The Quoddy Tides

04/14/2025

Proposed legislation to allow ATVs to be driven on public roads received strong pushback from state government officials and other residents during a March 27 hearing by the legislature's Transportation Committee. The bill is sponsored by Senator Marianne Moore of Calais, who said she was asked by several ATV clubs to introduce the measure, as they seek to expand available trail systems and gain access to gas stations, restaurants and motels in towns.

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Proposed legislation to allow ATVs to be driven on public roads received strong pushback from state government officials and other residents during a March 27 hearing by the legislature's Transportation Committee.

04/14/2025

More than 30 people offered testimony in support of legislation directing the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) to extend the Down East Sunrise Trail from Pembroke into Calais. The 12.2-mile extension on the existing rail line would pass through the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, where ATVs are not currently allowed, and some concerns were expressed about possible issues that should be addressed. The hearing on the bill by the legislature's Transportation Committee was held on April 4, with a work session scheduled for April 10.

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More than 30 people offered testimony in support of legislation directing the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) to extend the Down East Sunrise Trail from Pembroke into Calais.

04/14/2025

The Maine and New Brunswick lobster industries are facing potential financial losses as a result of an escalating global trade war and declining consumer confidence. The possible impact of the twin threats were discussed during a webinar organized by the Island Institute on April 3. The lobster industry has thus far avoided tariffs from either the U.S. or Canada, with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade agreement protecting shellfish from a U.S. import tariff and Canada excluding lobster from the retaliatory tariff package announced on March 4.

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The Maine and New Brunswick lobster industries are facing potential financial losses as a result of an escalating global trade war and declining consumer confidence.

04/14/2025

Following the launching of sports-betting partnerships between the tribes in Maine and digital sports entertainment companies in November 2023, a bill to permit the tribes also to be licensed to operate Internet gaming is being considered by the legislature. A similar measure was turned down in the legislature last year.

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Following the launching of sports-betting partnerships between the tribes in Maine and digital sports entertainment companies in November 2023, a bill to permit the tribes also to be licensed to operate Internet gaming is being considered by the legislature.

04/14/2025

The food pantries of Washington County are preparing for a reduction in the amount of produce from Good Shepherd Food Bank’s deliveries as a result of cuts to the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), with some pantries expecting a drop of 50% or more in their shipments beginning in April.

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The food pantries of Washington County are preparing for a reduction in the amount of produce from Good Shepherd Food Bank’s deliveries as a result of cuts to the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), with some pantrie...

04/14/2025

The imposition of new tariffs on both sides of the border, paired with strained relations between the U.S. and Canada, are causing a slowdown for Calais businesses, some of which have seen their international sales decline by more than half. The situation is a complicated one for many business owners who feel caught in national politics.

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The imposition of new tariffs on both sides of the border, paired with strained relations between the U.S. and Canada, are causing a slowdown for Calais businesses, some of which have seen their international sales decline by more than half.

04/11/2025

Today's issue!

03/31/2025

Youth in Washington County will have the opportunity to engage in more outdoor activities with the establishment of the Jeffrey A. Stanhope Foundation in memory of the late Perry resident. A fundraising event was held on March 22 at the Lobster Crate in Perry, netting approximately $7,000 to help launch the foundation.

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Youth in Washington County will have the opportunity to engage in more outdoor activities with the establishment of the Jeffrey A. Stanhope Foundation in memory of the late Perry resident. A fundraising event was held on March 22 at the Lobster Crate in Perry, netting approximately $7,000 to help la...

03/31/2025

“Where words fail, music speaks," wrote Hans Christian Andersen of music's ability to facilitate communication -- and yet there are key places where music literacy is lacking, including in Washington County elementary schools. Recognizing that absence, the Lubec Area Musicians' Philanthropic Society (LAMPS) and the Machias Bay Chamber Concerts (MBCC) have collaborated to develop a two series program bringing music to hundreds of students around the county.

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“Where words fail, music speaks,

03/31/2025

After its first proposed budget faced significant public pushback in the form of a 77 29 vote against it on February 26, the AOS 77 joint school board voted to accept a new budget during a meeting on March 18 at the Pembroke Elementary School. The board scheduled another vote by residents of the nine towns in the AOS for Thursday, March 27, the day The Quoddy Tides goes to print. During that vote, the budget failed following a vote of 63-55 on Article 2: Special Education. The new budget saw several line items decrease, but the gains were offset by added insurance expenses, resulting in a net decrease of only $1,126 in the $855,000 budget.

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After its first proposed budget faced significant public pushback in the form of a 77 29 vote against it on February 26, the AOS 77 joint school board voted to accept a new budget during a meeting on March 18 at the Pembroke Elementary School. The board scheduled another vote by residents of the nin...

03/31/2025

The March 16 fire that leveled the residence at 69 Pleasant Street in Lubec was preceded the same night by a violent knife attack inside that residence. The house, formerly the home of the late Dale Leighton, was occupied at the time by Richard Munson, 51, who found himself the victim of multiple stab wounds in the face and back, allegedly by Kenneth Kudrick, while he slept.

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The March 16 fire that leveled the residence at 69 Pleasant Street in Lubec was preceded the same night by a violent knife attack inside that residence. The house, formerly the home of the late Dale Leighton, was occupied at the time by Richard Munson, 51, who found himself the victim of multiple st...

03/31/2025

With the cost of operating the Washington County Jail being a significant portion of the county budget, legislative efforts to increase the state's share of funding for county jails are being closely watched. And with the county's budget for this year increasing 22% in the amount raised by county taxes, the legislature's actions are a major concern for local taxpayers. The legislature is currently looking at several bills to increase state funding for jails, including one that would raise the amount from approximately 20% of the cost to 35%. Also being considered are two bills that would fund an increase in rural patrol services in the county by the Maine State Police, which could help limit county budget expenses for the sheriff's office that has had to increase its coverage.

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With the cost of operating the Washington County Jail being a significant portion of the county budget, legislative efforts to increase the state's share of funding for county jails are being closely watched. And with the county's budget for this year increasing 22% in the amount raised by county ta...

03/28/2025

Out today!

03/17/2025

Eastport's oldest resident, who lives in one of the oldest homes in the island city, will be turning 100 on March 14. An open house to honor Ruth McInnis will be held at the Eastport Port Authority's Welcome Center at the breakwater on Saturday, March 15, from 1 to 3 p.m.

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Eastport's oldest resident, who lives in one of the oldest homes in the island city, will be turning 100 on March 14.

03/17/2025

Emotions surfaced during the budget workshop hosted on March 6 by the Lubec school board, during which the budget proposal calling for a nearly 16% hike in the local share was discussed. Three board members were physically present; board Chair Wanda Reed was present via the Internet while Patricia McCurdy was absent. All three members of the town's budget committee were present.

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Emotions surfaced during the budget workshop hosted on March 6 by the Lubec school board, during which the budget proposal calling for a nearly 16% hike in the local share was discussed.

03/17/2025

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is conducting an investigation into whether a rooftop solar project by the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township qualifies for the state's net energy billing program. The PUC held an initial case conference on the matter on March 11, with 17 intervenors in the case, from solar energy companies and the utilities Versant Power and Central Maine Power to conservation organizations and the Wabanaki Alliance.

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The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is conducting an investigation into whether a rooftop solar project by the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township qualifies for the state's net energy billing program.

03/17/2025

Life might settle down for residents and business owners on lower Marks Street, St. Stephen, these days, but about 30 former neighbours now need new places to live. Police showed up at 18 Marks St. on Friday morning, March 7, with a judge's order under New Brunswick's Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act allowing them to evict the people and board up the five apartment building.

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Life might settle down for residents and business owners on lower Marks Street, St. Stephen, these days, but about 30 former neighbours now need new places to live.

03/17/2025

The recent imposition of new tariffs, first by the U.S. and then by Canada, is driving up expenses for residents around Passamaquoddy Bay -- particularly on Campobello Island, where residents are in a unique geographical situation that separates them from the rest of New Brunswick.

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The recent imposition of new tariffs, first by the U.S. and then by Canada, is driving up expenses for residents around Passamaquoddy Bay -- particularly on Campobello Island, where residents are in a unique geographical situation that separates them from the rest of New Brunswick.