Karen M. Polley, 73, passed away peacefully in her home after a brief battle with ovarian cancer on December 16, 2020. She was born in Calais, Maine on May 15, 1947 to Leo L. and Ruth E. (Durling) Kneeland of Wesley, Maine. The second of three children, she is predeceased by her elder sister, Donna (Kneeland) Eagan, and younger brother, Leo L. Kneeland Jr. She attended Calais High School and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maine. Karen spent the last 30 years helping families in DownEast Maine as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Donald Trump incited a riot on January 6th. In doing so, he destroyed much of what he accomplished, validated the complaints about his narcissism, divisiveness and character flaws, and invalidated the legitimate grievances of his 75 million supporters about stolen elections, Black Lives Matter and Antifa “mostly peaceful” violence, arson and riots, media bias and leftist hypocrisy. He managed to legitimize the Biden crime family and provide aid and comfort to the very socialists and leftist tyranny he opposed. 

Jayna Smith

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A bill that could come before Maine’s 130th legislature, one that would suggest decriminalizing use or possession of class W, X, Y and Z drugs, is being introduced by Rep. Anne Perry (D-Calais).  

Natalie Boomer 

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Snow has finally made its way into Washington County and many have been patiently waiting to start partaking in fun winter sports and activities. 

The Town of Baileyville usually has a skating rink for families in the area and this year will not be any different.

“Just waiting on some colder weather for the ice to thicken up. 

Jayna Smith

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Plans to build 50 sustainably-designed homes at Howard Lake are in works for the development group Sustainable Community Partners (SCP), according to one of its four members, Randall Solomon, who lives in New Jersey.  

On Wednesday, Dec.

Kaileigh Deacon 

The days are shorter and darker but are starting to get longer. We’ve finally left 2020 in the past, so despite the snow-covered ground, things are looking up. The start of a new year can mean changes and opportunities. The new year has resulted in a new restaurant for Main Street in Calais.

Jayna Smith

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On Monday night, Jan. 4, Eastport City Council met for “a hearing on a Request for a Notice of Appeal” to the council “by an Employee with Regard to Termination of Employment.”  After approximately two hours of discussion, the council voted in favor to reinstate Police Chief Peter Harris.

Jayna Smith

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Jayna Smith

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Water rescue training provides first responders with knowledge and skills required to safely and effectively respond to rescue and recovery events in, on, and around the water.  That type of training came in handy for members of Princeton Fire Department on Monday when they were called to an incident involving a man in the water.

Bonnie Lyons

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We will not be having church services again until Palm Sunday.

Helen Brooks is shining the front window of the church in memory of her husbands brother Charles Brooks. He was killed when his platoon landed in Italy on December 24, 1943. He was only 19 years old. See photo below.

In the past year, we have been living in extremely difficult times that stressed our community and we had struggles.  However, from these difficulties, our resolve has strengthened with a solid response to the pandemic.  We are saddened for those in the community that have passed away from the virus.  Our prayers are with their loved ones and for their recovery.  We are extremely grateful to our health care workers, Calais Regional Hospital and all first responders who are keeping us safe and healthy.

Jayna Smith

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When people think of Christmas gifts, sometimes the older population is not the first to be thought of.  This was not the case this year for residents at area assisted living facilities, thanks to the generosity of local woman Tomi Ellsmore, along with some help from others, who made sure every resident received a gift.

Jayna Smith

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Last month, in an effort to spread some much-needed cheer, residents were encouraged to decorate their home for the holidays, perhaps a bit earlier than usual.  Businesses and individuals were quick to offer up prizes for a contest, and well over 100 people requested to be put on the “List of Lights,” which allowed for folks to travel around town to enjoy the lights without missing any of the fantastic displays.

Kaileigh Deacon 

In a world of technology and instant access to information, it’s hard for some to imagine what the appeal of paper between two covers can be, but for many, it’s the pathway to the imagination as well as a life of learning and growing. For the local non-profit Blue Devil Fund, they understand the importance of reading and giving that gift to kids to build strong foundations. 

The Angel Trees at St. Croix Tissue and Woodland Pulp were both colorful and overflowing with wrapped gifts last week.  752 tags were picked off the Angel Trees around the mill and filled by employees for local children.  

That number was up almost 200 tags from last year.  Mill employees responded with additional generosity this year to the many unexpected financial struggles that have come with 2020.

The gifts will be delivered to students at schools in Baileyville, Princeton, and Topsfield in hopes of  helping those children have a merrier Christmas. 

Senator Marianne Moore has been reappointed to serve as the lead Republican senator on the legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. This will be her second term on the committee. At a time when a global pandemic dominates the news the work of this committee will be more important than ever, and Sen. Moore will be certain that the voices of Washington County and the Hancock County towns in her district will be heard in Augusta.

Jayna Smith

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In an effort to spread some holiday cheer and show some appreciation for law enforcement officers, a local woman teamed up with others to purchase gift cards for each officer of Baileyville Police Department.

Jayna Smith

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On the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 9, social media reports from many in the area noted “rattles” and “rumbles.” According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 3 earthquake occurred around 7:30 a.m.  It had a depth of roughly 4.784 miles.

The epicenter of the quake was at Trimble Mountain, and its effects were felt as far away as Baileyville.  No damage was reported.

“God can move mountains with the smallest gesture of kindness!”

The words of Marc Podschlne, the director of faith formation of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, are an absolute truth embraced by the children of Immaculate Conception Church in Calais and St. James the Greater Church in Baileyville.

“Last week, they colored, drew pictures on, and personalized Christmas cards for the residents of Washington Place, an assisted living home in Calais,” said Podschlne.

Senator Marianne Moore at her seat during “Swearing-In Day” for the Maine State Senate at the Augusta Civic Center on December 2. Now that the 130th Maine Senate has convened, committees will begin their legislative work in January. Senator Moore was reelected in November to represent Senate District 6 which includes the municipalities of Gouldsboro, Sullivan, Winter Harbor and part of East Hancock Unorganized Territory in Hancock County and all municipalities and unorganized territories in Washington County. (Submitted photo)