The Camron Roberts Memorial PeeWee Basketball Tournament raised $6,560 to donate toward the Machias Area Little League (MALL). Here, Cam’s Crew presents the funds to Corey Schwinn, MALL president. From left to right: Corey Schwinn, Jamie, Shelley and Connor Roberts and Camron’s girlfriend, Rylea Steeves. Photo courtesy Shelley Roberts.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Machias Town Manager Christina Therrien has announced her campaign for the District 6 senate seat soon to be vacated by Republican Joyce Maker. In January Maker announced she would not seek reelection. 

by Ruth Leubecker

Although MaineCare expansion remains firmly entrenched in the public eye, official reactions from other quarters signify foot-dragging and procrastination.

Medicaid (known in Maine as MaineCare) expansion was resoundingly affirmed by voters in November. Yet months after the fact, 80,000 Mainers are still waiting for their insurance coverage. 

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

An all-male revue and a forgotten town ordinance made for colorful conversation at the Machias Board of Selectmen meeting held Wednesday, March 14. 

A question received by the Machias Town Office caused town manager Christina Therrien to look into the books concerning the legality of Skywalker’s Bar and Grille Magic Mike tribute show, scheduled for March 16. “Magic Mike” is a 2012 movie about a group of male strippers.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

The statewide media and Downeast internet forums were on fire Thursday morning, March 15, with news that a superior court justice ordered the Department of Corrections (DOC) to reopen the Downeast Correctional Facility (DCF). 

In a television interview on Thursday afternoon, Governor LePage said he was unaware of any news relating to DCF. “No, you guys know about it,” said LePage. “I don’t know a thing about it.” His office did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday or Friday.

by Nancy Beal

At Jonesport’s town meeting March 12, the article that generated most discussion was the proposed purchase of a seven-acre spit of land on the southeast side of Sawyer’s Cove where, for over 100 years, the owners have allowed the town to operate a campground.

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

On the afternoon of Monday, March 12, a man armed with a weapon robbed another man outside of the Dollar Tree store on Route 1 in Machias. The victim was not physically harmed, and the robber escaped the scene.

The Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School notified parents that the school was put on a “soft lockdown” after the event occurred out of an abundance of caution. Though the regular school day had ended, students were still on the premises for afterschool activities.

NYU Dentistry and Washington County Children’s Program (WCCP), a program of Sunrise Opportunities, continues to partner to bring no-cost dental care to Downeast Maine. The 11th Dental Outreach in Machias will take place April 9 – April 13 (closed Thursday, April 12) at the Lee Pellon Event Center located at 90 Main Street, behind the Subway Restaurant.

G.L.O (get lit on) Volleyball night will take place from 5 – 10 p.m. at the University of Maine at Machias on Saturday, March 24.  Organized by University of Maine at Machias senior Samantha Penn, the event is a fundraiser for The Next Step Domestic Violence Project. Teams comprising UMM students and people from the community will compete against each other in this family-friendly event. To add to the fun, the event will be held under black lights, and the equipment and players will glow in the dark. 

Don’t forget to register for the upcoming little league baseball season. Visit us today at www.machiasarealittleleague.com to register. New and returning players must be registered no later than Saturday, March 24. New major baseball players must attend tryouts on Sunday, March 25 at 4 p.m. at Machias High School Gym.T-Ball, minor and softball registration closes on Monday, March 26.