3 days ago

Small St. John Valley towns fed up with local crime decide to take action

It was a hot July afternoon in northern Maine, yet more than 60 residents of two small St. John Valley towns piled into a stuffy gymnasium to talk about the recent spate of criminal activity in the area. 

4 days ago

Fort Kent woman still in Bangor hospital nearly two months after fatal car crash

A St. John Valley woman who survived a May 27 head-on collision that claimed the life of the other driver remains hospitalized nearly two months after the crash. 

7 days ago

Ploye Festival will rejoin Muskie Derby tournament in Fort Kent

Two time-honored northern Maine traditions, catching giant fish and cooking up giant ployes, will be reunited when the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce Ploye Festival returns in conjunction with the Fort Kent International Muskie Derby in August.

2 weeks ago

Grand Isle Canoe racers tear up St. John Valley River after postponement

Paddles in hand, boaters plunged into the St. John River for the seventh annual Greater Grand Isle Flatwater Canoe and Kayak race. The race was postponed earlier this year because of inclement weather. 

2 weeks ago

Fellow St. John Valley natives have unlikely reunion in Arizona

The last place Carol Cote expected to find someone from her little corner of the world was at a dental conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. But that’s exactly where Cote met fellow Valley kid Richard Raymond.

2 weeks ago

Valley Pet Grooming to open with client care in mind

A new pet groomer is opening on Aug. 1 on Main Street with the hopes of becoming a hub for locally minded pet care. 

2 weeks ago

Van Buren garage fire extinguished without serious damage to nearby homes

A fire destroyed a garage on Main Street Wednesday evening, but was extinguished before it could do damage to nearby homes. 

2 weeks ago

Pondfest celebration raises more than $6,000 toward veterans’ monument

The return of the Pondfest celebration proved successful both in terms of fundraising and bringing people together at the Wallagrass Community Center on July 3.

2 weeks ago

Van Buren rezoning proposals spark debate over land use, will go before voters in August

Three rezoning proposals will go before the people of Van Buren for a public hearing on Aug. 3. The hearing is non-binding, but will give the town council an opportunity to hear from the public before making a final decision. The councilors discussed the proposals at their July 6 meeting.

2 weeks ago

Eagle Lake hires summer recreation director, OKs plans for rec programs to return

Eagle Lake Board of Selectmen at a Friday, July 2, meeting hired a new summer recreation director and approved plans for the rec program to offer a variety of outdoor activities for children. 

2 weeks ago

St. John Valley food cart ‘The Hot Dog’ is on a roll

When math teacher Pamela Deschaines saw a hot dog cart for sale online, she thought it might be fun to start up her own small business as a food cart operator. 

2 weeks ago

Snowmobile crash leads to unexpected diagnosis for young St. Francis woman

Makayla Martin of St. Francis was not expecting to receive a cancer diagnosis at 23 years old. 

3 weeks ago

Maine’s ambulance staffing crisis can leave patients waiting on the line

Staring out the window and looking for flashing lights, Real Hebert said it felt like he spent an hour waiting for an ambulance when he called 911 on Jan. 15. His wife Simone Hebert’s breath had started coming in strange patterns and although her eyes were open, she was totally unresponsive.

3 weeks ago

Facing months-out appointments and long drives to specialists, Madawaska residents are excited for a new health care facility

When she was bitten by a mystery bug and her hand started to swell, Diane didn’t go to her doctor. Instead, she went to the drug store, bought herself some Benadryl cream and hoped the swelling would subside. 

4 weeks ago

Dump truck donation ups learning at tech center

Learning a trade while still in high school is an opportunity that not every high school student is afforded.

1 month ago

Leroy McKenzie named American Legion District 17 commander

Eagle Lake Smart-Soucie American Legion Post 176 Commander Leroy McKenzie was recently elected American Legion District 17 commander. 

1 month ago

Wisdom High School graduates smallest class ever, but they are ‘a force to be reckoned with’

Wisdom High School held a commencement ceremony for 10 members of the Class of 2021 on Saturday, the smallest graduating class in the history of the school. 

1 month ago

Seventh annual Canoe and Kayak race coming to St. John River

On Father’s Day weekend, kayakers and canoers from around the region will take to the St. John River for the Valley’s seventh annual Greater Grand Isle Flatwater Canoe and Kayak race, hosted by the Grand Isle Homecoming Committee.