Editor’s note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of 2020’s most important and interesting news stories. This article highlights events from January through June. The second part will be published Jan. 6.
January
Students and staff at Limestone Community school dealt with the sudden, devastating loss of fifth and sixth grade English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher Amanda Pelletier, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 12.
Caribou hired a firm in Bangor to look at potential locations for a new police station in the city, including the former Sitel building.
Caribou officials discussed in detail why they decided to raise rates for emergency services to outside towns from $11.50 per capita to $100 per capita. The increase resulted in Limestone paying more than $200,000 annually and was criticized by residents in both Caribou and surrounding towns during a council meeting in late January.
Caribou City Council voted to establish a credit reserve account, or “rainy day fund,” with $896,029 to be used in emergency financial situations.
February
The city of Caribou set seven dates for the summer’s Thursday on Sweden series of events, which features live music, food, vendors, an outdoor bar and unique themes and activities for each night.
Woodland Selectmen Will Barnum, left, and Carl Grant discuss Caribou’s fire and ambulance contract during a Feb. 18 Selectmen meeting. (Chris Bouchard | Aroostook Republican)
Woodland selectmen proposed meeting with other towns affected by Caribou’s EMS rate hike from $11.50 to $100 per capita to discuss their options for negotiating with the city.
Four Caribou school officials visited three cutting edge schools in Colorado Springs for inspiration with the new Caribou Community School, a new state of the art PreK-8 facility scheduled for completion in August.
Caribou and Connor Township residents vote at the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center on March 3. (Chris Bouchard | Aroostook Republican)
March
More than 1,000 Caribou and Connor Township residents voted during the March 3 election, rejecting Question 1 and showing majority support for Trump.
Cary Medical Center outlined changes to their visitation policy in light of concerns about COVID-19. At the time of this announcement, March 16, no cases had been confirmed north of Bangor.
The City of Caribou closed its library and recreation department in light of the COVID-19 threat. The city office was still open, with residents encouraged to use online services if possible for renewals, permits, and requests.
Limestone indefinitely closed its town office, rec department, and library in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The RSU 39 (Caribou and Stockholm) school district began distributing free breakfast and lunch in six locations while schools were temporarily closed in an effort to minimize the impact of COVID-19.
April
The pandemic sparked uncertainty concerning future Caribou events. The city canceled its annual City Wide Yard Sale and began to rethink alternative methods of holding other popular events. The city held off on releasing any information about the future of Thursdays on Sweden.
Connor Consolidated School student Kori Selfridge shows her mom Jamie Selfridge treats dropped off by the school during their socially distanced Easter egg hunt event. (Courtesy of Connor Consolidated School)
Connor Consolidated school staff dropped off treats at student homes as part of their socially distanced Easter egg hunt, eliciting visible excitement in some kids while others were moved to tears at seeing their teachers for the first time in weeks.
Caribou City Council approved an emergency ordinance that would alter the city’s emergency leave policies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RSU 39 announced that they would continue remote learning for the duration of the 2019-20 school year, with the last day of instruction on May 27 and the last day of school set for June 10.
May
The town of Limestone hired George “Bud” Finch to serve as their new town manager, filling a nearly year-long gap left after former town manager Elizabeth Dickerson left on Aug. 16, 2019.
Limestone canceled all Fourth of July activities in an effort to protect residents and visitors from the potential spread of COVID-19.
Caribou Fire and Ambulance saved a home on the New Sweden Road in Woodland after a fire caused by a pellet stove ignited the side of the house on May 14. Courtesy of Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department
Caribou firefighters saved multiple homes that were threatened by grass and stove fires, one in Woodland and another in Connor Township.
Woodland announced plans to hold a socially distanced town meeting and election in June, with the election planned for June 15 and the annual town meeting set for June 18.
New Sweden and Stockholm set their elections for July 14, with town meetings set shortly after. Town officials said the events would be held in accordance with state guidelines amid the pandemic.
Protesters march down Herschel Street in Caribou on June 1 as part of a movement in response to the murder of George Floyd. (Chris Bouchard | Aroostook Republican)
June
Nearly 40 protested peacefully in Caribou against the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. The protest did not result in any conflicts or confrontations as the group advocated for justice in Floyd’s death during the two-hour event.
Caribou High School held a socially distanced, outdoor graduation ceremony for 93 seniors in the Class of 2020 on Sunday, June 7.
Caribou High School students created a memorial near the school’s ski building for Kacie Haney, a student who died suddenly after an accident at the Van Buren Road and connector intersection.
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld a lower court’s decision in the case of Jonathan Limary, a Presque Isle man convicted of manslaughter after kicking the face of Jean Bragdon of Caribou, who died 18 days later due to blood hemorrhaging as a result of the altercation.
The RSU 39 Board of Education unanimously passed its 2020 budget, which they said would result in no mill rate increase for local taxpayers. Officials made nearly $2 million in cuts for the $19,814,702.56 budget, which was up by $89,114.94 from the previous year’s budget.
