Fort Kent firefighters responded 7 a.m. Thursday to a call about smoke at a family residence in the town. 

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Dec. 21-27, 2020, including the following.

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Dec. 28, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021, including the following.

Police departments across Aroostook County will receive additional funds to help them take on the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Jonathan Emmert, 23, of Van Buren was arrested on an active warrant on a charge of domestic violence assault on New Year’s Day, according to the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.

Fort Kent police are investigating multiple tool thefts that took place at a trucking company in the town last week.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills has appointed Amy Ouellette of Frenchville as Registrar of Deeds for Northern Aroostook County.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service on Nov. 19 reported evidence of spread of emerald ash borer within regulated areas of Maine, including in Aroostook County.

Invasive pests can hitchhike in or on wreaths and holiday plants destined for friends and families or they can hide in or on firewood brought from another state or Maine location to light a holiday fire.

The Maine Warden Service is now hiring seasonal Deputy Game Wardens. 

Homeless St. John Valley cats fortunate enough to find their way to a non-profit, no-kill shelter in Fort Kent will find their lifestyles improved with the addition of an outdoor recreation shelter soon to be installed at the facility. 

PAWS presents Buddy. He’s a shy guy and is still learning to trust humans, but he is definitely making lots of progress.

Aunt vs. Grandma

The Fort Kent Knights of Columbus have announced the winner of their ongoing lotto fundraiser for the week of Dec. 28, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021.

50 Years Ago -- Jan. 14, 1971     Valley loses 2,315 residents since 1960 -- Madawaska and New Canada were the only Valley area towns that increased in population since 1960. These figures were recently released by the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics at the University of Maine at Orono, along with the declines of other Valley towns.

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.  

To the editor: “A day that will live in infamy.” Those were the words uttered after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. We went to war due to that attack. 

We all hope to see the end of COVID-19 sometime this year and, we hope, a return to something approaching normalcy. 

Have you ever seen a New Year’s Eve pass so quietly yet carry such a huge impact?

 2020 is finished. With finality it is possible to look forward to a new, prosperous new year. In front of us, a page white and pure, waiting for the midnight ink to begin to flow. Its mission: to tell us the story of 2021.

Bonne et heureuse nouvelle années, mes amis. J'espère que ç√a va aller mieux que la vielle année. Some assume that these expressions are unique to the Saint John Valley but the vast majority aren't. 

To the editor: I read the latest letters penned by elected officials and town managers in SAD 27.   I want to point out that there is lots of misinformation and half-truths in the letters.