University of Maine Cooperative Extension has named Emily Mott as the new 4-H community education assistant for Piscataquis and Penobscot counties.

Members of the Dexter Regional High School student government raised funds to purchase gas cards to benefit breast cancer patients in the area.

The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is in the process of a website upgrade, and we need your help.

Though Peace, Love, & Waffles has been open since November, there will be a grand opening celebration from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9 with a 4 p.m. Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony. Coffee and baked goods will be offered. The event is open to the public. An RSVP is appreciated at 207-564-7533.

Northern Light Health is not paying a fee to acquire Mayo from the 13 towns that collectively own the institution -- that’s one of the arguments in a new lawsuit seeking to block the deal. But supporters of the merger have said that it will nonetheless provide something for the people who use Mayo Regional Hospital and its affiliated practices: the weight of a larger health care organization. 

Last week’s cold snap covered many lakes and ponds in ice, but with the warming temperatures this week, the Maine Warden Service is urging people to use caution before venturing out onto any ice covering Maine’s waterways.

The honorees are Hayden Jones, kindergarten; Libby Yeo, grade 1; Aurora Youngblood, grade 2; Kaylyn Ryder, grade 3; Annabelle Turgeon, grade 4; Ella Annis, elementary unified arts; Maddox Weidman, grade 5; Alexis Burdin, grade 6; Shayli Cirulli, grade 7; Lily Smith, grade 8; and Chloe Strout and Kenadie Strout, middle school unified arts.

Earlier this month the executive committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) announced the resignation of Executive Director Christopher Winstead, who after joining the council in 2015 has accepted the new position of director of workforce development at Eastern Maine Community College. The Piscataquis County Commissioners learned more from Winstead during a Dec. 17 meeting.

The town of Cambridge and almost three dozen residents from the other communities that collectively own Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft have filed a lawsuit trying to block its pending merger with Northern Light Health.

Ann Mailloux, right of Dover-Foxcroft pictured with Piscataqius Observer Customer Service Represenative Jeannette Hughes, is the winner of the 2019 Find the Shop Local Tree Contest.

Maine Senate Republicans have given their full support to Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville for reelection.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Friday night was opening night for The Center Theatre and the Slightly Off-Center Players’ production of “Little Women the Broadway Musical.

It was my honor to present to retired First Sgt. Jeff Weatherbee the Maine Honorable Service Coin,” Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, left, said.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $635,688 in funding to Sebasticook Family Doctors and another $1,492,719 to Greater Portland Health.

With the current academic year nearing the halfway point, RSU 68 district officials have started work on developing the budget for 2020-21.

A $4.8 million-plus Piscataquis County budget for 2020, along with a $1,804,670 Unorganized Territory budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, were both formally approved and signed by the county commissioners during a Dec. 10 meeting.

The 2019 riding season has come to a close for the Piscataquis County United Bikers of Maine. As usual, members have had a very busy year. Each winter, they plan their rides for the spring, summer and fall. Along with many fun rides, they also plan several rides to benefit local charities and individual people in the county.

There will be a meeting of the Piscataquis County Republican Committee on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Mayo Regional Hospital Resource Center. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.