ Association Basketball Tournament.

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  9. Young Daisy Scout Sells Girl Scout Cookies in all 50 States

     

    Natalie Boomer

    [email protected]

    Maddison White, of Waite, is a five-year-old who has her eyes on the prize!

    Her goal as a first year Daisy Scout with Troop 2253 in Calais was to sell enough cookies to earn a free week at summer camp, but she didn’t stop there. 

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  10. Locally-made Barbecue Sauce Popping up in Area Stores

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Many may have been noticing lately a new barbecue sauce–On the Corner BBQ Sauce–on the shelves at local stores.  One thing that sets this particular one apart from the others is that it is made locally, right here in Washington County in Robbinston.

    Owners of On the Corner Farm Jason and Heidi Cronister only recently got their sauces in the local stores, but they are not new to creating the deliciousness.

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  11. Jace Cook Hits 1,000 Point Mark

     

    Congratulations to Calais High School basketball standout Jace Cook for scoring his 1,000th career point.  The shot came from beyond the three-point arc during the Blue Devils’ Maine Principals’ Association Class C semifinal 70-47 win over Fort Fairfield played on Friday, Feb. 24. Cook dropped in a game-high 31 points as the Blue Devils advanced to the Northern Maine finals. (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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  12. Dr. Sammis Retires After 38 Years of Practice in Washington County

     

    Sarah Craighead Dedmon

    She came Downeast intending to stay just a few years, but last Saturday, more than 150 people gathered to celebrate Dr. Cynthia Sammis’s retirement after 38 years of family practice in Washington County.

    “I literally grew up with all of you, I came from my residency program to here and was going to stay for four years, but you see how that worked out. It was a little bit longer,” Sammis told the gathering. “I fell in love with the place, the people.”

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  13. Missing Maine Women Located Two Hours from Calais

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Two women from Topsham, near Portland, who were reported missing on Wednesday, Feb. 22, were finally located on Sunday, Feb. 26.

    According to the Topsham Police Department, Kimberly Pushard and Angeal Bussell were located near Nicatous Lake in East Hancock, about two hours from Calais.

    On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Pushard, 51, and Bussell, 50, were reported missing by Topsham police.  

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  14. K-9 Memphis to Receive Bulletproof Vest

     

    Will Tuell

    A member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, K-9 Memphis, who has been on active duty with his handler, Deputy Toni Bridges, will be receiving some much-needed protection in the form of a bullet- and stab-proof protective vest courtesy of the nonprofit Vested Interest in K-9s later this winter. 

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  15. The Winds of War

     

    Jon Reisman

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  16. FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

    Preventing Derailment: Conquering Rancor by Building Unity

    It has become apparent that there are a lot of hurt feelings and rancor being disseminated on social media in Calais in regard to the current administration of Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry.  This must stop.  

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  17. Strout Proposes Bill to Set Minimum Hunting Age

    Strout Proposes Bill to Set Minimum Hunting Age 

     

    Will Tuell

    Representative Tiffany Strout (R-Harrington) presented a bill that would require youth hunters to be at least five years old during a public hearing before the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee Feb. 13. The bill, LD 261, would reinstitute a minimum hunting age after it was repealed for all species except moose in 2015. 

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  18. Food Pantry Addition Dedicated in Memory of Fr. David Sivret

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Many food pantry volunteers and church leaders came together on February 14, 2023 at Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry.  The purpose of the gathering was a special one, the dedication of the building’s new addition in memory and in honor of Fr. David Sivret.

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  19. Extra Warmth and Savings Delivered to Unsuspecting Oil Customers on Valentine’s Day

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    For the eighth consecutive year, the Maine Energy Marketers Association’s Fuel Your Love campaign took place all across the state on Valentine’s Day.  The program tops off the home heating fuel tanks of many area households, all to bring them joy, warmth, and savings.

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  20. Crews Receive Complimentary Valentine’s Day Lunch

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Around 25 members of local public works, fire and EMS personnel, and law enforcement enjoyed an appreciation lunch at Second Baptist Church of Calais on Valentine’s Day.

    The event was organized by Sally Doten, simply as a way to thank the men and women from Calais and Baileyville departments.

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  21. McDonald’s All-Stars Announced

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Eight Washington County student-athletes were selected as 2023 Maine McDonald’s High School All-Stars.

    For females, Jayden Anderson and Jaida Case, both from Machias, were chosen.  On the male side, there were six who made the list:  Damon Beal from Jonesport-Beals, Shane Feeney and Ethan Foss from Machias, Jace Cook and Jacob Sockabasin from Calais, and Ethan Monk from Woodland.

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  22. Something to Cheer About: Local Cheer Teams Sweep at Competition

     

    Calais Recreation Department’s cheer program, consisting of four teams, traveled to Ellsworth over the weekend to compete at the Crown Championship.  All four teams came home with hardware and a few additional awards, as well. 

    The “Rising Stars,” a group made up of little ones in grades kindergarten through two, coached by Jennifer Beers and Cadence Braughton, came home with a runner-up award in their division.

    The second through fourth grade “Shooting Stars” brought home first place. They are coached by Ashley Melhiser and Kirstie Cyr.

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  23. Calais Junior High Basketball Wins County Championship

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The girls on the Calais Junior High basketball team avenged an early season loss against a strong Cutler team on Friday, Feb. 10, to claim the regional champ title, to then advance to the county championship game on Monday, Feb. 13.

    In the regional game against Cutler, Calais won 40-25, with Olivia Turner scoring a game-high 20 points.  Twelve of those points came from beyond the three-point arc.

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  24. Bangor Savings Bank Supports Calais Community Hospital Mammography

     

    Bangor Savings Bank Foundation recently presented a $10,000 donation towards Calais Community Hospital’s fundraising campaign for a new digital mammography machine.  Bangor Savings Bank staff presenting the donation to CCH Community Relations Director DeeDee Travis (pictured third from left) were (l to r) Marisa Hernandez-Stow, Diane Hunnewell, Danielle Faulkner, Becky Perkins, and Samantha Phelps.  (Bangor Savings Bank photo)

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  25. Presidents and Precedents

     

    Jon Reisman

    2023 is just getting started, but the 2024 Presidential election is well under way. I would rather pay attention to spring training, but given the likely mediocrity (at best) of the Red Sox, my attention to Florida will be more on Tallahassee than Fort Myers.

    First, the Democrats:

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  26. CMHS Students Back in Class After Burst Water Pipes Force Closure

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    Calais Middle/High School students went back to class on Monday, Feb. 13 after water line breaks occurred on Sunday, Feb. 5, resulting in extensive damage to areas of the school.

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  27. Lawmakers Pressure Maine University System to End COVID Vax Mandate

     

    Will Tuell

    Forty-five Maine House Republicans submitted a letter to University of Maine Systems Chancellor Dan Malloy Feb. 10 urging him and the UMS Board of Trustees to repeal the system-wide COVID-19 vaccination mandate in the wake of a similar decision by the Maine Community College System (MCCS) earlier in the week. If approved, students attending college at one of the system’s seven campuses, including the University of Maine at Machias, would not be required to have the COVID-19 vaccine to take class.

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  28. Knights of Columbus Free Throw Competition

     

    The Knights of Columbus conducted its annual Free Throw Competition for kids ages 9 through 15 on February 4th at Calais Elementary School. The contestants each had to shoot their best out of 25 shots. Winners from this regional shoot will be able to participate at the State Free Throw Championships at the Old Town High School on Saturday March 11th. 

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  29. Calais Lady Blue Devils Earn Home Prelim Game

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the Lady Blue Devils hosted Washington Academy for their final regular game of the season.  In a close matchup, Calais was handed a 49-47 loss.

    According to Coach Sean Cavanaugh, Calais was led by seniors Nevaeh Thomas, with 16 points, and Mercedes Owen, with 10 points.  Each also had five rebounds and three steals.

    Calais’ third senior, Chiara D’Ercole, hit the game opener with a three point shot.  

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  30. Blue Devils Best Raiders at Senior Night Finale

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The next game played by the Calais Blue Devils won’t be until next week, when they hit the hardwood at Bangor’s Cross Insurance Center for the 2023 Maine Principals’ Association Basketball Tournament.  They will enter the Class C North tourney ranked number one when they play on Tuesday, Feb. 21, having earned a first-round bye. 

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  31. Doggy Daycare and Boarding Now Open

     

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  32. First Hoop Scores $2,500 for CHS Athletics

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    The First Hoop Program brought in $2,500 this season for the Calais High School Athletic Department.

    At the final home basketball game of the season, representatives from First National Bank were on hand to present the check, which was accepted by members of CHS's boys’ basketball team.  

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  33. Mills Administration Quietly Pursues Sale of Property Next to Bucks Harbor Prison

     

    Will Tuell

    Governor Janet Mills has submitted legislation allowing her administration to sell a 9.5-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Downeast Correctional Facility in Bucks Harbor, raising the ire of local lawmakers and town officials who learned of the proposal hours before it appeared on the House calendar last week. 

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  34. Legislature Lauds Maine Ham Radio Operators

     

    Ham radio operators are “unsung heroes” as they quietly volunteer to provide emergency communications in support of state and county emergency management agencies, other disaster relief organizations, and local communities. 

    State Senator Marianne Moore made this remark in the senate chambers at the State House in Augusta on February 2 after the joint resolution was read, lauding Maine’s amateur (ham) radio operators and recognizing World Amateur Radio Day. The senate members then stood and gave a long round of applause as several hams were in attendance.

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  35. Welcome to the Wonderful Woke World of Disney

     

    Jon Reisman

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  36. The Calais Advertiser Publisher Purchases Second Alabama Newspaper

     

    Sarah Craighead Dedmon

    Pierre Little, publisher of The Calais Advertiser and Machias Valley News Observer, has purchased the Union Springs Herald, one of Alabama’s oldest newspapers, and says he’s looking forward to working with the community in Bullock County, where the newspaper was founded in 1866. Little also publishes Alabama’s Southern Star, founded in 1867.

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  37. Bridging the Digital Divide with High-Speed Internet: The Arise of Downeast Broadband Utility

     

    Ricky Cleghorn

    This is part two of a two-part article providing information on Downeast Broadband Utility (DBU), the first and only municipal broadband utility in the State of Maine.

    In the second half of the interview with Dan Sullivan, president of Downeast Broadband Utility, he explained how an older grant program called the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is making it harder for certain Maine towns to take advantage of newer grant programs. 

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  38. Ranger News from East Range II School

     

    January has been full of outside winter fun as our Rangers have been participating in the WinterKids competition! Our students have been able to learn and implement fun ways to get outside and stay healthy and active during our state’s long winters. We’re currently in the last week of participation and have had lots of fun–especially enjoying healthy smoothies and homemade fruit and yogurt parfaits!

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  39. Storytime at Lincoln Memorial Public Library

     

    We held Storytime at the Lincoln Memorial Public Library in Dennysville last Wednesday. Ray Brown, a biologist at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, did a super job with all these enthusiastic little children, who really enjoyed learning about how animals deal with winter. 

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  40. Jace Cook Paces Calais with 41 Points in Win over Woodland

     

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  41. Nicole Cox, Brooke Smith Power Woodland over Calais

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Woodland Lady Dragons were hosted by the Lady Blue Devils at Calais High School where they handed the Blue Devils a 57-46 loss.  The outcome avenged an earlier 10-point loss against the Blue Devils for the Dragons.

    Woodland started their attack early, leading 14-4 after the first quarter, backed by Nicole Cox’s nine points, and never looked back.  

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  42. Pink Zone Game

     

    Coach Sean Cavanaugh’s Calais Blue Devils hosted Coach Mark Hornbrook’s Woodland Dragons on Saturday, Feb. 4 for the annual Pink Zone Game.  The event, sponsored by Calais Community Hospital and PCT Communications, raises awareness of breast cancer and the importance of breast cancer screening.  Both teams, shown here, donned pink shirts for pregame warmups, while many fans of both teams came also wearing pink.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

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  43. Burst Water Pipes Force Closure of Calais Middle/High School and Others

     

    Jayna Smith

    [email protected]

    At least four area schools were closed on Monday–with two of those with closures extended beyond that day–after record-breaking freezing temperatures and wind chills led to frozen and burst pipes.

    On Sunday evening, parents and students from Calais Middle/High School received word that school would be canceled on Monday, Feb. 6 due to water line breaks.

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  44. Can a Town Just Dissolve? Dennysville Considers De-organizing

     

    Joyce Kryszak, 

    Maine Monitor

    Once a thriving lumber community that dates back to the late 1700s, the humble town of Dennysville in far Downeast Maine now could be easily overlooked. Travelers zip along US Route 1 on their way to busier, more prosperous places, such as the City of Calais, 50 minutes farther east at the Canadian border.

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  45. Bye, Bye DEI?

     

    Jon Reisman

    The cold snap (February made me shiver) and our next President’s ongoing efforts to vaccinate Florida from the woke virus inspired me (with apologies to Don McLean):

    Long long time ago, I can still remember

    How diversity used to make me smile

    And I knew if I had my chance

    That I could make those divas dance

    And maybe they'd be happy for a while

    But February made me shiver

    With every lecture I'd deliver

    Bad news on the laptop

    Indoctrination had to stop

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