Fiddlehead Focus

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Madawaska town officials posted a sign earlier this week at the Birch Point Beach on Long Lake to inform visitors of the risk of getting swimmer's itch from the water. Swimmer's itch, according to the federal Centers for Disease control is caused by a microscopic parasite in the feces of waterfowl or other wildlife. The parasite can get under the skin of swimmers or others playing in affected areas, causing a pimply, itchy rash or welts. (Morgan Mitchell)

Madawaska town officials posted a sign earlier this week at the Birch Point Beach on Long Lake to inform visitors of the risk of getting swimmer's itch from the water. Swimmer's itch, according to the federal Centers for Disease control is caused by a microscopic parasite in the feces of waterfowl or other wildlife. The parasite can get under the skin of swimmers or others playing in affected areas, causing a pimply, itchy rash or welts. (Morgan Mitchell)

Officials warning Long Lake beach-goers following outbreak of swimmer’s itch

After an outbreak of swimmer’s itch struck visitors to Birch Point Beach on Long Lake over the weekend, officials from the town of Madawaska and Maine Department of Environmental Protection are alerting the public to the risk of infection.

News Browse News

Fort Kent woman pursues dream, opens barber shop

Licensed barber Lynn Lajoie, 46, said she always wanted to become a barber, but waited until the time was right for her family, to pursue the dream.

Karen Reynolds of Fort Fairfield to run for Maine Senate

After receiving the nomination by the Aroostook County Republicans on Saturday, July 14, Karen Reynolds today announces her bid for Maine Senate District 2.

Maine Potato Blossom Festival continues with music, family fun

The 71st annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival was in full swing on the evening of Wednesday, July 18, with events that included a fiddler group and a parade that was abound with pint-sized superheroes.

Motorcycle and car collide amidst construction traffic on Main Street in Madawaska

Police and EMS personnel responded to a call about a motorcycle accident Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Main and Mill streets.

Fort Kent man suffers minor injuries in dump truck rollover

A Fort Kent man suffered minor injuries Thursday afternoon when the dump truck he was driving blew a tire and rolled over on the Caribou Road.

Police blame confusion over traffic light for two-vehicle accident in Fort Kent

Confusion over who had the right of way when a stoplight turned green at the intersection of Market and Main streets caused a two-vehicle accident in Fort Kent on Thursday afternoon, according to Fort Kent Police Sgt. Dalen Boucher.

Crown Politics Browse Crown Politics

LePage Repeals Proficiency-Based Diploma Mandate

Students in Maine will no longer be required to graduate under new, "proficiency-based" diplomas.

LePage, Gideon trade barbs as gridlocked Legislature’s return date remains uncertain

Good morning from Augusta, where the stalemated Legislature was expected to return sometime next week to finish up outstanding work from a marathon 2018 session. We say “was” because it’s now wholly unclear when lawmakers will be back next.

An early look at the big changes Maine candidates for governor would try to make

Good morning from Augusta, where for the time being the race to be Maine’s next governor is focused on policy and hasn’t fully shifted to sniping and attacks between the candidates that will become common later this year.

Funding remains at heart of Medicaid expansion conflict as Maine high court hears case

Justices on Maine’s high court heard arguments Wednesday in a procedural case about Medicaid expansion, but many questions turned to larger issues of whether the state must — or even could — fund it with no revenue dedicated by the Legislature.

Maine high court to hear Medicaid expansion case today

Good morning from Augusta. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments today on whether the administration of Gov. Paul LePage needs to submit to the federal government a plan to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a key moment in advocates’ bid to force expansion.

Maine secretary of state seeks $3 million to protect voting system from hackers

Just days after the nation’s top intelligence officer warned of persistent attempts by Russia to hack American voting infrastructure, the Maine secretary of state’s office confirmed it is seeking federal funds to beef up cybersecurity of the state’s voter registration system.

Living Browse Living

Maine Potato Blossom Festival continues with music, family fun

The 71st annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival was in full swing on the evening of Wednesday, July 18, with events that included a fiddler group and a parade that was abound with pint-sized superheroes.

Youngsters raise donations for Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund

CJ Cyr, 5, and Addison True, 2, taste test the product at the lemonade stand they set up July 14 at The Valley Flea Market in Frenchville.

An alternative route to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

The following article and accompanying photo, published June 25, 2018, on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail website, are reprinted on Fiddlehead Focus with kind permission of the authors

Devon Cyr visits with Fr. Jim Nadeau

Devon Cyr of Fort Kent visits with Fr. Jim Nadeau in Skowhegan during a reception celebrating the priest's 30th year of ordination

PAWS Pet of the Week — Romeo

This handsome cat is Romeo. At 4 years old, he is still a young chap. Romeo is all gray, very friendly and in good health.

Equality Maine seeks support for 2nd Annual Dine OUT campaign

Equality Maine, which supports and advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Maine, is holding its second annual Dine OUT for Equality on Aug. 22.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Tracing New England colonial roots

You may have run across the initials NEHGS in a footnote or heard someone refer to “Hist Gen” and wondered what they are.

Border Outpost: Father Empey

I don’t know what inspires me to look things up when they could come back to haunt, but this is different.

Always two sides to a story

I once said I don’t mind being misquoted as long as I am given the opportunity to correct, so here we go again.

What the Legislature did and didn’t do this year

With the Maine Legislature inching closer to adjourning for the year, it’s a good time to update constituents on what my colleagues and I have achieved and what work remains unfinished.

In the face of challenges, Maine communities unite

I’ve often said that Maine feels like one large small town. From the coast to the forest, cities to small rural towns, we all share one incredibly important thing: our sense of community.

Mainely Outdoors6 days ago

Now is good time to hone shooting skills with target practice|

Around the time I turned 8 years old, my father began to teach me about guns, shooting, hunting and especially firearm safety.

Sports Browse Sports

Wisdom athletes reap spring awards

Wisdom High School officials have announced annual athletics awards for the school’s varsity sports teams

Pony League baseball season wrapping up in Aroostook

Six baseball teams, four from Aroostook County and two others representing Canada, are competing in this year’s Northern Maine Community Recreation Association Pony League for 13-15 year-olds.

Huge turnout of golfers play for Special Olympics

A record number of teams participated and a record amount of money was raised for Aroostook Special Olympics during the 30th annual Charity Challenge Golf Tournament, held July 14 and 15.

Mainely Outdoors6 days ago

Now is good time to hone shooting skills with target practice|

Around the time I turned 8 years old, my father began to teach me about guns, shooting, hunting and especially firearm safety.

Local martial artists strong in County tourney

The Graves’ Institute of Self Defense 27th annual Summer Kick Off Karate and Jiu-Jitsu Tournament featured wonderful weather, exciting competition and stands filled with enthusiastic spectators.

Cyr to coach Fort Kent Community High School girls soccer

The SAD 27 school board approved Doug Cyr as the next Fort Kent Community High School girls varsity soccer coach in their regular monthly board meeting on Monday, July 2.

Business Browse Business

Fort Kent woman pursues dream, opens barber shop

Licensed barber Lynn Lajoie, 46, said she always wanted to become a barber, but waited until the time was right for her family, to pursue the dream.

Fort Kent entrepreneur roasts up devilishly good coffee

Alan Susee, owner of Sears Hometown Store in Fort Kent, has turned his passion for coffee into a new business -- the Red Devil Roast Coffee Company.

County farms join in Maine Open Farm Day July 22

Three local farms will join nearly 100 Maine farms for the free Open Farm Day on Sunday, July 22.

MaineCF establishes Community Broadband grant program

A new Maine Community Foundation fund will provide community broadband grants of up to $15,000 for eligible Maine nonprofit organizations and communities.

Nominations open for Governor’s Award for Business Excellence

The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Governor's Award for Business Excellence.

Extension, others seek farmer input on policy meetings

Several organizations seek farmers’ input to create an agriculture policy platform that will truly create farmer profitability and retention.