Down East
Cutler man gets 3 years, ordered to pay nearly $143,000 for theft of veterans disability benefits
BANGOR, Maine — A Cutler man was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison on a charge of theft of disability benefits. Richard Ramsdell, 38, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor, U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty II said in a news release. Ramsdell was also ordered to pay $142,668 ...
Machias sewage plant mishap shuts down clam flats
MACHIAS, Maine — A rainstorm and a power failure at the local wastewater treatment plant have shut down shellfish harvesting in the Machias River, according to officials. An overflow of sewage into the Machias River happened Wednesday, June 12, when heavy rains fell across much of Maine. Both officials with ...
‘Working vacation’: Florida couple volunteer to be lighthouse keepers in Cutler
By Kari C. Barlow, Northwest Florida Daily News on June 16, 2013, at 5:45 a.m.
NICEVILLE, Fla. — Marilyn Turk has never packed for a summer vacation quite like the one she will take in July. Turk and her husband, Chuck, have volunteered to be lighthouse keepers for 11 days in Cutler, Maine. “It’s a vacation, but it’s a working vacation,” she said. “We don’t ...
Pedestrian killed near Marden’s entrance in Calais
CALAIS, Maine — An investigation is ongoing Friday after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a car outside the Marden’s entrance in Calais, a stone’s throw away from the U.S.-Canada border. Sgt. Chris Donahue of the Calais Police Department said Zina Eller, 49, of East Machias died after she ...
Jonesport supermarket closing after state forces upgrade to meat cutting room; owner hopes to reopen
JONESPORT, Maine — For the time being, at least, this seaside fishing village is going to revert to being a one-supermarket town after state officials required the store to upgrade its meat cutting room. The local IGA Supermarket, which for decades was the only supermarket-style grocery store between Machias and ...
1,200 without power in East Machias; restoration expected by 10:30 a.m.
Bangor Daily News on June 12, 2013, at 7:06 a.m.
MACHIAS — Nearly 1,200 have lost power in the Machias area, according to Bangor Hydro. The utility company says the outage was caused by weather conditions and is working to reconnect power to customers in Machias and East Machias. They expect to have most customers reconnected by 10:30 a.m. The ...
Field trip to new paintball course
The eighth-grade class from Bay Ridge Elementary School in Cutler enjoyed their end-of-year outting at the new paintball course at Maine Military Supply on Route 1A in Holden.
New Holden paintball facility attracts Cutler eighth-graders, among others
HOLDEN, Maine — Eighth-graders at Bay Ridge Elementary in Cutler raised money for their annual class trip and chose to visit a new paintball course in Holden. “They did a narrative essay on what they wanted to do on the class trip and this was number one,” Darlene Wheeler, Bay ...
VIDEO
A look at Donnie Smith, the most polarizing sheriff in Maine
MACHIAS, Maine — Donnie Smith is the most controversial law enforcement figure in Maine. During his seven years as Washington County’s sheriff, Smith has been at the center of public fights with other officials, sent countless angry late-night press releases and threatened or filed numerous lawsuits against other state agencies. ...
Donnie Smith talks about being sheriff
Listen as Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith talks about how he has handled being sheriff of one of Maine’s largest counties.
Births for Machias, Calais and Ellsworth April 28-June 4
Down East Community Hospital, Machias To Ellen and Jason Sanchez, Bass Harbor, a son, Micah Roland Cole, on April 28, 2013. To Mitchell and Tamie White, Beals, a son, Silas Charles White, on June 4, 2013. Calais Regional Hospital May births To Lindsay Royer and Joseph Hanson, Calais, a son, ...
Committee unanimously endorses Calais lawyer to District Court bench
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Wednesday unanimously endorsed a 44-year-old Calais lawyer’s nomination to serve as a District Court judge in Washington County. David J. Mitchell is expected to begin work next month if confirmed by the state Senate. He would replace retiring District Court Judge John ...
Missing Lubec woman found safe in Ellsworth
ELLSWORTH, Maine — A missing Lubec woman was found early Wednesday morning in Ellsworth. Janet Rier, 56, who was reported missing Tuesday afternoon, was located near Route 179 at 7 a.m., according to Cpl. John MacDonald of the Maine Warden Service. Rier was in good condition when game wardens found ...
From the community
International marathon built on local support
The inaugural Bay of Fundy International Marathon, set for Lubec and Campobello on June 23, has attracted more than $20,000 in local sponsorship arrangements. “We are an international marathon, and also a very local marathon,” John Hough, race director, said last week. “We could not have put together this first ...
Washington County sheriff appeals unemployment benefits awarded to former jail employees
MACHIAS, Maine — Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith on Friday appealed unemployment benefits awarded to two former jail employees who were subject to an investigation about the misappropriation of jail funds earlier this year. But there are questions about whether Smith, acting on behalf of the county, has standing to ...
Conn. man arrested in Harrington eight months after MDEA heroin sting
HARRINGTON, Maine — A Connecticut man was arrested this week by Maine Drug Enforcement agents and sheriff’s deputies on charges stemming from an alleged heroin sale in 2012. Michael Berrios-Ortiz, 33, of Hartford, Conn., was charged with unlawful trafficking in heroin, a Class B crime. MDEA claims the suspect sold ...
Births for Machias, Bar Harbor May 13-April 28
Down East Community Hospital, Machias Births May 13-29 To Cherish Mitchell and Isaac Jillson Sr., Perry, a son, Isaac Jillson Jr., on May 13, 2013. To Christopher and Monica Chipman, Milbridge, a daughter, Elena Rose Chipman, on May 14, 2013. To Victoria Cassella and Eric Lyons, Lubec, a son, Acheron ...
POLL QUESTION
Machias passes $4.47 million school budget in 12 minutes
MACHIAS, Maine — In 12 minutes, without a single word of discussion or even one question, a tiny group of Machias residents passed the 2013-2014 proposed $4.47 million AOS 96 budget Tuesday night. Although three selectmen, the superintendent of schools and the adult education director were on hand to answer ...
Second coed sues Machias police, town over officer’s ‘malicious, reckless’ conduct
MACHIAS, Maine — For the second time in less than two weeks, a former University of Maine coed has filed a federal lawsuit against the town of Machias, its police chief and former police officer Richard Strout. Sarah Cotton, 24, of Columbia Falls alleges Strout violated her rights in May ...
Christmas is already in sight for three Down East holiday manufacturers
MILBRIDGE, Maine — Heads up! There are only 200 shopping days left until Christmas. While that insight may not having you rushing to the mall, it’s a big-deal reality for three Washington County businesses that rely on the buying frenzy that surrounds Christmas each year to either make or break ...
Report: University of Maine System teacher-training programs rank among worst in nation
Cutler man gets 3 years, ordered to pay nearly $143,000 for theft of veterans disability benefits
We don’t understand female politicians
LePage fails to surprise on Medicaid expansion
Obama’s gamble in Syria
The cost of requiring more renewable power
Maine Sports Hall of Fame revokes Dana Wilson’s 2012 induction
Rask gives Bruins 2-1 series lead
Retiring Hermon High School athletic administrator Soucy maintains love of sports
Corinth runner’s path to national titles began with adoption by pastor and wife
25 things to do this summer — boats, barbecue, the Bard and everything else
Saying goodbye to our Pakistani daughter
