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.

On Wednesday, April, 12th, Princeton Elementary School’s boys’ basketball team won the Eastern Washington County Championship against Sipayik. Pictured are (front) Lenny Bethal, Cameron Dwelley, Nolan Sewell, Evan Monk, Levi Noyes, Jackson Bryant. (back) Coach Mike Dwelley, Deejay Moholland, Micah Chesebrough, Alex Chesebrough, Ayden Cochran, Landon Dwelley, and Assistant Coach Scott Monk.  Not pictured are Nathaniel Mercier and Ryan Campbell. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Monk)

Will Tuell

With the arrival of sunny skies and warmer weather, Washington County saw two high-profile forest fires this past week – a 65-acre blaze in Wesley on Monday and an eight-acre fire in Johnson’s Cove Friday, according to the Maine Forest Service, which assisted fire departments across the region with both conflagrations Although no cause has been given for either fire or a trio of smaller burns north of Columbia Falls, Rangers said via social media on Sunday that over 100 wildfires have been reported statewide so far this spring. 

Jayna Smith

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More than 20 residences and businesses were part in hosting the third annual Calais Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday.

Also hosting was the National Honor Society from Calais High School, as they do each year.  Members volunteered for this community event with a hunt behind Calais Elementary School.  

Jayna Smith

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The Calais Lioness Club was honored to have four of its founding members present last week for their annual Charter Night celebration.  

Attending from the original group was Norma Van Devander and Ann Boyd, both of whom are still active members of the club, along with Mary Hazelwood and Donna Madsen.

Jayna Smith

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At the end of last month, some residents of Calais were notified via a letter from Olver Associates that the water, sewer, and drain utility construction along Main Street would soon be resuming, and as of April 3, it has begun.

The Brendan Leddy Memorial Fund (BLMF), powered by the Calais Skatepark Committee, met 10 youth skateboarders at 7 a.m. this past Saturday for a road trip to the Bath Indoor Skatepark.

The BLMF made sure these riders were geared up with helmets, knee pads, skateboards, and of course snacks and drinks, for the 400+ mile van ride to Bath, Maine.  

Jayna Smith

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The Woodland High School baseball team is back with a big roster again this year.  First-year Dragon baseball coach Ryan Lincoln said 18 make up his roster this year and he believes he has plenty of firepower for the mound.

The Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry was recently gifted a full box of non-perishables that were collected at Downeast Credit Union.  Those at the pantry express their appreciation and remind folks that donations from community members are an important part of keeping the pantry doors open and people food secure in the greater-Calais area.

Jayna Smith

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Last week, many reacted very favorably to a post to the Facebook page of State Cinemas when long-time manager Sue Carter announced she had taken over operation of the movie theater.

Jayna Smith

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Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of Narcan–a brand-name of naloxone–without the need for a prescription.  Advocates say the improved access to the life-saving drug combats the overdose crisis, which includes more than 100,000 deaths each year in the U.S.