Following its television premiere on Maine Public Television on Thanksgiving night (9 p.m.), the locally filmed and produced documentary Hungry Now will have its regional premiere at the University of Maine at Machias Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2.

“Hungry Now” brings you direct voices of “the hungry, the homeless, and the helpers” in a series of interviews with kids and adults who seem to walk their whole lives uphill in a nation of wealth and promise. The film aligns with “Voices From the Barrens” in UMaine’s “Right to Food” film series. 

by  Hazel Stark

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The Maine State Police this morning report that the Washington County Sheriff's Office was called to a "suspicious" incident in Cherryfield at 9:17 p.m. last night, Thursday, Nov. 17.

"Maine State Police detectives from Major Crimes Unit North were called to assist. Police do not believe there is an ongoing public safety risk," said MSP Communications Director Shannon Moss.

This story will be updated as more information is available.

by Nancy Beal 

The agenda of the Nov. 9 meeting of the school board that governs Jonesport-Beals High School listed recommendations for winter coaches, including names. The one for varsity girls’ basketball brought out several members of the team and their supporters, who were not happy with the choice.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon 

Responding to an increase in violent crime and a reduction in local state police coverage, Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis has asked the county to fund the hiring of four additional patrol deputies, a budget increase of almost $700,000, including equipment and cars. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon 

It’s election day afternoon in Machiasport, and voters are lined up in the short town office hallway waiting for their turn at the three-person voting booth. Machiasport’s old wooden ballot box has already been called into service once because the new ballot scanner wasn’t working. But it’s up and running now, and town clerk Marcia Hayward is glad. With it, she’ll be able to head home around 9:30 tonight.

Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce will kick off Way Downeast Christmas with a visit from Santa Clause and a Machias Christmas Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 3. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Guy Rouelle of consulting firm Dubois and King led off the most recent meeting of the  Machias Board of Selectmen, bringing an update on future plans for the Machias Valley Municipal Airport. Recently the airport installed a new fuel farm, a feature Rouelle said will be a game changer for pilots.

by Nancy Beal

Rumors abounded in Jonesport recently that the elementary school board and superintendent were conspiring to cancel eighth-grade graduation ceremonies and the class trip that traditionally follows brought over 40 Jonesporters to the JES library Nov. 2, where the school board was holding its monthly meeting. In a straw poll called for early in discussion, they registered unanimous opposition to the change.

bluShift Aerospace and the Maine Space Grant Consortium announced last week that they are collaborating with Educate Maine and MaxIQ Space to deliver K-12 Space STEM programs in two northern Maine counties. A member of their team will be traveling to Aroostook and Washington counties next Wednesday and Thursday to hold public educational forums.

Quoddy Voices, our region's community chorus, once again takes the stage with a pair of concerts on Friday, November 18, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, November 20, at 3 p.m., at Eastport Arts Center. The chorus’ program, ‘A Harvest of Song,’ celebrates the season of thanksgiving as well as the upcoming feast day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

All but one member of Washington County’s Augusta delegation will be a Republican, following the midterm elections held Tuesday, Nov. 8.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Service deferrals at a Penobscot County cancer care center mean Washington County cancer patients must drive even further for care, or delay it.

Almost all Washington County cancer patients receive treatments at the Lafayette Family Cancer Institute in Brewer, says East Machias Family Nurse Practitioner Christine Moulton, but three months ago, Lafayette stopped accepting most new patients. 

by Nancy Beal 

The inadvertent addition of three words to state-provided language for a liquor referendum in Jonesport has caused its selectmen to pull it from next week’s ballot and to post signs telling voters to ignore the question.

Down East Community Hospital made the upgrade to a Senographe Pristina™ mammography unit in 2021.  This system provided two-dimensional screenings as well as additional comfort.  We are happy to announce we purchased the upgrade to that system and can now offer three-dimensional screenings to our patients!

It is wonderful to see that the upcoming generation in the Downeast area is carrying on the traditional community commitment and connection that has lived on in this region for centuries.

On Oct. 7, the Machias Memorial High School JV and Varsity Volleyball teams hosted a Dig Pink volleyball game in support of October's Breast Cancer Awareness month.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Service deferrals at a Penobscot County cancer care center mean Washington County cancer patients must drive even further for care, or delay it.

Almost all Washington County cancer patients receive treatments at the Lafayette Family Cancer Institute in Brewer, says East Machias Family Nurse Practitioner Christine Moulton, but three months ago, Lafayette stopped accepting most new patients. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

All are invited to enjoy a harvest dinner together this Friday, Oct. 28, when the Community Caring Collaborative’s Annual Family Harvest Meal returns for its fourth year. The dinner will take place at the Lee Pellon Center, Route 1, Machias, from 4 to 6 p.m.

“We love to have this event that helps get a really healthy meal out to families when so many families are already in town,” said Community Caring Collaborative Executive Director Charley Martin-Berry. 

by Nancy Beal 

by Jonathan Reisman

The legislative candidates who hope to represent Cooper were invited to a forum at the Cooper Community Center (formerly the Grange) by the Select Board. On a rainy Tuesday evening, House District 10 Candidates Kenneth “Bucket” Davis (R-East Machias) and Melissa Hinerman (U-Machiasport) were joined by Senator Marianne Moore (R-Calais). Jonathan Goble (D-Cherryfield) did not respond to the invitation.

I e-mailed all the candidates the following:

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Washington Academy Boys Varsity soccer has ended its regular season play ranked second in Class C North with an undefeated 14-0 record. Local sports fans can support the team as they advance to their first quarterfinals game, to be held at home in East Machias on Wednesday, Oct. 26. As of press time, the time has not been set. See the website schedule link below for the most updated information.

Machias Savings Bank (MSB) announced today that it will donate $250,000 to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association’s (MLA) Save Maine Lobstermen campaign. The donation comes after a federal appeals court granted a motion to expedite the MLA’s appeal of a decision in its lawsuit against National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The MLA seeks to reverse what it calls a scientifically flawed federal whale plan that will cripple Maine’s lobster industry and negatively impact the economy of Maine and our coastal communities.