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^{Mill Cove in Robbinston. Photo by Amy Jeanroy}

Editor's note: This free, emailed newsletter is part of The Maine Monitor's expanded coverage of Washington County. Please help us spread the word by forwarding the newsletter to your friends. And feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. Enjoy! David Dahl

NEWS WE'RE MONITORING

Demand is up at Washington County food pantries after federal SNAP benefits are cut back

By Joyce Kryszak of The Maine Monitor



Extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that were put in place in response to the pandemic in 2020 ended in March.

Washington County, by most measures the poorest county in Maine, lost over three-quarters of a million dollars last month, leaving 6,554 adults and children with hundreds of dollars less every month to buy food.  

The result: Food pantries around the county saw an abrupt increase in demand from hungry families who were suddenly without the SNAP safety net.

Friends of St. Ann's group hoping for miracle to save historic church

The Friends of St. Ann's are hoping for a miracle to save the historic brick church at Sipayik, which is scheduled to be demolished in the coming weeks.

Plans for the demolition are proceeding, and on March 31 the church bell was rung for perhaps the last time, drawing a number of people to hear it before it was removed. 

Edward French of the Quoddy Tides has the story.

The sky was falling last week. Or at least a few pieces of it.

The Washington County meteorites were the talk of the state these past few days. Here are some questions and answers about the flash, boom, and awe that started in the skies over Washington County last Saturday.

More coverage of Washington County and beyond:

Brewer High student dies after fall at Acadia National Park

Aquaculture project in Jonesport hits a roadblock

From the Maine Monitor: updates on five aquaculture projects

Lawmakers debate spending millions on affordable housing

Review finds state handled Maddox Williams case appropriately

From The Maine Monitor: The short, tragic life of Maddox Williams

Hooked on heating oil: the first installment in the Maine Monitor's series

From the Monitor: The struggle to find mental health therapists in Washington County

The Maine Monitor participates in discussion on the importance of nonprofit news in Maine

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