Fiddlehead Focus

University of Maine at Fort Kent President Dr. Deborah Hedeen speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony of the new UMFK Enrollment and Advancement Center. (Jessica Potila | St. John Valley Times)

University of Maine at Fort Kent President Dr. Deborah Hedeen speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony of the new UMFK Enrollment and Advancement Center. (Jessica Potila | St. John Valley Times)

New UMFK welcome center will tie campus together

September 20, 2021

More than 150 community stakeholders turned out Friday, Sept. 17, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony when the new University of Maine at Fort Kent Enrollment and Advancement Center was unveiled to the public.

News Browse News

Madawaska shuts out Fort Fairfield on head coach’s birthday

MADAWASKA, Maine — The Madawaska varsity boys soccer team shut out Fort Fairfield at home on Friday night.

Wisdom boys take 7-1 victory from Van Buren

The Wisdom boys varsity soccer team emerged victorious 7-1 Thursday night in a game that tested the wits of the Van Buren defense.

St. David man arrested for allegedly buying snowmobile, ATV with worthless $25,000 check

Fort Kent police arrested a St. David man who allegedly wrote a worthless $25,000 check to purchase a snowmobile, ATV and accessories at Fort Kent Powersports.

Former Van Buren race car driver has a homemade NASCAR museum in his garage

VAN BUREN, Maine — Joey Dumond’s garage is one step shy of a NASCAR stock car racing hall of fame.

Sierra Club seeks volunteers to clean up trash in Fort Kent

The Sierra Club/Fort Kent Community Action Team is seeking volunteers to participate in an outdoor cleanup event in Fort Kent.

Councilors approve equipment upgrades for Fort Kent officers

Fort Kent town councilors at their Monday, Sept. 13 meeting, unanimously approved spending $7,000 to purchase new firearms, holsters and body cameras for Fort Kent Police Department officers.

Police & Fire Browse Police & Fire

Councilors approve equipment upgrades for Fort Kent officers

Fort Kent town councilors at their Monday, Sept. 13 meeting, unanimously approved spending $7,000 to purchase new firearms, holsters and body cameras for Fort Kent Police Department officers.

Steam from a grill triggers fire alarm at UMFK Fox Auditorium

A crew cleaning a grill at University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Fox Auditorium kitchen caused enough steam to trigger a smoke detector and set off an alarm, according to Fort Kent Fire Chief Ed Endee.

Caribou honors 9/11 sacrifices and remembers how the world changed

For the 20th year, the Caribou Fire Department and other local first responders and community members gathered outside the fire station Saturday to honor the lives lost and sacrifices made during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

Local man earns MSP honor for role in suspect takedown

Almost one year ago, Dennis Kennedy was returning to his former South Carolina home along with his wife, son and niece after visiting their recently purchased property in Madawaska when they encountered something that wasn’t on their itinerary: a high-speed chase on Interstate 295 near Freeport.

Vandals damage historic Fort Kent house undergoing restoration

Just as Fort Kent Historical Society was working to restore one of the town’s oldest standing structures, vandals showed up over the weekend and damaged the building.

Maine State Police Troop F Report, Aug. 9-15 2021

The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Aug. 9-15, including the following.

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

The government will officially break ground on Madawaska’s land port of entry in September

Construction crews will officially break ground on the new Madawaska land port of entry on Sept. 9 at an official, invite-only ceremony at the construction site on Main Street.

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.

Living Browse Living

Things To Do – Week of September 22, 2021

Wednesday, Sept. 22 LINE DANCING WITH THE HARVEYS - Fort Kent Senior Center, 6-8 p.m., with Warren and Joan. Offered by SJV Senior College. FMI: 834-3536 or 728-3371 or register at www.sjvsc.org.

PAWS Pet of the Week – Buddy and Meika

Whoever meets these two charmers will believe in love at first sight. Buddy is the gray, green-eyed handsome boy and Meika is the gorgeous Himalayan.

K of C lotto winner, Sept. 6-12, 2021

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

Scarecrow Festival returns to Fort Kent

A little bit of rain did not dampen the spirits of community members who turned out Saturday morning for the 2021 Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce Scarecrow Festival parade.

Sierra Club seeks volunteers to clean up trash in Fort Kent

The Sierra Club/Fort Kent Community Action Team is seeking volunteers to participate in an outdoor cleanup event in Fort Kent.

St. Francis Historical Society earns award

The St. Francis Historical Society was recently presented with the 2020 Spirit of America Award from the Spirit of America Foundation.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Budget bill would boost area

To the editor: On behalf of the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, I write to commit our support of the pending budget bill which is currently being assembled in Congress for a vote in late September.

Want to make a difference? Volunteer

A volunteer is someone who willingly, without pay, does something to benefit others or to further a cause. In addition to helping others, it also benefits the volunteer by reducing stress, combatting depression, and increasing self-confidence.

A very successful 43rd Acadian Festival

To the editor: Beginning with "Party du Main Street" there was a spirit of community, a breath of fresh air, much needed during our trying times with COVID 19. It felt like a big family having fun with the variety of events for every age group-- kids, teens, adults and seniors.The different venues of music were spectacular.

Changes coming to airport

United Airlines began service to the Presque Isle International Airport (PQI) in July of 2018. Since the beginning CommutAir has been the operator of that service. In addition, the aircraft used has been the 50-seat ERJ-145. Starting on October 31st, both the operator and the aircraft used will be changing.

Little cats find a new home

There are boxes hovering all around me; some overflowing with thick and heavy books and some sheltering greeting cards and important papers from long ago. I am content and elated sitting here in such grand company.

Recovery is for everyone

Recovery Aroostook, a grassroots community organization, will celebrate National Recovery Month by sharing stories of recovery throughout September. The focus is to celebrate all people who make the journey of recovery possible by embracing the 2021 theme: “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”

Sports Browse Sports

Wisdom boys take 7-1 victory from Van Buren

The Wisdom boys varsity soccer team emerged victorious 7-1 Thursday night in a game that tested the wits of the Van Buren defense.

Fort Kent Warriors best Wisdom in St. John Valley soccer matchups

A second-half scramble by the Fort Kent Community High School Warrior boys (2-1) resulted in a 5-1 soccer win over previously unbeaten Wisdom on Monday.

Golf meet about improving personal best

Student athletes from three Aroostook high schools with too few players to form golf teams met up for a match that was about competing with their personal best scores rather than with one another.

Fort Kent runners compete in Caribou Invitational

Dozens of athletes from northern and central Maine high schools competed at Caribou’s invitational cross country meet Saturday afternoon.

Madawaska boys continue winning streak with shutout versus Van Buren

The Madawaska boys varsity soccer team has caught lightning in a bottle to start the season, charging to its sixth straight victory with a 6-0 shutout in Van Buren Sept. 8.

The many ways to bag a bruin

Aroostook County has a large population of bear, and the numbers are increasing each year while the fall hunting season harvests are not. State biologists estimate at least 36,000 black bear throughout the state and a large percentage occupy the Crown of Maine.

Business Browse Business

Acadia FCU staff help after Dr. Levesque school fire

In staying true to their mission of community service, Acadia Federal Credit Union is giving back to a local school in need with a donation of $3,168.

AREA cancels next meeting

At the Aug. 31 meeting of the Aroostook Retired Educators Association, the board of directors, having considered the increasing local cases of COVID-19, recommended cancelling the September in-person meeting scheduled for Sept. 28 at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.

United Way to start campaign with telethon

The United Way of Aroostook will kick off their annual campaign this year with a Sept. 16 telethon on local television.

Katahdin Bankshares Corp. announces dividend for the third quarter of 2021

Katahdin Bankshares Corp. (OTCQX: KTHN), parent company of Katahdin Trust Company, has declared a cash dividend of $0.125 per share for the third quarter of 2021.

Hobby store brings unique gaming opportunities to St. John Valley

Gaming enthusiasts have a new hub to visit thanks to a recently opened hobby store in Fort Kent.

SAD 27 slates planning session on Wednesday

SAD 27 slates planning session on Wednesday

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