Springtime is when we in northern Maine start to think about those home improvement projects.  to have dinner on the deck?  Or maybe it’s time to replace the bath — you know the one with the seafoam green tub and matching toilet and you are not spending another winter cleaning the snow off your car first thing every morning.  “Where do I find the application for the building permit?” That’s an easy one If not check with your local town office.  we have moved all of the applications for building They can be found under the “apply” tab at the top of the city’s website.  Under the “contact us” tab you will find a link to file a complaint where you can either type the address or select it on the map a topic can be selected on the right-hand side of the map Boxes for specific information will be just below that If you would like to leave contact information you are welcome to do so further down We are currently exploring new programs that may be implemented later this year you are welcome to email or call the office and ask any questions you may have.  Tim St. Peter is Presque Isle’s deputy director of innovation and development and the code enforcement officer. He can be reached at 764-0885 or via email at @tstpeter@presqueisleme.us Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMARQUETTE (WLUC) - People crowded Marquette’s Presque Isle Park on Sunday to enjoy the now-open loop The loop opened for traffic on Friday for the season Families and friends made the most of the sunny weather by visiting Black Rocks Beth Buyze and Maddy Quinn say the Presque Isle loop gave easy access to the best agate-hunting grounds They say the area is beautiful and abundant with their favorite rock Buyze says they love sitting in the sun and digging for agate and I was asking Maddy if she wanted to hang out,” Buyze said “I was just killing time before she could answer and saw that the loop was open and I instantly turned around and went to her apartment because I wanted to drive through it together.” She says the loop opens opportunities to kayak Find the park’s loop hours here Put on a sturdy pair of shoes and stretch out your legs The Presque Isle Lighthouse and Erie Land Lighthouse will both open May 2 for the 2025 season Visitors will be able to climb the towers for a fee although Erie Land Lighthouse will also offer monthly free days Here are some things to know if you want to experience Erie County's lighthouses The Presque Isle Lighthouse is located along the shore of Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park near Leslie Beach. Owned by the state, the lighthouse is operated by the Presque Isle Light Station a nonprofit also known as Lake Erie Lights This lighthouse is still a working aid to navigation with a light at the top of the 57-foot tower maintained by the U.S The Erie Land Lighthouse is located at 2 Lighthouse St Owned by the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority the lighthouse is also operated by the Presque Isle Light Station The light at the top of the 49-foot tower shines but is not an active aid to navigation The North Pier Light is sometimes referred to as a lighthouse although it is technically a "light structure." It is on the end of the North Pier Lake Erie Lights is celebrating its 10th anniversary of opening the Presque Isle Lighthouse to the public for tours and tower climbs The nonprofit corporation is dedicated to preserving Erie's historic lighthouses educating the community on their value and interpreting them for future generations visitors to the Presque Isle Lighthouse can explore a newly interpreted summer kitchen offering a look into the daily life of lighthouse keepers and their families The space highlights everyday living including chores The Presque Isle Lighthouse will be open Fridays through Mondays from 10 a.m through Memorial Day and then will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m The Erie Land Lighthouse will be open Fridays through Mondays from 10 a.m through Memorial Day and then will be open Fridays through Mondays from 10 a.m but the grounds are accessible when the state park is open Viewing the grounds of either lighthouse is free Visitors must be at least 44 inches tall to climb the two towers Tickets are $5 for the Presque Isle Lighthouse museum admission and $8 for the museum and tower climb More on the peninsula: Presque Isle spring 2025 beach walk reveals good conditions with federal funding uncertain regular admission/climbs are $6 per person This lighthouse will host free climb days every first Tuesday of the month through October On every second Saturday of the month throughout the season visitors will be able to pay by whatever donation amount they wish combo passes are $12 and cover an admission and climb to the Presque Isle and Erie Land lighthouses Memberships allow holders to climb all season long $35 for other individuals and $50 for families Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com It was an All Day Derby Party at Presque Isle Downs and Casino all to celebrate the 151st Running of the Kentucky Derby All kinds of hats are part of the party here in Erie too The fancy hat contest got underway at Churchill Bourbon and Brew at Presque Isle Downs.  A prize of 500 dollars of free play was on the line plus food and drink specials including mint juleps of course The Presque Isle Girls' and Boy's Track and Field Teams won the Meet held at Bucksport High School on Thursday To see all the Girls' individual results Click HERE To see all the Boy's Individual Results click HERE The following Boys won multiple event winners Nominations for the Athlete of the Week are now open for performances April 28- May 3. Please email your nomination to chris.popper@townsquaremedia.com letting us know why the individual should be the Athlete of the Week and make sure you indicate what school this individual attends All nominations should be received by Sunday Voting for Week 3 will take place May 5th -8th with the winner being announced on Friday Presque Isle's athletes dominated the Bucksport track meet. Discover who shined in the sprints, hurdles, and distance events.\nRead More To see all the Girls' individual results Click HERE To see all the Boy's Individual Results click HERE Nominations for the Athlete of the Week are now open for performances April 28- May 3. Please email your nomination to chris.popper@townsquaremedia.com Maine (WAGM) - Good evening everyone and happy Monday We had a wonderful day across the region today with mostly sunny skies and seasonable temperatures followed by shower chances working into the region during the day tomorrow with activity ending up being lighter in nature overall when it does fall Wednesday will bring additional shower chances to the forecast for the morning hours with some sunny breaks possible late in the day Gloomy weather returns for the latter half of the work week with below average temperatures also expected Thursday and Friday (WPBN/WGTU) – Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-Op (PIE&G) is making progress in restoring power to Northern Michigan after the late March ice storm that caused damage across the region over 85% of PIE&G members have had their power restored The company has replaced more than 1,400 broken poles and coordinated 788 vehicles and equipment managing 409 crews and 1,430 personnel in the field PIE&G said they are on track with its original timeline for restoration except in areas where individual service lines sustained damage and in Lewiston which experienced especially extensive destruction Repairs in Lewiston are expected to take an additional two to three days due to the severity and complexity of the required work every single pole was either broken or knocked down The severity of the damage in Lewiston underscores the monumental task our crews face and we're incredibly proud of their commitment and resilience," said CEO Allan Berg and Director of Electric Operations Eric Leach Crews say they are continuing their restoration efforts as quickly as possible For updates, visit HERE. Tom Powers of the Presque Isle Industrial Council was the featured speaker at the April meeting of PROBUS The industrial park is located near the airport on 450 acres The park has 60 tenants with about 900 employees The park was established when Presque Isle Air Force Base closed in 1961 The park is owned by the City of Presque Isle and used vacant base buildings at the start but has built about 25 additional structures.  Powers made the point that the buildings meet northern Maine stress levels with 6-foot-deep frost walls and snow-load-bearing roofs that are much stronger but consequently more expensive than similar sized industrial buildings in competing southern U.S The park uses employee competence and superior transportation as selling points Companies in the park are financially stable and pay the city rent with long-term contracts Unlike most other industrial parks in Maine and Maine’s largest trucking firm as well as Northern Maine Community College Powers stressed the importance of a trained and skilled workforce in attracting new employers The Industrial Park has recently completed two new buildings for Coca Cola and Frito Lay which were built to meet their requirements and will soon add another to meet the expansion of VALT Enterprizes Inc The next meeting of PROBUS will be at 10 a.m provost and vice president of the University of Maine at Presque Isle (WLUC) - The Presque Isle Park loop is set to open for the season Friday According to a City of Marquette press release, the loop will be open to vehicle traffic and close at 6 p.m. daily until May 15, or until the blue spotted salamander migration has concluded The City of Marquette reminds drivers not to park on the path except in designated areas and to be respectful of wildlife and other people in the area Below are the days and times the seasonal portion of Peter White Drive will be closed to allow for walkers.  All motor vehicles are prohibited from traveling around the back portion of the Island at the following times: • Monday and Wednesday 6:00 pm to park close The seasonal portion of Peter White Drive will remain on this schedule through November 30 unless closed early due to accumulation of snow on the road To learn more about Presque Isle Park, you can visit the City of Marquette website Lots of ice protected Presque Isle State Park's beaches this past winter but less funding could lead to reduced sand replenishment this coming summer "It gives us a reprieve from that winter erosion." Greene led the 2025 spring beach walk that brought members of the U.S Army Corps of Engineers from Buffalo to Erie on April 24 to check the peninsula for erosion and determine where sand will need to be replaced Representatives from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Presque Isle Advisory Committee and local legislators also took part in the beach walk Presque Isle typically receives $3 million annually for the sand replenishment project with half coming from the state and the other half in federal funding Greene said local officials won't know about any potential federal funding until mid-June he said Pennsylvania was ready with its usual $1.5 million for the project "Worst-case scenario will be half funding for nourishment coming from the commonwealth side," he said the work begins in the spring to respond to erosion that occurred during winter This wouldn't be the first year the federal money has come late or not at all Due to a delay in the federal funding for 2022 sand work didn't get started until after Labor Day that year Work in 2017 didn't start until August because confirmation of that year's $1.5 million in federal funding wasn't received until May but some sand work was done with $1.5 million from the state and $500,000 left from previous projects Getting to Presque Isle: Erie Port Authority strikes new water taxi deal. When does service start? Greene said a deficit in sand replenishment one year isn't too bad but officials will want to see full funding for the project restored going forward Joining him on the walk were representatives from the offices of U.S They said the Republican legislators were supportive of Presque Isle and aware of the funding issue members of Congress representing the Erie area have banded together to send letters requesting federal funding for sand work at the park The officials on the beach walk said no such letters had been sent yet this year Movement of sand is not unexpected and unwelcome on the peninsula Greene and other officials have said that the purpose of placing sand on beaches isn't to stop erosion but to allow the sand to move naturally through the system toward Gull Point on the park's eastern end Groins installed along Lake Erie to the west block the natural movement of sand to the peninsula which involves bringing new sand to the park and moving other sand around has therefore become a necessary project for maintaining Presque Isle Presque Isle's beaches have been in a better position recently than in prior years when Lake Erie water levels were reaching record high levels and a lack of winter ice was leaving the shore unprotected from waves From the 2024 fall walk: A cold, icy winter would help Presque Isle's beaches said the beaches were much better this year than some years in the past During a pause in the spring walk to evaluate conditions at Beach 5 Cross said that some years there was no beach in front of the sea wall there due to winter erosion there was a significant amount of sand there the participants planned to walk to the park's Sunset Point and then continue on to Gull Point they expected to find a number of tombolos which are bars of sand and sediment that develop between beaches and breakwaters That sand will eventually be relocated to places where erosion has occurred Cross said having tombolos this year will be beneficial because it is cheaper to move that sand than to purchase and bring in new sand (This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) The Shriners children’s clinic was held recently at the Aroostook Shrine Club in Presque Isle with assistance from the Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle Lucy Richard and Jessica Lahey helped with referrals Sue Watson and Carolyn Hallett greeted parents and children and completed paperwork Maine — Fort Kent tennis hosted Presque Isle on April 29 Fort Kent first singles Connor Voisine lost to Isaac Staples with a score of 8-2 Second singles Alexander Carlstrom lost to Jacob Bennet 8-4 Third singles Mason Pelletier lost to Garrette White 8-4 FIrst doubles Finley Marquis and Quinn Pelletier lost to Alex Duprey and Duke Dechene 8-6 Second doubles Easton and Wyatt Daigle lost to Quinn Graves and Cameron Locke 8-3.  The Fort Kent girls lost to Presque Isle 5-0 First singles Laney Pelletier lost to Alice Korzekwa 8-0 Second singles Addison Chasse lost to Saphine Wells Pucket 8-2 Third singles Haidyn Saucier lost to Kapri Griffeth 8-2 First doubles Madeleine Martin and Emma Cyr lost to Bobbi Guerrette and Peyton Mckinley 8-4 Second doubles Ally Fournier and Abigail Boucher lost to Taylor Walton and Avery Dixon 8-3 Maine — More than 40 Aroostook County communities are included in the Maine Department of Transportation’s newly released work plan for the next three years John Valley and the two most expensive in the central Aroostook towns of Presque Isle and Caribou The biggest ticket item outlined in the plan is $84.2 million for construction starting this year of 5.83 miles of the new bypass in Presque Isle beginning at the Westfield town line on Route 1 and extending north to Conant Road Former Maine DOT spokesperson Paul Merrill said last year that it was not only the largest project planned for Aroostook County, but among the largest being developed in the state who currently serves as the Maine DOT spokesperson said the project is being led by the department’s highway program and is scheduled to be advertised this September Maine DOT’s Aroostook work also includes $66.6 million for Eastern Maine Railway improvements in 2027 which Veilleux said are part of a broader initiative to strengthen rail freight infrastructure in the region In Caribou, a $25.8 million project is planned next year to replace the deck of the Fort Street bridge over the Aroostook River. This will be the first major upgrade to the bridge since it was built in the early 1950s And while Merrill said last year that the agency has not identified any safety concerns with the bridge the surface has gone far beyond its average 50-year lifespan Veilleux said on Thursday that the preliminary design for the Caribou projects is nearly complete and that Maine DOT is preparing to hold a virtual public meeting soon to share the proposed work and to gather feedback Several projects are expected to take place in the St including two major projects next year in Fort Kent The largest is an $18.7 million project that will start about a half-mile west of Church Avenue in Frenchville and extend northwest by 4.66 miles on Route 1 and includes highway construction and rehabilitation Another large project planned for 2026 in Fort Kent is $14,600,000 worth of highway reconstruction and rehabilitation work funded via Congressionally Directed Spending This project will take place on Route 161 beginning 0.2 miles northwest of the New Canada town line and extend northwest by four miles The three-year plan also includes work in Wallagrass, Eagle Lake, Cross Lake, Frenchville,, Van Buren and Madawaska, The department’s full 2025 plan is available to view on the Maine DOT website Presque Isle State Park is always bustling during the summer months but there is still plenty to do with Erie's greatest natural resource during the winter time The Presque Isle Partnership's annual Winter Discovery Day celebrates just that Held in the Waterworks area in Shelters 1 and 2 the event features plenty of family-friendly activities and Sled Dog Demonstrations with Red Sky Working Siberians (a Fairview based recreational mushing team) Attendees will also be allowed into the Presque Isle Lighthouse between 11 a.m there will be opportunities to learn a little about the lighthouse's history Even though the intent is to highlight winter activities some of the planned events are weather-dependent horse-drawn wagon rides with John May Farm Activities (for a cost of $3) and cross country ski rentals (additional rental fee) and Underdog BBQ will be on hand selling some of their most popular dishes For those who just want a small treat that will help keep you warm there will be hot chocolate available for purchase as well The event is free and open to the public; however there is a suggested donation of $3 to benefit Presque Isle Partnership so the organization can continue to bring events like this to the park 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. // Waterworks Area (Rotary Pavilion, Shelters 1 and 2) at Presque Isle State Park, 1 Peninsula Dr. // Free ($3 suggested donation) // For info: discoverpi.com the Aroostook County Action Program will begin providing licensed school-aged childcare to the Presque Isle community at the Gouldville Early Care and Education Center on Park St This new program will offer after-school and  school break childcare for children aged 5 to 12 years Highly trained staff will engage youth in fun and educational activities as well as provide time and support for school homework Healthy meals and snacks will be provided to ensure the well-being of all  participants.  This expansion is in response to the recent announcement of a pending closure by a large Presque Isle based childcare provider and the ongoing childcare shortage throughout the region which has been  impacting parents and employers alike The new program will mirror the successful model currently operated by ACAP at the Caribou Community School in partnership with RSU 39 Parents are encouraged to apply now through our online application at https://acap me.org/programs/earlycareeducation/ or by contacting ACAP’s enrollment specialist at 207-554-4175 An official website of the United States government Our outpatient clinic provides primary care and specialty health services and the other health services we offer at our Presque Isle VA Clinic Select a service on this page to check the hours Wheelchair availability:  Wheelchairs are available upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits VA Maine Healthcare System depends on the goodwill of our supporters You can make a difference when you help us serve our Veterans For more information on volunteering or donating visit Volunteer Or Donate | VA Maine Health Care | Veterans Affairs We provide the full spectrum of substance use disorder treatment Our Medical Center and clinics provide a comprehensive array of treatment options for Substance Use Disorders individual and group therapy and medication management. Residential treatment is available through referral to nearby VA Medical Centers Our laboratories provide a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services Our laboratory and pathology services include: walk-ins are accepted for all services excluding Therapeutic Phlebotomy Our medical center and clinics provide consultation and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for: Learn more and connect with a care coordinator We provide care for military sexual trauma in our mental (behavioral) health clinics MST-related care also includes treatment for physical conditions that resulted from the MST experience My HealtheVet is the VA’s patient portal for 24/7 access to online medical records and services From the convenience of any computer on the internet REGISTER or Sign In at: My HealtheVet Premium Upgrade / Authentication to use all features can be done at any VA Maine primary care office  the Togus Release of Information desk and with most front desks of outpatient services.  You can also call our coordination to do this by video connections with our coordinator If you have symptoms of PTSD after a traumatic event We offer assessment and treatment support such as private counseling Our medical center and clinics provide patient-centered and recovery-oriented treatment for PTSD and co-occurring conditions including individual and couples therapy and medication management. We offer assessment and treatment for survivors of all forms of trauma including complex childhood abuse/neglect and civilian trauma. Treatment options consistent with first-line (i.e. “strongly recommended”) recommendations in the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines are available at all VHA points of service (Togus and CBOCs) Outpatient and specialty outpatient PTSD services are provided in person and virtually Residential treatment is available through referral to nearby VA Medical Centers Our pharmacy provides you and other Veterans with convenient efficient service to make it easy to get your medications and medical supplies Learn more about our pharmacy At Community Based Outpatient Clinics there is no prescription pick up Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life They will also work with family members or caregivers who support you A strong network of family and internal medicine specialists and services can offer you the best possible care Internal medicine doctors (internists) prevent Doctors who specialize in family medicine provide primary health care to the entire family Your primary care team can coordinate the many services you receive such as: If you’re struggling with a mental health problem—or just need to talk with someone—we can help We offer treatment and support such as therapy alternative treatments and medications when needed evaluation and treatment for Veterans dealing with: If you are trying to quit smoking or want to stop using tobacco Our goal is to provide support and strategies to add to optional nicotine replacement therapy prescribed by your primary care doctor The mission of VA Social Workers is to assist Veterans their families and caregivers in resolving Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) challenges to health and well-being Social Work is woven into the fabric of VA health care providing clinical interventions and services across the VA continuum of care Please contact your primary care provider or primary care RN to request a referral to a primary care social worker We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis Learn more and connect with a care coordinator We use the latest in secure digital technology to set up remote visits with our health care providers and store-and-forward telehealth that lets you securely send your health information to experts at VA facilities We offer telehealth visits with providers in: Learn more about telehealth generally there are several types of possible exposures or hazards Veterans may have experienced during their military service » Open Burn Pits/Airborne Hazards: Contaminants or substances in the air including smoke and fumes from open burn pits and fine particulate matter » Gulf War related exposures: Veterans may have been exposed to a variety of environmental hazards including pesticides and oil well fires » Agent Orange: An herbicide used to thin-out thick foliage commonly found in jungles and fields » Radiation: Exposure from sources such as nuclear weapons » Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure: Between August 1 Veterans and their families may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water » Other exposures: There are other potential toxic exposures that may occur during military service Proactively developing a long-term health care plan with your care team can help detect conditions early and treat or lessen the effect of complications resulting from exposure(s) » Send a secure message to your clinical care team through your patient portal: My HealtheVet at: www.myhealth.va.gov or My VA Health at: patientportal.myhealth.va.gov » Discuss exposure concerns at your next VA appointment » Online www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction » Visit your nearest VA medical center and enroll in person: www.va.gov/find-locations Registry health exams are no-cost voluntary environmental exposure medical exams VA has several health registries– these include: Agent Orange Gulf War (includes Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn) » You may be eligible to participate in one or more of these health registries Note: The registry evaluation is not a compensation exam or required for other VA benefits » Registries can alert you to possible health problems related to your military service and help VA better understand and respond to these health problems more effectively » Online www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp » Visit www.va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MyVA411 » Information on military environmental exposures: www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp » Exposure benefits information: www.va.gov/disability/eligibility » Download the free VA Exposure Ed mobile app: mobile.va.gov/app/exposure-ed Veterans may be eligible for disability benefits and/or compensation if they have a health condition that results in disability and was connected to their military service you need to prove that your service caused your condition we automatically assume (or “presume”) that your service caused your condition We call these “presumptive conditions.” We consider a condition presumptive when it’s established by law or regulation you do not need to prove that your service caused the condition You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption » Veterans with presumptive diseases may be eligible for benefits such as disability compensation dependent children and/or parents of deceased Veterans may be eligible for benefits such as dependency and indemnity compensation and accrued benefits » Veterans who had claims that were previously denied can file supplemental claims • Submit online: www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim • Access VA benefits: www.ebenefits.va.gov • Call VA Benefits hotline: for help filing a claim • Locate a local Veteran Service Officer www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp • Call the VA benefits assistance center schedule an appointment to meet with a benefits counselor: • Call the Togus Regional Benefits Office o Appointments can be made at the Togus Regional office located at 1 VA Center • Applications can be done online or via paper o To apply directly online using a MHV or ID.me account visit: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/ o Or VA Form 21-526EZ can be printed and mailed to: • Speak with someone at the VBA first before submitting your application confusing and wording you use is important • Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) can also help with submitting claims and assisting with self[1]advocacy More information on the PACT Act can be found here: VA Maine PACT Act Resources Beneficiary Travel (BT) provides access to care through travel reimbursement to eligible Veterans and payment for some transportation services on behalf of certain eligible Veterans Travel reimbursement staff are located at Togus but Veterans can submit their paper claim at Togus or the CBOCs Many of the Whole Health Programs are online (virtual) you’ll need to contact your primary care provider Whole Health is VA's approach to patient-centered It combines conventional clinical care with complementary and integrative approaches and skill building for self-care to help people take charge of their health and live life to the fullest Evidence shows that Whole Health improves health outcomes and clinician satisfaction Whole Health At VA Maine | VA Maine Health Care | Veterans Affairs We offer women’s health services to meet your specific needs such as disease screenings maternity care and female-specific medical equipment VA Maine Healthcare System supports the health and dignity of female Veterans and their families by ensuring equal access to timely Our local facility offers a variety of services Contact VA Maine’s Women Veterans Program Manager at   ext 4017 for more information regarding available services or information regarding your healthcare benefits Learn more and connect with a care coordinator Sherry DelleCurti had hoped that a flurry of sales from Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shoppers would keep Presque Isle Consignment Instead, a winter storm dumped about four feet of snow on Erie in the days after Thanksgiving DelleCurti was forced to close her Millcreek Township consignment store those days and later announce that it would go out of business in March the news about it coming was just crazy," DelleCurti said DelleCurti purchased the former Claudine's Consignment store two years ago She previously rented space in the store from its former owner who had owned it for the previous 12 years An artist who specializes in multimedia works and beach glass DelleCurti had been hosting art classes in the store when she learned Emerson was going to sell it "I talked with my husband about it and we ended up buying the business," DelleCurti said DelleCurti said sales often decline during an election year she was told "We held on until Black Friday and Small Business Saturday More: The big snow foiled their Small Business Saturday. Erie retailers hope to bounce back DelleCurti announced the closing in mid-December but the store will remain open until March DelleCurti has 90-day contracts with the merchandise's owners and the last of those contracts end in March the owners can take back their items or donate them DelleCurti said that she doesn't regret buying the business including her 85-year-old father who would sit in a corner of the store and fix various items "We were part of the community," DelleCurti said "People came here after they had a fire at their house and buy items they needed Since the closing was announced on the store's Facebook page People want something to take home that reminds them of the store The sales boost isn't changing DelleCurti's mind about closing "It was just too stressful and the unknown of what is to come this year," DelleCurti said Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNBruce (WPBN/WGTU) -- A 15-year-old and his parents have been charged after a dirt bike crash in Presque Isle County that killed an 87-year-old man out getting his mail and the man died from his injuries on March 5 the 15-year-old was driving a dirt bike without headlights around 7 p.m and hit the man as he walked across County Road 451 with a flashlight to his mailbox troopers from the Alpena Post apprehended a 15-year-old and arrested his parents on charges related to the crash The petition for the following charges on the juvenile were authorized: The 15-year-old’s preliminary hearing in juvenile court was on March 15 The parents of the juvenile were arraigned in the 89th District Court in Presque Isle County on one count of Operating-ORV-Parent Allowing Child Under 16 The mother was given a $2,000 cash or surety bond and the father was given a $3,500 cash or surety bond Their next court appearance is scheduled for April 1 I will not be releasing the names of the parents." (This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.) The Presque Isle Partnership adds new festive lights and displays around the peninsula each December but officials say it will remain a tasteful way to highlight Presque Isle State Park’s natural beauty while respecting the environment This is the fifth year that the nonprofit partnership, which helps support the state park, is offering Presque Isle Lights The self-guided evening driving tour around Presque Isle features decorations at various locations scattered around the peninsula and isn't meant to be a gaudy display Lights were to be on Fridays through Sundays Officials said the opening night was postponed for the safety of park visitors and volunteers Presque Isle State Park remained closed Thursday with park staff working around the clock to clear theroads They also said they were hoping that the wind didn’t knock out power on the peninsula it will be at dusk and visitors who want to drive around the peninsula must be through the park entrance gates before they close at 9 p.m Protecting the sand: A cold, icy winter would help Presque Isle's beaches Displays are not continuous on the 13-mile driving loop around the park but can be found at sites such as the Stull Interpretive Center Officials said the gaps are to allow visitors to experience the natural beauty of Presque Isle after dark remind guests to be mindful of the park’s nocturnal wildlife while driving Visiting the state park is always free and so is Presque Isle Lights But the partnership does asks display viewers to consider making a donation which is used for accessibility improvements Those who give $5 will receive a commemorative Presque Isle Lights button that includes a chance to win a $1,000 Country Fair gift card More info for park visitors: Presque Isle to hold deer hunt in December to control herd size In 2021, Presque Isle Lights fell victim to an unofficial Facebook event that took photos from HersheyPark and blended them with Presque Isle photos to portray the Erie County display as more glamorous and light-filled disappointing some visitors and potentially attempting to obtain their personal information Event officials caution visitors to seek out official Presque Isle Lights information at the partnership's website or Facebook page An international solar energy company will have to rework its application if it wants to expand a solar farm in Presque Isle Convalt Energy must file for a variance to add to the existing solar array on Longview Drive following a March 11 ruling by the Presque Isle Zoning Board of Appeals The proposal sparked controversy because the city has now banned solar arrays in suburban areas. Several neighborhood residents told city councilors last week that the facility is unsightly and could lower their property values They also questioned its impacts on the environment The zoning board decision stops the process — for now People worry about the energy panels taking up room on land that could be used for farming or housing.   city officials and Convalt Energy representatives turned out for the hearing The project will meet criteria including emergency vehicle access and hazardous waste disposal and will not adversely affect groundwater or scenic views Convalt representative John Phelan said.  Crews will also add buffering — trees and shrubs — to shield the installation from residents’ view The installation should not negatively affect nearby property values once landscaping is completed Board Chair Pam Palm asked whether the company would bury or recycle the solar panels once they’ve reached the end of their useful life which it does in most of its installations Soil erosion has been cited as a problem with some solar arrays “We will put a silt fence around that area to prevent any erosion we stump it then grass it in,” Convalt’s Maine Project Manager Richard Angotti said “Once it’s grassed in and has a chance to grow and get acclimated back into a good then we can start putting in our screws for the array.” Residents have expressed concern about a herd of deer that inhabit woods near the neighborhood but resident Kevin Kinney had submitted a favorable written comment representing some Longview Drive homeowners He urged the board to dismiss the company’s expansion request “You have a miscellaneous appeal when you’re considering proposed changes to the exterior or appearance,” he said “We’re not talking about changing the exterior or changing the appearance of what you have in place.” Convalt wants to add new construction to an installation that was built when such facilities were allowed in residential areas While the original farm was built under proper regulations the city council and planning board changed that rule in 2024.  Bemis referred to the city’s land use code which was amended in May to remove permissions for solar electric facilities in the suburban residential business and suburban commercial zones.   Convalt should instead file for a variance which relaxes standards currently in place The board voted to dismiss the company’s appeal.  Convalt will try again using the proper procedure “We believe in the Presque Isle area and the development of solar in the Presque Isle area,” he said “We understand energy is utmost to protecting the U.S. and this is our method of providing that energy.” Although the ice storm of last month is behind us The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners heard updates from citizens needing a place to deposit branches and trees from the damage the emergency services director dealing with measures to help in the next crisis and how county dispatchers handled the crisis.  the county’s 911 director said the ice storm was the most devastating storm to ever hit Presque Isle County She said updates to the 911 system in recent years allowed the installation of three Motorola answering positions That additional station proved helpful during the storm keep in mind there were hundreds more welfare checks power outage and lines down calls that were not logged in due to the sheer volume was one to three calls every 90 seconds,” Szymanski said.  THE 911 center is manned with one dispatcher per shift along with one corrections officer and on occasion a float position that can assist with either the jail or dispatch She said the variety of calls handled included wires down 184; total computer-aided dispatch logged calls That is just part of the load handled by dispatchers where action was taken.  “We don’t log in all of the walk-in complaints simply because there were hundreds Calls about when the power would be up and running were in the thousands General calls for information on warming stations where to get food were simply impossible (to number),” said Szymanski IN SPITE of personnel changes in recent years the dispatch crew did its job as best it could.  “It has been extremely frustrating to keep our 911 center staffed we have had 14 that were hired and are no longer employed at our department some were let go and some couldn’t handle the stress of the job,” Szymanski said.  she said the last five years have seen the highest turnover in personnel  “This storm aftermath was not a pleasant experience as many of you were without power and became very frustrated with us because we didn’t have the answers you wanted to hear,” she said.  Szymanski also addressed a concern raised at a previous board of commissioners’ meeting that alleged all ambulances were at a call in Ocqueoc One ambulance was staged at the Ocqueoc scene It should also be noted that we contact the closest EMS unit to respond if all of our ambulances are out I reviewed that day and every single 911 call not once but three times,” Szymanski said.  SHE SAID dispatchers did not refuse any service to any caller “I’m not certain where his information came from but I can assure the board we did not take a call and refuse any service to any citizen of this county or any other county,” Szymanski said.  “I spoke with the sheriff and he reiterated the same thing that nobody was refused ambulance service Just wanted to make that clear to everybody,” said chairman Cliff Tollini.  with assistance from Michigan State Police troopers conducted an every-door welfare check after the storm.  “Everybody was so good at checking on each other I have alot contacts and I knew a lot of people,” Szymanski said after the meeting She and a few others spent long hours at the department handling the calls several working around the clock during the peak times of the storm.  Darin Rabeau agreed the department pulled together in the aftermath of the storm.  “I went to six different fires and found out how many people and dogs we had to get out and just overall impressed of the job all of our dispatchers and workers did at the sheriff’s department during the storm of the century that hit our county They all put in so many extra hours even staying at the department overnight to continue to receive calls and to get the help where it’s needed They are just simply outstanding at their job and deserve all the thanks in the world,” sheriff Joe Brewbaker said later.  –The board authorized the purchase of a van to be used by the county’s veterans using grant funding Cost of the 2021 Chrysler Voyager is $47,500 –New county building inspector Robert Ransom was welcomed His first day on the job was last Monday.  –County treasurer Val Peacock reported March 31 was the deadline to pay all 2022 property taxes in order to avoid foreclosure proceedings With the courthouse closed March 28-31 due to the ice storm Peacock extended the deadline until April 11 –Emergency services manager Sarah Melching received approval of an overtime request for $4,775.76 all of her wages and fringe benefits will be covered Later in the meeting Melching reported that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation reached out to 11 counties impacted by the ice storm bestowing a grant of $72,000 to be used to purchase 30 portable generators for use in emergencies by essential businesses She also said debriefing sessions will take place in the coming weeks to assess how the county handled the ice storm crisis.  YouTube Embed: No video/playlist ID has been supplied CHEBOYGAN — The president and CEO of Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op said the utility is facing widespread issues with power restoration following last weekend's historic ice storm Allan Berg said his company can't even gauge when half of its 35,000 customers will see electricity restored. Besides Cheboygan, Presque Isle Electric & Gas (PIEG) also has customers in Alpena Presque Isle and other Northern Michigan counties "The damage is extreme and folks with experience are calling this worse than a hurricane," Berg said "Most of the substations carrying power to Northeastern Michigan were damaged and were offline We have been working on rebuilding our system and We continue to tell people this is a long outage event." Berg said this will be historic in terms of the amount of damage and how long the outage will last "We are restoring members and we have 7,700 out of our 35,000 electric members restored," he said on April 2 "The storm has caused extensive damage to power lines with fallen trees and debris blocking roads complicating access to damaged lines and poles More: Live: Progress continues in restoring power to Northern Michigan communities More: Whitmer visits ice-damaged Northern Michigan, pledges support for recovery efforts Berg said the utility has over 100 crews working on electricity restoration "We have a lot of remote and rural roads that we have yet to travel down We are focusing on our primary electric system There will definitely be people without power through the weekend," he added Consumers Energy said that in addition to the hundreds of thousands who lost power over the weekend due to a series of storms 47,000 additional customers lost power on Wednesday afternoon and evening due to high winds from another weather system Of the estimated 350,000 customers affected by storm events Consumers has restored about 75% of the 97,000 customers who lost power due to the initial ice storms with plans for the majority of customers in the region to have electric service by the end of Friday To thank customers for their understanding Consumers is working with local first responders and law enforcement in Alcona Oscoda and Otsego counties to provide free water Thursday to those impacted by the storms Subscribe Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you Great Lakes Energy (GLE) said late Wednesday approximately 33,000 customers are without power across the cooperative’s 26-county service territory Restoration efforts that were gaining momentum were offset by additional storm activity in the central and southern portions of the utility's service area Service has been restored to more than 103,000 members since the original storms began Cheboygan County Sheriff Todd Ross said Thursday "that today’s (Thursday) weather forecast looks promising and will allow us to make progress in clearing our roads and restoring normalcy The Cheboygan County Road Commission is requesting that county residents refrain from placing yard debris within the road right-of-way Road commission staff is actively working on locations that residents can haul yard debris for disposal." "We would like to announce that a shipment of bottled water has arrived in Cheboygan County We kindly ask for your understanding as supplies are limited and we will do our best to ensure everyone receives these vital resources," added Ross More: PHOTOS: Cleanup begins in Cheboygan in aftermath of ice storm The sheriff's department said distribution locations for food and water is as follows: Ross noted that the state has recognized the unprecedented nature of the event and is providing much-needed resources to support recovery efforts Straits Regional Ride services are partially operational and are able to help transport residents to and from stores for supplies will be open on April 4 for normal hours of operation no on-street parking within Cheboygan city limits will be allowed between 8 a.m as ordered by Chief of Police Scott Rifenberg Please begin placing storm debris in the parking lane of your street starting April 4 Make sure the debris is on the pavement but not blocking the driving lanes Debris located on the grass or in the driveway will not be picked up Brush cleanup will begin on April 7 and continue until completed This service is for city of Cheboygan residents and their debris only — Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com Presque Isle moved a step closer Wednesday to a downtown revitalization project with the Maine Department of Transportation City councilors voted unanimously Oct. 2 to pursue a $27 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant through the MDOT’s Village Partnership Initiative State officials first presented the plan to city leaders in 2022 The council joined the project’s first phase seeking to fix longtime structural problems with Main Street and boost activity downtown the DOT will foot 90 percent of the $30 million bill Some said a proposed three-lane design would inhibit farming equipment and other oversized vehicles Others said the downtown area isn’t walkable or safe as it is A few urged councilors not to commit to something just because the DOT is asking for a decision before the January 2025 deadline “Please don’t hurry this through because of the fear of that carrot falling away,” Brent Grass of Mars Hill said He doesn’t live in Presque Isle but his family farms 9,000 acres in surrounding communities Traveling through Presque Isle is a safe respite away from narrow The city has hosted a series of public sessions to garner input. The most recent meeting on Aug. 28 included the first design suggestions Among them were changing from a four-lane Main Street to two traffic lanes and a middle turning lane.  City councilors don’t understand how the project will affect farmers noting some of his equipment is 24 feet wide He urged councilors to consider agriculture and other industries with oversized equipment that must travel through the city Committing to the project right now is premature since the Presque Isle bypass isn’t finished yet Fred Grooms was concerned about the three-lane design impacting snow removal that means hiring flaggers for the single remaining lane Former City Councilor Mike Chasse supported the initiative Some downtown infrastructure hasn’t been touched since the 1950s and safety is an issue He referred to a resident at the September council meeting who had been struck twice while crossing Main Street.  the council put off some sidewalk and other maintenance because of costs The Village Partnership project will address safety but also a lot of maintenance that was deferred because it was too expensive for the city to tackle by itself “I think we’ve got to move forward with a project that gives us 90 percent of somebody else’s money to make our community better,” Chasse said.  It would be silly not to take the Department of Transportation funding to fix problems that will crop up sooner or later The money may not be available again.  Morgan Bailey favored the proposed walking and bike lane on Main and State streets The city’s 6-mile bike and walking path is one of its best features and adding more space like that would increase quality of life Councilor Craig Green said he’s not a fan of every aspect of the project including the proposed tree-lined promenade feature that would divide the traffic and pedestrian lane but overall the project would fix a lot of infrastructure for a minimum of city money.  The grant agreement means a $3 million match from city coffers which could be aided by grants or a bond issue DOT representatives actually went out on the road in a piece of farm machinery to refine lane measurements The city’s vote is only to commit to the grant process and start the next engineering phase Construction wouldn’t start until 2029 or so “The engineering is going to determine maybe more things that we’re not able to foresee right now,” he said “None of that’s going to happen if we don’t do the RAISE grant.” voting 6-0 to sign on to the grant with the DOT the council approved a license for an adult-use and medical marijuana store in a building still under construction at 9 Parsons Rd The store will be the city’s 10th marijuana business to apply for a $300,000 grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission that would renovate the kitchen at the Forum.  The city has had to turn down four requests for event hosting worth about $250,000 because the Forum didn’t have a kitchen suitable for catering Proper kitchen facilities will also let the building serve as an emergency shelter The city’s first budget hearing will take place Tuesday visit the city website at presqueislemaine.gov The city will soon add a section on the website for the Village Partnership Project with updates detailed plans and ways for residents to share input Presque Isle State Park continues to cement its reputation as a must-visit destination for birdwatchers especially during the spring migration season the park is welcoming some rare and unexpected visitors: eight American white pelicans — a major increase from the usual one or two typically spotted annually says Erie is becoming a hotbed for migrating birds thanks to its unique geography and shifting migration patterns “Sometimes birds get off track during migration especially in late April,” McWilliams explains You can see thousands of birds passing over the region in a single day.” over 200 different species can be spotted in the park drawing experienced birders from across the region We spoke to local birdwatchers who say there's no better place than Erie for spotting avian visitors we get millions of birds flying through,” Jerry McWilliam told us The recent appearance of eight white pelicans — large striking birds rarely seen in these numbers in Pennsylvania Whether you're a lifelong birder or just curious there's never been a better time to visit Presque Isle nature’s spectacle is right above your head Nothing gets people talking like business and the economy and 2024 sparked some big conversations in Presque Isle The closure of a health-care facility and the Nordic Heritage Outdoor Center left many residents devastated and sparked outpourings on social media But downtown growth and the rebirth of a shopping center spurred a brighter outlook Here are just five of the past year’s larger business stories and not in a good way for businesses that depended on cold-weather tourism.  Snowmobiling contributes more than $606 million to Maine’s economy each year whose dollars keep local hotels and restaurants going largely through March.  But warmth and early snowmelt killed the 2024 sledding season Some businesses were hit so hard they sought state relief.  Dean’s Motor Lodge in Portage She and other business operators appealed to Gov Warm and muddy conditions also affected the second annual SnowBowl Snocross races couldn’t be held at Spud Speedway in Caribou because the track had melted into mud Organizers trucked some 600 loads of snow to build a track at the Aroostook Centre Mall parking lot in Presque Isle The effort was so successful that the upcoming 2025 SnowBowl will feature racing at the mall along with events in Caribou The Presque Isle International Airport unveiled plans in 2023 for a new terminal, and in April received $20.46 million in congressionally directed spending for the $30 million building.   The project will nearly triple the space of the existing terminal Additional projects will include groundwork utilities and construction of an aircraft parking area The airport’s two-year Essential Air Service contract also came up for renewal Officials and residents weighed existing carrier United Airlines which had served the airport for six years with flights to Newark County residents debated both sides at public meetings in newspaper letters and on social media.   The Aroostook Centre Mall boasted around 14 new businesses under the direction of local developer Dana Cassidy New local tenants have included Flannel & Barrel Couture and Cushman’s of Presque Isle, who moved from downtown locations; the new Children’s Museum of Aroostook County; Mom & Me Pizzeria; Outlaw Detailing; Omni Fitness; and Crafters’ Creations Soon to open pending final inspection is Trampoline City II a 30,000-foot recreation area with 200 trampolines worked into about 13 different events for both kids and adults Cassidy and Newport restaurateur Lalo Dedi Sutanto will add a restaurant to the mix. Japanese-style steakhouse Shogun Hibachi Grill will open at the former Crow’s Nest across the street from the mall Though many people associate malls with national chain stores, Cassidy touted keeping it local Big-box store money goes to the corporate office but stores owned by local people have a better chance of sticking around Pandemic aftereffects throughout Maine and the nation hit the local long-term care industry hard when a family-owned nursing home closed in August The Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center was among several Maine nursing home shutdowns blamed on staff shortages and lack of state funding also owned Caribou Rehab and Nursing.  Both centers had suffered from lack of nurses’ aides since the pandemic and state MaineCare/Medicaid reimbursement was much lower than operational costs In all, 120 employees were affected, along with 49 residents and their families Residents were placed mostly at the Caribou home or at Northern Light Continuing Care in Mars Hill News came in November that the facility would reopen with a new owner South Portland-based First Atlantic Healthcare will partner with Northern Light Health System in 2025 to buy and operate the 61-bed facility.  Northern Light will close its continuing care facility in Mars Hill and transfer the 45 residents to Presque Isle First Atlantic also bought Caribou Rehab and Nursing Presque Isle’s downtown boomed as the city explored its first redesign in more than 40 years.  Main Street could see updated infrastructure and a new look thanks to a collaboration with the Maine Department of Transportation’s Village Partnership Initiative MDOT would kick in $27 million of the $30 million project The goal is to get more people downtown and inspire further growth.   Public meetings gathered community input and revealed engineers’ suggestions which have included bike and walking paths a proposed three-lane traffic route and safer access for pedestrians The momentum will carry into 2025 with a new event: a New Year’s Eve Star Lighting Celebration culminating in the raising of a 6-foot star with a thousand lights A multimillion-dollar airport terminal at Presque Isle International Airport has been in the works since June 2023 and site work is expected to start this year The new terminal will be nearly three times the size of the existing building a former fire station that was built 70 years ago The entire project carries a total price tag of $52.6 million The new terminal alone is now projected to cost $38 million up from an original estimate of $30 million due to security requirements But there’s more than a building: groundwork utilities and a new apron — where airplanes park — will cost roughly $14 million more resulting in the higher total project cost Some local residents have questioned where the money will come from.  Grants of $40.5 million will cover most of the total cost Airport Director Scott Wardwell said.  That leaves $12.1 million of the price tag that remains to be funded “About 21 percent of the cost of the terminal is not [Federal Aviation Administration] eligible,” Wardwell told Presque Isle city councilors in November “The good news is that a lot of the areas that aren’t FAA eligible are areas that are occupied by the tenants of the passenger terminal.”  Councilors voted Wednesday at a regular meeting to apply for the loan which could be reduced by future grant awards and will be payable once the terminal is finished and a public hearing at the meeting drew no comments The loan would be repaid entirely with rental income from tenants the Transportation Security Administration and car rental companies “The rents will not be determined until all grant opportunities have been exhausted,” he said FAA grant funding typically covers things related to airport safety, capacity, security and environmental concerns, according to the administration’s Airport Improvement Program guidelines Parts of a terminal that aren’t eligible for funding include office space landscaping and improvements for commercial enterprises such as rental car companies housed in a terminal.  Here’s a breakdown of each part of the total $52.6 million project based on city records and information Wardwell provided to city councilors Engineering firm Hoyle Tanner of Manchester The city awarded the construction contract in November to A/Z Corporation The building will include a check-in lobby, baggage handling area, passenger screening checkpoint, secure holding rooms and concessions, along with tenant spaces, the city’s June 7 bid request stated.   The hike from the original estimate of $30 million is due to additional space for the Transportation Security Administration and a post-security waiting area Construction of the 35,000-square-foot building is expected to take 18 months The city awarded the bid in November to Soderberg Construction of Caribou.   The work will include “the construction of roadways, parking lots, aircraft apron, drainage and underground utilities” at the site of the new terminal building, according to the city’s request for proposals Aircraft parking apron.  Cost: $4.3 million Soderberg Construction will also build the 14,500-square-foot apron adjacent to the terminal building.  The work will involve excavation and groundwork new asphalt pavement and underground drainage along with above-ground necessities like lights The Millcreek Township General Authority is taking a step forward in the process to revitalize the Presque Isle Gateway District.  The authority is launching a formal Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to attract qualified developers for the anchor properties along West 8th Street and Peninsula Drive.  The goal of the project is to redefine the entrance to Presque Isle State Park The park is the most visited state park in Pennsylvania.  “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a walkable vibrant destination that benefits both residents and visitors,” says Matthew Waldinger Executive Director of the Millcreek Township General Authority “By investing in the Gateway District we’re not just improving infrastructure—we’re creating a hub for small businesses and community engagement that will drive long-term economic growth.” More information on the Presque Isle Gateway District Plan can be found on the township's website.  A mobile home was destroyed by fire Friday on Braden Street in Presque Isle Presque Isle Fire Department Captain Kyle Bartley said McNeil was home at the time and was taken to Northern Light A.R Gould Memorial Hospital with burn injuries Personnel received the call at about noontime Friday firefighters were dealing with the smoldering remains of the structure.  Neighbors said McNeil lived alone and had a dog The terrified dog darted around the area as bystanders and firefighters tried to coax it to safety.  “I heard that somebody had gotten the dog and it was safe,” Bartley said later Friday.  The home was not insured and is a total loss A neighbor had called the station directly to report the fire “We may not be at the station if we’re out on other calls,” he said it gets logged through the Houlton Regional Command Center and Presque Isle dispatch correctly and ensures personnel can get there as quickly as possible.” Presque Isle State Park is preparing for a two-day deer hunt that will partially close the peninsula State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials announced in a news release that the hunt will take place in December with the application process beginning in November DCNR said the hunt assists the park with maintaining a healthy number of deer within the ecosystem and Presque Isle When deer populations exceed an ideal carrying capacity The combined antlered and antlerless deer hunt will take place Dec up to 85 people will be allowed to hunt using shotguns that are not semi-automatic and are loaded with slug ammunition black-powder muzzleloaders or archery equipment Hunters will need to check in and out each day they are hunting On the lookout: Presque Isle State Park receives reports from public of alligator sightings How do I apply to hunt at the peninsula?Hunters who want to participate in the hunt must apply by calling the park office at 814-833-7424 on weekdays between 8:30 a.m Information on the required licenses and tags is also available by calling the park office The portion of the peninsula east of the Stull Center will be closed to public until 2 p.m Visitors will still be able to access the western portion of the park and federal government websites often end in .gov Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address Before sharing sensitive or personal information make sure you're on an official state website The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) is an educational center dedicated to teaching visitors about the unique 3,200 acres of Presque Isle and the many different forms of life that inhabit the peninsula TREC also serves as a center for research -- contributing to conservation efforts and promoting environmental awareness helping to preserve the unparalleled beauty of Presque Isle While some facilities along the Great Lakes offer environmental education and others do research making TREC a unique destination for learning TREC is open year-round and offers free admission to its interactive exhibits Learn about the history of Presque Isle and how you can contribute to keeping it pristine and beautiful Presque Isle Gallery & Gifts, inside TREC, is filled with unique gifts for everyone and every budget. All net proceeds from Presque Isle Gallery and Gifts are used for projects at the park and TREC  through the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Foundation April 1 through October 31:Visitor Center - 8:00 A.M 1 through March 31: Visitor Center - Tuesday to Saturday to 4:00 P.M.Park Office - Monday to Friday Upcoming events at Presque Isle State Park​ The best internet service provider in Presque Isle is Spectrum Internet Spectrum boasts broad availability and three speed tiers ranging from 100Mbps to 1,000Mbps ensuring you'll get a fast internet connection Although the starting price is $30 a month Spectrum's prices increase by $30 after one to two years Presque Isle has fiber internet offerings from local providers Great Works Internet and Pioneer Broadband but Great Works Internet is not as broadly available Pioneer Broadband plans start at $68 monthly for 1,000Mbps The fastest internet speeds in Presque Isle come from Pioneer Broadband and Great Works Internet's gig plans topping out at symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1,000Mbps If you're looking for the fastest internet in Presque Isle both Spectrum and Pioneer Broadband deliver up to 1,000Mbps Pioneer’s fiber-optic service shines with symmetrical upload and download speeds If Pioneer’s fiber is offered at your address Denis Tangney Jr./iStock via Getty ImagesHow to find internet deals and promotions in Presque IsleThe best internet deals and top promotions in Presque Isle depend on what discounts are available during a given time but we look frequently for the latest offers.  may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time including Pioneer Wireless and Aroostook Technologies run the same standard pricing year-round.  For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed service and performance vary by connection type For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.  (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page ensuring you'll get a fast internet connection Spectrum's prices increase by $30 after one to two years The fastest internet speeds in Presque Isle come from Pioneer Broadband and Great Works Internet's gig plans Maine — A small group of Presque Isle residents has identified increasing safety and opportunities to walk as top priorities for a state grant the city is seeking A handful of residents and city officials turned out for a workshop Thursday led by GrowSmart Maine an Augusta-based nonprofit that promotes environmentally minded development The session was designed to choose three top priorities for potential grant funding through the Community Resiliency Partnership a program of the Governor’s Office on Policy Innovation and the Future With a goal of helping Mainers weather climate change the program coordinates grants to help with energy efficiency Grants of up to $75,000 can be applied to a range of projects that help address climate change reducing emissions and building healthy communities “The enrollment process helps communities take stock of their current activities and decide what their next priorities are,” Shim said Under Community Resilience Partnership programs, dozens of Maine communities have received funding. Community action grant recipients include Island Falls and Crystal which won funds to create a public awareness campaign for climate change which received close to $120,000 for shared staffing related to climate resiliency.  And in northern Maine, Fort Fairfield received a grant for technical assistance under the partnership’s rural energy efficiency category to evaluate some of its town buildings.   the Presque Isle group chose three priorities: creating better opportunities for walking and bicycling to cut downtown vehicle traffic; planting trees to create green spaces; and looking for ways to grow the farmers market to encourage more local food options The city’s walkability — or lack thereof — generated the most discussion.   More walkways would likely bring more people downtown The area needs better signage and speeding enforcement to promote safety “We don’t have enough places where you can safely cross Main Street “The busiest crosswalk is right in front of the theater There’s nothing there to really alert people that there’s a crossing there.” Many of those concerns will be addressed with the downtown redesign through the Maine Department of Transportation’s Village Partnership Initiative Acting City Manager Sonja Eyler said.  the Presque Isle Police Department is already stretched thin “We sometimes have to choose: Do we want them chasing the bad guys sometimes you have to choose public safety.” The city may consider a sidewalk and crosswalk study to see where more of each are needed code enforcement officer and deputy director of innovation and economic development.   Maine DOT has already targeted the west side of South Main Street for a sidewalk with the Village Partnership project Planting more trees in town fits in with GrowSmart’s natural climate solutions goal as green spaces increase shade and filter carbon.  The downtown redesign will incorporate green spaces but planting trees requires a complex plan because of winter salt and the need for plowing The group chose natural resources as a third category and decided to look at growing the farmers market Participants debated a food sovereignty market which unlike a farmers market is not restricted and includes all food products The current spring-to-fall market at Riverside Pavilion has outgrown its space and there are vendors who don’t participate The group favored consolidating vendors and possibly seeking a larger space Eyler and Nguyen will form a working group to choose one of the three options Shim will meet with them via Zoom to prepare a project resolution by the end of May.   and the final grant application is due in August Lake Erie Lights opens for the season on Friday the organization is celebrating its 10th anniversary of opening the Presque Isle Lighthouse for public tours and tower climbs.  Presque Isle Lighthouse will be open Friday-Monday 10 a.m then the lighthouse will be open 7 days a week from 10 a.m visitors can explore a newly interpreted summer kitchen Representatives for the lighthouse say the space highlights every day living from chores to socializing and life on Presque Isle.  tickets to climb and visit the museum are $8.  the Erie Land Lighthouse will be open for tours Friday-Monday The Erie Land Lighthouse will host free climb days every 1st Tuesday of the month through October.  Details: cache-fra-eddf8230136-FRA 1746509935 1523846784 Details: cache-fra-eddf8230136-FRA 1746509937 1523871464 An Aroostook County group has taken early steps to try to preserve a Presque Isle ski area that once hosted biathletes from all over the world.   is forming a fundraising committee to try to buy the 750-acre former Nordic Heritage Outdoor Center If the local group can buy the center and devise an operation plan it could revive an all-season recreation hub and boost tourism potential for Presque Isle and the surrounding region More than 100 people attended a meeting last week in Presque Isle to discuss options for acquiring the property “We had over 100 attendees — half in person and half via Zoom — which I thought was excellent,” group member Chris Condon said Monday “It sends a clear message as to how much the community appreciates NHOC.” The Maine Winter Sports Center built the facility with funds from the Libra Foundation while Pineland Farms owned the property and volunteers managed it The venue hosted the International Biathlon Union Youth/Junior World Championships in 2014 and an International Biathlon Union World Cup contest in 2016 The Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Department took over the facility’s management in 2021 Just a week after Libra announced the Presque Isle closure, it transferred ownership of the Fort Kent Outdoor Center to the team that managed that venue Fort Kent had strong leadership and a plan Libra Executive Vice President Erik Hayward said in November People reacted with a lot of interest and emotion when the closure was announced The center racked up more than 13,000 visits per year was a recruitment draw for businesses and an asset for residents Condon and group leaders said in a presentation Thursday.  With roughly 12 miles of Nordic trails and 20 miles of hiking and biking trails the venue hosted 19 annual trail festivals and state championship school ski meets Libra would prefer to sell all the grounds and buildings together 350 fall under Maine conservation easement restrictions through 2047 Conservation easements restrict future use of a property, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry easements can keep a property from development or limit its use in order to protect its natural resources or scenic value Friends of the Nordic Heritage Center will next form a board of directors and have the fundraising group investigate purchasing the property as well as corporate and individual giving as funding sources It’s a big goal: the group would need to raise the $2.9 million to buy the venue and another $1 million to $2 million to operate it since maintaining the center could cost up to $175,000 a year The considerable community response has shown there’s a desire to preserve the recreation area we have entered into a conversation with Trust for Public Lands which is a national organization that raises money to protect public land,” he said “We are excited and hopeful that we can keep this valuable asset in the community and accessible for generations to come.” Northern Maine residents can stand in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness during an inaugural event called Sleep Out Aroostook The event will coincide with the national Point-In-Time Count on Wednesday which every year measures how many people are living without home or shelter on a single night in January Both will be held at the Aroostook County Action Program parking lot It’s the first time local housing advocates have coordinated the overnight campout in northern Maine. They were inspired by sleep-outs held by Covenant House a national organization which tackles youth homelessness across the U.S. The aim is to experience a small glimpse into what unsheltered people face during a cold Aroostook winter Presque Isle Housing Authority Homeless Response Coordinator Shelby Wilson said.  we’ll bring about some education and conversation surrounding the issues of homelessness,” Wilson said is making sure folks know what other folks are going through.” The evening will start with the Point-In-Time Count from 7 to 9 p.m. ACAP and Homeless Services of Aroostook will survey people experiencing homelessness and try to connect them with helpful resources.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates the annual Point-In-Time Count. The Maine Continuum of Care a group of service providers who work to help the homeless population The 2024 count identified 2,695 unsheltered people in Maine Some said that was a flawed number because pandemic-era programs had expired which meant fewer people reported being homeless we’re estimating that there are about 90 individuals [who are unsheltered] that we’ve had contact with in the past year,” she said “We really don’t have an idea of how many individuals are still in the cold but we hope that number has decreased as we’ve visibly seen less in the winter.” The count is important because it reflects winter numbers and also influences funding Housing and Urban Development provides money based on the area’s homeless count and what housing organizations say they need to get people off the street is not immune to the harsh reality of homelessness,” ACAP Chief Program Officer Heidi Rackliffe said in a press release from MaineHousing about the Presque Isle events take action to raise awareness about this pressing issue — there is no better time to do so than during the nation’s Point-in-Time (PIT) Count.” The sleep out will take place overnight Wednesday until sunrise the next morning It also has a twofold purpose: The community can share briefly in the homeless experience and also donate to Homeless Services of Aroostook.  All volunteers are welcome to sleep out in tents at the site People who don’t want to camp out can visit and learn more organizers will take financial contributions or share what Homeless Services needs.  A list of needed items is also available on the organization’s website Wilson hopes some who have experience with homelessness will also attend to share encouragement “We want individuals who maybe have prior experience with homelessness to feel like they can have a moment to extend a hand to someone else and give back in the way that they have received,” she said A Presque Isle school is closed for the day and some businesses are on alert following a Tuesday water main break at Skyway Industrial Park The break is located between DASCO Agricultural and Silvicultural Services and the city’s stormwater retention pond He did not know when the issue would be repaired “It’s in a 10-inch water line that feeds the park with high-volume water,” Adams said Because the break affected water at Presque Isle Middle School SAD 1 Superintendent Ben Greenlaw said.  “The hope is that it gets fixed in time for school tomorrow.” Presque Isle Utilities District crews were digging with a backhoe near DASCO.  Utilities staff were unavailable for comment. Water main work at the north end of Central Drive was reported on the district’s website No other details were immediately available Presque Isle will ring in the new year with a festive evening and the raising of a star 31 New Year’s Eve Star Lighting Celebration will feature concerts and events for all ages thanks to a partnership between the city the Downtown Revitalization Committee and several other partners It will be the city’s first New Year celebration and use of a star made by Northern Maine Community College students in 13 years Inspired by a Main Street growing with businesses and a fresh spirit the downtown committee wanted to build a new tradition “There is a vibe that’s happening in the city,” said Shawn Cunningham the city’s digital media specialist and a committee member “This is the first year we’re all coming together to host something for all ages.” The event will not just be a celebration of 2025 but a toast to the thriving downtown district The idea came about during a fall Downtown Revitalization meeting when members realized there were numerous events around Christmas to bring businesses and the community together Other organizations and residents expressed the same thing the Aroostook Agency on Aging and more to develop a new celebration they hope will become a yearly tradition which symbolizes Presque Isle as the Star City About 12 welding and metal fabrication students, working with instructor Dennis Albert, constructed the three-dimensional, six-foot star in 2008 and fitted it with 1,000 lights. The sculpture was used the following year and helped ring in 2012 but has been in storage since.    It appeared Friday at a press conference at the Northeastland Hotel city officials and Ignite PI staff talked about the coming celebration “We’re sending a message that we’re invested in our community,” Ignite PI CEO LeRae Kinney said The area between Main and Academy streets will be closed off an event at Riverside Park hosted by the Aroostook Agency on Aging activities at the Aroostook Centre Mall and an indoor party at the Northeastland Hotel with music from the band Marionette.  The Downtown Revitalization Committee has purchased heaters which were used at Main Street Mania and will be brought out again for New Year’s Eve People are welcome to bring their own chairs or even small heated shelters for the evening at Riverside Park and will include a fireworks show The Northeastland celebration will be from 6 p.m Elevate Audio and Visual of Presque Isle will host an outdoor concert from 7:30 to 9 p.m featuring deejay Ryan Lemire and local hip-hop artists The music will be “conscientious” music with positive messages Star City Syndicate will perform from 9:30 p.m everything will stop so people can migrate to Main Street as the star is lit and raised to welcome 2025.  festivities will include music from Dakota and an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band “Our [downtown] theme for next year is ‘Thrive in 2025,’” Cunningham said We’re just really appreciative of the community coming together to make this happen.” A Presque Isle insulation company that started at its owner’s home is expanding into a larger headquarters will soon open in a 9,000-square-foot space at 729 Main St The change brings new life to a building that formerly housed the AstroBowl bowling alley and seasonal Whitney Wreath facility It’s the latest venture to join a Main Street that has added more than a dozen new storefronts over the past couple of years Maine’s drive toward heat pump usage is one element that’s grown the business “The state is really big right now into tightening [homes] up They want to electrify Maine and are pushing heat pumps right now,” Brown said “There’s no point in installing a heat pump in your home without proper insulation because the heat can just roll out of your home.” The company is one of five Aroostook County insulation vendors registered with Efficiency Maine Aroostook Attic & Air Sealing of Wallagrass and Hole in Your Bucket Audits of St according to the most recent listing from Efficiency Maine Installations Unlimited works to help homes perform well but some leaks can cause heat loss through a house’s roof Moisture trapped in walls can also lead to mold and mildew The company is certified by the Building Performance Institute and serves both builders and homeowners The Building Performance Institute was created in 1993 to address issues with older homes that didn’t meet evolving energy and building codes The institute works to expand energy efficiency and weatherization assistance and offers training for companies and employees The Presque Isle company also works with industry and agricultural storage has been a major area of growth “There have been a lot of new potato storage facilities,” Brown said “It’s amazing hearing all the stuff that goes into these — the air channels The farming industry here is just so big and unique.”  As farmers increase their climate-controlled storage for potatoes and other crops they’re either updating existing buildings or constructing new ones a third-generation contractor and business owner had an insulation and building performance background and decided in 2015 to specialize in that Demand has grown and the business needed a bigger space The space will allow the business to branch out into another area: retail sales.  we’re transitioning into also selling insulation to the general public,” he said “That’s the side we’re hoping to grow a little bit more from here on out.” Renovations are ongoing at the new storefront including the addition of three vehicle bays the business also added two more employees It’s been a lot of work getting to this point but will be worth it when it’s all complete The Main Street location will make the company easier to find especially when the front piece is finished and they open for retail.  it means positive growth for Presque Isle.  who also deals in some real estate development sees value in turning a once-empty property into a vibrant business so in the future hopefully that Main Street property would have more value,” he said.