Bennett encourages development

    PRESQUE ISLE — City Council and department heads gathered Aug. 16 to discuss a variety of topics, including a pavement maintenance system, property maintenance enforcement and options for keeping the mil rate down.
    First up was Gerry James, Presque Isle Public Works director, who provided an update on the status of the city’s road pavement system, introducing the Road Surface Maintenance Sy...
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Pilot returns after 31 years

By Scott Mitchell Johnson

    MIRROR IMAGE – Eric Olsen of Manchester flew the balloon, “Blue Heaven,” over the Aroostook River Saturday evening as part of the seventh annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest. Olsen, who flew in Presque Isle in 1979 during the Northern Maine Fair, has asked Balloon Fest organizers if he could be invited again next year and they readily said, “Yes.” Bl...
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Rail talks stalled

By Kathy McCarty

    TRAINS CONTINUE TO RUN, hauling various products to and from Aroostook County locations, as talks continue between Montreal, Maine and Atlantic and Maine officials on the future of nearly 240 miles of track between Madawaska and Millinocket. Here, vehicles waited recently for a train to pass at a North Street crossing in Presque Isle. 

Elks’ block party a success

By Scott Mitchell Johnson

    MERCHANTS ON THE CORNER was among the downtown Presque Isle businesses that participated in last Thursday night’s Street Fair, hosted by the Presque Isle Lodge of Elks 1954. The event, which served as the official kick-off party for the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, featured a car show, food, music, a dunking booth and more. Merchants on the Corner sold ice cream ...
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WASHBURN’S NIGHT SKY

    On Aug. 21, Washburn's night sky was ablaze with fireworks, much to the delight of those who turned out to view the annual event. Horns honked and viewers cheered as shades of yellow, white, green, red and blue burst overhead, as the fireworks were set off from atop the hill near the high school. Residents in neighboring homes merely had to step out their doors or peek out windows to see the show, as pictured here.

Ashland’s mil rate sees slight increase

By Kathy McCarty 

    ASHLAND — Residents will notice a slight increase in their tax bill this year, due to a one-point increase in the mil rate.
    “Tax bills are up slightly this year, with the mil rate up from 17.25 last year to 18.25 this year,” said Town Manager Jim Gardner.   
    Gardner explained what the increase will mean for property owners. 

Town clerk retires

By Scott Mitchell Johnson

    TRUDIE BUCK, right, officially retired last Friday as the Mapleton town clerk. After 36 years on the job, Buck said she’s looking forward to spending more time with her family. Congratulating Buck on her retirement is Town Manager Martin Puckett.

UMPI, NMCC to receive $500,000

    U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins recently announced that the Department of Education has awarded a combined $2,721,249 in grant funding to eight Maine colleges under the Department’s Student Support Services (SSS) Program. SSS provides academic and other support services to educational institutions to assist low-income, first-generation and students with disabilities to increase their retention and graduation rates and fost...
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