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Fort Kent Police Chief Tom Pelletier captured this image of the St. John River just east of St. Francis on Wednesday, April 17. The FKPD is monitoring river levels for potential flooding and Pelletier rode in a Maine Forest Service helicopter to evaluate the area from above. Jessica Potila photo

Fort Kent Police Chief Tom Pelletier captured this image of the St. John River just east of St. Francis on Wednesday, April 17. The FKPD is monitoring river levels for potential flooding and Pelletier rode in a Maine Forest Service helicopter to evaluate the area from above. Jessica Potila photo

Snowmelt, rain, may pose ‘significant flood threat to all of Aroostook County’

Rising water levels, snowmelt, and a forecast of rain this weekend pose a “significant flood threat to all of Aroostook County,” according to Aroostook Emergency Management Agency Director Darren Woods.

News Browse News

CA$H Coalition volunteers prepare 1,070 tax returns

The Aroostook CA$H Coalition, sponsored by The County Federal Credit Union and supported by 15 non- and for-profit partners, has completed another successful season of free tax preparation services for Aroostook County residents.

Wear denim to heighten sexual violence awareness

Aroostook Mental Health Center’s Sexual Assault Services invites the public to join in the 20th annual International Denim Day on Wednesday, April 24, and wear jeans to raise awareness for sexual violence.

Maine Elks tap Aroostook sheriff for prestigious national award

The Maine Elks Association has nominated Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen for a prestigious, national award named after a federal drug enforcement agent murdered in Mexico in 1985.

Acadia Hospital mistakenly released confidential information of 300 Suboxone patients

A communications official at Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Bangor mistakenly emailed the confidential names of 300 patients with prescriptions for Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, to an editor at the Bangor Daily News last week.

Fort Kent police chief reminds drivers to slow down, obey traffic laws

Residents have filed an increasing number of complaints with police about speeding and other traffic violations in the past few weeks, prompting Chief Tom Pelletier to remind drivers about the importance of slowing down and obeying the law.

New Bangor surgical center part of a trend offering hospitals stiff competition

A group of Bangor surgeons has opened a new outpatient surgery center near the Bangor Mall that allows them to more easily do advanced types of surgery, in particular same-day knee, hip and shoulder replacements.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Maine Elks tap Aroostook sheriff for prestigious national award

The Maine Elks Association has nominated Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen for a prestigious, national award named after a federal drug enforcement agent murdered in Mexico in 1985.

Fort Kent police chief reminds drivers to slow down, obey traffic laws

Residents have filed an increasing number of complaints with police about speeding and other traffic violations in the past few weeks, prompting Chief Tom Pelletier to remind drivers about the importance of slowing down and obeying the law.

Madawaska selectmen approve new cruiser, dispatch service contract

The Select Board on Tuesday approved buying a new cruiser for local police and renewed the town’s contract with the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office dispatch system.

Police seek public’s help in locating wanted Caribou man

Local and county police are searching for 27-year-old Chad Peterson of Caribou who is wanted for allegedly violating a protection order and domestic violence terrorizing.

Manslaughter trial in baby’s death that sparked father’s rampage to begin Tuesday

The jury-waived trial of a Millinocket man accused of causing the death of his former girlfriend’s child nearly four years ago will begin Tuesday at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor.

Firefighters help retrieve old pharmacy files from burned out Van Buren building

Local firefighters and other volunteers worked together Tuesday evening to assist John Hebert, owner of Hebert Rexall Pharmacy, recover important and historical files from under the rubble of his downtown building that burned down Sunday.

County Candids Browse County Candids

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This photo, taken at the Madawaska Public Works on March 18, shows the mountain of snow the town has removed from the streets so far this year. (Garrett Albert)

This photo, taken at the Madawaska Public Works on March 18, shows the mountain of snow the town has removed from the streets so far this year. (Garrett Albert)

Mountain of snow

This photo, taken at the Madawaska Public Works on March 18, shows the mountain of snow the town has removed from the streets so far this year.

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

Maine company to ship new river power system to Alaska

ORPC Inc., a Portland-based company that designs and sells turbines that use river or ocean water to generate energy, on Wednesday unveiled its first commercial system for use on rivers.

Acadia Hospital mistakenly released confidential information of 300 Suboxone patients

A communications official at Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Bangor mistakenly emailed the confidential names of 300 patients with prescriptions for Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, to an editor at the Bangor Daily News last week.

Electrical short-circuit likely caused Notre Dame fire, authorities say

Paris police investigators think an electrical short-circuit most likely caused the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, a police official said Thursday as France paid a daylong tribute to the firefighters who saved the world-renowned landmark.

While deaths still outnumber births, US Census says Maine’s population rose in 10 counties

The population of Maine as a whole and 10 of the state’s 16 counties is rising, as is the number of people moving into the state and into 14 counties, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which released its 2018 population estimates Thursday.

Living Browse Living

UMFK Scholars’ Symposium to feature students’ achievements

The University of Maine at Fort Kent’s 10th annual Scholars’ Symposium will take place on Tuesday, April 30, and Wednesday, May 1, on the UMFK campus.

Bishop celebrates Mass of the Holy Oils in Fort Kent

Bishop Robert Deeley traveled to St. Louis Church in Fort Kent on the Wednesday of Holy Week, April 17, to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Oils with priests, deacons and parishioners from northern and eastern Maine parishes.

Credit union sponsors Madawaska’s annual music series

NorState Federal Credit Union recently partnered with Madawaska’s Music in the Park series, held annually on Thursday evenings in the town’s Bicentennial Park, and donated $3,000 to help the series thrive.

UMFK professor of music returns from European tour

University of Maine at Fort Kent Professor of Music and Education, Dr. Scott Brickman, recently returned from Europe, where his orchestral composition “Restoration” was recorded.

County Faces: Jack and Ruth Doughty of Island Falls

Volunteering in the community is an essential component of daily life for Jack and Ruth Doughty of Island Falls.

From Our Files — April 17, 2019

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bouley of 145 East Main Street, Fort Kent, are the proud parents of twins born at People’s Benevolent Hospital last Wednesday, April 9.

Poll Browse Poll

How do the people in your community celebrate Easter

Opinion Browse Opinion

E.A. Williams Cartoon — April 17, 2017

We may yet save democracy

To the editor: Some of us Democrats had Republican fathers. That's true in my case, so as I look into family history, I find elements of bipartisn political history.

Dot and Milford: friends on the Allagash

When I first arrived for work in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway- at the ripe old age of 19 years, I had the privilege of meeting some very interesting people.

Driving with a blindfold on

Recently, I gave a "County Weather Hazards" presentation to a great group of 44 fifth-graders from Mapleton. Their teachers, Mrs. Bernier and Ms. Black, understood the importance of exposing their young charges to the weather hazards we really have to pay attention to here in The County.

Acadian celebrations & family reunions planned in August at CMA 2019

This popular party is held once every five years during the month of August.

Partisanship endangers our country

It seems Mr. Cyr is looking for some answers to my letter in the times: 3/ 27/ 19. Except for number 4 these questions seem pretty lame but I’ll answer them all anyway.

Sports Browse Sports

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.

Spring and summer rec programs ready to roll in Fort Kent

Although winter has worn out its welcome for many northern Maine residents, there is hope that fair weather will eventually arrive. One sure sign that it will happen is the Fort Kent Recreation Department rolling out information about its spring and summer programming.

Tough winter training conditions alter Maine runner’s Boston Marathon goal

Sarah Mulcahy had planned to run the 123rd Boston Marathon aggressively with a personal-best time for the 26.2-mile distance among her considerations.

UMFK Track and Field Surprises at Smith College

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Track and Field program returned to Massachusetts Saturday, April 6, for the Smith College Carla Coffey Classic.

Outdoor Calendar — April 13-25, 2019

Outdoor Calendar — April 13-25, 2019

Former inmate, now UMPI student highlights benefits of second chances

Shyquinn Dix is wrapping up his sophomore year of college studies and aiming to prove a lot of people right about the value of second chances and alternatives to incarceration.

Business Browse Business

CA$H Coalition volunteers prepare 1,070 tax returns

The Aroostook CA$H Coalition, sponsored by The County Federal Credit Union and supported by 15 non- and for-profit partners, has completed another successful season of free tax preparation services for Aroostook County residents.

Weekly call with politicians rings of democracy in action

Each week, the Aroostook Partnership, a regional advocacy group, facilitates a legislative conference call between political leaders that represent the interest of Aroostook County and business constituents.

Credit union sponsors Madawaska’s annual music series

NorState Federal Credit Union recently partnered with Madawaska’s Music in the Park series, held annually on Thursday evenings in the town’s Bicentennial Park, and donated $3,000 to help the series thrive.

Maine stores appear to dodge latest Sears fiscal maneuvers

The company that owns Sears is trying to buy back all of the Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, which were separated into a different company in 2012.

Agencies, groups partner to give away reusable bags

Aroostook Waste Solutions, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and area retailers are teaming up to increase reusable bags in an effort to limit the problems caused by single-use plastic bags.

Company plans car wash upgrade in Madawaska

Daigle Oil Company (DOC) will install a new and improved automated touchless car wash system at their DOC’s Place location in Madawaska to better serve customers wanting a cleaner vehicle.