Joshua Archer
Special to the Star-Herald
Editor’s Note: the following is a recap of some of the top news stories from 2016, covering the months of January to June. The second half of the year will appear in next week’s paper.
The past 12 months was another exciting year for the Star City. Here are some highlights of what happened during the first half of 2016.
January
Two Aroostook County organizations who worked to bring in more businesses to their respective communities merged. The Caribou Chamber of Commerce merged with the Central Aroostook Chamber in Presque Isle. The area served by the Caribou chamber was picked up by the Central Aroostook chamber. The merger resulted in both chambers being called the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce and located in Presque Isle.
Officials with the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup 8 reported The New York Times named the event among the top sporting events of 2016.
Gary Mahaney, a man whose name some Aroostook County residents remember in association with violent crimes during the 1970s, went back to prison after a decade on parole from a life sentence for murder. The Maine State Police Tactical Team took 71-year- old Mahaney into custody from a home in Masardis less than a month after he was allegedly caught by game wardens hunting deer over bait in Lincoln County and then providing a false name.
February
Another World Cup Biathlon finished in Presque Isle, tapping into Aroostook County’s ski heritage and bringing in visitors from around the world. Biathletes from the Czech Republic, France and Norway dominated the skiing and sharpshooting competition at the Nordic Heritage Center, as about 4,500 spectators watched during the three-day event.
Area high school students continued the tradition of having three weeks off in the fall to work at local farms. The board of directors for School Administrative District 1 voted 9-7 to keep Presque Isle High School’s three-week potato harvest break and revisit the question of changing or ending it in three years.
Easton boys ousted SA for first regional title in 36 years. The Easton boys basketball team relied on their faith in each other and other powers in search of their first regional championship since 1980.
March
The Aroostook Band of Micmacs worked to grow a new, healthy generation of ash trees and show youngsters career paths in science. On one of the coldest days of the year in early March, second-grader Gitpu Paul joined other students and tribal members in a high-tunnel greenhouse near the Micmac’s headquarters, planting hundreds of brown ash tree seedlings that they helped collect last fall.
The Caribou Performing Arts Center nearly reached full capacity as spectators watched finalists compete for the honor of being named 2016 Northern Star. In the end, the judges and audience chose Stacie Coltart of Madawaska as the 2016 Northern Star. Coltart closed the show by performing her first song, “Hurt So Bad” by Susan Tedeschi.
April
A 25-year-old Caribou man faced a number of charges after allegedly fleeing from police in a car chase that reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. Zachery Scott was charged with a felony count of eluding police in a vehicle, along with criminal speeding, operating after a suspension and violating conditions of a release for a prior operating under the influence charge, according to PIPD.
Leaders at The Aroostook Medical Center searched for a new chief executive officer to replace Sylvia Getman, who left for a new job. Getman left to be the new CEO of Adirondack Health in upstate New York.
Residents of Aroostook and Penobscot counties were delighted when an Easton native flew over the area in a Royal Canadian Air Force C-17 and did several “touch and go” maneuvers at local airports.The plane, piloted by U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Osgood, touched down at airports in Presque Isle, Houlton and Bangor during training exercises on Thursday, April 21.
May
A man who was shot while approaching a local police officer with a knife died. Derek J. Sam, 29, died at EMMC in Bangor. Sam was shot by Presque Isle police officer Lucas Hafford in the parking lot at 631 Main Street. Responding to calls about erratic behavior, Hafford encountered Sam carrying a knife and used verbal orders and a stun gun before shooting.
The Kmart in Presque Isle announced it would close summer 2016, marking another lost big-box retailer at the Aroostook Centre Mall. Sears Holdings, the Illinois-based company that owns Kmart and Sears said there was a round of closures affecting more than 70 stores of both retailers nationwide, according to Howard Riefs, director of corporate communications.
June
Members of the Presque Isle High School Varsity Club gathered in the PI Community Center to place a time capsule that’s intended to be opened in 50 years. Packed inside the capsule is an edition of The Star-Herald; a postage stamp; receipts from local stores; a Presque Isle High School yearbook; a Nerf gun; a Boston Red Sox carabiner; an iPhone, charger and earbuds; a Dunkin Donuts coffee cup and various other items.
Thanks to a collaboration between local art students and veterans advocates a new effort helped veterans find their way after life in the military. Craig Fay, a Marine Corps veteran enlisted the design and painting skills of UMPI art students to enliven wooden donation boxes that were based around Aroostook County. A dozen pine boxes were painted and fashioned with designs evoking the history of American independence, military service and patriotism.
The Wintergreen Arts Center celebrated its first decade as a community arts space in Presque Isle, the people leading Wintergreen Arts Center had some big ideas for the future.
The Star-Herald office moved to its new home across town to join its parent company Northeast Publishing.
