A proposed 2017-18 SAD 41 budget of $8,500,571 was approved with 13 of 14 articles passing over 40 minutes during the annual district budget meeting on June 19 in the cafeteria at the Penquis Valley School. The total is now moved to a referendum in the district towns of Atkinson, Brownville, LaGrange and Milo on Thursday, June 29.

The SAD 41 board of directors approved a proposed budget of $8,500,571 for the 2017-18 academic year during a meeting on June 7 at the Penquis Valley School. The board also scheduled the district budget meeting for Monday, June 19 at 6 p.m. at Penquis Valley in the gymnasium, with an information session before at 5:30 p.m.

Earlier in the year applications made by the towns of Dexter and Milo to join the AARP/World Health Organization Network of Age-Friendly Communities were approved. The designation will enable the communities to utilize AARP resources, at no charge, to make the community more age friendly through the organization’s policies and infrastructure improvements.

On Tuesday, June 13 residents of the SAD 41 communities of Atkinson, Brownville, LaGrange and Milo will be voting on an approximate $474,000 loan from the state’s school revolving renovation fund for sprinkler and elevator system upgrades at the Penquis Valley School. Under the program the state would cover 70 percent of the costs, meaning a little more than $142,000 would be paid back by the district over five years at zero percent interest.

A public hearing on a $473,000 loan from the state’s school revolving renovation fund for sprinkler and elevator system upgrades at the Penquis Valley School has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Marion C. Cook School in LaGrange.

LAGRANGE — AOS 43 has announced the hiring of Dr.

Observer photo/Jeannette Hughes BOYS AND GIRLS FISHING ON BOYD LAKE — Six young anglers proudly display their catch on Saturday at the fire station in Milo as part of the 55th annual Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

MILO — SAD 41 officials continue to work on short- and long-term plans for district facilities.

MILO – U.

MILO — Last month Atkinson residents voted, 151-34, to file a petition to withdraw from SAD 41, with this process to be done by a committee through negotiations with the school district.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The RSU 68 school board is hosting a “Meet Your Area Legislator Night” at the SeDoMoCha School on Monday, Dec.

Piscataquis County sets aside one day early in December to celebrate the wonder of Christmas and the magic of the holiday season.

MEDFORD — Maine State Police have joined the efforts to locate a 71-year-old Medford woman, who has been missing for over two weeks.

Observer photo/Jeannette Hughes MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED — The Veterans Singers, under the direction of Stephanie Gillis, performed during the Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo/Brownville’s annual Veterans Day dinner at the Milo Town Hall on Nov 11.

Observer photo/Jeannette Hughes FIVE GENERATIONS WITH THE AUXILIARY — Five generations were represented at a recent meeting of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 41 in Milo.

MILO — SAD 41 officials have been researching a potential $10 million project that would convert the Penquis Valley School campus into a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 facility, after looking into the costs to renovate the existing building along with elementary schools in Milo and Brownville.

         | DECADE AND A HALF OF SERVICE — The Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo-Brownville recently honored Lou and Hope Dyer, both sitting to the right, of the Milo Ecumenical Food Cupboard for their 15 years of service to the community.

|   HELPING GET KIDS HOOKED ON FISHING — The Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo-Brownville received a donation of $1,200 from Tony Bavelaar of C&J Variety in Milo to be used for the youth Hooked on Fishing program.