Fiddlehead Focus

The Madawaska Police Department (Morgan Mitchell)

The Madawaska Police Department (Morgan Mitchell)

Madawaska Police Department to gear up with body cameras

The Madawaska Police Department will soon be fully equipped with body cameras they purchased through grant funds from the Aroostook County Homeland Security Grant for Law Enforcement.

News Browse News

Madawaska man loses hand in logging accident

A Madawaska man was flown via Life Flight to Boston, Massachusetts, on Tuesday following a logging accident that resulted in a hand amputation.

Police charge man seen lugging stolen television down Main Street

It was not the slickest of getaways when an alleged television thief tossed a 55-inch flatscreen on his shoulder and strolled down Main Street on Monday, June 22.

Madawaska sets dates for school budget hearing and referendum

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen set dates for the Madawaska School Department’s budget hearing and referendum at its meeting Wednesday.

Valley Unified moves forward with calendar despite COVID-19 uncertainties

Valley Unified’s Regional Service Center will move forward with the school calendar approved at the beginning of this year.

Music in the Park is back as drive-in series

Even COVID-19 couldn’t stop Music in the Park this year, as it returns for a series of drive-in style concerts taking place at the multipurpose building in Madawaska.

UMaine System will offer coronavirus testing as universities reopen this fall

The University of Maine System plans to offer coronavirus testing at all seven of its universities as students, faculty and staff return for in-person classes this fall.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Police charge man seen lugging stolen television down Main Street

It was not the slickest of getaways when an alleged television thief tossed a 55-inch flatscreen on his shoulder and strolled down Main Street on Monday, June 22.

Madawaska Police Department to gear up with body cameras

The Madawaska Police Department will soon be fully equipped with body cameras they purchased through grant funds from the Aroostook County Homeland Security Grant for Law Enforcement.

88-year-old injured in St. Agatha ATV rollover

An 88 year old man was taken to the hospital Monday evening after his ATV was struck by a car and rolled over in St. Agatha.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, June 1-7, 2020

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

Maine State Police Troop F Report, June 15-21, 2020

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

Maine State Police Troop F Report, June 8-14, 2020

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

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

Department of Health and Human Services reopens local offices

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has resumed normal business hours at its 16 regional offices, including those in Caribou, Fort Kent and Houlton, in line with Stage 2 of Gov. Janet Mills’ reopening plan.

Campaign urges Mainers to keep healthy habits

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced June 2 it has launched a new statewide campaign to emphasize the continued importance of public health measures that limit the spread of COVID-19, including physical distancing, wearing of cloth face coverings, and hand hygiene.

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.

Living Browse Living

Music in the Park is back as drive-in series

Even COVID-19 couldn’t stop Music in the Park this year, as it returns for a series of drive-in style concerts taking place at the multipurpose building in Madawaska.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for July 1, 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.

K of C lotto winner, June 15-21, 2020

The Fort Kent Knights of Columbus has announced the winner of its ongoing lotto fundraiser for the week of June 15-21, 2020.

Valley Girls comic – Week of June 30, 2020

Moose on the run

From our Files – Week of June 30, 2020

50 Years Ago -- July 2, 1970 Grand Isle youth volunteer to help -- Fourteen Grand Isle youth came up with an idea recently that gives them the distinction of a first in the state of Maine.

Catholic Youth Convention to go virtual on July 26

The Maine Catholic Youth Convention, traditionally a weekend gathering of Maine teens from Aroostook to York counties, will move online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but promises to celebrate the faith and gifts that young people bring to the life of the church.

Poll Browse Poll

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

Tell us what you think.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Innocent until proven guilty

To the editor: I read Larry Shea’s letter (Right cause, wrong practice) in the St. John Valley Times, June 17. It was an excellent letter.

Le darnier/the last

I'm re-reading "Pélagie - la charette" by Antonine Maillet. It is about a small group of Acadians who have been deported to Georgia and, after 15 years of misery, decide to walk back to Acadia.

Are child laborers in your history?

The U.S. Census can shock you in regard to the number of children who held jobs. Today child labor laws are quite strict, but years ago children of certain economic classes were expected to work and contribute to the family income.

My oh my, hot and dry

At this writing, early Thursday morning, June 18, we remain very dry in Aroostook County. And heat? Oh, yes, I should say so. By the time you read this, we may well have challenged the record for the hottest temperature on record at Caribou, which is 96 degrees, recorded on both June 29, 1944, and May 22, 1977.

Guidance from ancient history

To the editor: Looking at today's events in the news, not only in the U.S. but also around the world, regarding inequality, I'm reminded that nearly two thousand years ago a Roman Historian, Titus Livius, wrote:

Paddle and cast

A spring canoe trip on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is an exciting way to start the open water fishing season. Combining fishing and canoeing goes together like cooking bacon and eggs for breakfast.

Sports Browse Sports

Summer target shooting can be a fun family outing

Shooting is a degenerative skill; whether you favor a bow, handgun, rifle or shotgun, abilities decline with lack of practice.

23rd annual Fort Fairfield Athletic Boosters Club Golf Scramble is Aug. 15

The 23rd annual Memorial Day Golf Scramble will be held in memory of Becky McCrea Griffeth who passed away in February of this year.

Old dog, new double-fly trick

As years pass and outdoor ventures accumulate, most older sportsmen undergo a change in the personal rewards and requirements of each outing.

Summer rec programs to occur with limited activities and enrollment

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen approved a summer recreation proposal that would limit enrollment and activities, and accommodate social distancing guidelines as well as extra sanitation measures during the board’s socially distanced meeting held June 8 at the Madawaska multipurpose building.

Scott Pelletier named SAD 33 athletic director

SAD 33 has named Scott Pelletier as athletic director. Pelletier, 44, replaces Wisdom Middle/High School Principal Ralph Fantasia in the position. Fantasia will continue to serve as high school principal.

Virtual moose permit lottery is Saturday, June 13

The state’s annual moose hunting permit lottery, a popular affair usually held at various locations around the state, will go virtual for the first time starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.

Business Browse Business

Credit union Ending Hunger effort aids local food pantries

NorState Federal Credit Union supports local community food pantries through the efforts of Maine’s Credit Union Ending Hunger Campaign, and recently announced last year’s contributions totaled more than $23,000.

Madawaska selectmen plan special meeting July 1, 2020

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen will hold a special meeting at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at the town office council chambers.

Madawaska Ambulance Service to extend coverage area to Grand Isle

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen approved to move forward with an ambulance service contract with the town of Grand Isle at a special Board of Selectmen meeting held at noon on Thursday, June 25.

NMDC expands finance division

Northern Maine Development Commission is expanding its Business Finance Division to better serve the needs of COVID-19 effected companies and others who want to start or grow their businesses.

Van Buren logging company agrees to pay settlement to Maine Forest Service

Van Buren-based GR Timber Holdings LLC entered into an administrative agreement with the Maine Forest Service to settle the company’s violation of Maine’s rules and regulations governing timber harvesting.

Company hires sales agent

Chris Anderson, president of the F. A. Peabody Company, has announced that Brian Bouley has accepted the position of property and casualty multi-line sales for the Saint John Valley.