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News

$10.8M RSU 68 budget assessments set for four district towns

A week after residents of the four RSU 68 communities approved a $10,817,189 budget for the 2017-18 academic year -- via a combined tally of 303 to 124 votes -- the school board took the next step and set the assessments for Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson and Sebec during a June 20 meeting at the SeDoMoCha School.

Science teacher honored as PCSWCD’s Outstanding Conservation Educator of the Year

On June 15 the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) presented Heather Doherty with its 2017 Outstanding Conservation Educator of the Year honor at a Piscataquis Community Secondary School awards ceremony.

State needs to be careful issuing doe permits

This is the time of year when Maine’s whitetail deer population begins to recover from a long hard winter. After surviving on reserve fats, twigs and lichen, and whatever else they can find in their wintering areas, the spring “greenup” is the deer’s salvation.

$325 loafers could bring shoe manufacturing back to Maine

DEXTER — Sixteen years after Dexter Shoe Co.

$8.5M SAD 41 budget moved to June 29 referendum

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.

Federal rules get in way of internet access

My friend, Christie-Lee McNally of Scarborough, Maine, is executive director of the non-profit Free Our Internet. I asked Christie-Lee to help me understand the important issue of Net Neutrality which President Obama put in place (2015) and President Trump wants reversed. For rural Mainers, especially small- and micro-business owners who want access to internet service capable of handling their online business, how is Net Neutrality affecting them?

Augusta Report — State officials urge Mainers to report suspected elder abuse

Officials at Maine’s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR) are focusing attention on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day--recognized each June 15 throughout the United States and in other countries, and often referred to as the ‘crime of the 21st century,’ because of its increasing prevalence and devastating impacts.

New SAD 4 budget will be brought to voters

A day after a proposed $6,890,304 budget for the 2017-18 school year was voted down 297-213 across the six district communities, the SAD 4 school board met on June 14 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School to start the process to bring another spending plan forward.

D-F residents approve $5M-plus budget

All nine referendum articles were passed by a majority of the 330 residents at the polls on June 13.

The worse this fly looked, the more fish I caught

In case you didn’t know, a Hornberg is a commonplace artificial fly used by some trout addicts to seduce their prey. Once a “go-to” fly in any fly box, it is less used today by upscale fly fishers - especially the elite sophisticates of the fly fishing community. Some that I have shared a stream pool with do look down their noses at this utilitarian fly.

Mayo Regional Hospital’s Physician Practices earn national recognition for patient-centered care

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced that Mayo Practice Associates of Mayo Regional Hospital has received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships.

PCSS students learn more than academics

Middle and high school students at Piscataquis Community Secondary School enjoyed a recent spring fling that was about some different kinds of learning.

SAD 41 board moves $8.5M budget to June 19 district meeting

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.

New law enables patients to enter into contracts with primary care doctors

Maine is one step closer to a manageable, cost-effective health care system that enhances choice and access to services.

We should encourage kids to own a business

We continue a conversation with Maine’s first Small Business Advocate, my friend, Jay Martin. Jay’s office was established within Maine’s Secretary of State’s office. He is experienced working in Maine’s nonprofit sector, and in the private sector. We covered the highlights of his work experience in our June 2 column.

Missing Skowhegan man located in Monson

A 71-year-old man reported missing on June 8 was found alive the following morning in Monson. Maine game wardens and a Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office deputy located Arthur Lowe, 71, shortly after 7 a.m. on Friday, June 9.

$6.89M SAD 4 budget moved to Tuesday’s referendum

A proposed $6,890,304 budget for the 2017-18 school year was approved during a district budget meeting on June 8 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School. The $6.89 million budget will now go to a referendum in the SAD 4 towns of Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville and Wellington on Tuesday, June 13.

Food for thought for graduates

This is the month that eager, full-of-hope young adults graduate from institutions of learning. Whether high school or college, these graduates are always subjected to one final round of advice from a commencement speaker before they toss their hats in the air and bolt for the door.

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