by Hazel Stark

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Area law enforcement is seeking information that could lead to the arrest of the thief or thieves responsible for stealing hemp from the fields of Schoppee Farm in East Kennebec, Machias.  

Farm co-owner Ben Edwards said the theft was discovered during a routine inspection of the crop, and could have taken place over the weekend of Sept. 14-15. It also appears to have been done by someone with knowledge of cannabis plants, because they only took the flowers. 

By Pierre Little, Publisher and Managing Editor

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Last winter, Machias voters overwhelmingly approved an ordinance allowing medical marijuana sales in Machias. Now, the Machias Board of Selectmen is preparing language for a recreational, or adult use, marijuana ordinance that would govern its sale, should residents vote to adopt it.

In 2016, Maine voters approved a referendum legalizing recreational marijuana. At that time, Machias voters narrowly opposed the measure, with 501 opposed and 486 in favor.

by Nancy Beal

The issue of when and how Jonesport and Columbia Falls would separate themselves from the Pleasant River Solid Waste Disposal District, a topic that has received regular attention since those towns voted last March to step away, came up only tangentially at the district board’s regular monthly meeting September 9, but a new face heralded that it would surely come up again.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

After 25 years in the car sales business, Dalton Munson decided to retire. He ran an advertisement in this newspaper thanking his customers, closed the doors on Munson’s Auto Sales and sat back to relax. That lasted about 15 minutes.

“A little while went by, and I got a little bored, not too much to do,” said Munson. “My wife picked up the newspaper one day and read in there where they were looking for someone to deliver the paper.”

by Jayna Smith

The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), a Canadian organization whose mission is to conserve and restore wild Atlantic salmon and their ecosystems, announced last week that its researchers have removed 58 aquaculture-raised salmon attempting to enter the Magaguadavic River through the St. George, N.B. fishway.

by Ruth Leubecker

Although resolution is allegedly close at hand, Calais Regional Hospital and its nurses remain locked in position. Despite attempts to find common ground, mediation remains unsuccessful, and lately nonexistent.

When asked about a possible next date for talks, DeeDee Travis, CRH vice president of community relations, claimed several days ago, “This is our final offer.”

by Nancy Beal

Lewis Collins of Hallowell has taken over the reins in the superintendent’s office at Union 103, and reported to the two elementary school boards September 11 that he was “getting out and about…and learning who’s who and what issues are important to everyone.” Union 103 is made up of Beals and Jonesport Elementary Schools and Jonesport-Beals High School.