Fiddlehead Focus

Ridgewood K&Q (1)

Daniel Madore and Laura Morrow pose in their crowns after winning King and Queen titles at the Ridgewood Valentines Pageant. (Courtesy of Paula Gendreau)

Daniel Madore and Laura Morrow pose in their crowns after winning King and Queen titles at the Ridgewood Valentines Pageant. (Courtesy of Paula Gendreau)

Madawaska assisted living facility nominates Valentine king and queen

February 24, 2021

Ridgewood Estates, an assisted living facility in Madawaska, crowned a new king and queen last week at their Valentine's Day pageant. Laura Morrow of Grand Isle and Daniel Madore of Van Buren reigned supreme in a resident vote for Ridgewood’s new honorary rulers.

News Browse News

Pandemic-altered snowmobile season puts the squeeze on St. John Valley hotels

The combination of the pandemic and a late first significant snow has meant a difficult season on top of a difficult year for many hotels and motels in the St. John Valley. And it all comes down to losing out on the most essential winter staple in the County economy: snowmobilers.

Friends of St. Francis support veteran memorial

Friends of St. Francis donated $500 to Jandreau-Connors American Legion Post 180.

3 Fort Kent Town Council candidates vie for 2 seats

Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Fort Kent Town Council. Voters will decide which of the three -- Corey Pelletier, Brandon Dayton or Andrew Caron -- will get a seat during the town’s annual election on Monday, March 22.

Susan Collins calls on Biden administration to ease US-Canada border restrictions

Sen. Susan Collins is pleading with the Biden administration to reconsider the restrictions on the U.S.-Canada border crossings that were imposed in March last year due to the pandemic.

Your feedback about local news can make it better

If you have a few minutes to let us know what you value about -- and what you need from -- your local news, please fill out the survey.

Aroostook County Grand Jury hands up October indictments

A 42-year-old Bowdoinham man who created a nine-hour standoff with police in Presque Isle in September, was among 65 indictments handed up for judge review for the month of October by the Aroostook County Grand Jury.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Jan. 25-31, 2021

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Jan. 25-31, 2021, including the following.

Slippery roads cause rollover involving teen driver

A 17-year-old male was not injured when the pickup he was driving rolled over Sunday, Feb. 14.

Teen driver treated at hospital following Fort Kent crash

A Fort Kent teen was transferred by ambulance to Northern Maine Medical Center following a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon.

One driver injured when Ford sideswipes UPS truck

A United Parcel Service driver delivering a package to a Wallagrass residence escaped injury when his walk-in truck was sideswiped by a pickup truck on Tuesday.

Fort Kent man arrested, charged with two felonies, including kidnapping

Police arrested and charged a Fort Kent man with two felonies, including a kidnapping charge, after domestic disturbance was reported at a residence in the town.

Fort Kent firefighters respond to truck fire and chimney fire within two days

Volunteer Fort Kent firefighters were busy Wednesday and Thursday as they responded to two fires in the town.

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

Maine slows spread of Emerald Ash Borer with continued ash movement restrictions

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Plant Health Program and Maine Forest Service announced that Maine is taking the next step to continue regulating the movement of ash wood material.

State school construction committee votes to nix Valley Unified regional school project

The State Board of Education School Construction Committee voted unanimously to recommend removing a proposed Valley Unified Education Service Center regional school in northern Aroostook County from the major capital school construction approved projects list.

Jackson, Fecteau to host a COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights teletown hall

Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford will hold a tele-town hall to discuss the COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Governor appoints Frenchville woman to registrar post

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

Living Browse Living

Friends of St. Francis support veteran memorial

Friends of St. Francis donated $500 to Jandreau-Connors American Legion Post 180.

UMFK professor’s works included in new CD release

University of Maine at Fort Kent professor of music and education Dr. Scott Brickman has had his compositions included in a new CD release by the music label Phasma.

Madawaska assisted living facility nominates Valentine king and queen

Ridgewood Estates, an assisted living facility in Madawaska, crowned a new king and queen last week at their Valentine's Day pageant. Laura Morrow of Grand Isle and Daniel Madore of Van Buren reigned supreme in a resident vote for Ridgewood’s new honorary rulers.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for Feb. 24, 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.

Class to help older people manage chronic pain

Aroostook Agency on Aging, in partnership with Healthy Living for ME, will offer a free workshop to help individuals with a wide range of chronic pain conditions.

Valley Girls comic – Week of February 22, 2021

Skating to mailbox

Opinion Browse Opinion

Kindness always counts

I was loading groceries into the back of my SUV and quite unexpectedly, a plastic jug of raspberry tea decided to make a run for it by rolling rather clumsily down the gentle sloped grocery store parking lot, stopping only by the grace of the cart corral.

Resources in Maine

I recently received my latest issue of American Ancestors magazine published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston. This issue features “The Best Genealogical Resources for Maine” and it’s excellent.

Protect identity when filing taxes

To the editor: Before you begin the annual process of calculating how much money you owe/are owed by the federal government this tax season, I would urge you to first apply for an IP PIN number through the IRS website.

Individual rights and responsibility

In the 2020 election, 360,737 voters in Maine’s Second Congressional District delivered one electoral vote for the Republican candidate for president, a 7.5 percent margin of victory.

Why couldn’t there be compromise?

To the editor: I've lived in the Valley half my life and my wife all of her life, and we've never been as disgusted with the actions of our local elected officials as we are now.

In praise of fire department

To the editor: I would like to thank and praise the Fort Kent Fire Department for their expertise and professionalism for a job well done.

Sports Browse Sports

County athletes named as McDonald’s All-Stars

Several Aroostook County high school basketball athletes were recognized Feb. 24 for their accomplishments on hardwood.

Caribou boys, Fort Kent girls prevail at 5K freestyle ski race

In a week that would usually host the high school cross country state championships -- this year they were called off due to COVID-19 -- Aroostook County ski racers met on Feb. 18 for a regular season race at the Four Seasons Trail Association in Madawaska.

Pioneer girls hustle for win over Warriors in St. Agatha

The Wisdom Middle/High School Pioneer girls varsity basketball team defeated the Fort Kent Community High School Warriors Saturday, Feb. 20, in St. Agatha.

Snowmobile Trail Report, February 18, 2021

With the recent snowfall all clubs have been out around the clock and are making the trails in the County the best in the Northeast. All projects are reporting superb conditions.

Madawaska girls victorious at 5K Classical cross country ski race

The Caribou boys and Madawaska girls claimed team victories during a 5K Classical cross country ski race held in Caribou on Feb. 9.

Snowmobile Trail Report, Feb. 4, 2021

It seems as the snow dance that everyone was doing finally worked. The entire County received a fresh blanket of snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

Business Browse Business

Credit union welcomes new loan officer in Madawaska

Acadia Federal Credit Union has announced that Jarod McBreairty is the newest loan officer for their Madawaska branch.

Katahdin Trust employees pay it forward in their communities

Katahdin Trust recently gave employees an opportunity to “pay it forward” during the holiday season.

UScellular kicks off 2021 Community Connections program

For the seventh year in a row, youth-focused organizations in Maine can earn up to $1,000 through UScellular's Community Connections program.

Bouley earns Farm Insurance designation

Christopher Anderson, president of the F.A. Peabody Company, has announced that Brian Bouley has earned the On Your Side Basic Farm Certification from Nationwide Insurance Company’s Agribusiness program.

St. John Valley Senior College to explore historic doughnut business

A popular doughnut business founded in the St. John Valley more than half a century ago will be the topic of an upcoming St. John Valley Senior College class.

Telethon to support Aroostook County food pantries returns

The Operation 24 Telethon will once again be happening on March 11 on WAGM-TV. However, this year the name had to be changed to Operation Hunger due to Catholic Charities now serving over 28 food pantries.

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