Fiddlehead Focus

32279001_H25812297

Trevor Ouellette tosses the bag across the room at corn hole night at Route 1 BBQ Wednesday night. (Morgan Mitchell | SJVT)

Trevor Ouellette tosses the bag across the room at corn hole night at Route 1 BBQ Wednesday night. (Morgan Mitchell | SJVT)

Wednesdays in winter bring cornhole to Madawaska

December 12, 2019

Cornhole has returned to the Valley with a semi-permanent home at Route 1 BBQ in Madawaska.

News Browse News

Hundreds absent from County schools as fear spread over discredited social media threat

At least 350 students from St. John Valley schools were kept home by their parents over a widely shared Facebook post threatening gun violence that authorities had ruled out as a legitimate threat.

Sherrif’s office warns of scam calls impersonating officer

The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents of an uptick in telemarketing scams as the holidays draw near.

Valley Unified board approves Frenchville site for proposed regional school, sets stage for public vote

The Valley Unified Board of Directors on Tuesday evening ratified the recommendation of a site selection committee to proceed with a Frenchville site for a proposed regional school.

Fort Kent students learn approach to defeat bullying through positivity

The Fort Kent Community High School gym was alive with positive energy and fun when youth speaker Josh Drean delivered an anti-bullying presentation to students on Friday, Dec. 6.

The hunt went great, until the deer stole his rifle

Spend enough time in the Maine woods and you’re bound to see all kinds of weird stuff. Whether you’re sitting around the campfire or picking up your morning paper, those stories are lots of fun to hear or read.

Take a drive to see country star Thomas Rhett’s Maine concert

Country star Thomas Rhett announced his 2020 Center Point Road Tour today, and the tour’s 26 dates include a stop in Bangor next summer.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Sherrif’s office warns of scam calls impersonating officer

The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents of an uptick in telemarketing scams as the holidays draw near.

Police charge juveniles with burglarizing marijuana facility

Police charged three juveniles following a break-in at a marijuana facility in Eagle Lake.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Nov. 4-10, 2019

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Nov.4-10, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Nov. 11-17, 2019

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Nov.11-17, including the following.

Marijuana facility burglarized in Eagle Lake

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects who burglarized a marjiunana dispensary in Eagle Lake.

Police arrest Fort Kent man who allegedly halted Main Street traffic with disruptive behavior

Several concerned callers reported to the Fort Kent Police Department Monday afternoon, Nov. 11, that a man was causing disturbances at several locations along West Main Street.

County Candids Browse County Candids

Nicole Hunt Ayotte at Mad. Elem

A frosty morning outside the Madawaska Elementary School Wednesday. (Nicole Hunt Ayotte)

A frosty morning outside the Madawaska Elementary School Wednesday. (Nicole Hunt Ayotte)

A frosty morning

September 18, 2019

A frosty morning outside the Madawaska Elementary School Wednesday.

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

Crime in Maine drops for the seventh straight year

The total number of crimes reported in Maine dropped for the seventh straight year in 2018, according to data from the Maine Department of Public Safety released Wednesday, but there were more assaults and homicides than there were in 2017.

$100 checks headed for more than 300,000 Maine households

More than 300,000 Maine homeowners can expect a $100 check early next year under a new state law.

NASA preparing for first all-female spacewalk later this week

Astronauts Jessica Meir, a Caribou native, and Christina Kock are preparing for a spacewalk scheduled for later this week, according to a NASA press release.

Democratic senators plan town hall series

A group of Democratic leaders in the Maine Senate will host a series of town hall meetings around the state, including one in Aroostook County.

Living Browse Living

Weekly digital jigsaw ~ 39th annual Arts and Crafts Fair

A curious snowman takes in the scenes at the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce 39th annual Arts and Crafts Fair.

County Faces: Leroy McKenzie of Fort Kent

For Leroy McKenzie of Fort Kent, family and country matter most.

Births at NMMC, November and December 2019

The following births were recorded in November and December 2019 at Northern Maine Medical Center.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for Dec. 11, 2019

Instructions – You can complete this crossword puzzle online.

Credit union aims to halt student hunger

University Credit Union has begun its third annual Ending Hunger on Campus Campaign to end food insecurity among Maine's college students.

‘Curious’ kitten Houdini still in need of a loving home

Houdini was very scared of humans, but he is slowly making progress. He is approximately 5-months-old now and still very playful and curious.

Poll Browse Poll

What’s your favorite Valley staple?

Let us know what you think.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Finding your Scots-Irish ties

Many genealogists in Maine have Scottish and/or Irish ancestors in their family trees. Some are Scots-Irish, the American term for an Ulster Scot.

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, stay out of the car until you’re ready to roll

It happens every year after a snowstorm. And it's always devastating.

Maine viewers deserve increased access to local news

We must have a free press where journalists are able to report indisputable facts. But we must also have a way for citizens to access this reporting and make informed decisions for themselves.

Ku Klux Klan

According to “Voyages: A Maine Franco-American Reader,” edité en 2007 par Nelson Madore pi Barry Rodrigue, ceci est sur la page 336: “In 1925 the (Ku Klux) Klan had as many as 37,000 members in Rhode Island; 65,590 in Connecticut; 75,000 in New Hampshire; 80,301 in Vermont; 130,780 in Massachusetts; and 150,141 in Maine.”

State should join Mainers in supporting local business

Mainers like to shop local, and that extends well beyond the holiday season. Whether it’s purchasing local produce from family-run farms or buying quality, handcrafted goods for loved ones, Maine people recognize the value of keeping their hard-earned dollars local.

Fighting back against Social Security scam criminals

It is estimated that America’s seniors lose a staggering $2.9 billion each year to an ever-growing array of financial exploitation schemes and scams.

Sports Browse Sports

Blizzard collects 1,640 toys for children

A total of 1,640 plush animals and objects were collected during the teddy bear game on Sunday, December 8.

Lyonnais defeats Blizzard, but teddy bears prevail

Though a shootout round was required to declare the Summerside Western Capitals the winner over the Edmundston Blizzard on Dec. 8, it was the teddy bears that stole the show.

Ewan MacDonald recalled again by the Eagles

For the fourth time this season, goalkeeper Ewan MacDonald was recalled by QMJHL’s Cape Breton Eagles.

UMPI Owls edge past UMFK Bengals, 68-66

The University of Maine at Presque Isle men's basketball team took on County rival University of Maine at Fort Kent on Saturday, Dec. 7. UMPI earned the win after a well fought game, 68-66 after being down early.

Blizzard bounces back to defeat Red Wings

A three-goal burst in the second period by the Edmundston Blizzard led the way to a 4-3 win over the Fredericton Red Wings.

Ewan MacDonald recalled by Cape Breton

Edmundston Blizzard goaltender Ewan MacDonald has been recalled by the Cape Breton Eagles.

Business Browse Business

SAD 33 board plans special meeting Saturday, Dec. 14

SAD 33 will hold a special board meeting on Saturday, Dec. 14.

County restaurants help provide 20,336 meals

Subway restaurants from throughout Maine recently donated the proceeds of a 14-day fundraising effort to the Good Shepherd Food Bank to help feed hungry Mainers.

SAD 27 directors to meet Dec. 16, 2019

The 869th meeting of the directors of SAD 27 will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019.

Madawaska selectmen to meet on Dec. 12, 2019

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Bank promotes new senior credit analyst

Katahdin Trust has announced the promotion of Sarah Gardiner to senior credit analyst.

NMMC earns gold star for being tobacco-free

The 10th annual Tobacco-Free Hospital Gold Star Standards of Excellence Awards Celebration, hosted by the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy initiative, was held on Nov. 14 at the Maine Hospital Association.