A record 61 Unified basketball teams representing 67 Maine high schools were free to hold their first preseason practices Thursday, Jan. 2. But how the season should conclude for those teams, which blend student-athletes who have intellectual disabilities with non-varsity partners, is being re-evaluated.

On Jan. 6 students and staff at 32 elementary schools around the state will start participating in WinterKids’ third annual WinterKids Winter Games, including Brownville Elementary School and the Greenville Consolidated School. This outdoor physical activity and nutrition competition encourages young children to develop healthy habits over the course of the four-week program.

In response to the Bangor Daily News letter to the editor, “Grandparents’ GOP” on Dec. 27: I could have written this same letter about my parents. My dad, a World War II veteran and proud American, kept up on current events through his subscription to the BDN, reading books and televised news outlets until the end. Unfortunately, his body gave out on him and he was literally on his deathbed on Election Day 2016.

Another year is here and it’s time for genealogists to consider resolutions.  Devoting more time to genealogy is a good place to start especially if you have problems finding time for research.  One of my first columns dealt with finding time for genealogy. If you’re like me a huge list of tasks prevents you from researching as much as you’d like.  The usual suspects are family, volunteerism, offices or committee work. If you’re not finding time for your favorite hobby, then you are likely overwhelmed with no “me” time left over.  

Be part of the first joint production of Foxcroft Academy, SeDoMoCha School and the Center Theatre by auditioning for the spring 2020 production of “Oliver!” Auditions will be held at the Center Theatre from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13.

Team Iron Will, a powerlifting team from Dexter, recently traveled to the WABDL World Championships in Las Vegas. The team is comprised of four lifters that train together at Iron Will gym in Dexter. The gym is located in the old Dexter Shoe building. The group grabbed international attention with 11 first-place trophies, three best lifter awards and seven second-place medals.

Upcoming events around the region.

With the election of Gov. Janet Mills in November 2018, Maine was able to turn the corner on the ugliness, lawlessness and cruelty of the LePage administration. Whether you agree with Mills on every issue is immaterial. The state of politics in Maine has changed and that gives me hope for the future of the United States.

With New Year’s, this is a good time to look at a couple of new regulations that will go into effect when the clock strikes midnight.

The Harmony man who allegedly shot at police and wounded a Waterville officer during a multitown pursuit two weeks ago has been charged with aggravated attempted murder. Richard Murray-Burns, 29, has been hospitalized at Eastern Maine Medical Center for gunshot wounds since the Dec. 22 shootout. He was arrested this afternoon as he was released from the hospital and transported to the Somerset County Jail, according to a press release from Maine State Police spokesperson Stephen McCausland.