Fiddlehead Focus

Wisdom High School (File photo Morgan Mitchell | St. John Valley Times)

Wisdom High School (File photo Morgan Mitchell | St. John Valley Times)

St. Agatha educator named chair of State Board of Education

Fern Desjardins knew from the time she was a first-grader at Memorial School in the tiny town of St. Agatha that she wanted to become a teacher.

News Browse News

Aroostook County schools start in 2 weeks, but don’t know whether they’ll mandate masks

Some schools in The County will have to wait until the last minute to make the call on whether to require masks or leave the choice up to parents.

St. Francis men transported to Bangor hospital following crash

Two St. Francis men have been transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center following a single-vehicle crash in Fort Kent on Wednesday evening.

Nearly half of Maine’s schools lack fire sprinklers

With the prohibitive cost of fire suppression and no broad mandate to fix all educational buildings with such systems, Maine’s aging schools remain vulnerable.

New contract aims to attract and retain police officers in Fort Kent

A new contract the Fraternal Order of Police and the town of Fort Kent unanimously ratified will significantly increase wages and other benefits for police officers.

Frenchville school destroyed by fire did not have sprinklers

A fire that destroyed Dr. Levesque Elementary School was likely caused by electrical components in a wall between the gymnasium and the nurse’s office, according to investigators from the state fire marshal’s office.

Fire breaks out at Frenchville elementary school

A fire engulfed a large portion of the Dr. Levesque Elementary School in Frenchville Sunday morning, destroying one wing of the building.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

St. Francis men transported to Bangor hospital following crash

Two St. Francis men have been transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center following a single-vehicle crash in Fort Kent on Wednesday evening.

New contract aims to attract and retain police officers in Fort Kent

A new contract the Fraternal Order of Police and the town of Fort Kent unanimously ratified will significantly increase wages and other benefits for police officers.

Fort Kent Officer Cole Pelletier graduates from police academy

Fort Kent Police Officer Cole Pelletier graduated from Maine Criminal Justice Academy and will bring his newly acquired law enforcement skills to the community he so loves.

Fort Kent welcomes new full-time police officer

The Fort Kent Police Department has welcomed Eric Morin of Madawaska as a new full-time police officer.

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.

Fort Kent Police Chief Tom Pelletier leaves law enforcement after 33 years of service

After more than three decades of law enforcement service, Fort Kent Police Chief Tom Pelletier will retire from the profession.

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

Jackson lauds Madawaska Lake resident confirmed to LUPC

The Maine Senate on April 22 unanimously confirmed the nomination of Leo Trudel of Madawaska Lake to serve on the Maine Land Use Planning Commission.

Labor shortage was a problem before the pandemic but some employers say it is worse now

Even though customers have flooded to the Madawaska Tastee-Freez since it opened earlier this month, owner Nick Guerrette often has to close the kitchen early.

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.

Living Browse Living

St. Agatha educator named chair of State Board of Education

Fern Desjardins knew from the time she was a first-grader at Memorial School in the tiny town of St. Agatha that she wanted to become a teacher.

McCarty, Kierstead bolster agency volunteer programs

Kathy McCarty of Washburn and Cathy Kierstead of New Sweden have recently joined the Aroostook Agency on Aging as members of the volunteer services team.

Community food box distributions planned

Getting food and good nutrition is important, and whether it is a meal in a dining center, one delivered to the home or a shelf-stable commodity to help extend the monthly food budget, staff at the Aroostook Agency on Aging can connect older persons or those who are disabled to a service that will help meet their needs.

From our Files – Week of July 27, 2021

50 Years Ago -- July 29, 1971 Spud recess dropped -- All elementary schools in Madawaska will do away with the potato recess this year, thus opening later than normal this semester on Sept. 7, 1971.

K of C lotto winner, July 12-18, 2021

The Fort Kent Knights of Columbus have announced the winner of their ongoing lotto fundraiser for the week of July 12-18, 2021.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for July 28, 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.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Sharing food a time-honored gift

I love food. No excuses offered. No recollection of childhood issues or deprivation of any sort to report. I simply enjoy just about every sort of food, with the exception of the exotic and wild game.

Who was aboard?

In this column we’ll take a look at resources for tracking your immigrant ancestors who came to the U.S. in the late to mid-twentieth centuries.

Ensuring the safety of cosmetics and other personal care products

In 2014, a 9-year-old girl in Colorado used a new shampoo her mother purchased because it was advertised as being extra gentle and made without harsh chemicals. She stopped using it after just three washes when her hair began falling out in clumps.

Severe blood shortage

To the editor: As uncertain as the past year has been, one constant has been the need for lifesaving blood. Many people rely on the generosity of volunteer donors to help receive the blood and platelet transfusions they rely on. However, our supply is at a critical level right now.

Choose to be happy

We cannot always be sweet. What a revelation that is. Everyday life and human nature very often put a wrinkle in our resolve to handle everything with a smile as we go humming along the pathway of life.

Congress must support technical education

To the editor: I am excited to see Congress seeking to invest in Maine’s future through a bold investment package supporting the upgrade and growth of our state’s infrastructure.

Sports Browse Sports

Let’s go shopping. A sportsman can always find a diversion.

Every once in awhile the Duchess of Graves’ manor will inform this lowly lord that the time has arrived for a trip to a larger metropolis to resupply clothing, cosmetics and possibly bejeweled commodities.

Fort Kent athlete, UMFK coach reunite on semi-pro basketball team

A semi-professional basketball team with strong playoff prospects has both a player and coach with Fort Kent ties.

Maine Potato Blossom Festival challenges runners

The Maine Potato Blossom Festival 5-mile road race drew a field of 35 runners and 11 walkers Saturday as part of the week-long festivities.

Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby boosts NMMC capital campaign

The ice that made the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby possible back in January may be gone, but the Derby is still having an impact in the community with a recent $60,000 pledge of support to Northern Maine Medical Center’s capital campaign for its four-story expansion project.

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.

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.

Business Browse Business

Community invited to ‘Stuff the Bus’ for kids

The United Way of Aroostook will collaborate with the Aroostook County Action Program, Adopt-A-Block Aroostook and local businesses to help Aroostook County children be prepared on their first day of school.

McCarty, Kierstead bolster agency volunteer programs

Kathy McCarty of Washburn and Cathy Kierstead of New Sweden have recently joined the Aroostook Agency on Aging as members of the volunteer services team.

Credit union donates more than $18,000 to battle hunger

Acadia Federal Credit Union recently raised and disbursed more than $18,000 to help feed Maine’s hungry. Fundraising efforts were part of the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

Aroostook will hire someone to manage $13 million in American Rescue Plan funds

The Aroostook County government is banding together with local towns to hire someone to manage the incoming $13 million in American Rescue Plan funds.

Aroostook County Action Program seeks community assistance with 2021 Community Needs Assessment

Aroostook County Action Program has begun the process of collecting data for a 2021 Community Needs Assessment.

Expansion project invites a walk down memory lane for retired nursing staff

As staff at Northern Maine Medical Center begin to occupy finished floors in the hospital’s four-story expansion project, construction activity has entered a new phase beginning with the demolition of the old operating rooms for renovations of that existing space.

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