After a year of some staff and operations changes Piscataquis Regional YMCA officials have gotten settled and are looking to the future, as attendees of the annual meeting learned on the evening of Oct. 25.

This year a group of 20 individuals and organizations formed the Maine Land Conservation Task Force to review the accomplishments and challenges of land conservation during the 30 years since the creation of the Land for Maine’s Future Program, and to lay groundwork for the future.

Following his remarks at the forum, U.S. Sen. King visited Pleasant River Lumber, a sawmill in Dover-Foxcroft, to hear about their ongoing investments, tour their new construction and meet with the management team to discuss job creation and economic development in rural Maine.

A Superior Court judge has put on hold the proposed merger of Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft and Brewer-based Northern Light Health, formerly known as Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

A pair of underground tanks were installed on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 25 at McKusick Petroleum’s Monument Square Gulf in Dover-Foxcroft by the intersection of West Main, East Main, and North streets.

A Milo man was killed in a car crash in Orneville on Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday, Nov. 6 Atkinson residents will be heading to the polls for a final vote on deorganization, which if passed would go into effect on July 1, 2019 with the municipality becoming part of the Pisctaquis County Unorganized Territory (UT). The town hall will be open for the referendum from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. Residents will also be voting on a question asking if the town shall withdraw from SAD 41.

With total operating expenses having surpassed net patient revenue for more than half a decade, Mayo Regional Hospital officials and its governing HAD 4 board of directors have been looking at options for the long-term future of the West Main Street facility. A possibility being explored is for Mayo Regional Hospital to become part of Eastern Maine Health System -- which at the start of the month took on the new name Northern Light Health -- and hospital officials were present at the Oct. 22 Dover-Foxcroft selectmen’s meeting to discuss the potential change.

On Nov. 6, Maine voters will decide four questions asking to borrow a total of $200 million.

A number of events are planned for the weekend and on Halloween as part of the annual Dover-Foxcroft Halloween BooNanza. A full schedule and more information is available at http://www.boonanza.info/.

Piscataquis County Democrats filled the East Sangerville Grange on Saturday, Oct. 20 for their annual fall fundraising dinner, this year promoted as the “Blue Wave” dinner. Over 100 individuals enjoyed a delicious meal of baked beans, ham, cole slaw, squash, and homemade breads and desserts prepared by a corps of volunteers throughout the day. Following the meal, local candidates spoke to the enthusiastic crowd who waved their blue napkins in support of the messages shared.

A Canadian citizen arrested near the St. Zacharie Port of Entry earlier this week and charged with entering the United States and hunting moose illegally has pleaded not guilty, officials said Friday.

In recognition of its many projects big and small across the region, the state, and beyond and numerous ways of giving back to the community, Gordon Contracting of Sangerville was selected as the 2018 Piscaaquis Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. The honor was formally bestowed to Owner/President Brian Howard, his wife Samantha Howard (who handles human resources for the company), and Gordon Contracting employees during the Chamber’s annual meeting on Oct. 18 at The Commons Event Center at The Commons at Central Hall.

A strong record of voting for the environment has earned Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft the support of Maine Conservation Voters.

GREENVILLE — The town of Greenville is looking for a new town manager after the two-year contract with Jesse Crandall was not renewed.

In late July the Piscataquis County United Bikers of Maine took a ride to Moxie Falls, not only traveling to Somerset County for a picnic but to raise money for Pine Tree Hospice. Through ride proceeds, the group was comprised of 19 bikes and 22 people, T-shirt sales, and a raffle a total of $1,300 was raised for Pine Tree Hospice.

Two weeks after five bids were opened for the record management system at the Piscataquis County Registry of Deeds, the proposal made by Info Quick Solutions Inc. was approved by the county commissioners during an Oct. 16 meeting.

The town council passed a moratorium ordinance regarding medical retail marijuana during an Oct. 11 meeting. The moratorium ordinance will be in effect for 180 days through May 11, 2019 -- residents can still use medicinal and recreational marijuana within the law -- as the document covers the location, operation, permitting, approval or licensing of any medical marijuana retail stores, registered dispensaries, testing facilities, and manufacturing facilities in Dexter.