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JOYEUX NOEL is wished during the holiday season from this decorative
display outside a home in Calais. (Edward French photo)
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To read all the news in The Quoddy Tides, subscribe now or pick up the newspaper at your local newsstand.
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DRAGGERS head out from the Eastport breakwater on the first day of the
scallop season, December 2. (Don Dunbar photo)
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Front Page Stories |
| Storm impacts and mitigation strategies eyed |
| by Lura Jackson |
On the eve of a weather event promising to bring high winds and waters, a group of stakeholders convened in Machias to discuss strategies for mitigating storm damage and to share resources that have been compiled since last winter's devastating storms. The December 10 meeting, organized by Maine Sea Grant, the University of Maine, NOAA and several others, highlighted the impacts of the January storms on Washington County communities along with vulnerabilities that have become apparent as a result.
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Public safety, lack of surplus cause county budget increase |
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| by RJ Heller |
“This is the largest increase in my tenure as chair of the county budget advisory committee," said Lewis Pinkham, who has served on the committee for 24 years. On November 21 the committee voted 5-4 to approve next year's Washington County budget, with a 22% increase in the amount raised by county taxes. The vote was preceded by a meeting that went for over three hours, with the session in the county courthouse being standing room only and with public participation taking place throughout the morning. This was the latest the budget committee has convened before submitting a county budget.
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| MDOT opts to replace temporary bridge in Machias
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| by RJ Heller |
The temporary bridge that was installed as a short-term measure while the replacement of the Machias dike is being planned is itself going to be replaced, following a decision by the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT). The news came in the form of a letter from MDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note to the Machias Select Board even as the Upper Machias Bay Master Plan (UMBMP) group continues its work to focus on long-term economic, cultural and environmental viability solutions for the region.
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| Scallop fishermen see high prices and many green crabs
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| by Edward French |
With the opening of the scallop season in Cobscook Bay on December 2, fishermen are seeing the highest prices ever for their catches, which have been good, and more draggers in the bay than during the past few years. Those fishing farther up in the bay also have been finding many green crabs, an invasive species that eats clams, scallops and sea urchins. |
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| Firetrucks bring Santa to local children
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| by Lura Jackson |
The connection between Santa and fire departments is historically strong -- and not just because both are tied to chimneys and have modes of transportation colored bright red. While communities around the Passamaquoddy Bay widely hoist Santa onto the top of a firetruck as part of their Christmas parades, two local traditions see the jolly figure making the rounds in a unique way. |
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