by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Many of us remember our childhood homes as idyllic, magical places. But in the case of Arnold Wass, few could accuse him of nostalgia. Because Wass’ childhood home was next to a lighthouse, and he spent his youth playing on an island.

Wass’ father was the head keeper of the Libby Island Light from 1919-1940. “I spent my boyhood on that island,” said Wass. “It was a wonderful place to grow up.” 

by Ruth Leubecker

An initiative to establish access to home care for thousands of disabled and senior Mainers is gaining signatures in a campaign to be placed on the November 18 ballot.

“It’s wrong that so many families in Washington County and across Maine have to make impossible choices to care for their loved ones,” said Mike Tipping, communications director of the Maine People’s Alliance. “No one should have to go deep into debt to care for their parents. No veteran should be forced from their home because they can’t afford care.”

by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

During the second public hearing on the matter held Sept. 27, the Machias Selectboard took feedback on a proposed mobile vending ordinance which would address merchants who sell on public property. 

The idea for the ordinance was brought to the selectboard’s attention due to reported conflicts between vendors on the Machias dike, and some concerns that their presence adversely impacts local brick and mortar businesses.

by Nancy Beal

Sara Gideon, a Freeport Democrat who is serving her first term as the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, is coming to Machias on Oct. 15 to speak before the Washington County Democratic Committee. It will be her second visit to the county group, the first having taken place in May, 2016.

Ian Robbins and Nicholas Blanchard were two of 115 students who attended a workshop at the Schoodic Institute last Tuesday, Sept. 26. Run by the Center for Coastal Fisheries, the event teamed students from the Eastern Maine Skippers Program together with panels of fishery experts to discuss their fields and the issues facing Maine’s fisheries. Robbins and Blanchard are both juniors at Narraguagus High School. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

In respect for the victims of the horrific shootings in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, Governor Paul R. LePage has directed the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff immediately until sunset on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017.

“Ann and I are incredibly saddened by the senseless shootings in Las Vegas,” said Governor LePage. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the innocent victims and the families who have been devastated by this unspeakable tragedy.”

by Bill Kitchen

Sailors long gone but newly remembered received a permanent plaque of recognition last week, some 120 years after perishing in a shipwreck, the result of an 1897 Down East gale. Two of five men from the schooner Julia A. Warr washed ashore on Little River Island and were buried there. The ship which sailed from Calais was lost, and the identity of the sailors entered on the island has remained a mystery until recently. 

Starting Sept. 25, we will begin the effort to mark over 200,000 endangered juvenile Atlantic salmon--and we’re looking for volunteers! This effort will take place at the Peter Gray Hatchery located at 13 Willow Street in East Machias. This is part of Downeast Salmon Federation’s ongoing research project—the Peter Gray Parr Project—to restore the Atlantic salmon population in the East Machias River. Fin clipping will continue for approximately three weeks after the start date.

The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is continuing to monitor an extensive bloom of the phytoplankton Karenia mikimotoi in the Casco Bay region. Based on aerial observations and shore based water sampling, the bloom appears to extend from Cape Elizabeth to the New Meadows River.  Phytoplankton counts from around the affected area were as high as 44 million cells per liter of seawater earlier in the week, but have significantly declined in most areas to less than 10,000 c/L based on sampling results from today (9/29).

Celebrating Father’s Day earlier this year with broad smiles are Peter (left) and Guenther Classen of Harrington. The Classens, who enrolled in Down East Hospice, are deeply appreciative of their experience working with volunteer Andy Cadot. Photo courtesy of Peter Classen. Story on Pg. 19.