Fiddlehead Focus

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The Madawaska Board of Selectmen go digital for their first teleconference meeting April 6. (Jason Boucher)

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen go digital for their first teleconference meeting April 6. (Jason Boucher)

Madawaska selectmen approve $11,500 stimulus project for businesses

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen approved a $11,500 stimulus concept that would allow payouts to qualifying businesses in the Madawaska and St. David area.

News Browse News

Local businesses stand to benefit from multiple grant applications

A variety of area businesses could potentially benefit from multiple Community Development Block Grants, if the grants are approved.

Communities separated by international border spread positivity through light

The greater Fort Kent area in Maine and the region of Haut-Madawaska in New Brunswick have united to share a message of hope and positivity as COVID-19 sweeps across continents.

Snowmelt, ice breakup lead to flooding in The County

As warmer days increase and ice and snow melt, rivers and streams are already overflowing their banks in some locations in Aroostook County.

County strong: How Aroostook residents are navigating the pandemic

How are County people coping in this altered reality? What inspires them to keep going? And what do they see on the other side of this crisis? Several residents shared some of their observations via Facebook.

Old potato house demolished in Fort Kent

An old potato warehouse located on the corner of Charette Hill Road and Market Street in Fort Kent was taken down on Tuesday.

Social distancing forces Aroostook teachers to be creative during uncertain times

With schools in Aroostook County closed in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, teachers have adapted quickly to online learning tools as a means of communicating with and engaging students.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office says suspects are falsely claiming to have COVID-19

On Friday, Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen said law enforcement agencies across The County were battling a disturbing new trend -- suspects falsely claiming they have COVID-19.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Feb. 24-March 1, 2020

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Feb. 24-March 1, 2020, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, March 2-8, 2020

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of March 2-8, 2020, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Feb. 17-23, 2020

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Feb. 17-23, 2020, including the following.

Man taken to hospital with ‘significant’ injuries after being thrown from snowmobile

A Thorndike man visiting the area on a family snowmobile vacation was taken to the hospital after he was thrown from the machine.

Presque Isle Fire Department saves dog after fire damages duplex

A stove fire caused extensive damage to a duplex on Micmac Drive in Presque Isle on Tuesday, but the Presque Isle Fire Department was able to save a dog who was inside.

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

From our Files – Week of April 6, 2020

50 Years Ago -- April 9, 1970 Madawaska tax increase for 1970 -- The total tax increase for the town will be about two mills, according to town treasurer Mrs. Martha Dufour. “This will bring the total to about 78 mills per $1,000 valuation,” she further explained.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for April 8, 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 April 6, 2020

Bunny mission: failed

Mainers invited to light candles Saturday evening in solidarity

All Maine residents are invited to join in an act of solidarity with one another and all people of good will at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, the hour of sunset, by standing outside their homes with a lit candle, flashlight, or other source of light.

Community coronavirus updates

Visit our websites, thecounty.me, fiddleheadfocus.com and bangordailynews.com, for continually updated information about coronavirus in The County and in Maine.

PAWS pet of the week – Perley

PAWS of Fort Kent presents Perley. This stunning white-and-grey long-haired cat is a bit shy, but is also gentle and loving.

Poll Browse Poll

Do you think municipalities should find a better way to broadcast their meetings for easy access?

Tell us what you think.

Opinion Browse Opinion

E.A. Williams Cartoon: April Fools

Finding respite where we can

So, how are you doing out there? How are you finding ways to cope with distancing or self-isolating? These are strange times, to be sure.

Eau de Pacques

Une de nos précieuse tradition c'est d'aller chercher d'l'eau d'Pâcque, Easter water. Quant a moué ça fait des centaines d'années que les acadiens font ça.

Stop. Look. Listen

During these strange days, you can make use of this surreal "slowed down" time to take in everything around you, things that you might otherwise miss in a world operating at "normal speed.”

Open water fishing is a mite early in The County

I’m pretty sure the guy who came up with the idea of open water fishing season beginning on April 1 each year wasn’t from Aroostook County.

Property tax relief

If there is one thing that’s always on the mind of Mainers when politicians ask what can be done to help them make ends meet, three words are always at the top of the list: property tax relief.

Sports Browse Sports

UMFK seeks Hall of Fame nominations

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is seeking nominations of individual student-athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators for induction into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Harris Memorial walk transitions to virtual-only event

The Spc. Dustin J. Harris Memorial Mile walk will not be held in a traditional manner this year, due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.

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.

Aroostook League holds scholar, athlete banquet

The Aroostook League held its 11th annual Scholar/Athlete Banquet at the Caribou Regional Vocational/Technology Center on Thursday, March 12.

Bureau of Veterans’ Services plans moose hunt lottery for disabled vets

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services is accepting applications for the 2020 Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt held in Aroostook County.

Snowmobile Trail Report, March 13, 2020

Trails in The County are still holding up and are in great shape in most places.

Business Browse Business

Potato Board’s Young Farmer nod goes to Caribou brothers

The Maine Potato Board directors have announced that a trio of Caribou brothers have been selected as the 2020 Young Farmer of the Year.

Cellular company offers phone cleaning tips

Recent studies have found that coronaviruses can possibly last on surfaces, such as metal, glass or plastic, for up to nine days.

Madawaska selectmen approve $11,500 stimulus project for businesses

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen approved a $11,500 stimulus concept that would allow payouts to qualifying businesses in the Madawaska and St. David area.

Credit union supports essential workers with acts of kindness

NorState Federal Credit Union’s management team during a regular morning briefing session decided that doing good for others during this time of crisis needed to extend past the usual day-to-day business of serving members.

ACAP offers virtual workforce workshops

The Aroostook County Action Program’s workforce staff will offer a series of virtual workshops starting Thursday, April 9.

Madawaska selectmen to meet April 6 via videoconference

The Madawaska Board of Selectmen will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6, via videoconference.