Fiddlehead Focus

Houlton-area farmer Donald Fitzpatrick, left, with his grandson Jimmy, burying a pair of cotton underwear in one of their potato fields as part of the "Soil Your Undies" soil health demonstration with Aroostook County's Soil and Water Conservation Districts. (Courtesy of Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District)

Houlton-area farmer Donald Fitzpatrick, left, with his grandson Jimmy, burying a pair of cotton underwear in one of their potato fields as part of the "Soil Your Undies" soil health demonstration with Aroostook County's Soil and Water Conservation Districts. (Courtesy of Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District)

Farmers in Aroostook County are ‘soiling’ undies for science

Aroostook County's three soil and water conservation district organizations are trying out an unusual experiment with area farmers this summer using "soiled underwear” to highlight soil health.

News Browse News

SAD 27 directors to meet Monday, July 22

The 861st meeting of the directors of SAD 27 will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2019, in the library at Community High School, followed by the second budget hearing at 6 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.

Due to ‘recent business changes,’ Caribou Sitel closing on Oct. 31

The Sitel office on Sweden Street in Caribou will close its doors on Oct. 31, according to Sarah Geist of the Sitel Group Public Relations Team.

Arizona extradites man following domestic disturbance in Fort Kent

A man on probation for multiple criminal charges in Arizona and who Fort Kent Police arrested on a domestic violence charge is heading back to Arizona after officials in that state chose to extradite him.

Forest Hill earns 2019 National Quality Award

Forest Hill Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center recently received the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care.

Open Farm Day returning to the County

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry invites members of the community to come out to one of eight Aroostook County farms participating in the 30th anniversary of Maine Open Farm Day on Sunday, July 28.

Madawaska gets new Parks and Rec Department director

The Madawaska Parks and Recreation Department will see some changes with the addition of Sam Cyr as the new director after a two-month search for the right person to take over the position.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Arizona extradites man following domestic disturbance in Fort Kent

A man on probation for multiple criminal charges in Arizona and who Fort Kent Police arrested on a domestic violence charge is heading back to Arizona after officials in that state chose to extradite him.

Teen charged in rollover collision with deer

A 17-year-old lost control of the pickup truck he was driving when the vehicle struck a deer that entered the roadway. The teen is being charged in connection with the accident.

Van Buren police and fire departments get grant for ATV

The Van Buren fire and police departments will soon rescue and enforce in style after they complete outfitting a new $15,000 ATV side by side they were able to purchase through a $10,000 grant.

Madawaska police charge woman with OUI

Police charged a Frenchville woman with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence over the Fourth of July weekend.

Firefighters rescue swimmer in St. John River

Volunteer firefighters with the Fort Kent Fire Department rescued a man from the St. John River in Fort Kent on Wednesday morning.

County’s fast-growing drug problem becoming more visible

Just a block down from Main Street in Presque Isle, tucked away from all the well-kept neighborhoods where there are flower gardens on the front lawns and “Slow, Children at Play” signs on every corner, is another part of the city that could exist in an alternate universe.

County Candids Browse County Candids

(Morgan Mitchell)

(Morgan Mitchell)

A glimpse of a bear cub

This bear cub retreats to the brush near Gagnon Road and Route 1 in Madawaska on Saturday, July 13.

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

Susan Collins and Sara Gideon are raking in cash for a potential 2020 Senate showdown

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has raised more money for her nationally targeted 2020 re-election campaign than she did in all but one of her previous four races, but a Democratic challenger with national backing raised more than $1 million in 10 days.

City of Presque Isle to host official kickoff celebration for Maine Bicentennial

On Tuesday, July 30, Presque Isle will become the first city in Maine to commemorate the state’s 200th anniversary with special events that will include a visit from Gov. Janet Mills.

What you can (and can’t) do under Maine’s new law banning handheld phones while driving

Come September, Maine motorists will discover they’re generally allowed to eat a plate of nachos while driving (as long as it’s not distracting) but can’t pick up the phone to call mom.

Collins in France

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins met recently with Madawaska native Scott Desjardins, the superintendent of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, at a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied forces during World War II.

Living Browse Living

From Our Files – July 17, 2019

The number of inscriptions at the summer courses at the St. Louis College is now at 530 representing an increase of 140 on the previous year.

Valley Girls comic — July 17, 2019

Valley Girls comic for July 17, 2019.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for July 17, 2019

You can complete this crossword puzzle online.

Valley transportation has drive

Eight members of an elite squad of bus drivers from Madawaska and one from Fort Kent allowed the Valley Unified fleet of buses to take first, second and third places at a bus competition held June 25 in Presque Isle.

City of Presque Isle to host official kickoff celebration for Maine Bicentennial

On Tuesday, July 30, Presque Isle will become the first city in Maine to commemorate the state’s 200th anniversary with special events that will include a visit from Gov. Janet Mills.

Births at Cary Medical Center, June 2019

The following births were recently announced at Cary Medical Center.

Poll Browse Poll

How close are you to a veteran?

Vote in this week's poll -- check all options that apply to you.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Before the snow flies

It’s a phrase we’ve all heard, and we’ve all used.

E. A. Williams cartoon — July 17, 2019

E. A. Williams cartoon — July 17, 2019

Setting up Madawaska fireworks fund for 2020 after succes

If you saw the fireworks show at the Birch Point Beach on the Fourth of July, I hope you enjoyed them. I bought the fireworks and put the shot together.

Finding history in family groups

Family associations can be great sources of material for genealogists. They range from informal reunions, where the descendants of a particular couple meet for a picnic once a year, to full-fledged organizations with dues and membership cards and newsletters.

The small guy/gal vs. bigger bullies

This morning, following my daily walk, I happened to sit down at the boat docks at the end of Long Lake. At the end of the lake stands a large, dead tree.

E. A. Williams cartoon — July 10, 2019

E. A. Williams cartoon — July 10, 2019

Sports Browse Sports

Small pool, big fish, huge problem

When the big fish struck the fly, the surprise and savageness of the attack nearly tore the rod from my grip. Several unusual situations led to the circumstance, most were of my own doing. Over the next half-hour one of the unique, almost unbelievable fish fables that I’ve ever experienced transpired. Perhaps you’ll find it entertaining.

Upper St. John Valley Senior Ladies Golf

The Upper St. John Valley Senior Ladies Golf club met at the Fort Kent Golf Club July 10 for the second meet of the year.

County, N.B. teams hit links for cancer patients

Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery (C-A-N-C-E-R) held its 20th annual golf tournament on Saturday, June 22, at the Presque Isle Country Club.

Upper St. John Valley Senior Ladies Golf

Results for the Upper St. John Valley Senior Ladies Golf at Aroostook Valley Country Club from June 26 were as follows.

Fort Kent youth reels in muskie while fishing for trout on Fish River

Trystan Rioux, 13, caught a muskie well over half his own height during his first-ever trout fishing expedition at Fish River Falls.

Maine driver to make NASCAR Monster Energy Cup series debut in New Hampshire

Austin Theriault’s childhood dream was to race in the Monster Energy Cup Series. The Fort Kent stock car racer used to go to the Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon and recalled seeing his favorite driver, Mark Martin, win the Sylvania 300 at Loudon in 2009.

Business Browse Business

SAD 27 directors to meet Monday, July 22

The 861st meeting of the directors of SAD 27 will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2019, in the library at Community High School, followed by the second budget hearing at 6 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.

Madawaska selectmen to meet on July 22, 2019

The next Madawaska Board of Selectmen meeting will be held at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, July 22.

Farmers in Aroostook County are ‘soiling’ undies for science

Aroostook County's three soil and water conservation district organizations are trying out an unusual experiment with area farmers this summer using "soiled underwear” to highlight soil health.

Due to ‘recent business changes,’ Caribou Sitel closing on Oct. 31

The Sitel office on Sweden Street in Caribou will close its doors on Oct. 31, according to Sarah Geist of the Sitel Group Public Relations Team.

Forest Hill earns 2019 National Quality Award

Forest Hill Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center recently received the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care.

Community invited to ‘Stuff the Bus’ for local schoolkid

United Way of Aroostook is collaborating with Aroostook County Action Program, Adopt-A-Block Aroostook and area businesses to help prepare local children to begin the new school year by providing eligible families with a backpack and school supplies.