Fiddlehead Focus

Sharon Boucher, director of the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce, second from left, presents senior interns, from left, Lance Corbin, Kara Gendreau and Molly Cote with some cash to help them with college. (St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce)

Sharon Boucher, director of the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce, second from left, presents senior interns, from left, Lance Corbin, Kara Gendreau and Molly Cote with some cash to help them with college. (St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce)

St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce thanks graduating interns

The St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Board of Directors honored their senior interns with a check to help them with college expenses.

News Browse News

Frenchville farmer frees himself as hay baler chewed his leg to the bone

Adam Dube, 34, was operating the machine when the baler’s steel pinch rollers clawed onto his right pant leg and sucked the limb in.

Presque Isle Walmart will require customers to wear masks

Walmart in Presque Isle has stood out for its uncovered display of faces shopping at the superstore since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Aroostook PPP loan totals could be higher than $100 million

Three months after the U.S. Small Business Administration sent out the first Paycheck Protection Program loans in the wake of economic damage brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, data on which companies actually received these loans have been released for the first time.

Someone flushing cloth rags nearly destroyed St. Agatha’s sewage treatment plant

Multiple cloth rags were found stuck in both transfer station pumps at the St. Agatha wastewater treatment plant on Monday, causing the system to malfunction.

This fruit tastes like a cross between a blueberry and raspberry, and a New Canada farm is turning it into syrup and beer

A St. John Valley farming family who planted thousands of haskap berry plants five years ago were convinced that a wide open market for the fruit was an opportunity for northern Maine farmers. It turns out they were right.

Nick Archer retiring after 34 years of protecting The County’s environment

A hallmark government employee in The County has retired, leaving behind a long legacy of environmental protection and community service.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Surgeons reattach Madawaska man’s hand after logging accident

A Madawaska man has undergone successful surgery to reattach a hand lost during a June 30 logging accident.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, June 22-28, 2020

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of June 22-28, including the following.

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.

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

ATV registrations now required for 2020-2021

An amended executive order by Gov. Janet Mills has lifted the interim suspension for ATV registrations, and ATV owners must now register or renew registrations for 2020-2021

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.

Living Browse Living

Ridgewood Estates offering window, FaceTime visits

The residents at Ridgewood Estates have been trying to keep busy with help from the Ridgewood Estates staff during the COVID-19 pandemic -- even as the facility remains vigilant in limiting physical contact with the outside world.

Births at Cary Medical Center, April and May 2020

The following births were recorded during April and May at Cary Medical Center.

Births at Northern Maine Medical Center – June – July, 2020

The following births were recorded recently at Northern Maine Medical Center.

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 July 6, 2020

I hate traveling

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for July 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.

Poll Browse Poll

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

Tell us what you think.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Valley Girls comic – Week of July 6, 2020

I hate traveling

Vote for a smart investment in Maine

To the editor: I see Question 1 as an opportunity to make a smart investment in the people and economy of Maine. As a front-line technical support adviser, I assist people to work, teach, study and stay connected with loved ones from home.

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.

Sports Browse Sports

ATV registrations now required for 2020-2021

An amended executive order by Gov. Janet Mills has lifted the interim suspension for ATV registrations, and ATV owners must now register or renew registrations for 2020-2021

Children learn soccer skills at Dutch Soccer Academy

The Kindergarten through Grade 12 students developed their soccer playing potential with training from licensed Union of European Football Associations coaches.

Residents can apply now for 2020 any-deer permits

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has announced that applications are available online for 2020 any-deer permits.

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.

Business Browse Business

NMMC names new chief medical officer

Karee Thibeault, RN, medical practice director at Northern Maine Medical Center, has announced that Kristin Hartt, MD, assumed the role of chief medical officer at the hospital on June 9.

Aroostook PPP loan totals could be higher than $100 million

Three months after the U.S. Small Business Administration sent out the first Paycheck Protection Program loans in the wake of economic damage brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, data on which companies actually received these loans have been released for the first time.

St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce thanks graduating interns

The St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Board of Directors honored their senior interns with a check to help them with college expenses.

SAD 33 plans special budget session July 14

The SAD 33 board of directors will hold a public informational session and annual budget meeting for the 2020-21 school year budget at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday July 14.

Nurse attains Family Nurse Practitioner certification

Northern Maine Medical Center (NMMC) recently announced the professional advancement of Stephanie Michaud, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Michaud joined the team of experienced clinicians at the hospital’s Level II Emergency Department Trauma Center in late June.

The Jake ‘Break’ Snack Bar opens in Allagash

A new outdoor dining establishment opened in Allagash on Thursday offering food items from lobster rolls to ice cream to a dozen flavors of popcorn.