Maine

Caribou and Maine DOT want to improve downtown pedestrian and cyclist access

Published

1 year ago

December 16, 2024

Caribou and Maine DOT want to improve downtown pedestrian and cyclist access

CARIBOU, Maine – Caribou and state leaders want to gather public feedback on a proposed project aimed at improving pedestrian and cyclists’ access to downtown.

On Thursday, Dec. 19, Caribou and the Maine Department of Transportation will host a meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center, 55 Bennett Drive, as part of their recent Village Partnership Initiative.

MaineDOT’s Village Partnership Initiative works with municipalities to increase the likelihood that pedestrians and cyclists can access downtown services and businesses, improve safety and enhance economic growth. In Aroostook, DOT officials are working with Presque Isle, Van Buren, Fort Kent and Madawaska on Village Partnership Initiatives tailored toward each community’s needs.

City Manager Penny Thompson said she encourages residents to attend Thursday’s meeting to voice thoughts on pedestrian safety and the project proposals.

“The intent is to engage the community with a discussion of transportation safety needs, focusing on how infrastructure improvements for walking, biking and driving can support downtown revitalization and riverfront development while enhancing Caribou’s identity and character,” Thompson said.

In 2023, Caribou agreed to work with the DOT and hired T.Y.Lin International in Falmouth to study traffic volumes, safety issues and walkability obstacles and recommend potential improvements. T.Y.Lin is working with Presque Isle, Van Buren, Fort Kent and Madawaska on similar studies.

Based on their study, MaineDOT and T.Y.Lin are recommending three components to Caribou’s road upgrades: an estimated 2 ½ to 3-mile downtown walking/bike path, 10-foot-wide “shared use bike lanes” and looping the current Collins Pond path with the new downtown path.

The downtown path would go from Caribou High School on Sweden Street, throughout the remainder of Sweden Street, Herschel Street, Hatch Drive and Water Street, and then onto Main Street and up towards Caribou Community School on Glenn Street and the recreation center.

The shared use lanes would be interspersed throughout that path so that pedestrians and cyclists can use those spaces without having to move over for each other, said Jarod Farn-Guillette, MaineDOT regional planner.

Communities like Falmouth and Bar Harbor recently have gotten positive public feedback on their shared use lanes, with Bar Harbor looking to expand theirs from eight feet to 10 feet, Farn-Guillette said. In rural communities like Caribou, shared use lanes can encourage more pedestrian safety on widely travelled roads.

“Caribou has some roads that are very wide and the travel lanes have wide shoulders. There’s not a lot of compliance with local speed limits,” Farn-Guillette said. “When you have closed [walking] loops, you increase walkability and reduce the likelihood of conflicts between vehicles and anyone not protected inside a vehicle.”

The Collins Pond loop would ideally connect both with the downtown path and with the Aroostook River region near Water Street, promoting not just walkability but also the city’s future riverfront development goals, Farn-Guillette noted.

Since the city, MaineDOT and T.Y.Lin are still in the preliminary stages of the Village Partnership Initiative, they want to gain a better sense of how the community feels about the proposals, Farn-Guillette said.

The team would then refine the project’s scope and conduct engineering to determine estimated construction costs and a timeline, which could take from a year to 16 months depending on the city’s wants and needs, Farn-Guillette noted.

Ideally, the MaineDOT would use federal discretionary funds to cover a 80-percent of the project, with the city contributing matching funds. Grants are also a possibility, Farn-Guillette said.

“We want people to bring an honest perspective of their experiences navigating Caribou,” Farn-Guillette said about the Thursday public meeting. “This is their opportunity to engage with the future of their community.”

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Maine

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

Published

10 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.

The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.

Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.

“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.

The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.

“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.

The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.

The location is yet to be determined.

If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.

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Maine

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Published

22 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.

You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods

Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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