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Brett Bramble, left, Jessie Grieb and John “Stick” Azerolo are walking through Aroostook County as part of a 2,600-mile journey from Key West, Florida, to Fort Kent to raise awareness for opioid addiction. The trio were in Monticello Wednesday afternoon and expect to arrive in Fort Kent on Aug. 17. (Joseph Cyr | Pioneer Times)

Brett Bramble, left, Jessie Grieb and John “Stick” Azerolo are walking through Aroostook County as part of a 2,600-mile journey from Key West, Florida, to Fort Kent to raise awareness for opioid addiction. The trio were in Monticello Wednesday afternoon and expect to arrive in Fort Kent on Aug. 17. (Joseph Cyr | Pioneer Times)

Officials ask public to join man in final steps of 2,600-mile walk to Fort Kent

August 17, 2018

A man who has walked all the way from Key West, Florida, to northern Maine in memory of his sister will complete his 8-month trek at the America’s First Mile monument in Fort Kent on Friday morning.

News Browse News

Officials ask public to join man in final steps of 2,600-mile walk to Fort Kent

A man who has walked all the way from Key West, Florida, to northern Maine in memory of his sister will complete his 8-month trek at the America’s First Mile monument in Fort Kent on Friday morning.

Voters can now request absentee ballots from state

The Online Absentee Ballot Request Service is now available for the Nov. 6, 2018 General and Referendum Election, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap notified voters recently.

Feds award $300,703 to County health centers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Aug. 15 announced $1,447,920 in quality improvement grant awards to 18 Maine health centers. Three of those are in Aroostook County and will receive a total of $300,703.

Collins pushes amendment to preserve paper drug info

An amendment authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to continue to preserve prescription paper inserts and protect rural Americans was included in the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Appropriations Minibus.

Airport leaders in Presque Isle say United changes off to strong start

United Airlines’ service to Newark is going well at the newly-renamed Presque Isle International Airport, despite some occasional growing pains, according to airport leaders.

First Lady Ann LePage plans final ice cream social

First Lady Ann LePage will host her eighth annual Military Families Ice Cream Social on the Blaine House Lawn on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Crown Politics Browse Crown Politics

Milbridge doctor running against Collins reprimanded for unprofessional conduct

Milbridge physician who has said she’ll run against U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in 2020 has been reprimanded by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine for engaging in unprofessional conduct.

Maine ethics regulators vote to reopen taxpayer campaign funding for 2018 races

Bypassing a stalemated Maine Legislature, ethics regulators voted Thursday to effectively ignore a drafting error in state law that has locked away about $3.2 million in taxpayer funding for gubernatorial and legislative campaigns since July.

‘My best friend died yesterday’: A tribute to Chris Cousins

Good morning from Augusta, where our hearts are broken.

Angus King’s challengers are clamoring for attention, but history is working against them

Good morning from Augusta, where two longshot major-party candidates are trying desperately to gain ground on U.S. Sen. Angus King, who was on a motorcycle tour of Maine this weekend and has seemed to be doing his best to ignore their existence so far.

LePage’s DHHS chief to retire at end of August

Gov. Paul LePage announced Friday that his health and human services chief will retire at the end of August.

LePage again pressures dormant Legislature to get back to work

Good morning from Augusta, where Gov. Paul LePage is emerging in a flurry to urge the passage of child welfare bills he recently wanted to wait before submitting and doubling down on a campaign against Democrats he accuses of dilly-dallying with the people’s business.

County Candids Browse County Candids

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A pair of Canada geese appear to survey the neighborhood as they stroll along Dyer Street in Presque Isle Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 15. (Staff Photo/Paula Brewer)

A pair of Canada geese appear to survey the neighborhood as they stroll along Dyer Street in Presque Isle Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 15. (Staff Photo/Paula Brewer)

Taking a stroll

August 15, 2018

A pair of Canadian geese appear to survey the neighborhood as they stroll along Dyer Street in Presque Isle Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 15.

Living Browse Living

Kids learn the ropes early when growing up on a farm

When Ethan Malmborg was 5 years old, his father came downstairs at midnight to find his son at the dining room table eating Cheerios and toast, dressed and ready for a day in the potato fields.

Caravan of white diners returns to Edmundston Aug. 23

On Thursday, Aug. 23, the world’s largest pop-up picnic and most sought-after secret returns to Edmundston for the annual Diner en Blanc d’Edmundston.

PAWS Pet of the Week — Trixie

PAWS Animal Welfare Shelter presents Trixie as the Pet of the Week in hopes that this fluffy cat will find her forever home.

County Faces: Tracy Reed of Wade

Tracy Reed of Wade has spent over a decade teaching students in Washburn how to appreciate the world around them, whether they are taking part in their own community or exploring cultures and environments in other parts of the world.

First Lady Ann LePage plans final ice cream social

First Lady Ann LePage will host her eighth annual Military Families Ice Cream Social on the Blaine House Lawn on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, from 6 to 7 p.m.

From Our Files — August 15, 2018

A former Fort Kent resident has been named the new principal of District High School, replacing Father Roger Lachance who has been transferred from the Van Buren area.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Reader offers own facts to educate critic

In regards to Lou Ouellette’s letter attacking James Chasse’s and my intelligence, moral values, and facts.

These numbers paint a different picture of Trump

I do believe, Mr. Ouellette, you are channeling a bit of your hero Trump who states an average of 10 untruths daily.

Bronzebacks replace brookies during drought

If I wanted to endure day after day, week after week of humid, hot, sweltering weather, I’d live in Africa, or perhaps Florida.

Reader refutes statements of previous letter writers

Paul Cyr of Madawaska states in his letter to the editor that the Obama administration achieved 4.1 percent GDP on four separate occasions? Truly fiction.

No one is immune from high drug prices

When you think of $12,000, what comes into your mind? The cost of a gently used car, perhaps -- one that will get you to work and your kids to school safely?

Column captured reader’s sentiments on Trump

To the editor: For several months, I've thought of writing about the delirious person who is wrecking our country.

Sports Browse Sports

Senior ladies tee off at Houlton golf course

The fourth tournament of the summer for the Upper St. John Valley Senior Ladies Golf Association was held at Houlton Community Golf Course on Aug. 15.

Easton soccer teams to open at home Friday

Three girls and three boys soccer games, all involving Class D schools, are scheduled for Friday in the region.

Stocking Arctic charr in heritage pond is a bad idea, fish conservationists say

Fisheries conservationists made passionate pleas Tuesday night for state fisheries officials to reconsider a plan that would allow the introduction of Arctic charr into a brook trout water that has never been stocked

Forget to enter Maine’s any-deer lottery? This is your lucky day

If you’re one of those hunters who’s a forgetful sort — the kind of person who sometimes wakes up the morning after the state closes the any-deer permit lottery, for instance, and realizes you didn’t apply … again — I’m happy to share some great news with you.

UMFK men’s basketball faces ‘most difficult schedule’ yet in quest for national title

The University of Maine at Fort Kent men’s basketball team has been on the brink of a national championship each of the last two years.

42 participants finish inaugural half marathon at Bigrock

Forty-two individuals ranging in age from 17 to 69 completed the inaugural Big Run Around the Mountain Half Marathon on Sunday, Aug. 12.

Business Browse Business

Call center expanding Fort Kent operation

Ameridial has announced it will expand its Fort Kent call center operation with the addition of 12 new positions, with training slated to begin Sept. 4.

Feds award $300,703 to County health centers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Aug. 15 announced $1,447,920 in quality improvement grant awards to 18 Maine health centers. Three of those are in Aroostook County and will receive a total of $300,703.

County health sites earn tobacco prevention stars

Earlier this summer, four Aroostook County behavioral health organizations were celebrated through the Gold Star Standards of Excellence program, sponsored by the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy initiative.

Consolidated workers agree to 3-year contracts in ME, NH, VT

Two unions representing about 1,000 Consolidated Communication workers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont have approved three-year contracts, their first under Illinois-based company, officials said Friday.

Aroostook Retired Educators will meet Aug. 28 in Presque Isle

The Aroostook Retired Educators Association will meet Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center.

SAD 27 directors to meet August 17, 2018

The 842nd meeting of the directors of SAD 27 will take place at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 in the library at Community High School.