Piscataquis Observer

Ridge View Community School

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom RIDGE VIEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL — The Ridge View Community School in Dexter serves pre-kindergarten to grade 8 students.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom RIDGE VIEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL — The Ridge View Community School in Dexter serves pre-kindergarten to grade 8 students.

SAD 46 facing near $184,000 reduction in state subsidy

DEXTER — SAD 46 is looking at a $183,920 reduction in state subsidy for the 2026-27 budget, Superintendent Kevin Jordan said during a March 4 school board meeting at the Ridge View Community School. “Obviously as we plan out this budget over the next few months that’s going to come into play at some point,” he said.

News BrowseNews

SAD 41, Milo looking at sidewalk project

MILO — SAD 41 and the town of Milo are working together to have a sidewalk put in over the summer along Penquis Drive between West Main Street and the Penquis Valley School, to allow students to walk to and from the building and not be in the road with all the vehicle traffic before and after school.

Alden receives Foxcroft Academy’s MPA Principal’s Award

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Emma Alden, a senior at Foxcroft Academy, has been selected to receive the 2026 MPA Principal’s Award.

The number of vacant homes in Maine is falling. Here’s what that means.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff The percentage of vacant homes fell statewide in recent years but it hasn’t made renting or buying in Maine any easier.

First details of proposed Penobscot County Jail emerge in new site plans

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff A new Penobscot County Jail could hold nearly twice as many inmates as the existing building and provide space for medical and mental health services, early plans for the facility show.

University of Maine at Augusta president’s, dean’s lists

AUGUSTA — University of Maine at Augusta Provost Joseph Szakas announces the fall 2025 full-time president’s list and full-time dean’s list.

Penobscot County lost $5M in 2023, new audit shows

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County lost more than $5 million in 2023 due to underfunding, underbudgeting and mismanagement, a long-awaited audit showed.

Sports BrowseSports

buffardmooseoned.jpg

Photo courtesy of V. Paul Reynolds BULL MOOSE — Mike Bouffard, second from left, and his crew from Kittery bagged this bull on the first morning of their hunt.

Photo courtesy of V. Paul Reynolds BULL MOOSE — Mike Bouffard, second from left, and his crew from Kittery bagged this bull on the first morning of their hunt.

Here are Maine’s 2026 moose permit numbers by hunting zone

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has set the number of moose permits for each wildlife management district for the 2026 hunt. The permit allocations were finalized Wednesday in a rule filed with the secretary of state.

Foxcroft Academy field hockey coach steps down

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Following four seasons and leading her team to the 2025 Class C championship in her final game, Foxcroft Academy head field hockey coach Davan Walker has stepped down.

PVC basketball honorees

Nearly a dozen basketball players from the regional received postseason recognition from the Penobscot Valley Conference for the 2025-26 season.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

Maine should strengthen its aging support system

To the Editor; Maine has a unique opportunity to lead the country in how we support and value older adults.

He was Baxter State Park’s 1st ranger when Donn Fendler disappeared on Katahdin

By Gregory Burr On July 17, 1939, Baxter State Park’s first ranger began searching Mount Katahdin for a lost 12-year-old boy from New York.

Maine’s adaptive moose hunt winds down

By V, Paul Reynolds For the 2025 Maine moose hunt, the harvest numbers are in.

AARP Maine’s News You Can Use

By Joyce Bucciantini, AARP Maine community outreach volunteer Last year the New England Aquarium in Boston announced that over half of their African penguins have reached senior penguin status.

Oregon ballot measure targeting hunting raises questions for Maine

By Al Raychard Certain things in life scare me.

Embarrassed by response to State of Union

To the Editor; After watching President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, I have some concerns about our government.

Living BrowseLiving

Dexter library to offer program on endangered birds

DEXTER — One third of America’s birds have vanished over the past 50 years.

Dexter Age Friendly to host Senior Companion Program coordinator

DEXTER — At their monthly Tea Talks program on Thursday, March 12, Dexter Age Friendly will welcome Laurie Bishop.

Calendar of events

Recurring Events Mondays DEXTER: The Abbott Museum is open 10 a.

RSU 68 looking at near $250,000 budget increase

DOVER-FOXCROFT — RSU 68 officials are continuing work on the 2026-27 budget, a spending plan that currently is up by $246,444 with a 4.

Maine Forest Collaborative hosts rural high school students at UMaine

ORONO – On Feb.

MaineCF’s Piscataquis County Committee welcomes two new members

Sarah Curtis of Dover-Foxcroft and Pam Goulette of Guilford have joined the Maine Community Foundation’s Piscataquis County Committee.