Ricky Cleghorn

On October 10th, the Walmart stores located in Calais and Houlton will stop accepting Canadian dollar currency.

The Walmart located in Presque Isle has already stopped accepting Canadian cash, effective October 1st.

The changes of policy at these Walmarts are just the most recent implements of the company's new country-wide cash policy.  

Jayna Smith
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Coach Kris Siering’s Lady Dragons soccer has added some more Ws to the book, with recent wins over Shead and Calais.

Losses included games against Penobscot Valley and Penquis, with a 3-3 tie against Bangor Christian.

Congratulations to Nicole Cox, who netted her 50th high school career goal at a recent game.

With so much technology all around us, it can be easy to forget about all that nature has to offer.

On Saturday, September 24th, Washington County Community College hosted its 3rd annual Learning and Growing from the Outside In event. This year’s theme was outdoor adventure play.

This day-long training was intended for people who work in early childhood education including family childcare, center-based childcare, and early public-school teachers.

The day consisted of various learning opportunities for educators.

Jayna Smith
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A new fire chief for the City of Calais has been named.  At a city council meeting earlier this month, Calais Fire-EMS Captain Bill Lee’s appointment to Chief by City Manager Mike Ellis was confirmed by council.

Lee is a 35-year veteran of the fire service, having begun his career in Calais back in 1987.  Over the years, he has worked himself through the ranks, including having done a five-year stint as Fire Chief for the Town of Lincoln.  

Washington County community members gathered at Triangle Park in Calais on September 18th and marched in the rain for suicide awareness in the Out of the Darkness Walk. (Photo by Chad Woodruff)

Jayna Smith
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has finally announced the end to the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app.  The long-awaited announcement came on Monday, September 26, 2022, with the end date for the required use of the app set for Friday, September 30.  

 Jayna Smith
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The Blue Devils boys’ soccer team, coached by Brian Moreau, was busy last week with another three games played.

On Monday, the Blue Devils hosted Bucksport at home.  

The Golden Bucks led at the half, 1-0, and picked up another 5 goals in the second, outscoring the Blue Devils 6-0.

Republican John “Jake” Chambers, of Calais, will be on the ballot in November to represent House District 9, which stretches from Eastport to Grand Lake Stream along the county’s eastern edge. Chambers has been busy campaigning throughout the area, most recently in Grand Lake Stream, where he said his efforts were very well received.  

Jon Reisman

Jayna Smith
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“We are doing what we feel is necessary to provide a safe and open environment that sometimes involves putting in place rules and regulations that are different from another time,” Superintendent Ron Jenkins said at last Wednesday’s school board meeting of Calais High School’s newly-implemented bathroom policy.

Tom Brennan, a Revolutionary War reenactor from Robbinston, joined, from left,  Theresa Farnsworth and Cathy Johnson, members of the  Hannah Weston Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, as they displayed a copy of the United States Construction on Saturday, Sept. 17, Constitution Day, celebrating the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution. The trio were part of a group that gathered at the Burnham Tavern Museum in Machias to  take part in the nationwide celebration of Constitution Day by ringing “Bells Across America.” (Submitted photo)

This column once stood in the core of the South Tower, probably between floors 30 and 33.  During the tower's collapse, extreme stresses caused this multi-ton piece of steel to fold over onto itself.  Three of the four welds that held the column together split open.  (Photo from National September 11 Museum by Jayna Smith)

Becky and Jerry Green presenting a $2,000 check toward the restoration of the Waite Talmadge Congregational Church.  Becky and Jerry have been instrumental in the restoration effort! The check is being received by Stephanie Chaffee of Talmadge. Thanks to all who have helped support this most worthy effort.  The community yard sale on September 3rd was supported by the Waite General Store and very successful. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith
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At a three-mile race hosted by Washington Academy on Wednesday, September 7, Calais runners had strong finishes.  

First for girls was Bailey O’Rourke, with a time of 26:23.

Phillip Bassett finished in 22:13, earning him the fourth place finish, followed by Jason Socabasin, 24:18, in fifth.

Keegan Trainor was next for Calais in ninth place with a time of 26:04.

Frank Miliano grabbed the tenth spot in 28:35 and Ike Soucy the twelfth in 32:44.

Jayna Smith
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On September 11, 2001, two commercial airplanes were flown into the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center–one at 8:46 a.m., another at 9:03 a.m.–resulting in the collapse of the buildings.  

Jayna Smith
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On Saturday, September 10, Calais Fire-EMS hosted a training with LifeFlight of Maine at its Red Beach Station.

According to Calais Fire Chief Bill Lee, more than 30 people attended the training, which, he said, was available to all area departments.

The EMS training included Life Flight Network operations, landing zone setup and coordination, patient loading, and safety around the aircraft.

Natalie Boomer
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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will be back in Washington County on Sunday, September 18th for the annual Downeast Maine Suicide Awareness Walk.

Community members will come together to remember those lost by suicide, support those who have been affected by the loss of a loved one, and bring awareness to suicide and mental health conditions.

Calais Elementary School fourth grade students, along with Travis McGivery, representing the Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry, hold homemade banana bread. Mrs. Batson and Ms. Boomer's classes make banana bread several times a year to donate to the food pantry.  The task allows students to gain skills in following directions, cooperating with one another, and math, with the use of fractions and measuring.  Most of all, the students love that the bread making goes to a great cause. (Submitted photo)

Jayna Smith
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Calais Lioness Club recently installed its new officers, with Mary Jean Redding now at the helm as president.
Redding was sworn in by outgoing president Theresa Porter.

Lorraine Mitchell will serve as vice president, while Laurel Perkins will continue her role as the  club’s treasurer and Jayna Smith as secretary.

Jayna Smith
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Since Downeast Recovery Support Center opened its doors in Calais in 2019, it has brought many in the community together to not only support recovery, but also to celebrate recovery.  The center provides trainings and workshops and serves as a safe haven for anyone wishing to learn about or who is in or is seeking recovery.