2007
Overcrowding, poor condition stress county jail
The Washington County Jail in Machias is old, in bad shape and chronically overcrowded, according to the sheriff and the jail administrator.
Crime & Public Safety
2007
Prison options considered by county, state
"A perfect storm of opportunity," Chris Gardner, chairman of the Washington County commissioners, called the simultaneous needs both the county and the state have for new lockup facilities in Washington County.
2007
Sheriff's department baffled by 70 missing guns
Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith reports that 70 guns are missing from the department's evidence locker. More than two dozen of the missing weapons are handguns.
2006
Grand Manan men get house arrest; restitution ordered
Three of the four Grand Manan men convicted in connection to the summer brawl that left alleged drug dealer Ronnie Ross beaten and his house burned to the ground have been sentenced to house arrest. Michael Small, 27, and Lloyd Bainbridge, 31, were convicted of arson November 18.
2006
Hopes dashed as island ‘boys’ get convicted
Four of the five Grand Manan residents charged in connection with the July riot that left an alleged crack house in cinders were found guilty by a St. Andrews jury Saturday, November 18.
2006
Grand Manan riot defendants make self-defense claim
The jury trial is under way of the five Grand Manan men charged in a July 22 incident in which a group of about 40 islanders attacked a smaller group of islanders and mainlanders whom they suspected of dealing in drugs.
2006
Island arson believed work of vigilantes
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating an apparent incident of vigilante justice on Grand Manan Island in the early hours of Saturday, July 22, that led to arson, gunfire and physical altercations in Castalia...