Fiddlehead Focus

170620480_126902796018327_73344427498550642_n

Educator Kevin Anderson, right, was named Fort Kent Elementary School Dean of Students. Also pictured is his wife, Janice Anderson. (Courtesy of Kevin Anderson)

Educator Kevin Anderson, right, was named Fort Kent Elementary School Dean of Students. Also pictured is his wife, Janice Anderson. (Courtesy of Kevin Anderson)

Kevin Anderson named Fort Kent Elementary School dean of students

Valley Rivers Middle School science teacher Kevin Anderson has been named dean of students at Fort Kent Elementary School.

News Browse News

Wisdom Middle High School moves to remote learning due to COVID-19 case

Students attending Wisdom Middle/High School will move to a remote learning model due to a person associated with the school being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Madawaska will send Second Amendment sanctuary decision to residents

Residents of Madawaska will vote on whether the town becomes a Second Amendment sanctuary at this year’s annual town meeting. The Board of Selectmen considered adopting a sanctuary resolution at its April 6 meeting, but ultimately chose to send the decision to voters.

Aroostook County ice carousel is ready to spin for Maine’s bid to reclaim world record

A gigantic, circular chunk of ice cut on Long Lake in St. Agatha on Friday may have what it takes to return a World Championship Ice Carousel record to Maine.

Untreated wastewater floods St. John River during early snowmelt and heavy storms

It was a disastrous event that town officials and statewide experts called an “act of God.”

Maine company wins bid to build new international bridge in Madawaska

The project, which Reed & Reed evaluated at $86,532,251, will take approximately three years to finish and will coincide with construction of a new Land Port of Entry, also in Madawaska.

National Weather Service urges caution throughout weekend as flooding continues

The National Weather Service in Caribou is warning County residents to stay clear of flooded areas this weekend.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Maine State Police Troop F Report, March 1-7, 2021

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of March 1-7, including the following.

COVID-positive person seen in public in Madawaska without a mask

Several anonymous tips to Madawaska’s health officer Kristopher Albert reported that a person who was known to have recently tested positive for COVID-19 was seen in public without a mask on.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, March 22-28, 2021

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of March 22-28, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, March 8-14, 2021

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of March 8-14, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, March 15-21, 2021

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of March 15-21, including the following.

Small grease fire at Big Rick’s quickly doused by employees

A grease fire at Big Rick’s Burgers & Wings on March 24 resulted in no injuries and did no significant structural damage. Madawaska Fire Department responded just after 4 p.m., but the employees were able to douse the flames before firefighters arrived.

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

Maine trucking company keeps things moving, even when life stands still

As COVID-19 decimated many businesses, the nation's truckers were called to deliver, with fewer amenities along the way. For at least one driver and an Aroostook company, it was all part of the job -- and how they did it snagged them a statewide honor.

Bill inspired by First Mile Brewing in Fort Kent becomes law

A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash and Sen. Louie Luchini, D-Ellsworth to support small businesses in the food and beverage industry was signed into law by Gov. Janet T. Mills on March 17.

Aroostook border community becomes Maine’s next Second Amendment sanctuary

In a unanimous vote by its town council, Van Buren became Maine’s third Second Amendment sanctuary on March 2, following Fort Fairfield, which passed a resolution in late January, and Paris, which has been a Second Amendment sanctuary since 2019.

Valley advocates hope new national byway designation will drive tourism, boost economy

Tourism advocates are working to make the St. John Valley a national destination for drivers, with the hope that traffic on the roadways will translate to a boost to the area economy.

Living Browse Living

From our Files – Week of April 5, 2021

50 Years Ago -- April 8, 1971 Best actors in state -- Marge Duplissie and James Cyr brought an honor to Van Buren District High School last weekend that had never been held by any other Aroostook County School.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for April 7, 2021

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 April 5, 2021

PAWS pet of the week – Mrs. Claus

Behind these luminous eyes lays a sweet soul waiting for someone to help work through her shyness. Mrs. Claus has made gains since coming to the shelter, but PAWS thinks she would benefit from a nice, quiet home with another cat who could help build her confidence.

K of C lotto winner, March 22-28, 2021

The Fort Kent Knights of Columbus have announced the winner of their ongoing lotto fundraiser for the week of March 22-28, 2021.

Nursing students provide helping hand with COVID-19 vaccines

University of Maine at Fort Kent nursing students are gaining valuable experience while helping the community by administering COVID-19 vaccines in the area.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Meeting the transportation needs of disabled veterans

Our nation owes American veterans an enormous debt, one that can never truly be repaid. Honoring our commitment to those who served our nation in uniform involves continuing to support them when they return home and meeting the needs of veterans who are disabled.

Madawaska boy’s kindness and values a credit

To the editor: Thank you for printing "Madawaska boy rescues injured pigeon, sets it free after rehab" on the front page of your March 31 issue.

Paddlin’ on

After 44 years of dedicated service managing two of Maine’s most iconic rivers, I am calling it a career. I began my profession as an assistant ranger right out of the University of Maine as green as they come.

Protesting too much

To the editor: Re: Walter Crean’s latest letter on racism. I decided to conduct an experiment to test his theory. At 9 a.m. I sat down with a clock in front of the TV and turned Fox News on. I let one minute go by waiting to see if the racism issue would come up.

Time to embrace renewal

Large cellophane-wrapped, multicolored baskets overflowed with marshmallow chicks, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans that sparkled like precious gems, lime-green grass, and Cadbury eggs that were way too sweet and perfectly messy.

Helping preserve the waterway

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation, founded in 2011, is a group of dedicated volunteers who are interested in enhancing the wilderness character of the waterway, protecting its environment, preserving its historic and cultural values and fostering knowledge and understanding of the waterway.

Sports Browse Sports

Spare the rod and protect your fishing investment

If you have been a fisherman for 10 years or more, especially a fly caster, chances are good that you’ve broken a rod. Most spinning and bait casting rods don’t come with protective cases, and often only expensive fly rods arrive in long, hard-shell tubes.

High school athletes earn accolades for the 2020-21 season

The Aroostook League has announced its choices for winter sports all-stars for the 2020-21 season.

Motorsports athlete Austin Theriault to participate in Fort Kent senior college course

Professional motorsports athlete Austin Theriault will participate in an upcoming St. John Valley Senior College class.

Snowmobile Trail Report, March 18, 2021

These past few days have certainly not hurt the trails too bad, but the next day or so in the 40s will help to deteriorate what we have. Friday’s temps look to be pretty cold and then the weekend looks like it will be warm again and now looking at 50’s for the next week coming.

Runners can ‘spring into action’ to support those with brain injuries

Runners and walkers alike are invited to join the All Things Become New: Spring Into Action 5K.

Fort Kent, Caribou teams excel at Aroostook League Ski Championships

The Fort Kent Community High School girls and Caribou High School boys took top honors at the Aroostook League Ski Championships.

Business Browse Business

UScellular names Ketch agent development manager for Central and Northern Maine

US Cellular has promoted Matt Ketch to agent development manager at the company's agent retail locations across central and northern Maine.

ACAP to assist local residents connect to the Marketplace

Aroostook County Action Program provides free services to help connect individuals and families to health insurance through the Marketplace. To take advantage of these increased savings and decreased expenses, consumers who decide on enrolling in Marketplace coverage through Healthcare.gov should now do so.

St. John Valley Chamber names new board members

The St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce & Tourism announces new Board Members.

SAD 27 directors plan Monday meeting

The 894th Meeting of the Directors of MSAD No. 27 will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, April 5, 2021 in the Fort Kent Community High School Library or via Zoom Video Conferencing.

AREA to survey members

The AREA Board met Tuesday, March 16 at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. Following the flag salute, invocation and reports by officers and committee chairs, the main topic of discussion was the summer meetings.

Madawaska Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to meet jointly Tuesday

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee will hold a joint meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, at the Madawaska Safety Complex.

County Candids Browse County Candids

Trees in transition

FORT KENT, Maine — Summer is fast becoming a memory as the trees along the Riverside South Trail in Fort Kent are quickly losing their leaves.

Wind damage

The iconic sign at the Gateway Motel toppled over due to Thursday’s high winds.

Prepare your pumpkins

Prepare your pumpkins

Aftereffects of wind

Aftereffects of wind