Fiddlehead Focus

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Floodwater from the confluence of the Fish and St. John rivers spills over onto East Main Street in downtown Fort Kent on April 30, 2008. (John Clarke Russ | BDN file)

Floodwater from the confluence of the Fish and St. John rivers spills over onto East Main Street in downtown Fort Kent on April 30, 2008. (John Clarke Russ | BDN file)

Fort Kent enjoying mild spring ten years after greatest flood in local history

As ice runs on the St. John River signifying the arrival of spring in the St. John Valley, and with mild weather and minimal rainfall so far, there is currently little concern that flooding will afflict the area.

News Browse News

County rivers beginning to thaw, but no flooding issues yet

Spring may have had a late start in The County, but now the Aroostook, St. John, and Allagash rivers are beginning to thaw.

LePage will allow highway signs for Katahdin monument

Gov. Paul LePage has lifted his ban of road signs along state roads showing the way to Maine’s national monument.

Maine students required to get meningitis vaccine for next school year

In a move aimed at protecting more young Mainers from contracting and spreading a deadly bacterial disease, the state will officially mandate a vaccine in the next school year to prevent meningococcal disease.

Utilities Commission hosting hearing on Emera’s proposed 12 percent rate hike

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is asking for consumers to share their thoughts at a public hearing on Emera Maine’s proposed 12 percent increase in its distribution costs and on its response to last fall’s wind storm.

Panel of experts at UMFK tackles media literacy and fake news

A panel of journalists and professors addressed the proliferation of fake news, in particular on social media, during a symposium event at the University of Maine at Fort Kent on April 19.

Nimble deer dodges death, floats down Maine river on ice sheet

When the Allagash and St. John rivers finally begin moving after spending five months frozen solid, it can be a spectator sport for local residents. On Monday, many of those residents got more than they bargained for as a young deer floated past on an ice floe.

Crown Politics Browse Crown Politics

Linn admits ballot signature ‘hanky-panky,’ then blames Brakey without proof

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Max Linn renewed an unsubstantiated allegation that his primary opponent sabotaged his nominating signatures after his lawyer admitted at a Tuesday hearing that there was “hanky-panky” and possible fraud around them.

Collins slams Comey for releasing his memoir during the Russia investigation

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine on Sunday criticized former FBI Director James Comey for releasing his memoir amid the ongoing Russia investigation, saying it could disrupt the probe.

Maine’s top court clears way for ranked-choice voting in June

Ranked-choice voting will be used in Maine’s June primary elections, the state’s high court ruled on Tuesday in a massive win for supporters of the first-in-the-nation system that has faced constitutional scrutiny and run a political gauntlet in the Legislature.

Partisan sparring in Maine House drags into Thursday morning

Republicans in the Maine House of Representatives voted to force a gridlocked Legislature to adjourn by Wednesday’s end in a dispute with Democrats over a spending package, but the session stretched into Thursday for procedural reasons.

A clash of money and values revealed among Democrats for governor

Attorney and Maine Army National Guard member Adam Cote has built an insider’s budget while running an outsider campaign that calls for new party leadership.

‘Last night we had a deal and he blew it up.’ Gridlock deepens in State House end game

Good morning from Augusta, where we seem to be back in the same situation we’ve been in at the end of the past several legislative sessions and as of Tuesday’s Daily Brief. Here’s your soundtrack.

Living Browse Living

Knights of Columbus lotto winner — April 16-22, 2018

The Fort Kent Knights of Columbus have announced the winner of their ongoing lotto fundraiser for the week of April 16-22, 2018.

Tournament in Caribou illustrates growing popularity of pickleball

A new sport is gaining in popularity in Caribou.

Local Acadian film to air on Maine PBS

What do a 95-year-old snowshoe maker and a 5-year-old French student have in common? In the St. John Valley of far northern Maine, they are both practicing Acadian traditions that can be traced back to 1785.

Pets of the Week — Friskie & Scamp

PAWS Animal Welfare Shelter presents Friskie (pictured) and Scamp as Pets of the Week in hopes that these little guys will find their forever home together.

Seminar on plant-based food comes to Fort Kent

Northern Maine Medical Center, in cooperation with Cary Medical Center, will host a Plant Based Nutrition Seminar on Saturday, April 28, from 12 to 4 p.m.

Valley Girls comic — April 18, 2018

Valley Girls comic from April 18, 2018.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Drilling off Maine’s coast? Not worth the risk

In life, there are some risks worth taking.

Evil in the family tree

Genealogists are accustomed to uncovering secrets and sometimes unpleasant facts when they research their family history.

Flood season

At this writing, Thursday, April 12, there are indications that some heavy precip, mainly rain (though starting as snow/freezing rain), is heading our way

PALS flies folks to Boston for medical care

Good news for Aroostook. I had the good fortune of being flown from Presque Isle to Boston’s Logan Airport and back on April 4 for medical appointments thanks to Patient Air Lift Services (PALS).

E.A. Williams cartoon — April 18, 2018

E.A. Williams cartoon for April 18, 2018.

What route one’s roots?

I am reminded of ancestral roots in the strangest ways.

Sports Browse Sports

Valley athletes place at track meet

High-school track and field teams from Fort Kent and Madawaska traveled to Old Town High School where they competed in the first meet of the season on Saturday.

8-man football could preserve the sport at some Maine high schools, says coach

The thought of introducing an eight-player alternative to Maine high school football is nothing new.

Tournament in Caribou illustrates growing popularity of pickleball

A new sport is gaining in popularity in Caribou.

Mariners rebound; MHL final tied 1-1

In complete contrast to the previous game that ended in an avalanche of 11 goals, the Yarmouth Mariners took their revenge Sunday, April 15, by blanking the Edmundston Blizzard 1-0 in front of a packed house at the Jean-Daigle Centre.

Blizzard makes some changes to tickets sales

In preparation of the fifth game of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MHL) final next Sunday, April 22, the Edmundston Blizzard organization announced some changes to the ticket purchase process.

Mainer finishes 25th among women at Boston Marathon

She spent 10 minutes shivering in the recovery tent after the Boston Marathon before some attendants came over to help her get out of her wet, frozen clothes and warm up.

Business Browse Business

LePage will allow highway signs for Katahdin monument

Gov. Paul LePage has lifted his ban of road signs along state roads showing the way to Maine’s national monument.

County seeks funding for regional code office

The Aroostook County Commissioners have endorsed a grant application to help create a joint regional office for assessing and code enforcement.

Totally Trades touts non-traditional careers for girls

New Ventures Maine is offering a hands-on, day-long event designed to encourage girls to consider careers in fields traditionally filled more predominantly by males.

Van Buren body shop joins U-Haul roster

U-Haul Company of Maine, Inc. has announced that Wayne’s Body Shop has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer.

Northern Maine Development Commission earns financial service certification

Northern Maine Development Commission now has a new tool to help foster economic development and opportunity in northern and eastern Maine.

Hospital dedicates report to volunteers

Recognizing that volunteers are a true gift, Northern Maine Medical Center (NMMC) has announced it will dedicate the 2017 Annual Report to the volunteers