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Three school buses sit outside Fort Fairfield Elementary School on Thursday, Feb. 14. SAD 20 in Fort Fairfield is currently one of many school districts in central Aroostook County in search of substitute bus drivers amidst a shortage of qualified applicants. (Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)

Three school buses sit outside Fort Fairfield Elementary School on Thursday, Feb. 14. SAD 20 in Fort Fairfield is currently one of many school districts in central Aroostook County in search of substitute bus drivers amidst a shortage of qualified applicants. (Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)

County school districts look at ways to attract substitute bus drivers amidst shortage

February 16, 2019

With an aging population and shrinking workforce, many school districts in central Aroostook County are struggling to address a need for bus drivers.

News Browse News

What to consider before going off the grid

Considering going off the grid? Here’s what you should know before you do.

Free after school leadership events scheduled for 5-8 grade students in the county

The Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp’s “ATLC: Operation Leadership” after school program has scheduled the following events in March.

Capital campaign at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Saint Agatha nears finish line

An assessment of the buildings and grounds of Our Lady of the Valley Parish told the parish what it already knew, but the fall of one brick in the winter of 2016 made the ongoing needs for major repairs at parish churches impossible to ignore any further.

Valley residents visit Sanford High School

A busload of residents from the St. John Valley visited the new Sanford High School on Feb. 8 for inspiration, tips and guidance as three school administrative units in northern Aroostook consider building their own regional high school and technical center.

Following three more deer accidents in a week, Caribou police issue alert

Prompted by at least a dozen deer-related vehicle accidents this winter -- three in just the last week -- Caribou police are warning motorists in the area to be vigilant.

Delaware woman breaks neck when car hits pole in Grand Isle

A 40-year-old woman who had been reported missing from Delaware earlier this month is being treated for a broken neck at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor after she missed a curve on Route 1 in Grand Isle early Thursday morning, according to police.

Crown Politics Browse Crown Politics

In her third executive order, Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday ended a 2018 moratorium restricting the issuance of permits for wind turbine projects across the state.

Senate OKs deal to avert shutdown, but Trump eyes emergency declaration for wall money

The Senate passed a massive budget and border security deal Thursday to avert another government shutdown after President Donald Trump committed to signing the legislation but said he’d also declare a national emergency to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

A consultant hired to review Maine’s child welfare system found these flaws

Early findings in a new report evaluating eight child welfare cases handled by Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services show a system-wide need for department improvements — a likely precursor for a more comprehensive report to come.

Susan Collins and Angus King split on Trump’s nominee for attorney general

Good morning from Augusta, where people are digging out from a storm. So we will shift our attention to Washington, D.C.

Maine Senate president’s bill to aid unpaid federal workers clears hurdle

A legislative committee on Tuesday recommended that the Legislature pass an emergency bill to provide financial relief for federal employees in Maine during any future government shutdowns.

From Florida, LePage continues as Maine GOP’s rhetorical leader

Gov. Janet Mills’ budget address to the Legislature on Monday highlighted a predictably opposite vision for Maine than the one held by former Gov. Paul LePage, who, from Florida, continues to rhetorically overshadow fellow Republicans.

County Candids Browse County Candids

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A "heat wave" on Tuesday, Feb. 5, brought a high of 41 degrees to The County. The warmth inspired some to wear shorts in Madawaska. (Morgan Mitchell)

A "heat wave" on Tuesday, Feb. 5, brought a high of 41 degrees to The County. The warmth inspired some to wear shorts in Madawaska. (Morgan Mitchell)

Warm up in the county

February 5, 2019

A "heat wave" on Tuesday, Feb. 5, brought a high of 41 degrees to The County. The warmth inspired some to wear shorts in Madawaska.

Living Browse Living

What to consider before going off the grid

Considering going off the grid? Here’s what you should know before you do.

Free fishing days mark one of the busiest weekends of the year

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to head out for some fishing on the “hardwater,” this is your weekend, as a number of events are on tap, and you don’t even need a fishing license.

Free Fishing Weekend is February 16 & 17

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is reminding everyone to take advantage of the upcoming free fishing weekend.

From Our Files — February 13, 2019

The Madawaska Centennial Baby Committee proudly announces that baby Scott James Michaud, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Michaud of Madawaska, is the town’s first new citizen for 1969.

County Faces: Larry Park of Presque Isle

Many people have spent a lot of time on land connected to Larry Park’s family.

Valley Girls comic — February 13, 2019

Valley Girls comic for February 13, 2019

Poll Browse Poll

Will you be attending the basketball tourney games in Bangor this weekend?

Click here to vote!

Opinion Browse Opinion

Thwarting criminals seeking to steal Americans’ tax refunds

In January 2015, Rick Zaccaro and Bonnie Washuk, a married couple here in Maine, filed their federal income taxes.

Help protect English program at UMFK

We are writing to ask for your help, as well as the help of friends and alumni, regarding the English program at UMFK.

Walls can help protect our border and country

I read Guy Dubay‘s letter in the Times 2/6/19 and I have to admit there was very little in it I understood.

Support bill to donate fresh milk to food banks

An article from Sept. 6, 2018, discussed the unfortunate statistic of Maine ranking the highest in food insecurity in New England.

It came at night, Part I

As the skies darkened over the little Puerto Rican island of Vieques in September of 2017, Adry and her husband Jesus hunkered down with their two young children in a small middle room of their family home to wait.

Valentine’s Day also National Donor Day

While we all know Feb. 14 as Valentine’s Day, it is also National Donor Day.

Sports Browse Sports

Jackson welcomes Rossignol to the Maine Senate

Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, welcomed Parise Rossignol of Van Buren to the Maine Senate on Tuesday.

Van Buren tops Washburn boys in D prelim

For the third time this season, the Van Buren boys proved to be too much to handle for the Washburn Beavers.

Snowmobile Trail Report — Feb. 15, 2019

With the recent 12+ inches the County has just received and another 3-7 inches on Friday clubs will be very busy packing, rolling, and grooming the new snow for what is going to be a very busy weekend here in the County.

Maine now holds the world record for simultaneous moose-calling

Last June, when thousands of people flocked to the Skowhegan Fairgrounds for the Maine moose permit lottery, many took part in an offbeat attempt to set a world record.

Cole explodes for 46 in Bengal win

The University of Maine at Fort Kent may have lost its first meeting of the season against Aroostook County rival UM-Presque Isle, but Chance Cole made sure the rematch had a different outcome.

Sanclemente, Jandreau capture County titles in classical skiing

The first leg of the Aroostook League classical-style Nordic championships saw Fort Kent’s Miguel Sanclemente and Madawaska’s Isabelle Jandreau continue their winning ways.

Business Browse Business

County school districts look at ways to attract substitute bus drivers amidst shortage

With an aging population and shrinking workforce, many school districts in central Aroostook County are struggling to address a need for bus drivers.

Free after school leadership events scheduled for 5-8 grade students in the county

The Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp’s “ATLC: Operation Leadership” after school program has scheduled the following events in March.

Capital campaign at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Saint Agatha nears finish line

An assessment of the buildings and grounds of Our Lady of the Valley Parish told the parish what it already knew, but the fall of one brick in the winter of 2016 made the ongoing needs for major repairs at parish churches impossible to ignore any further.

2019 Crop Insurance Deadline Approaches

March 15, 2019 is the deadline to enroll, cancel, or change policy coverage for crop insurance on spring-seeded crops in Maine such as corn, sweet corn, barley, oats, spring wheat, and potato.

Aroostook County Commissioner’s meeting Wednesday, Feb. 20

Aroostook County Commissioner's meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 at 1 p.m. in the Registry of Deeds Building Conference Room (first floor) in Fort Kent.

USDA prioritizes investments in telemedicine to address opioid crisis in rural America

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving funding priority in a key grant program for applications to address opioid misuse in rural communities.