Fiddlehead Focus

2023 Business of the Year Award – Country Village Estates 1

Country Village Estate owners Louis Dugal (left) and Renee Dugal attend the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism annual dinner and awards ceremony. The couple received the 2022 business of the year award. (Courtesy of St. John Valley Chamber)

Country Village Estate owners Louis Dugal (left) and Renee Dugal attend the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism annual dinner and awards ceremony. The couple received the 2022 business of the year award. (Courtesy of St. John Valley Chamber)

St. John Valley Chamber honors John Ezzy for community service

Local businessman and community leader John Ezzy received the 2022 Outstanding Community Service Award at the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism annual dinner and awards ceremony on Friday.

News Browse News

2 arrested after shots fired shut down Fort Kent schools

Classes were canceled at SAD 27 schools after gunshots were heard near B&M Apartments in Fort Kent on Friday.

Gunshots fired near Fort Kent schools cancels classes

FORT KENT, Maine —- Fort Kent schools were closed Friday morning as police worked to reach a shooter at a nearby apartment building. No injuries were reported and there is no threat to the public, Fort Kent Police Chief Michael DeLena said.

County Commissioners endorse new legislation for I-95 expansion

The Aroostook County Commissioners have expressed public support for a proposed expansion of Interstate 95 to Fort Kent.

Workers protest forced overtime at Madawaska mill

Frustrated by what workers see as management’s failure to address their safety, employees took to Main Street in Madawaska last week to publicize their concerns.

Fort Kent skiers qualify for regional competition

Local high school athletes have qualified for a regional cross-country ski competition.

Katherine Langlais becomes 1st woman to win Can-Am 250

Katherine Langlais, 39, beat out 13 other competitors, including 10-time Can-Am 250 champion Martin Massicotte.

Police/Crime/Courts Browse Police/Crime/Courts

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Feb. 20-26, 2023

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Feb. 20-26, 2023, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Feb. 13-19, 2023

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Feb. 13-19, 2023, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Feb. 6-12, 2023

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Feb. 6-12, 2023, including the following.

Police recover stolen items in St. John Valley

Police have recovered stolen property related to an ongoing string of crimes in the St. John Valley.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2023

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2023, including the following.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Jan. 23-29, 2023

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Jan. 23-29, 2023, including the following.

Sports Browse Sports

All-Stars play a final game on the basketball court

Boys and girls All-Star basketball teams launched both their games into overtime on March 9, with the boys Team Orange winning 81-69 and the girls Team Yellow winning 73-57.

Fort Kent skiers qualify for regional competition

Local high school athletes have qualified for a regional cross-country ski competition.

Snowmobile Trail Report, March 9, 2023

The temps Friday night are looking like they will go into the teens so this will certainly help clubs get trails ready for the weekend.

Carsen Cyr scores 1,000th basketball point during last game of the season

There was just enough time in the basketball season this year for Carsen Cyr of Madawaska to squeeze in his 1,000th career high school basketball point.

Snowmobile Trail Report, March 3, 2023

This week the County has received another foot of snow within several small storms. It's going to be a very busy weekend.

Wisdom top scholar-athletes announced for 2023

Seniors Abbie Lerman and Dominick Gendreau have been selected as Wisdom’s Aroostook League Scholar-Athletes for 2023. Selections are made annually based on students who have demonstrated success in the classroom and in the area of athletics.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Valley Girls comic – Week of March 15, 2023

He's invisible.

Remembering Pepere

To the editor: He died at the age of 68. Cause of death? Doctor said "overwork.” His name was Joseph Jean. He was my grandfather.

Parlez vous français?

L’autre jour on parlais comment on peut rencontrer du monde du Maine, du comté d’Aroostook et surtout de la Vallée Saint-Jean, pas mal partout au États-Unis. Ca m’a arrivé moi itou.

Valley Girls comic – Week of March 8, 2023

5 tips for attending a job fair

The last time Northern Maine Community College hosted its annual job fair — known for being the largest in The County — was in 2019, before COVID-19. This year, I’m honored to be in charge of bringing back this important event.

Genealogy for kids

It’s natural for genealogists to want to share what they learn with other family members. Sadly, many younger relatives aren’t interested. They find genealogy boring. This can lead to disappointment on the part of the enthusiastic genealogist in the family and the fear that all your work will die with you.

Living Browse Living

Author Cathie Pelletier to meet with local book club

The University of Maine at Fort Kent book club will host a reading and book signing for award-winning author Cathie Pelletier’s newly published book this week.

Fiddlehead Focus Crossword Puzzle for March 22, 2023

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.

K of C lotto winner, Feb. 27-March 5, 2023

The Fort Kent Knights of Columbus have announced the winner of their ongoing lotto fundraiser for the previous week.

Valley Girls comic – Week of March 15, 2023

He's invisible.

PAWS Pet of the Week – Bella

Beautiful Bella says it’s her time to shine. She is not only adorable but has personality as well. This lovable little ginger was found as a stray and has been charming volunteers and getting along well with all the other cats at PAWS.

Extension sets workshops

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host a series of agriculture classes on Thursday evenings starting March 16. The spring workshops are free and will be held from 6-7 p.m. at the University of Maine at Fort Kent Armory in Room 119 on March 16, 23, 30, and April 6.

Business Browse Business

St. John Valley Chamber honors John Ezzy for community service

Local businessman and community leader John Ezzy received the 2022 Outstanding Community Service Award at the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism annual dinner and awards ceremony on Friday.

United Way of Aroostook funding applications available

Tony Lahey, president of the United Way of Aroostook Board of Directors, and Executive Director Sarah Duncan, have announced the application for United Way of Aroostook funding for 2023-24 is now available.

Versant Power gives $5,000 to support Agency on Aging’s March for Meals

Versant Power recently awarded Aroostook Agency on Aging a $5,000 charitable donation to help meet the sharply increasing demand for home-delivered meal services to older persons in northern Maine.

Cookie sales benefit Pink Aroostook

Tim Hortons stores in Caribou, Madawaska and Presque Isle recently donated nearly $2,500 to an Aroostook County breast health program.

St. John Valley Associates merges with Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc.

St. John Valley Associates and Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. are pleased to announce that the two agencies will merge, which will take effect on July 1. SJVA will retain the same personnel and level of services in the community; AMHC will provide leadership and administrative services.

USDA to conduct potato stocks and processing surveys

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is encouraging producers and agribusinesses to respond to two upcoming surveys – the Potato Stocks Survey and the Potato Processing Survey – that are critical to the potato industry.

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