Piscataquis Observer

Ridge View Community School

The Ridge View Community School in Dexter.

The Ridge View Community School in Dexter.

$15.4M SAD 46 budget set for Tuesday’s referendum

DEXTER — A proposed $15,389,287 SAD 46 budget for the 2020-21 academic year was approved at the annual district meeting on July 9 at the Ridge View Community School. The spending package total will now go to a referendum in the towns of Dexter, Exeter, Garland and Ripley on Tuesday, July 14 with residents of the four communities voting either “yes” or “no” to make a district-wide decision.

News Browse News

Recording of 837 attorney-client phone calls in 4 county jails ‘borders on the ridiculous’

Maine jails recorded at least 837 private phone calls between attorneys and their incarcerated clients in the past 12 months, potentially violating state law in the process.

East Sangerville Grange farmers open online farmers’ market

SANGERVILLE — The tradition of farming and the opportunities of the internet are being celebrated by the farmers of the East Sangerville Grange, as they announce the opening of their online farmers’ market — the Maine Highlands Farmers’ Market.

Maine’s mask mandate doesn’t go far enough, health professionals say

2020 Pine Tree Hospice Golf Tournament set for Aug. 22

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Golfers, you have waited long enough.

National Digital Equity Center expands to offer free statewide digital literacy classes online

MACHIAS — The National Digital Equity Center is pleased to announce that it is now offering digital literacy and computer skills classes online statewide.

Adult ed programs to provide laptops to remote learners with help from Maine Community Foundation grant

AUGUSTA — Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) is partnering with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) to ensure that adult learners have the technology they need to continue their studies.

Sports Browse Sports

Screenshot 2020-07-12 at 11.16.14 AM

BDN Outdoors Editor John Holyoke is at Beech Hill Pond to teach you how to remove a hook that got caught on your fishing buddy. (Natalie Williams | BDN)

BDN Outdoors Editor John Holyoke is at Beech Hill Pond to teach you how to remove a hook that got caught on your fishing buddy. (Natalie Williams | BDN)

These are the most common fishing injuries — and what to do about them

Fish long enough, veteran anglers say, and you’re bound to encounter a bit of misfortune. Maybe you’ll end up slipping and falling into a river while you’re wading.

Big Spencer Mountain Trail Stewardship Day

On Sunday, July 26 Moosehead Trails (MT) will host a hiking and trail stewardship trip up Big Spencer Mountain, north of Moosehead Lake.

Here’s what you need to know to catch fish this July in Maine

Last week, Erik Poland set a state record when he caught a lake trout that weighed 39.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Letter2 days ago

Yes on Question 3 in Penobscot County

To the Editor; The 38 dedicated and professionally trained emergency dispatchers that I work with at the Penobscot Regional Communications Center (PRCC) need your help on July 14 to be able to perform our jobs — which are to keep the residents of Penobscot County safe.

Column4 days ago

Send the kids back to school

The next school year is approaching the Maine Department of Education and Maine school districts like a stalking predator.

Column4 days ago

Coronavirus and climate change are intertwined, and both need our urgent attention

With COVID-19 resurgent in the South and West and the president trying to provoke a race war, ho-hum problems like the existential threat posed by the climate crisis are taking a back seat.

Column5 days ago

Why Penobscot County voters should support Question 3

The Region 5 Chiefs of Police is an organization that represents all law enforcement agencies in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

Column5 days ago

Question 1 is a needed investment in education and equity

Without question, the COVID-19 pandemic has put additional strain on American families, the American economy and American public institutions with no clear end in sight.

Letter7 days ago

Vote for candidates who will make a difference

To the Editor; Friends and neighbors, I am not involved in politics for popularity, vanity, or the “honor” of having some title.

Living Browse Living

UMaine Extension expert offers advice on lawns damaged by fungal disease due to drought

University of Maine Cooperative Extension plant pathologist Alicyn Smart recently began receiving reports of Maine lawns turning black in certain areas during the recent drought.

Central Hall Commons PTSD Conversations features domestic violence and resilience topics

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Central Hall Commons in collaboration with community partner organizations will present “Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence with PTSD: A Coordinated Community Response” with speaker Angie Alfonso and “Strengthening Resilience and Connection Together through Conversations” featuring Kini-Ana Tinkham.

Remote SAD 41 district budget meeting set for July 21

MILO — The annual SAD 41 district budget meeting will be different in 2020 as residents of Brownville, LaGrange and Milo can gather remotely via Zoom at 5:30 p.

Calendar of events

Many of the events will likely not be happening as listed below due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turning Page Farm – Turning passion into livelihood

MONSON — What do you have when you combine your passion and your dreams and create a new reality for yourself? For Joy and Tim Bueschen, it was the creation of their new home in the woods of the Central Maine Highlands, Turning Page Farm Brewery.

Find The Whoopie Pie Contest winner

Observer photo/Keri FosterFIND THE WHOOPIE PIE WINNER — Allison Smith of Dover-Foxcroft is grand prize winner in the Piscataquis Observer’s annual Find the Whoopie Pie Contest.