Editor’s Note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of the top news stories from 2024. This article highlights events from January to June. The second installment will appear in the Jan. 1 issue.
January
Courtney Boma was named Caribou City Mayor following a vote from the city council. Tamara Lovewell and Jennifer Kelley were sworn in as new councilors.
Caribou High School saw its homeless student population double from 15 to around 30 to 40, according to school guidance counselors. Caribou’s numbers reflected a statewide trend, with Maine schools averaging 1,294 homeless students from 2014 to 2022.
Jonathan Judkins took over as Loring Development Authority’s interim president and CEO, determined to help Loring and Green 4 Maine redevelop the former Air Force base into a modern technology and industrial center.
Loring Air Museum advocated for LD 1998, a bill that would transfer owernership of the former Loring Air Force Base’s arch hangar to the museum. The bill put the museum at odds with Loring officials and developers who want to use the hangar for aerospace ventures.
Caribou city councilors voted against Mayor Courtney Boma’s elimination of the council’s opening prayers. Boma had chosen to not continue with prayers to keep with the separation of church and state and not present legal liabilities for the city. Councilors in favor of the prayer argued that the council should decide, not the mayor.
Brenda Jepson of Madawaska Lake reflected on 40 years of filmmaking and the search for relatives in Sweden that launched a new appreciation of her ancestry. She and husband Alan Jepson stayed busy in post production on a new film about their joint search for Swedish relatives in 2022.
February
Susan Kochanowski argued in court that she is not criminally responsible for the January 2023 fire at 7 Water St. in Caribou that displaced residents and killed 30-year-old Jason Donahue due to various mental health conditions she suffers from.
A volunteer citizen group began work to update Woodland’s comprehensive plan. The town most recently updated their plan in 1997. Committee members hoped that a new plan would give Woodland more stability and direction following local government dysfunction.
The Maine Department of Transportation announced plans to replace the concrete surface of Caribou’s Fort Street bridge with new concrete, as well as new rails and lighting, in 2026. The bridge was built in 1952 and is past the average 50-year lifespan of most bridge surfaces.
Kevin McCartney, co-owner of the Old Iron Inn in Caribou, acquired one of the earliest and rarest electric irons in U.S. history: an 1891 Carpenter-Nevens iron. At 20 pounds, the iron is one that tailors would have used in an era where household electrical outlets were rare.
Caribou High School abandoned plans to use identiMetrics, a biometric fingerprinting software, to digitally record student attendance. The decision came after American Civil Liberties Union of Maine requested information on identiMetrics and the school and company’s privacy policies. Parents worried about whether the system would safeguard students’ personal information.
Maine Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, proposed a bill to provide $1 million more in annual funding to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone. School leaders and students said that more funds are needed to cover student financial aid and avoid staff cuts.
Presque Isle developers Bruce Sargent and James Pelkey announced plans to build a $55 million potato chip processing plant at Loring Commerce Center. Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co. intends to employ 75 people after starting production in fall 2025 and eventually employ 100 people, Pelkey said.
At the city’s first housing symposium, Caribou officials, landlords and contractors discussed potential ways to build more affordable housing. Many agreed that Caribou needs a stronger reputation as a housing community to match regional industrial growth and welcome more residents.
Volunteers with Loring Air Museum expressed frustrations over the lack of legislative movement on a bill that would have given them ownership of Loring’s arch hangar. If no upgrades are done soon, the hangar will continue falling apart, said museum members.
Woodland residents voiced concerns over the departure of highway employee Matt Ellis. Ellis joined the highway crew in March 2023, and his resignation left only two full-time highway employees. Residents were dismayed at the lack of communication among Select Board members about complaints from Ellis.
Thirty-four Limestone residents unanimously agreed to let town officials pursue tax incentives for Loring redevelopers. During a special town meeting, Green 4 Maine founders explained why tax increment financing districts could attract large employers and help with infrastructure upgrades.
March
Warmer weather trends forced the relocation of Caribou’s SnowBowl festival to the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle. The event still saw large turnout and organizers said they would still hold the annual festival in late February and early March.
Caribou resident Laura Bagley, founder and director of the nonprofit Nurture By Nature, announced the return of the Caribou Community Garden in summer 2024. Bagley is also spearheading Aroostook’s involvement with the Maine Network of Community Food Councils.
Patricia “Pat” Collins, mother of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, died at the age of 96. Friends and neighbors remembered Pat Collins as a dedicated civic leader in Caribou and a committed wife, mother and friend. Pat Collins was the first woman to be elected Caribou’s city mayor.
Aroostook Waste Solutions, co-owned by Caribou, Limestone, Fort Fairfield and Presque Isle, began a pilot program that will remove tipping fees for demolition debris that the four communities bring to the landfill in Fort Fairfield. The 500-ton total limit for all communities targets blighted properties that are municipal-owned.
Caribou City Council voted in favor of increasing the proposed municipal expense budget from $11.6 million to $11.9 million to provide incentives for police officers and increase wages for library employees. Ten residents spoke in favor of upping library staff wages to reduce turnover.
The Legislative bill that would have transferred Loring Commerce Center’s arch hangar to the Loring Air Museum failed in the Legislature. Members of the House and Senate disagreed on whether to pass the bill. An amended version would have transferred the hangar to the museum if the Federal Aviation Administration did not approve Loring’s airport master plan by next June.
At a Select Board meeting, residents learned that board members Matt Cole and Kathy Ouellette and Town Clerk Bridget Coats sought a protection order against board member Thomas Drew in Dec. 2023. Court documents later revealed details behind why Cole, Ouellette and Coats sought out protection orders.
Woodland officials revealed that former tax collector and treasurer Vicki Page had been terminated as a town employee during an executive session. Select Board Chairperson Matt Cole did not disclose the reasons behind Page’s termination, calling the issue a “personnel matter.”
The Maine Senate unanimously appointed four new members to Loring Development Authority’s board of directors: Carolyn Dorsey of Caribou, acting vice chancellor for strategic initiatives for the University of Maine System; Lee Umphrey of Bangor, president and CEO of Eastern Maine Development Corporation; James Gardiner, resident and former town manager of Easton; and Jeffrey Pangburn of Bangor, vice president and senior relationship manager at TD Bank.
Caribou Technology Center, located at Caribou High School, became one of two tech centers in Aroostook and 12 schools in Maine to promote the expanded Maine Construction Academy. The summer program offers people aged 16 to 20 the chance to learn about construction trades from local contractors.
April
Limestone Community School announced that the grand reopening of its public pool would occur April 7. Limestone’s pool is the largest in Aroostook and serves as a space for public and private events.
Limestone’s Select Board voted to reopen Trafton Lake Campground under new management in summer 2024. The board opted to postpone selling or leasing the campground until seeing whether the campground would be successful again.
Aroostook Agency on Aging worked with local libraries, community centers and municipalities to launch Access Points, remote locations where seniors can receive services and take classes without travelling to the Agency’s Presque Isle headquarters. The 17 new Access Points included those in Caribou, Limestone and Fort Fairfield.
Limestone’s Select Board and budget committee finalized their recommendations for the 2024-2025 fiscal year town budget. The Select Board recommended raising the future town manager’s salary to $100,000, while the budget committee recommended $82,400 instead.
Loring Air Force Base’s arch hangar became a prime spot for 1,500 visitors to view the total solar eclipse April 8. Loring was one of many locations across Aroostook where visitors could glimpse the rare spectacle in the sky and enjoy the region.
A dozen people from the RSU 39 school community spoke against potential staff cuts to the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. Several staff members identified themselves or others as being on the potential cut list and encouraged district leaders to prevent negative effects on students’ educations.
Loring Development Authority announced that they would demolish six blighted apartment buildings at the Manser Drive complex, using federal funding, and eventually construct new housing units in those locations.
Caribou City Council rejected a proposal to create a youth advisory council consisting of local high school students. The youth council would have advised city councilors on issues facing the city. Councilors opposed to the idea thought that student government might provide students a better opportunity to learn about politics.
May
Local volunteers with the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge spoke of the need for permanent full-time staff to service the refuge in Limestone and surrounding towns. The Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex has been short staffed for years due to decreased federal funding and related cuts.
Thirty-seven racers competed in the fourth annual Aroostook River Spring Runoff Canoe and Kayak Race in Caribou. Despite low waters and a strong wind, competitors enjoyed the flatwater race, which benefited from being held the same weekend as Houlton’s Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race.
The RSU 39 school board unanimously passed a $23.3 million fiscal year budget that avoided making large-scale staff cuts. District residents later voted to increase that budget by $90,000, bringing the total budget to $23.4 million. City Manager Penny Thompson said that that budget could lead to an overall mill rate increase for Caribou.
More than two dozen land sailing racers graced the runways at the former Loring Air Force Base. Folks from as far away as New York said that the long, expansive runways gave them plenty of chances to test their speeds and enjoy the camaraderie of racing.
Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan announced plans to retire in July. Gahagan’s career at Caribou Police Department spanned 51 years, beginning in 1973 when he joined as a police officer. He spent 19 years as chief.
Presque Isle native Joseph Allen became the new owner of the Limestone Country Club and renamed the golf course and restaurant Lime Rock Golf Club. Allen said he wanted the club to be a family-friendly place for members and non-members alike to enjoy golf and good food.
Leaders from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics learned that a Legislative bill aimed at giving the magnet high school ongoing state funding would likely not pass. The school proposed adding funds to the Maine Department of Education’s biennial budget.
Caribou resident Susan Kochanowski pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal fire at 7 Water St. that occurred in January 2023. In making that plea, Kochanowksi gave up her right to a jury trial. A Superior Court judge ordered that she be placed in an institution specializing in mental health treatment and not be released unless a court finds her not likely to injure others.
Caribou Community School inducted its second class into the Hall of Hometown Heroes. Each ‘hero’ is a Caribou native who has made significant contributions to the local community. The honorees were Kyle Corrigan, Matt Bouchard, Bethany Zell, Scott Jackson, Andrea Flannery, Neal Sleeper, Andrew Michaud, Lance Longley, Albert Farley, Karen St. Peter and Cindy Bouchard.
Caribou began looking for a new assistant city manager who could focus on planning and economic development. The city last had such a position in 2015 but did not reinstate it after the most recent employee departed. City leaders hoped to find someone who could pursue economic development projects more actively.
Twenty-five students graduated from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone. Nine students also earned associate degrees from the University of Maine at Presque Isle as part of a dual enrollment program. UMPI President Ray Rice served as the main graduation speaker.
Caribou held its annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony featuring speakers and musicians that paid tribute to fallen soldiers and veterans who have passed away.
Limestone residents agreed to let the town pursue tax incentives for the future Taste of Maine potato chip processing plant. The proposed 30-year agreement would offer Taste of Maine 10 years of tax-free operation, with the town keeping 5 percent of the annual tax value starting in year 11, until it reaches 100 percent by year 30.
June
Caribou kicked off summer with its annual Thursdays on Sweden Street, featuring over 40 food, craft and community vendors.
Spud Speedway held its first ever MudBowl. Despite rainy weather, thousands came throughout the weekend to enjoy carnival rides, truck and tractor pulls and the mud runs.
Ninety-six students graduated from Caribou High School. Class of 1994 alum Darcie McElwee, U.S. District Attorney for Maine, served as the keynote speaker. She encouraged graduates to work hard, be kind to others and embrace the support and life lessons of their community.
The proposed $23.4 million budget for RSU 39 passed at the polls with a 468-419 margin.
Limestone residents passed the town and school budgets during their annual town meeting. Voters approved increased budgets for town administration, recreation, town reserve accounts and for an increased school budget.
Woodland’s Select Board postponed the town’s annual meeting after learning from a resident that budget warrant articles were not properly signed. The meeting was rescheduled for July 9.
A small group of New Sweden residents gathered at the town office for the annual meeting. Voters approved both the school and town budget and other measures, including a 6-month moratorium on commercial solar panel development and a new town employee retirement plan.
Aroostook Waste Solutions said that its recycling collection truck would be on the road again after over a month of delays in getting a new crane installed. Igloos overflowed with recyclable materials as central Aroostook residents waited for collections to resume.
Several Aroostook hospitals, including Cary Medical Center in Caribou, addressed spikes in violence against hospital workers. Hospital leaders said that they have increased protective measures, including hiring more security staff and installing alarm systems for staff.
Silver Birches, a group of former high school students from Maine’s original Swedish colony, reunited in Stockholm. Fifty years ago, the group published their first of three books chronicling stories of older generations descended from Swedish settlers. The original Silver Birches gathered to encourage today’s young people to continue telling those stories.
New Sweden held its annual Midsommar, celebrating the town’s Swedish heritage. The event featured craft vendors, wreath making, museum tours and traditional Swedish dancing and singing.
