Maine Drug Enforcement says three men were arrested on drug charges in the Washington County Town of Trescott overnight that evolved into a police standoff.  As part of an ongoing criminal investigation, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) and Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies served a search warrant at the home of Mark Fields on County Road in Trescott Wednesday evening 

Jayna Smith

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Woodland native Ryan Lincoln has quite a list of baseball accolades and coaching experience under his belt, and now he has even more to add to his ever-growing list.  Last week, Lincoln was named Director of Baseball Operations for the University of Maine Black Bears.

Jayna Smith

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Fiddleheads, the young coiled fronds of the ostrich fern, are a springtime delicacy in Maine and New Brunswick, and in other Northeastern states and Maritime provinces.  According to University of Maine Cooperative Extension, nearly all ferns have fiddleheads, but not all fiddleheads are edible. 

Due to State Mandate Regarding Large Gatherings 

Organizers of the Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival have officially pulled the plug on this year’s festival following Governor Mills’ news conference on Tuesday, April 28, in which she announced that no gatherings could be held in the state of Maine with more than 50 people until at least the first of September, to ensure the health and safety of residents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  This year’s festival was planned for July 25th and 26th.

By Jayna Smith

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On Saturday, May 2nd, barricades had to be placed in front of the former Over & Under Beef & Brew building, also known as the McAllister building, at 393 Main Street. This occurred after debris from the face and roof of the building was falling to the sidewalk below.

By Kaileigh Deacon

Spring is a long time coming in Maine, and the urge to get outside and be active builds as we push through the winter months of snow, ice, and cold. The anticipation of spring and finally being able to get outside in warmer weather is especially strong for kids and can make them just a little antsy.  At Calais Elementary School and other elementary schools around Washington County, the Masons have partnered with them to reward some lucky students for keeping the learning going at home with the Books for Bikes campaign.

Jayna Smith

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With businesses nationwide suffering amid the COVID-19 pandemic, border-town businesses have faced an added disruption with not only a decrease in American customers but also a decrease--or even a halt--in Canadian traffic.  Such is true at the two Calais-based Duty Free Americas (DFA) and its two convenience stores/gas stations, Hardwicke’s and Best Stop.  

Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) recently received $1,000 from United Way of Eastern Maine’s COVID-19 Response Fund. “This pandemic required a swift response in how we deliver services to the most vulnerable in our catchment area,” shared Ellen Bemis, CEO. “Behavioral health services are more critical than ever, and we are grateful for the help United Way of Eastern Maine (UWEM) has provided.”

By Jayna Smith

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By Natalie Boomer, Pierre Little

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Editor’s Note: Wearing a mask helps protect the common good and health of everyone in the community at times of pandemic and is an act of kindness and it is not a political act.

Jayna Smith

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Since 1974, the International Homecoming Festival has been a significant event for the City of Calais and Town of St. Stephen.  Celebrating the long-standing friendship between the two communities, the festival brings many to the area to celebrate events on both sides of the border and always gives the local economy a boost. This year, however, International Homecoming Festival joins the long list of canceled summer 2020 events.  

A Harp Seal on the beach in Lubec, taken on Earth Day! (Photo by Angie Cummings)

A chipmunk. (Photo by Donna Melanson)

Jayna Smith

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Calais Lions Club has been part of the community since it was chartered in 1940, making it one of the city’s longest-running civic organizations.  Although a small group of men, the organization contributes approximately $20,000 annually to local charities.  

Jayna Smith

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The Calais Waterfront Walkway has seen lots of foot traffic in recent weeks.  Many people are taking advantage of the weather to begin some physical exercise, while others are playing a fun game of hide and seek.  This particular hide-and-seek game, however, is not your traditional one.  It is played by kids–and kids at heart–wishing to brighten up the route.

Jayna Smith

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Last Thursday and Friday, volunteers at Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry kept busy providing curbside pickups of food boxes.  

The boxes, according to food pantry director Fr. David Sivret, included a mixture of cereals and canned goods.  Also available were apples, potatoes, chicken, fish sticks, sliced ham, and pork patties, among other items.  The goods were supplied from USDA/Good Shepherd Food Bank.  

What a wonderful surprise! Meg & Moxie Rothberg (PAWS adopter and ME Coon alum) made hand crafted masks for our staff! These colorful animal prints have really brought cheer and hope to everyone, including the kitties who couldn’t understand a word we were saying through our folded bandanas! We can’t thank you enough! (Facebook photo)

By Jayna Smith

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With warmer weather now upon us, many will be spending more time outdoors.  This means it’s an especially good time to get into the habit of checking for ticks, small bloodsucking parasites,  many of which transmit diseases to animals and people.

By Kaileigh Deacon

For many, the only thing that gets them through their day is knowing that when they get home they have their families waiting there for them, especially the furry ones! With a number of businesses changing the way they do things or are forced to close until the gathering restrictions for the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted, PAWS animal shelter in Calais is still open for business, though a bit modified.

Local Border Patrol Agents recently donated 213 pounds of food, along with $150 in cash, to Irene Ecumenical Food Pantry, to assist during the pandemic with the increased number of people using the food pantry.  (Facebook photo)

The Washington County Commissioners yesterday delivered a letter to Governor Janet Mills stating that rural Maine occupies a unique position relative to the coronavirus pandemic, and asking the governor to include the three most rural counties in conversations about how to reopen the state for business. 

The full text of the letter appears here: