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Public works employees for the town of Madawaska move water and sewer lines at Bicentennial Park Friday under the supervision of projects supervisor Kevin Dube. (Morgan Mitchell | SJVT/FhF)

Public works employees for the town of Madawaska move water and sewer lines at Bicentennial Park Friday under the supervision of projects supervisor Kevin Dube. (Morgan Mitchell | SJVT/FhF)

Madawaska breaks ground on restrooms in Bicentennial Park, again

The Town of Madawaska broke ground on new restrooms in Bicentennial Park Friday morning.

News Browse News

Students visit scientists near New Zealand via video conference, explore underwater volcano

Students from high schools in Madawaska, St. Agatha and Fort Kent recently took a virtual tour of a ship to see how scientists on board are extracting samples of a volcano miles below the surface of the ocean.

Allagash Wilderness Waterway resource assessment released

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation announced on Friday the release of what it says is the first heritage resource assessment of the waterway, in the form of a 300-page book that will serve a variety of purposes.

Federal investigators charge County man with child pornography

Federal investigators have charged an Aroostook County man with two felony sex crimes following a multi-agency investigation.

State seeks applicants for youth tourism training

Maine Department of Labor announces applications are now open for a 2018 Youth and Training Grant Pilot Program for the tourism Industry.

Kellogg recalls Honey Smacks due to possible contamination

Kellogg Company announced on June 14 it is voluntarily recalling 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal because these products have the potential presence of Salmonella.

Brewery receives marketing grant

New Ventures Maine has announced the winner of its Marketing Mini-grant competition for small businesses in Aroostook County. First Mile Brewing Co. of Fort Kent received an award of $500.

Crown Politics Browse Crown Politics

Susan Collins says separating immigrant families ‘inconsistent with American values’

Sen.Collins on Sunday called the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy of pressing criminal charges against immigrants and separating children from their families “inconsistent with American values” and “traumatizing” to children.

Biding our time before ranked ballots are counted and the Maine Legislature returns

The Democratic gubernatorial primary is still locked in ranked-choice counting and the Legislature will be back in Augusta on Tuesday to vote on a spending package.

Maine Legislature will return next week for special session

The Legislature will return next week for a special session over the objections of Gov. Paul LePage, who accused House Republicans who are typically loyal to him of “giving in because it’s an election year.”

Waiting game drags on as Maine adjusts to ranked-choice voting

Good morning from Augusta, where by now there should be a substantial pile amassing of ballots and other materials from Tuesday’s primary election. But that does not mean we’ll have declared winners before next week.

Maine lawmakers are quietly voting on whether to return to work next week

Good morning from Augusta, where lawmakers are deciding if and when to return for a special session.

Maine again backs ranked-choice voting

Maine voters again endorsed ranked-choice voting, passing a ballot question that keeps alive the first-in-the-nation election system.

Living Browse Living

Moose on a northern dirt road

Photographer and Fort Kent Elementary School educator Stacy Belanger captured this image of a moose in the backwoods of northern Maine on Friday

New Sweden readies for Midsommar Fest

The annual Midsommar Festival in New Sweden, slated Friday, June 22, through Sunday, June 24, will feature special hometown talent by way of Montreal.

Scouts host dads’ breakfast

Fort Kent Boy Scout Troop 189 will host a Father’s Day Breakfast and Silent Auction on Sunday, June 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fort Kent Elementary School.

Father’s Day is every day for proud St. John Valley dads

Whether they spend their time picking out Christmas trees as a family, hunting or hiking together in the northern Maine woods or going for a bicycle ride once the weather allows, St. John Valley dads and their children live Father’s Day year-round.

June bugs loud but harmless to humans

June bugs. May-June beetles. Screen-thumpers. Whatever you call the large, lumbering beetles of the genus Phyllophaga that gather around Maine porch lights this time of year, rarely are they welcome visitors.

ACAP expands services through ‘Whole Family’ approach

Nearly a year after a pilot launch of their “Whole Family,” or “two generation,” approach to family coaching, the Aroostook County Action Program has found much early success with helping both children and parents combat the cycle of poverty.

Opinion Browse Opinion

E.A. Williams cartoon — June 13, 2018

E.A. Williams cartoon for June 13, 2018.

My beautiful balloon

Today we go up, up and away, to talk about balloons, specifically weather balloons. They are an indispensable tool used by weather forecasters.

Canvass those cemeteries safely

It’s that time of year again when genealogists are apt to feel the urge to track down a family cemetery.

Stealing from the dead

About 3 1/2 years ago, I lost my dad, and so, as we all do, we put flowers on the grave of our loved ones.

Navigating the Shrinking St. Francis River

Fellow retiree Brent Elwell and I met at Pelletier’s Campground in St. Francis on a warm spring evening.

E.A. Williams cartoon — June 6, 2018

E.A. Williams cartoon for June 6, 2018.

Sports Browse Sports

Aroostook League spring all stars announced

Spring All-Aroostook teams have been selected for the Aroostook League and recipients were recognized at their schools’ recent athletic awards assemblies.

Motor Sports Museum displays Theriault car

After a profoundly successful first year, the North East Motor Sports Museum, located at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, has undergone a makeover.

Grand Isle to host canoe/kayak race Saturday

Water racers take note: the annual Greater Grand Isle Canoe & Kayak Race will take place on Saturday, June 16.

7 County athletes win baseball skills event

Seven champions were crowned at the Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit and Run northern sectionals, held June 3 at Central Aroostook Junior-Senior HIgh School’s baseball field.

Bengal basketball camp offers training and fun

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Athletic Department will offer an action-packed co-ed basketball camp this summer, open to all entering grades K-8.

UMFK to host co-ed Bengal soccer camp

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Athletic Department will offer a week-long day co-ed soccer camp this summer. Registration is open to all entering kindergarten through 12th grade.

Business Browse Business

Allagash Wilderness Waterway resource assessment released

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation announced on Friday the release of what it says is the first heritage resource assessment of the waterway, in the form of a 300-page book that will serve a variety of purposes.

State seeks applicants for youth tourism training

Maine Department of Labor announces applications are now open for a 2018 Youth and Training Grant Pilot Program for the tourism Industry.

Kellogg recalls Honey Smacks due to possible contamination

Kellogg Company announced on June 14 it is voluntarily recalling 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal because these products have the potential presence of Salmonella.

Brewery receives marketing grant

New Ventures Maine has announced the winner of its Marketing Mini-grant competition for small businesses in Aroostook County. First Mile Brewing Co. of Fort Kent received an award of $500.

Valley collaborative remains at top of list for regional high school funding

By August, a collaborative of St. John Valley school districts could very well be formulating plans for a new unified high school that the state will fund.

Presque Isle prepares to greet BikeMaine

In less than 90 days, 450 bicyclists and 75 staff members from BikeMaine will descend on Presque Isle, and the city’s BikeMaine committees are preparing for the event.