Monday, May 8: Calais 9 vs. Jonesport-Beals 14

Tuesday, May 9: Calais 21 @ Lee Academy 11

Thursday, May 11: Calais 2 vs. Machias 29

Friday, May 12: Calais 18 @ Shead 9

Jayna Smith

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Crews from Perry Volunteer Fire Department and Eastport Fire Department assisted Pleasant Point Fire Department in battling a blaze that started in the early hours on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

According to Maine State Police, the call came in around 1:15 a.m. to a home at Bayview Lane in Pleasant Point.  

Jayna Smith

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The Calais City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 11, 2023 with Mayor Artie Mingo presiding over Councilors Kevin Niles, Mike Sherrard, Marcia Rogers, and Ellery Beale.  Not present were Mark Carr and James Macdonald.

City Manager Mike Ellis stressed that the downtown businesses through the Main Street construction project are open.  Access to those businesses is open alongside the construction.

Jayna Smith

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At the recently-held Volunteer Appreciation Day hosted by Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Ike Winchester was recognized for his extensive volunteerism with the organization.

Winchester has volunteered with EAAA for the last three years.  His involvement includes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program in Eastport and Calais, the Washington County CSFP delivery route for Furry Friends Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels.

Jayna Smith

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The Main Street water/sewer project continues, and according to one worker from the construction company in charge of the project, the section from Church Street to Elm Street will be completed by June 1. 

Until then, that section of the street remains closed except for those vehicles with a destination inside the work zone, such as to a residence or a business.  There is a lane open for those vehicles only to pass through.  

Jayna Smith

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On Wednesday, May 3, the Calais Blue Devils hosted the Lee Academy Pandas.

Lee Academy jumped out quickly with a 2-0 lead and never looked back, beating the Blue Devils 8-3.

Ryley Case threw six strong innings for Calais, allowing only five hits.

Ethan Barnard and Kaeson Dana each had two hits for the Blue Devils.

On Friday, May 5, Calais traveled to Houlton for a doubleheader against the Shires.  

Jayna Smith

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Ian Pratt and his automobile dealerships support many local causes throughout the year.  One such cause Pratt has been a long-time supporter of is Down East Hospice Volunteers, and last week, he made his annual donation to the organization and challenges others to do the same.

Jayna Smith

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Although a faulty decision with absolutely no basis whatsoever within the framework of U.S. Constitution, the Roe v. Wade decision forced a horrendous nation-wide requirement on the entire citizenry of the United States of America.

Currently, because the U.S. Supreme Court finally vacated its earlier constitutional error, we finally at least temporarily have the opportunity to debate both any arguable merits for, as well as various readily availability alternatives to abortion, absent the malicious national incumbrance caused by Roe v. Wade. 

Jayna Smith

A familiar face to the Calais School Department will return, effective July 1, as superintendent of schools.

Mary Anne Spearin, former Calais Middle/High School Principal for over six years, was selected to fill the role currently held by Ron Jenkins, who will retire. 

Will Tuell

Will Tuell

For the second time in three weeks, Maine Forest Rangers, Wesley firefighters, and those from neighboring communities responded to a wildfire that charred part of the Route 9 community’s remote landscape last Friday afternoon (April 28). The blaze, contained at 27 acres, scorched blueberry land and some adjoining woodland, but was contained before it spread much further according to the Wesley Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page. 

Will Tuell

A bill sponsored by Representative Ken “Bucket” Davis (R-East Machias) to require Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) to split the state’s fall bear hunting season into two distinct parts received impassioned testimony from landowners, guides, and hunters in the Legislature’s IFW committee April 24. Davis, who sponsored the bill at the request of Machiasport bear hunters Brian and Joyce Smith, explained that he did so in an attempt to reduce conflict between hunters who use dogs to hunt bear and those who bait them. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

A wind storm that hit early Monday morning knocked out power to thousands of Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative (EMEC) customers, including 100 percent of their Washington County customers and some customers in Aroostook County. 

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning from 8 p.m. Sunday, April 30, to 10 a.m. on Monday, May 1, anticipating gusts up to 50 m.p.h. Along the coast.

Last Friday evening, many gathered at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge for the annual salamander walk.  According to its Facebook post, several spotted salamanders were seen, but were unable to be caught.  “Thankfully we had some young expert amphibian and insect catchers along with us, so folks got to see and hold spotted salamanders, spring peepers, wood frogs, green frogs, and a variety of aquatic insects,” the post read.  (Photos by John Magera, USFWS)

Woodland’s Seth Nicholas beats the throw to earn a single in the team’s season opener last week, when the Dragon picked up a 7-1 win over Narraguagus.  (Photo by Jayna Smith)

Ricky Cleghorn

Kendall Farm, located at 20 Kendall Lane in Perry, is getting ready to host the second ever Rhubarb Festival, now an annual event held every year on the first Saturday in June. 

In 2022, Georgiana Kendall organized and hosted the very first Rhubarb Festival.  The focus, of course, is around the perennial plant with wide green leaves and vibrant red, edible stalks.

Jayna Smith

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Woodland softball had its season opener last week at a home game against the Narraguagus Knights on Wednesday, April 19.

Pitching for the Knights dominated the game as they handed the Dragons a 13-0 loss with Nicole Cox having the only hit for Woodland.

The Dragons bounced back on Saturday, April 22, when they traveled to Lee Academy, beating the Pandas 24-0.

$3.8 Million Awarded for Pre-Design Services at Ferry Point

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded a contract for architectural and engineering services in support of the new Land Port of Entry (LPOE) at Calais Ferry Point, Maine.

Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, GSA awarded the $3,802,684 contract to Morphosis. Under this contract Morphosis will provide pre-design, concept, design development, construction documentation and construction procurement services.

Jayna Smith

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Thanks to connections from a firefighter new to the Princeton roster, the department there has acquired a Hurst Jaws of Life unit. 

Jayna Smith

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It’s April, when gardeners decide what to keep and what to discard in their perennial gardens, said Jane Eaton, and now those unwanted plants can be donated to Calais Downtown Revitalization Coalition’s upcoming plant sale.

Jayna Smith

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Voluntary road tolls are a pretty common occurrence in Calais during the warmer months when charitable and non-profit organizations anxiously await for passers to stop and donate to their respective causes.