Piscataquis Observer

RiverFest 2026 1

Photo courtesy of Friends of Community Fitness RIVERFEST 5K RUNNERS — More than 50 entrants took part in the 2026 Friends of Community Fitness RiverFest 5K on Saturday morning, July 25, starting and finishing in downtown Guilford. The 19th annual 5K kicked off the Piscataquis River Festival.

Photo courtesy of Friends of Community Fitness RIVERFEST 5K RUNNERS — More than 50 entrants took part in the 2026 Friends of Community Fitness RiverFest 5K on Saturday morning, July 25, starting and finishing in downtown Guilford. The 19th annual 5K kicked off the Piscataquis River Festival.

Friends of Community Fitness holds annual RiverFest 5K

GUILFORD — Friends of Community Fitness’ RiverFest 5K kicked off the 2026 Piscataquis River Festival on Saturday morning, July 25 with more than 50 runners taking part. The 19th annual Riverfest 5K featured the following results: 1.

News BrowseNews

Mayo Mill Dam removal eyed for 2028

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Early next month the Atlantic Salmon Federation will submit an application to Maine Department of Environmental Protection for a permit under the Maine Waterway Development and Conservation Act for the proposed 2028 removal of the Mayo Mill Dam on the Piscataquis River in downtown Dover-Foxcroft.

Sheriff’s office to receive drug testing workstation

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office personnel will be able to test suspected drugs safely with a forthcoming NARKsafe Ductless Testing Workstation to filter potentially harmful substances out of the air.

Sangerville awaits tanker truck repair estimates

SANGERVILLE — Estimates are pending on the necessary repairs to get a Sangerville Fire Department 1993 tanker truck back on the road.

Hospitals celebrate medical assistant program graduates

Northern Light Mayo, CA Dean, and Sebasticook Valley Hospitals are proud to celebrate the graduation of their latest class of medical assistants.

King leads bill to expand mental health care access in rural Maine communities

Reardon earns dean’s list honors at Roger Williams University

BRISTOL, Rhode Island — Laney Reardon of Dover-Foxcroft has been named to the spring 2026 dean’s list at Roger Williams University.

Sports BrowseSports

Photo courtesy of John Floyd IMMATURE BEAR — The long legs and high belly on this young bruin are prime examples of an immature bear.

Photo courtesy of John Floyd IMMATURE BEAR — The long legs and high belly on this young bruin are prime examples of an immature bear.

3 tips to judge black bear size before your hunt this fall

By John Floyd One of the biggest challenges new bear hunters face is estimating the size of a black bear as it slips into view during the waning hours of daylight. For most, it is the first time they have seen a wild bear, let alone from 40 yards away.

Eastern Maine Sports Card Show Aug. 1

DEXTER — The Eastern Maine Sports Card Show will be held from 9 a.

Lobster Bowl raises more than $317,000 for Shriners Children’s hospitals

By Larry Mahoney, Bangor Daily News Staff LEWISTON — It was one of the most dramatic Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic football games of all time and there were two winners.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

Why cadastral maps matter

By Nancy Battick Today, few people rely on physical maps to navigate.

Maine conservation group wins national award for hunter education

Court should agree with Maine voters that large super PAC contributions warp democracy

By Tom Daschle, John McKernan, Olympica Snowe and Tim Wirth We come from different states and political parties.

We should turn our outrage into lasting change to support survivors of violence

By Francine Garland Stark and Regina Rooney Maine’s political landscape was upended by the revelations about Graham Platner’s behavior toward women.

Maine’s 6th Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend

How 30 minutes can help one of Maine’s most iconic birds

By Bob Duchesne There were 22 adults and six chicks reported on Pushaw Lake during last year’s Maine Audubon Loon Count.

Living BrowseLiving

Opportunities abound with Thompson Free Library

By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library We are so lucky to have such incredible forests, lakes and mountains in our backyard.

Lyford named to Northern Maine Community College dean’s list

PRESQUE ISLE — Thomas Lyford of Lake View Plantation has been named to the spring 2026 dean’s list at Northern Maine Community College.

UMaine Extension to host an invasive plant workshop

DOVER-FOXCROFT — University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hosting an educational workshop on invasive plants from 10 a.

Courtesy Boat Inspections offered at Sebec Lake

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Sebec Lake Association, in partnership with the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Town of Dover-Foxcroft launched the Courtesy Boat Inspection program at Greeley’s Landing on Sebec Lake on Saturday, July 25.

UMaine-Fort Kent spring dean’s lists

FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent is pleased to announce its spring 2026 dean’s list, recognizing the academic excellence of both full-time and part-time students.

Martin named to St. Anselm College dean’s list

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — St.