The Quoddy Tides

LOCAL WEATHER

Politics & Government

2026

County meets deadline to make payment to bank for 2025 TAN

The Washington County government made it to the bank on time, paying its 2025 tax-anticipation note (TAN) to Machias Savings Bank on February 18, two days before the due date.

2026

Most all towns to prepay TAN to help bail out county

While it appears the Washington County government may have raised enough funds from municipalities to be able to pay its tax-anticipation note (TAN) to Machias Savings Bank by February 20, the meeting of that obligation is coming at a significant cost to the towns in the county.

2026

Bankruptcy bill not supported during hearing

On January 21, the Maine legislature's Committee on State and Local Government held a hearing regarding LD 2009, a bill sponsored by Senator Marianne Moore of Calais that would allow political subdivisions, including municipalities and counties, to declare bankruptcy.

2025

County adopts budget with 17.3% increase

With the adoption of a budget on December 17 with $11.6 million to be raised by taxation and so far about half of the towns in the county agreeing to prepay on the estimated $8 million tax-anticipation note (TAN) that the county owes for the current year's budget...

2025

County eyeing options after bond rejection

With Washington County voters rejecting the proposed $11 million county bond question by a margin of 53% to 47% in the November 4 election, county officials are struggling to figure out how to pay the current tax anticipation note (TAN), due December 31, without defaulting...

2025

County taking steps to limit tax increase, assure accountability

As the November 4 vote on the proposed $11 million bond issue to bail out the Washington County budget nears, county officials have been explaining the steps being taken to limit any county tax increase, to ensure accountability ...

2025

Maine to decide on absentee voting and ‘red flag’ questions

Maine voters will consider two statewide referendum questions at the November 4 polls. Question 1 would alter the laws governing absentee voting and voter ID requirements, among other changes, and Question 2 would enact Maine's Extreme Risk Protection Order law...

Business & Development

2026

Lubec's Safe Harbor project ready to go back out to bid

2026

Committee recommends replacing Machias dike with exact replica

2026

War in Iran hiking Quoddy gas prices

Passamaquoddy Bay might seem like a long way from the Persian Gulf. However, the war unleashed when the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iranian targets on February 28...

2026

Proposed tidal project would power underwater AI data center

A new tidal power project is being proposed off Eastport, but whether the developer has the technical expertise and financial backing to proceed with the proposal is not clear. Along with planning to provide electricity to local communities, the company, DeepGreen Western Passage SPV LLC...

2026

Closure of Wilson's Beach wharf leads to concerns about future

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recently closed the wharf at Wilson's Beach, Campobello, citing structural safety concerns that arose during an inspection of the pilings and cribwork.

2026

Committee set to recommend plan to replicate Machias dike

A slate of recommendations ready to be released to the public by the Upper Machias Bay Master Plan (UMBMP) Leadership Committee includes a proposal that the failing Machias dike be replaced with a replica of the current span, an alternative that would prevent fish or saltwater passage.

2026

Tribal leaders: casino operator hypocritical with lawsuit filing

Wabanaki tribal officials are calling a Maine casino operator who recently filed a lawsuit against the state over the new online gaming law "hypocritical." The suit was filed on January 23 by Oxford Casino Hotel, BB Development LLC, both of Oxford, and Churchill Downs Inc. of Kentucky...

Crime & Public Safety

2026

Peroxide leak occurs at Woodland Pulp mill

2026

Tide kills periwinkle picker; another hurt

2026

Second mill worker dies from gas exposure

A second worker at the Woodland Pulp mill has died following exposure to a toxic gas on January 27. Allen Hornberger, 26, had been hospitalized in critical condition for nearly three weeks before succumbing on February 17. Hornberger, who lived in Lee ...

2026

Worker dies after exposure to gas at Woodland Pulp mill

A student intern working at the Woodland Pulp mill has died and another worker was critically injured following exposure to a toxic gas at the mill's bleach plant on Tuesday, January 27, when the mill was in the process of shutting operations down because of a large spike in natural gas prices.

2026

Supreme court vacates Brackett's conviction in murder of Neptune

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has voided the conviction of Kailie Brackett for murdering Kimberly Neptune of Sipayik in April 2022. Brackett had been sentenced to 55 years in prison following a three-day jury trial in Machias in December 2023.

2026

Deliberately set fire destroys St. Stephen apartment building

The RCMP say the fire that destroyed the vacant apartment building at 449 Milltown Boulevard, St. Stephen, was deliberately set. The emergency call to the former Starshine Properties Ltd. building, which had been sold at a tax auction on October 17, came in at 4:05 a.m.

2026

Fire displaces 22, two businesses and community organizations

A fire in St. George put 22 people plus two community organizations and two businesses out of their homes on Sunday, January 4. The emergency call to Granite Court on Main Street came in shortly before 8 a.m., according to Eastern Charlotte Fire Rescue Chief Justin Johnston.

Local News

2025

Tribe's solar project raises questions about net energy billing

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...

2025

St. Stephen apartment building boarded up; 30 people evicted

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...

2025

Local legislators, residents urge support for rural patrol funding

Washington County legislators and residents offered strong support for increasing rural patrol services in the county during a recent legislative hearing, pointing to the drug crisis, the county's having the second highest violent crime rate in the state in 2020 and elderly people now being...

2025

Concerns assessed about cruise ships’ possible discharges

With approximately 55,000 cruise ship passengers expected in Eastport in 2025 -- up from 7,000 the previous year -- concerns are being raised related to discharges from the ships and how they may impact the sensitive marine ecosystems of Passamaquoddy and Cobscook bays.

2025

Lubec school board weighs budget cuts

The prospect of further tax increases dominated the February 10 meeting of the Lubec school board, despite a limited turnout. Snowed out of the customary first Thursday meeting date, the rescheduled date attracted a crowd of eight participants plus four members of the board.

2025

EMNH adjusting to nursing home reimbursement rate changes

Eastport Memorial Nursing Home (EMNH), one of only three nursing homes in Washington County, is contending with statewide changes to how nursing homes are reimbursed. The challenging new reimbursement rate will require cost saving measures for the facility, which employs between 55 and 60 people.

2025

Two Addison fishermen perish on way home

A search for two Addison fishermen off the coast of Trescott and Cutler was suspended the evening of Sunday, January 19, after rescue crews combed over 950 square miles of ocean and coastline.

Education

2025

Robbinston school board passes budget, retains school choice

At its July 10 meeting the Robbinston School Committee unanimously approved a budget that maintains school choice, is $131,002 higher than the previous school year and calls for a 62% hike in the amount raised by local taxation.

2025

Robbinston weighs cost of school choice

The June 13 meeting of the Robbinston School Committee saw a review of two prospective budgets, only one of which maintains school choice for Robbinston students.

2025

Local family sets up foundation for youth

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.

2025

Collaboration brings musicians to local schools

“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.

2025

Staff cuts feared as Lubec board eyes budget with 16% local share hike

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.

2025

AOS budget voted down by area residents

The proposed AOS 77 budget for 2025-26, which is nearly 14% higher than the current budget, with a 7.1% hike in the amount raised through local taxation, failed to garner public support during a budget vote on Wednesday, February 26, at the Pembroke Elementary School.

2025

Lubec school board weighs maintenance costs

The high cost of recovering from years of postponed repairs and upkeep dominated the marathon meeting of the Lubec school board held on January 13.

March 13, 2026

Front Page Stories

LOCAL WEATHER

Eastport woman shares 100 years of memories

D-Day veteran's family travels to Normandy to trace footsteps

Vietnam War photojournalist sought the truth

Missing veteran from Robbinston comes home

Parade celebrates centenarian’s life

Lubec's Safe Harbor project ready to go back out to bid

Area students enjoy outdoor recreation program

Couples' enduring love stories don't always follow a script

Tribes work with conservation organizations to reacquire lands

Well-loved coach and teacher mourned

Legacy of Irish immigration abounds in region

Eastport Salmon Festival expands regional food offerings on menu

Family fare fun at the heart of Pirate Festival weekend

White sharks resurfacing; Eastport family involved in making of iconic Jaws movie

CBC comedy series films show on Grand Manan

Legacy of Irish immigration abounds in region

New owners plan rebirth of Eastport’s American Can building

Lost son revives efforts to honor Eastport Vietnam veteran

Eastport Salmon Festival expands regional food offerings on menu

Margaretta Days Festival to mark 250 years since first naval battle

Ashby wins age group in London Marathon

Curling club preserves welcoming legacy

Islanders win minor hockey championship

Basketball season rules set by board

Schools ponder basketball safety issues: Changes slated, if games allowed