Special to the Aroostook Republican
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.
Another exciting year for the country’s most Northeastern 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.
The Caribou City Council welcomed new members and elected positions. Caribou City Clerk Jayne Farrin swore in newcomer Timmy Guerrette along with incumbent Phillip McDonough II to the council.
With a vote of 124 to 7, it was clear that the Caribou, Limestone, and Stockholm residents who attended the Jan. 12 straw poll at the Caribou Performing Arts Center were in favor of a new elementary school at Teague Park.
Dr. Jessica Meir overcame seemingly insurmountable odds on her journey to outer space. Meir was invited to speak at Bangor’s Challenger Learning Center on Jan. 27, and used that opportunity to take a side trip to Caribou High School on Jan. 26 and speak to the students of her alma mater about the importance of working hard to achieve their dreams.
February
RSU 39 received a $357,554 cut for the 2016-17 year. The state looks to several variables before making a final funding decision for a community, including student population, town evaluation, and the essential programs and services funding model, or EPS. Areas that lose students or gain a higher valuation will receive less state money.
Caribou High School’s grade 10 and 11 students surpassed district, state, and national benchmarks for their PSAT scores. Ninety percent of CHS tenth-graders who took the test met the college and career readiness benchmark whereas the district percentage is 83, the state percentage is 46, and the national percentage of sophomores taking the PSAT meeting this benchmark is 47 percent.
March
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.
Northern Girl, a Van Buren organization that distributes locally grown food, announced the launch of their “Kids Eating Maine Carrots” project in the Caribou Middle School cafeteria on March 11.
A potato house was destroyed by fire despite the efforts of firefighters from Caribou, Presque Isle and Limestone.
April
The Building Committee, which consists of RSU 39 faculty members, PDT Architects in Portland, Parks and Rec Director Gary Marquis, City Manager Austin Bleess, Sam Collins and Justin Powers, moved ahead with a new preK-8 school project for the city of Caribou.
Three contestants competed for the title of Miss Caribou 2016 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. After completing an interview, answering a question in front of the audience, wearing their gowns and performing a unique talent, all contestants received an award from the Miss Caribou Committee. Kelsie Marie Washington, 18, was named Miss Caribou 2016 and received a $500 scholarship to the school of her choice.
Caribou City councilors voted to accept a quarter million federal dollars to help construct a four-bay hangar at the Caribou airport. The project’s cost is estimated to be roughly $415,000, and the Northern Border Regional Commission grant could cover $250,000 of that cost. The state will cover $20,750, and the remaining $144,250 would be paid for by the FAA with the city’s entitlement funds.
May
Michael McCartney, an English teacher at MSSM, was honored as Aroostook County’s Teacher of the Year for 2016.
Caribou City Council unanimously approved a land transfer agreement presented by RSU 39 during their May 9 meeting. Council’s approval is just one of the many required steps for Caribou to see a new preK-8 school come to fruition.
A Caribou family lost their home to a house fire. According to Caribou Fire Chief Scott Susi, the department received a call when an individual driving by noticed that the house was on fire. All members of the family were “out on arrival,” according to the Chief, but the family dog remained in the house. Shortly after firefighters arrived, the homeowner opened the basement door, allowing the pet to escape to safety.
June
Jane McCall who spent 16 years serving Hilltop Elementary School began influencing far more students as she began work as assistant superintendent and curriculum director for RSU 39.
A crowd of nearly 50 gathered as Bishop Robert P. Deeley led a prayer and blessed a Caribou field. The field, owned by Ryan Guerrette of Guerrette Farms, was offered to the Farm for ME program.
Hundreds of onlookers gathered in the high school parking lot as students and the police, fire, and ambulance departments staged a drunk driving accident. Covered in fake blood, student participants sat lifeless in two wrecked cars as the sirens of emergency vehicles could be heard screeching through Sweden Street and onto the school parking lot.
Editor’s note: Part II of the year in review will run in next week’s paper.
