Fiddlehead Focus

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Youths play tag and socialize at Fort Kent's Jalbert Park community ice skating rink in January 2017. Staff File Photo/Don Eno

Youths play tag and socialize at Fort Kent's Jalbert Park community ice skating rink in January 2017. Staff File Photo/Don Eno

Fort Kent student proposes plan to save town ice rink

A Fort Kent Community High School student is recommending some major changes regarding the town ice rink that could save taxpayers money while also saving the ice rink from closure.

News Browse News

‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall’ event planned in Fort Kent

A peaceful gathering is planned in Fort Kent to unite people in the aftermath of the killing of a black man who died on a Minneapolis street while police arrested him.

Fort Kent grocery store no longer selling gasoline

J R Boucher and Son Construction removed two underground gas tanks and the gas pumps at the store on Tuesday.

Californian repays an Allagash woman’s small-town hospitality

When word reached California author and researcher Phil Daigle via social media that Allagash restaurant Two Rivers was closed down due to state executive orders during the pandemic, he figured the time was right to repay an old debt.

Maine golfers at New Brunswick border course advocate for Canadians banned from playing there

The closing of the border between New Brunswick and Maine due to the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented Canadians from playing the course, which, along with the clubhouse, is actually located in New Brunswick.

Crosswinds honors fallen veterans with flag raising and parade

Although Crosswinds Residential Care in Fort Kent is in shutdown to keep residents safe from COVID-19, a flag raising ceremony and parade still took place at the center in honor of Memorial Day.

Face shields are ‘County Strong’

St. John Valley residents who have been using their 3D printers to print ear savers -- mask holders -- and face shield headbands early in the COVID-19 pandemic are still at it, and now print “County Strong” on some of the headbands.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Woman injured in rollover accident in St. John Plantation

A St. Francis woman was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following a single-vehicle rollover crash in St. John Plantation

Police arrest Fort Kent man on felony firearms charge

Police arrested a Fort Kent man on a felony firearms charge on Tuesday.

Fort Kent man charged after allegedly refusing to leave residence

Police arrested a Fort Kent man who allegedly refused to leave a Market Street residence over the weekend.

Fort Kent police shift union affiliation

Law enforcement officers of the Fort Kent Police Department recently changed union representation from the Teamsters Union to the Fraternal Order of Police.

Madawaska Lake crash causes major vehicle damage

A crash at the Lake Shore Drive and Route 161 intersection in Madawaska Lake on Monday caused severe damage to two vehicles as three individuals were taken to Cary Medical Center with minor injuries.

Police seek individual who drove through community pavilion

Fort Kent police are looking for an individual who reportedly drove a vehicle onto the cement floor of the Lions Pavilion, and spun their tires, leaving black skid marks behind.

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

Agency on Aging warns senior citizens of COVID-19-related phone, internet scams

With fears of COVID-19 on the rise, there has also been an increase in medical-related scams targeting senior citizens, who are among the people most vulnerable to infection.

State opens waters to free inland fishing

Governor Janet Mills on Friday, March 20, directed Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso to open all inland waters for fishing and to waive the requirement that anglers need a recreational fishing license to fish the inland waters of Maine.

Portalatin takes first in 30-mile race

Spectators gathered at the finish line at Lonesome Pine Trails in Fort Kent to cheer on mushers as they arrived at the end of their 30-mile trek through Fort Kent at the Can-Am Sled Dog Races on Feb. 29. Race winner was racer No. 25 Rico Portalatin with a time of 2:24:11.

New U.S. stamp celebrates Maine

The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate Maine’s bicentennial with the issuance of a new Forever stamp and a dedication ceremony on the actual anniversary of Maine’s statehood, March 15.

Living Browse Living

Grant to provide for local pet food needs

Halfway Home Pet Rescue has received two grants to help local families affected by COVID-19 economic restraints to obtain free pet food.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for May 27 2020

You can complete this crossword puzzle online. Just click on the box you want to fill in and begin typing the word you think is the answer to the clue.

Valley Girls comic – Week of May 25, 2020

A little trouble with changes

PAWS pet of the week – Mushie

Meet Mushie, a superbly handsome brown tiger boy with stunning green eyes. Mushie is relatively new to PAWS, and while he is still shy, his favorite thing is getting his chin rubbed.

From our Files – Week of May 25, 2020

50 Years Ago -- May 28, 1970 Frenchville Residents Enjoy Bilingual Sonfest -- The Mrs. Germaine Tardif, Alma Cyr, Irene Labrie and Jeannine Tardif, were some of the hostesses when Bailey School students treated some 400 residents of Frenchville to a bilingual songfest recently.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for May 20, 2020

You can complete this crossword puzzle online. Just click on the box you want to fill in and begin typing the word you think is the answer to the clue.

Poll Browse Poll

Do you think Aroostook County’s gradual reopening began at the right time?

Tell us what you think.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Fishing with Dad

I was twelve when my family moved into the lodge on the western shore of Umsaskis Lake. The lodge set up on a high bank overlooking the lake. My siblings and I would spend the next five summers exploring the outdoors there.

Historic May snowstorm

Snowstorms which are remembered down through the generations are sometimes described as having been the heaviest in the memory of "the oldest living inhabitant.” I've always liked that line, and it was actually used a couple of Saturdays ago, on, of all days, the 9th day of May.

Looking at available COVID-19 resources

We are not out of the woods yet, but we can see some light. Still, as we continue to navigate this unusual time, I wanted to share some updates and resources that may be helpful.

Let’s rethink views of older Americans

Society must capitalize on the experience and judgment, gained through years of living, by this large segment of our population. Not to do so would be to miss out on a wealth of resources.

Ca pourais être pire

En tous cas, voici un poême d'amour pour notre belle Vallée Saint-Jean.

Thunderstorm clouds can give important clues to their danger

Thunderstorms can be captivating, putting on one of Nature's most compelling displays.

Sports Browse Sports

Blizzard trades forward Wilson to Valley

The Edmundston Blizzard traded forward Chad Wilson and a conditional second-round pick in the 2021 midget draft to the Valley Wildcats.

Blizzard sends Lush to the Red Wings and obtains Breau

The Edmundston Blizzard made two deals last week, including sending defenseman Justin Lush to the Fredericton Red Wings.

Maine’s 2020 wild turkey season is underway

Maine’s wild turkey season opened Saturday, May 2, a couple of days earlier than planned thanks to a decree by the Maine Fish and Wildlife Department.

Friday Night Warrior Lights shine for Class of 2020

The school building has been empty of students since March, but the Fort Kent Community High School soccer field was lit up on Friday, May 1, in honor of the Class of 2020.

The Blizzard’s McLeod commits to York University

The York University Lions in Toronto have announced that Brock McLeod of the Edmundston Blizzard has committed to their USPORTS program for 2020-21.

Strange streamers are worth a tie or a buy

Some of the largest trout and salmon of the entire season are hooked on beautiful streamlined bait fish imitations and vividly hued attractor patterns.

Business Browse Business

Fort Kent grocery store no longer selling gasoline

J R Boucher and Son Construction removed two underground gas tanks and the gas pumps at the store on Tuesday.

NMCC offers free summer courses for 2020 grads

The members of Maine’s high school Class of 2020 got an early graduation gift recently: access to free summer courses at Maine’s community colleges.

SAD 27 directors slate special meeting June 4

The 878th special meeting of the directors of SAD 27 will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 4.

MSSM alumnus leading state branch of national telehealth effort

Maine School of Science and Mathematics Class of 2020 graduate Jay Philbrick is now the state director and advocacy lead for Telehealth Access for Seniors.

Hospital receives ‘A’ safety grade

Northern Maine Medical Center recently announced they have maintained a safety grade of “A” for spring 2020 from the Leapfrog Group.

Company to give book to high school seniors

Barresi Financial Inc. of Presque Isle has announced that they will donate a special book to all Aroostook County High School Seniors as a graduation present.