A man from Aroostook County was arrested after allegedly attempting to set fire to his rented mobile home in Crystal. The incident, which took place on August 25 at 713 Crystal Road, was investigated by the state fire marshal’s office, who ruled it as arson.

Walker Craig, 25, is now facing charges of arson and aggravated criminal mischief. Authorities say the fire was intentionally set, and Craig is currently being held at the Aroostook County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Arbor Distillery, a small operation founded by Peter and Annie Hansen in Oakfield, Maine, has captured locals’ attention with its rum-spiked Sasquatch Summer Spiked Lemonade, developed in partnership with the legendary Houlton Farms Dairy. This imaginative drink has been flying off shelves since its July debut, with stores limiting purchases to keep up with demand.

The Hansens, joined by partner Vlad Yepifanov, started the distillery just three years ago and have woven Maine folklore into their offerings, from Sasquatch-themed rum to highly anticipated seasonal releases. A second Sasquatch Calling Contest and lemonade tasting is set for late August—celebrating their runaway hit and the power of local collaboration.

El Niño conditions are intensifying, with forecasts signaling a major event ahead. According to the Climate Prediction Center’s latest advisory, there’s now a greater than 90% chance the current El Niño will become a very strong episode during the 2026-27 Northern Hemisphere fall and winter.

Over the past month, sea surface temperatures soared, with anomalies surpassing +2.0°C in the eastern equatorial Pacific. Key indicators like the Niño-3.4 and Niño-1+2 indices reflect significant warming, while extraordinary subsurface temperature spikes—up to +10°C—highlight deep oceanic changes.

Atmospheric shifts accompany these ocean trends: westerly wind anomalies at lower levels and easterly winds aloft have expanded across much of the Pacific. Rainfall patterns are responding, with enhanced convection from the central to eastern Pacific and suppressed rainfall over Indonesia, signaling the classic hallmarks of a robust El Niño.

The outlook is historic: as models converge, the CPC sees a 69% chance of this event surpassing previous El Niño strengths going back to 1950. While such magnitude typically brings widespread impacts—from altered weather patterns to changes in rainfall—actual effects can vary by region.

With conditions evolving, NOAA and its partners will continue issuing regular updates. The next ENSO Diagnostic Discussion is set for September 10, 2026. Stay tuned as this evolving climate phenomenon could shape the coming seasons around the globe.

DOWNTOWN DINING & NIGHTLIFE

Houlton offers a variety of locally owned dining options.

🍁 Tip of the Day: Plan Your Leaf Peeping Like a Mini Road Trip

In The County, the best fall colors are not always found in one spot — they are found along the drive.

Before heading out, pick a simple loop with a few stops built in: a scenic back road, a local coffee stop, a farm stand, a short walk, a lake view, and somewhere good to eat.

For the best experience:

🍂 Go earlier in the day for softer light
📸 Stop often — don’t just drive through it
🚗 Take back roads when safe
☕ Support a local business along the way
🧥 Bring a jacket; fall weather changes fast
📍 Check road conditions before exploring rural routes

Leaf peeping in Aroostook is not just about the trees. It is about the farms, rivers, old roads, small towns, wildlife, and those quiet views that make you pull over and say, “That’s why we live here.”