Piscataquis Observer

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom PCES --- Piscataquis Community Elementary School in Guilford.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom PCES --- Piscataquis Community Elementary School in Guilford.

Work underway on 2026-27 SAD 4 budget

GUILFORD — SAD 4 officials have started developing the 2026-27 academic year budget. School Board Chair Niki Fortier said the budget committee had its first meeting on March 2, during a board meeting on March 10 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School.

News BrowseNews

Maine’s 5-year shift toward Republicans runs from Portland to rural places

By Daniel O’Connor The proportion of Mainers registered to vote as Republicans has grown in the past five years in a warning sign for Democrats trying to maintain control over Augusta.

Community Fitness hosts Superhero Fitness Party to fight hunger

GUILFORD — Community Fitness is calling all heroes to action! On Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.

Former Maine prison official to plead guilty to theft and accepting bribes

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A former Maine prison official will plead guilty to theft and accepting a bribe.

Maine Whoopie Pie Festival comes in second in national competition

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Maine Whoopie Pie Festival organizers announced that the Festival won second place as the best Specialty Food Festival in USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Award.

Dexter Regional High School February Students of the Month

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High SchoolSTUDENTS OF THE MONTH — Dexter Regional High School is pleased to announce the February Students of the Month as selected by the faculty and staff for being exemplary students.

Dover-Foxcroft cemetery renamed to recognize family’s land donation

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The East Dover Cemetery will now be known at the Dow Cemetery of East Dover, as the name change was formally approved by the Dover-Foxcroft Select Board during a Monday night meeting.

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

What’s happening to Maine’s deer wintering areas — and why it matters

By David Irving A recent Bangor Daily News Outdoors column about feeding deer in winter generated a lot of discussion among readers.

Ending hunger in Maine

To the Editor; In communities throughout Maine, many are confronted with the painful daily reality of not being able to access enough food for themselves and their families.

Jared Golden: My thoughts on the conflict in Iran

We must stop Trump action in Middle East

To the Editor; We need to stop President Donald Trump and this aggressive action in the Middle East now.

We drove onto the ice. Seconds later, the truck sank

By Al Raychard I remember the day like it was yesterday — the day we drove a truck onto the ice and nearly lost it.

An ice fishing disaster ended with the perfect consolation prize

Living BrowseLiving

District American Legion meeting March 21

BROWNVILLE JUNCTION — The American Legion 14th District — Piscataquis County will hold its regular meeting and nomination of officers for the 2026-27 year on Saturday, March 21 in Brownville Junction.

Calendar of events

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

Hands-on shrub pruning workshop

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Join Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District and Kate Garland from UMaine Cooperative Extension for an in-person pruning workshop that combines an indoor overview of best practices with outdoor, hands-on instruction.

Friends of the Dexter Meeting House chili cookoff results

DEXTER — The Friends of the Dexter Meeting House held its second annual chili cookoff on Saturday March 7 at the First Universalist Church.

Driscoll receives Penquis Valley’s MPA Principal’s Award

MILO — Amara Driscoll of Milo, a senior at Penquis Valley High School, has been selected to receive the 2026 Principal’s Award, Principal Katie Joyner announced.

Catching up on GFWC/MIOSAC Club news

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Members of the GFWC/MIOSAC Club have been involved in a variety of activities over the past few months.