Bishop Johnny Chambers was awarded the 2025 We Believe Change Marker Award at the annual gala on Friday, April 4. Selected from over 800 nominees across the Maritime Provinces, Chambers received the highest number of nominations, a testament to the widespread recognition of his compassionate leadership and far-reaching impact.

During the week of March 24, 2025, 32 middle school students and 12 staff from Maine Indian Education’s three schools – Indian Island School, Indian Township School, and Sipayik Elementary School – journeyed to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for a transformative STEM experience hosted by the Beaver Works Summer Institute @ MIT. 

In 2022, Dead River Company donated a truck it could no longer use to Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology in Columbia.

Over the past two years, many students at the career and technical education (CTE) Center have had a hand in refurbishing the vehicle for use as a Class B training truck. Most of the heavy lifting was done by Jason Tyler and his diesel class. The welding technology students also played a big part in the truck body’s reconstruction.

Jayna Smith

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Until recently, cross-border travel was a routine part of life for many in the area. Now, for both travelers and businesses, understanding what to expect at the U.S.-Canada border regarding tariffs and import regulations is crucial to avoid unexpected costs. To help clear up common concerns, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided insights on how tariffs and duties apply to goods entering Maine from Canada.

Last Saturday, March 29, 2025, the Calais Beckett Center basketball team showcased their talent and determination at the Basketball Special Olympics in Orono, bringing home an impressive second-place finish. Congratulations to the team on their outstanding achievement! (Submitted photo)

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Sipayik Elementary School has been nationally recognized for pioneering the implementation of electric school buses in rural Tribal communities. The initiative, which has successfully electrified the school bus fleet at Sipayik Elementary School on the Pleasant Point (Sipayik) Reservation, was featured in a prominent national publication as part of their Electric School Bus Series.

Join Maine Master Naturalists as a rite of spring is observed, while watching for the evening dance of the American woodcock and new sounds of spring at the Woodcock Walks on April 4, 11, and 25 at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. 

The walks begin at 7 p.m., or 30 minutes before sunset. Participants will meet in the upper parking lot by bathrooms. Bring a flashlight with red covers, and binoculars will be provided. Dress warmly. 

The walk, sponsored by Fundy Audubon and Friends of Moosehorn, will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain. 

Jon Reisman

I am more than ready for Spring, so the fresh, wet, white blanket that I observed at sunrise several days after spring had allegedly sprung was worth at least a question mark, but the preceding days of melting, initial raking, and garden prep, and baseball dreams were sufficient to somewhat salve the political and policy pounding Governor Mills and her Democratic legislative majorities have been so kindly administering to me, rural Maine, and the 2nd Congressional District.

Jayna Smith

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Patagonia, a well-known outdoor clothing company, has filed a lawsuit against Maine-based retailer Marden's Surplus and Salvage, accusing the company of knowingly selling counterfeit products.

Jayna Smith

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Spring officially arrived on Thursday, March 20, with only remnants of snow in sight — a few small piles left over from previous plowing, offering a glimpse of warmer days ahead. However, by Sunday morning, residents of the St. Croix Valley awoke to a fresh blanket of snow, marking an abrupt return to winter conditions.

Downeast Credit Union and Insurance has wrapped up the first year of its Downeast Dunker program, raising funds for five Maine schools throughout the basketball season.

The new Washington County Public Safety Building, which will house the Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement entities, is nearing completion. County Manager Renee Gray  briefed County Commissioners John Crowley, Billy Howard, and Chairman David Burns at their March 20 meeting, saying that the project should be completed by mid-April, just a week behind the original schedule and still under budget. An official ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for sometime in May, (Photos courtesy Paul Sylvain)

Jon Reisman

At the heart of green liturgy is the holy concept of sustainability. Everyone wants to be sustainable, but actually defining it in practice has proven wholly unlikely. Sustainability is often explained with the saying, “Don’t eat the seed corn,” or managing our resources in a manner that doesn’t reduce the opportunities of future generations. As a practical policy matter, what is or is not sustainable depends on baseline and future assumptions about technology, human behavior, and the planet/nature.

Jayna Smith

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After serving the community for many decades, the Waite General Store will officially close its doors for good on March 31, marking the end of an era for the small town of Waite. The store has long been a staple of the community, offering everything from milk and eggs to moose tags and friendly conversation.

Jayna Smith

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On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Calais City Council met for its regular meeting, with Mayor Marcia Rogers presiding over Councilors Mike Sherrard, Elery Beale, Pete Foster, Bill Quinn, and James Macdonald. Councilor Kevin Niles was absent from the meeting.

What follows is a brief summary of the meeting, with the full meeting available for viewing on the City of Calais’s Facebook page.

On March 14, 2025, all AOS 90 staff had the opportunity to participate in Wellness Day, a biennial event dedicated to promoting health and well-being. Staff from across the district came together to engage in a variety of activities, including yoga, hiking, cooking classes, crafting, drawing, forestry and environmental activities, pickleball, weightlifting, and more.

After months of hard work, this event provided a much-needed opportunity for staff to reconnect, relax, and focus on their well-being.

Paul Sylvain

Machias Historical Society and Revolutionary War Reenactors of Downeast Maine member Joe McBrine reports that work is continuing at a fever pitch in preparation for the upcoming 250th celebration of the 1775 Battle of the Margaretta, considered by the U.S. Navy to be the first naval engagement of the American Revolution

Jon Reisman

Amid increasing contretemps over Trump, tariffs, taxes, and transgender toxicity, I watched the Soros backed, matching blood-red shirt, pro-Hamas/anti-Israel/antisemitic protest/rant at Trump Tower in Manhattan Thursday afternoon, followed by the blood-red lunar eclipse moon at 2 a.m. Friday. 

Jayna Smith

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Last month, area fire crews responded to a devastating blaze at 319 River Road in Calais. The home, owned by Pete and Brandi Cline, was completely destroyed.

Peter and Brandi, a beloved teacher at Calais High School, their daughter, Jenna, a well-known student and friend to many, and their son, Josh, a college student, lost all their belongings and pets. 

Paul Sylvain 

Former Maine Game Warden and Master Guide David Craven of Bucks Harbor is speaking out against a bill to restrict coyote hunting in Maine after defeating a similar bill during the last legislative session. Craven, now a respected shepherd who has judged international competitions in the field, joined popular talk radio host Ric Tyler Feb. 28 to discuss LD 716, “An Act to Restrict the Hunting of Coyotes,” prior to a March 3 public hearing on the issue in Augusta. 

Jayna Smith

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The American Red Cross is bringing its Home Fire Campaign to Calais on Friday, April 26, offering free smoke alarm installations for individuals and families in need. This program works to improve home safety and preparedness by ensuring that residents have working smoke alarms and a plan in case of fire.