Fiddlehead Focus

28427281_H24729473

On Tuesday morning, floodwater in Fort Kent brushes the underside of the Fish River Bridge, forcing the town to close the Main Street bridge to traffic. (Andrew Birden | SJVT/FhF)

On Tuesday morning, floodwater in Fort Kent brushes the underside of the Fish River Bridge, forcing the town to close the Main Street bridge to traffic. (Andrew Birden | SJVT/FhF)

Fish River Bridge reopens as officials remain optimistic despite forecast for heavy rain

The Maine Department of Transportation reopened the Fish River Bridge in Fort Kent Wednesday morning as water levels receded in the Fish River.

News Browse News

Grand jury indicts Patten man in February credit union robbery

The Penobscot County grand jury Wednesday indicted a Patten man accused of robbing an Eastmill Federal Credit Union branch in February.

USA Football awards Valley Mustangs $1,000 grant for helmets

USA Football recently awarded the Valley Mustangs a $1,000 grant to finish buying new helmets for the club.

Department of Labor plans courses in workplace safety

The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards will host two free safety courses for employers and employees at the Presque Isle Career Center in May.

Three departments battle fire that destroys Allagash guide cabin

The owners of an Allagash guiding service plan to rebuild one of their log cabins destroyed in a Tuesday afternoon blaze that three St. John Valley fire departments battled together.

Texan survives first winter in Maine

As winter comes to a close, I thought I would update those who were wondering how this Texas girl faired in her first winter in Northern Maine.

Emera Maine is withdrawing its request for a rate increase

Emera Maine said Tuesday it is withdrawing its request with state regulators to increase its distribution rate amid a bid to sell the utility to a western Canadian firm.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Grand jury indicts Patten man in February credit union robbery

The Penobscot County grand jury Wednesday indicted a Patten man accused of robbing an Eastmill Federal Credit Union branch in February.

Three departments battle fire that destroys Allagash guide cabin

The owners of an Allagash guiding service plan to rebuild one of their log cabins destroyed in a Tuesday afternoon blaze that three St. John Valley fire departments battled together.

After weeklong search, police arrest Caribou man in Bangor

Police arrested Chad Peterson, 27, of Caribou, in Bangor on Sunday night after Caribou and Aroostook County police a week earlier issued warrants for his arrest on a charge of domestic violence terrorizing.

Washburn man accused of ramming wife’s vehicle is among those indicted in County

A Washburn man has been indicted on multiple domestic violence charges after allegedly ramming his wife’s vehicle last year.

Two new troopers assigned to Troop F in Aroostook

Fourteen new troopers, including two who will patrol in Aroostook County, graduated on April 12 from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.

Police locate, arrest two wanted men in Eagle Lake

The search for a Presque Isle man wanted by police led to two arrests in Eagle Lake on April 18.

County Candids Browse County Candids

11009101_H24730773

(Morgan Mitchell | SJVT/FhF)

(Morgan Mitchell | SJVT/FhF)

Filling pot holes on Main Street

Crews with the Maine Department of Transportation work Tuesday to fill pot holes on Main Street in Madawaska.

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

Former vice president Joe Biden jumps into 2020 White House race

Former vice president Joe Biden opened his third campaign for the presidency on Thursday, efforts that have spread over 32 years, taking direct aim at President Donald Trump and declaring that “we are in the battle for the soul of this nation.”

First American Folk Festival acts include a surf rock band that wears wrestling masks

The 15th annual American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront, set for Aug. 23-25, will feature several new genres for the event, including a surf rock band that wears Mexican wrestling masks during their performances.

Measles cases break record since disease was eliminated in US in 2000

Measles cases in the United States have now exceeded the highest number on record in a single year since the disease was eliminated in 2000.

Shrinking high school population poses a challenge for reclassifying sports teams

Changing demographics and a shrinking high school population have challenged organizers within the Maine Principals’ Association.

Living Browse Living

PAWS Pet of the Week — Clyde

PAWS Animal Welfare Shelter presents Clyde as the Pet of the Week in hopes that this big cat will find his forever home. Clyde is a big, dark brown striped cat with a big personality.

K of C lotto winner, April 8-14, 2019

The Fort Kent Knights of Columbus have announced the winner of their ongoing lotto fundraiser for the previous week, April 8-14.

Digital Crossword Puzzle — April 24, 2019

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for April 24, 2019

Valley Girls comic — April 24, 2019

Valley Girls comic for April 24, 2019.

From Our Files – Week of April 24, 2019

50 Years Ago -- April 24, 1969 Saucier To Represent Cole’s Express -- Coles’ Express is the first common carrier to have a resident employee in Madawaska.

Local agencies to take part in drug takeback

All Aroostook County law enforcement agencies will participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 27, from 10am-2pm.

Poll Browse Poll

Who is your Mother’s favorite?

Is it your brother? Sister? You? Let us know in this week's poll!

Opinion Browse Opinion

‘Defective’ censuses

In 1880 the government decided to identify citizens physically or morally defective. The result is the Federal Census Schedules for the Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes.

Mueller still registered as a Republican

Lou Ouellette is living proof that Trump Republicans will continue to obfuscate even when confronted by facts.

For news, reading beats watching

My viewing habits of cable news have changed over the past few years.

Mueller may not be Republican

To the editor: Paul Cyr of Madawaska asserts in your April 17 publication that Robert Mueller is a lifelong Republican.

No time to waste in fight against climate change

This week marks Earth Day, when people around the globe come together to express appreciation for the planet we all share, and to unite in advocacy for the solutions that will preserve this planet for the generations ahead of us.

Mueller Report – a telling tale

Conclusion: Because we determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment, we did not draw ultimate conclusions about the president's conduct.

Sports Browse Sports

USA Football awards Valley Mustangs $1,000 grant for helmets

USA Football recently awarded the Valley Mustangs a $1,000 grant to finish buying new helmets for the club.

Shrinking high school population poses a challenge for reclassifying sports teams

Changing demographics and a shrinking high school population have challenged organizers within the Maine Principals’ Association.

Get your boat ready for prime trolling time

Aroostook spring trolling enthusiasts are chomping at the bit for regional lakes to shed their winter coats. A long, frigid winter with near record snow depths has left local anglers anxious and short on patience, but thick ice still curtails access to most prime angling lakes throughout the Crown of Maine.

Outdoor Calendar — April 25-May 4, 2019

Family Story Time: Earth Day! 10:30 a.m.-noon at Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St. Even the smallest hands can lend a hand on Earth Day!

Firefighters and law enforcement team up for third annual charity basketball game in Fort Kent

Although they will soon be competing again on the basketball court, local firefighters and law enforcement personnel are always on the same team when it comes to supporting the community.

County and Maine runners fare well at Boston Marathon

Forty years after her first win at the Boston Marathon, Joan Benoit Samuelson scored a victory of a more personal nature during Monday’s 123rd edition of the race.

Business Browse Business

Department of Labor plans courses in workplace safety

The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards will host two free safety courses for employers and employees at the Presque Isle Career Center in May.

SAD 27 plans budget workshop April 29

The 852nd meeting of the SAD 27 directors will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 29,

Three departments battle fire that destroys Allagash guide cabin

The owners of an Allagash guiding service plan to rebuild one of their log cabins destroyed in a Tuesday afternoon blaze that three St. John Valley fire departments battled together.

Rep. Golden staff member plans hours in Valley

A staff member from Rep. Jared Golden’s office will hold mobile office hours in Grand Isle and Van Buren on Tuesday, April 30, to offer federal program assistance.

Water district leaders will meet at NMCC

A biennial conference for water district leaders will take place Wednesday and Thursday, April 24 and 25, at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle.

Emera Maine is withdrawing its request for a rate increase

Emera Maine said Tuesday it is withdrawing its request with state regulators to increase its distribution rate amid a bid to sell the utility to a western Canadian firm.