The Forest Society of Maine (FSM) is celebrating the completion of the permanent conservation of thousands of acres of productive forest land and access to popular recreation lands near Gulf Hagas and Whitecap Mountain in Maine’s North Woods in Piscataquis County. After four years of collaboration with the forestland owner, the state Bureau of Parks and Lands, and conservation partner Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, an area used by thousands of people annually is permanently conserved for hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, and camping.

Reg Mossey, representing the Dexter Area Food Closet, accepts a donation of $500 from Ridge View Community School Builders Club President Maureen O'Roak.

Barry Higgins of Maple Lane Farms in Charleston received the Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award Jan. 9 at the 77th annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show Commissioner’s Luncheon.

Despite these historic accomplishments during more than a century of powered flight, today women remain significantly underrepresented in the aviation industry. Although women make up more than 50 percent of our nation’s workforce, they represent just two percent of airline mechanics, four percent of flight engineers, five percent of repairmen, six percent of pilots, 18 percent of flight dispatchers and 26 percent of air traffic controllers.

Upcoming events across the region.

The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team continues on its grueling schedule. This time the wrestlers traveled to Newport on Jan. 6 to compete at the Warrior Clash at Nokomis High School.

The Foxcroft Academy indoor track and field team was in action on Jan. 6 at an Eastern Maine Indoor Track League/Penobscot Valley Conference meet at the University of Maine. No Pony athletes recorded points but four finished in the top 20 in their respective events.

The Piscataquis Thriving in Place Collaborative (TiP) came to life through generous funding from the Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF). TiP is an aging-in-place resource and referral network coordinated by the Charlotte White Center (CWC) that has grown to over 60 partners over the last four years.

In those extreme situations where children cannot safely remain in their parents’ care, youth are placed in foster care with adults who are willing to care for them while parental and child treatment needs are being assessed and issues of permanency are being resolved. The reality of this situation is that the need for safe, caring and healing homes surpasses the present capacity of licensed homes.

Foxcroft Academy boys soccer and wrestling coach Luis Ayala, who teaches health and physical education at the secondary school, was recognized as the U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach on Jan. 4 during the 11th annual Under Armour All-American Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.