Fiddlehead Focus

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Bella the dog, a Newfoundland/St. Bernard mix, alerted her family to a fire in the garage of a Dubois Street residence in Fort Kent during the early morning hours of Sunday, May 19. (Jessica Potila | SJVT/FhF)

Bella the dog, a Newfoundland/St. Bernard mix, alerted her family to a fire in the garage of a Dubois Street residence in Fort Kent during the early morning hours of Sunday, May 19. (Jessica Potila | SJVT/FhF)

Dog alerts family to early morning fire in Fort Kent

A Fort Kent dog awoke her family early Sunday morning to alert them that their garage was on fire.

News Browse News

Aging expo introduces seniors to hands-on activities, new skills

Aroostook Agency on Aging hosted its seventh annual Aging Well, Living Well Expo on Friday, May 17, with many senior citizens taking advantage of hands-on activities and presentations that encouraged them to embrace healthy lifestyles.

Burger Boy owner said he had ‘no way of knowing’ employee was carrying virus

Burger Boy owner Spenser Ouellette said the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s May 17 alert that an employee had been identified with a case of acute hepatitis A “drastically changed [his] life and business within the span of hours,” via a Sunday social media post.

Valley Rivers students share the world with spectators

Valley Rivers Middle School students presented countries from around the world during their educational fair on April 25 at Community High School/Valley Rivers Middle School gymnasium.

Pleasant St. Academy boasts a new look

The Pleasant St. Academy Early College High School program, a collaboration between the University of Maine at Fort Kent and SAD 27, is undergoing some significant changes.

New York firm buys a major Maine broadband provider

Maine Fiber Co., the Portland-based company that runs the Three Ring Binder broadband network, has been acquired by a New York fiber-optic network services company.

Mills nominates Doak to UM System board

Gov. Janet Mills announced on May 15 that she has nominated two additional candidates to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, including RSU 39 Superintendent Tim Doak of Fort Kent.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Dog alerts family to early morning fire in Fort Kent

A Fort Kent dog awoke her family early Sunday morning to alert them that their garage was on fire.

Homicide victim’s sister calls for increased awareness of mental illness

The sister of homicide victim Daren Charette is calling for increased awareness of mental illness issues after a grand jury decided not to indict a Fort Kent man in connection with her brother’s death.

Medical examiners differ in testimony regarding death of Caribou man

Family members of a Caribou man who died in 2017 following injuries suffered in a physical confrontation that began as a verbal spat on Facebook grimaced, lowered their heads and cried quietly Thursday as autopsy photos were displayed in court.

Police: Manslaughter defendant admitted kicking Caribou fight victim in face

A Caribou police sergeant testified Wednesday that a Presque Isle man accused of manslaughter admitted to police that he kicked the victim in the face during a fight in October 2017. Prosecutors allege the blow led to the Caribou man’s death 18 days later.

Prosecutors: Defendant kicked victim in face, leading to his death

A brief verbal fight on Facebook escalated into a physical confrontation in a Caribou parking lot last year that ultimately led to the death of a local man, prosecutors said Monday during opening arguments in a manslaughter trial.

Caribou man indicted on charges related to pharmacy robbery

An Aroostook County Grand Jury indicted a Caribou man this month on charges related to a robbery at a local pharmacy.

County Candids Browse County Candids

A moose heading for the Fish River walks down Baker Street in the Edgewater Village complex located off Pleasant Street in Fort Kent on Thursday morning. (Kevin Ricker)

A moose heading for the Fish River walks down Baker Street in the Edgewater Village complex located off Pleasant Street in Fort Kent on Thursday morning. (Kevin Ricker)

A moose heading for the Fish River

A moose heading for the Fish River walks down Baker Street in the Edgewater Village complex located off Pleasant Street in Fort Kent on Thursday morning.

State, National and World News Browse State, National and World News

New York firm buys a major Maine broadband provider

Maine Fiber Co., the Portland-based company that runs the Three Ring Binder broadband network, has been acquired by a New York fiber-optic network services company.

Watch as a mama fox plays with her babies in a Maine yard

Despite the annoying song that made the rounds a few years back, we may never know exactly what the fox says, but thanks to nature photographer Roger Stevens Jr. we’ve now got a lot better idea of what a pack of fox kits do when they’re hanging out with their mother.

Orono resident is the new leader of the Maine Air National Guard

Orono resident Steven Michaud is the newest leader of the Maine Air National Guard.

Angus King says he is worried a ‘miscalculation’ could draw US into conflict with Iran

U.S. Sen. Angus King believes intelligence backs up the Trump administration’s claims of heightened Iranian military activity in the Middle East, but he is fearful that a “miscalculation” could draw the U.S. into a conflict.

Living Browse Living

Facility offers free furniture, appliances to County veterans in need

In Aroostook County, numerous veterans every year find themselves homeless after having served in military combat and returning to the states unable to face the physical and emotional demons that haunt them.

UMFK to host popular fiction author Doiron

The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host Paul Doiron, author of the famous “Mike Bowditch” mystery series, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5.

How you can repel disease-carrying ticks without any chemicals

In many regions of the country, disease-ridden ticks are a major concern, serious enough to convince some people to douse their lawns with pesticides and chemically treat their outdoor clothing.

Washburn hosting traveling veterans tribute in August

Larry Harrison of Washburn entered the U.S. Air Force at the end of the Vietnam War and said he has always remembered what is was like seeing the caskets of servicemembers coming back to the United States.

How to identify, pick and cook fiddleheads — and when to leave them alone

Many ferns have fiddleheads, but the ones we eat in Maine are from the ostrich fern. Ostrich ferns tend to grow near streams and rivers and have three good identifying characteristics

Conference brings together experienced, young authors

Maine author and illustrator Anne Sibley O'Brien told a group of Aroostook County elementary and middle school students that they should tell stories about their home and what they learn about the world.

Poll Browse Poll

Now that yard sale season is here, how does your family participate?

Do you make them, visit them, don't care? Click here and vote.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Family politics not always a straight line

These days we seem to have never-ending election cycles. Do you know your ancestors’ political leanings?

Champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s

Mary Dysart Hartt’s husband, Mike, was 58 when she began noticing things did not seem quite right. Daily tasks like running the tractor became challenging for him and fender benders became more frequent.

Bob the Builder I am not, but I try

I’ve decided I need to make it official. I’m going to become (drumroll, please) a handyman (err, woman).

Book on Trump has answers some seek

To the editor: I was bemused, to say the least by Walter Crean’s letter challenging James Chasse’s recent letters to your fine publication.

Letter writer’s retort was spot on

After perusing the latest issues of your fine publication, I initially prepped and cleansed my verbal firearms to return fire to Mr. Chasse of St Agatha and Mr. Cyr of Madawaska. I was chomping at the bit for the retaliation I wished to fire off.

E. A. Williams cartoon — May 15, 2019

E. A. Williams cartoon — May 15, 2019

Sports Browse Sports

Theriault negotiating deal to make NASCAR Monster Energy Series Cup debut at Loudon

Austin Theriault of Fort Kent hopes to make his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut in July.

Student athletes honored by Maine Sports Legends

Two Aroostook County students will be among the numerous honorees at the Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honors induction ceremony next month.

Nymphs are an overlooked spring fishing option

During May the streams and rivers throughout Aroostook County tend to be high, fast and often a bit off-color too.

Outdoor Calendar — May 15-19, 2019

Cary Medical Center/Caribou Rec./Aroostook Birders Caribou Bog Birding Hike. 7-8 a.m. at Aroostook Valley Trail Crossing on Washburn Road. Short walk along the railroad trail.

Vikings host large track and field event

Cold, blustery conditions greeted track athletes from 10 schools May 11 at Caribou High School in one of the larger track and field meets of the year.

Edmundston Blizzard announces departure of head coach

The Edmundston Blizzard organization announces that its head coach, Ryan Salvis, has resigned.

Business Browse Business

Aging expo introduces seniors to hands-on activities, new skills

Aroostook Agency on Aging hosted its seventh annual Aging Well, Living Well Expo on Friday, May 17, with many senior citizens taking advantage of hands-on activities and presentations that encouraged them to embrace healthy lifestyles.

New York firm buys a major Maine broadband provider

Maine Fiber Co., the Portland-based company that runs the Three Ring Binder broadband network, has been acquired by a New York fiber-optic network services company.

Mills nominates Doak to UM System board

Gov. Janet Mills announced on May 15 that she has nominated two additional candidates to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, including RSU 39 Superintendent Tim Doak of Fort Kent.

Grant helps Long Lake Library add to shelves

The Long Lake Public Library in St. Agatha recently received a $1,000 grant from the Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust Fund to buy new books for children from babies through elementary grade students.

Credit union reports continued asset growth

Officials at NorState Federal Credit Union recently announced that year-end stats for 2018 showed the credit union finishing the year strong, as the third largest credit union within its peer group in the $100 million and $200 million in assets in Maine.

Madawaska selectmen to meet May 20

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen will hold a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 20, in the town office council chambers.