Piscataquis Observer

PO-devicesedo-16-20

Photo courtesy of Maine Department of Education HELPING STUDENTS LEARN -- SeDoMoCha School Technology Director Matthew Larrabee receives a delivery of Wi-Fi-enabled Samsung Tab A's from Maine DOE Coordinator of Secondary Education and Integrated Instruction Beth Lambert on April 8. The devices will help connect students lacking Internet access for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Maine Department of Education HELPING STUDENTS LEARN -- SeDoMoCha School Technology Director Matthew Larrabee receives a delivery of Wi-Fi-enabled Samsung Tab A's from Maine DOE Coordinator of Secondary Education and Integrated Instruction Beth Lambert on April 8. The devices will help connect students lacking Internet access for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maine DOE delivers donated devices to RSU 68, SAD 4

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) delivered Wi-Fi-enabled Samsung Tab A's with a 12-month Verizon service to RSU 68 and SAD 4 schools on April 8, in an effort helping area students with their school work while they are engaged in remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

News Browse News

Monson man charged with arson

Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal have arrested Quinton King, 61 of Monson, and charged him with arson in connection with fires in Monson that occurred Wednesday morning, April 8.

Pandemic forces cancellation of BDN’s annual drift boat trip

For the past 18 years, the BDN has partnered with registered Maine guide Dan Legere to give away what many winners called the trip of a lifetime: A daylong drift down one of Maine's classic fly-fishing rivers. This year, unfortunately, we won't be holding that trip after all.

U.S. Sens. Collins, King announce nearly $13M for Maine health centers to combat COVID-19 pandemic

Among the recipients is the Katahdin Valley Health Center, which has received $806,540, and $615,395 for Sebasticook Family Doctors.

Maine’s Angus King wants money for local news organizations in next coronavirus stimulus

Maine Sen. Angus King and several Democrats in the U.S. Senate called on Wednesday for a future stimulus bill aimed at coronavirus relief to include money to support local news organizations. King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, signed a letter with 18 Senate Democrats that characterized local news organizations as “in a state of crisis” that was only “exacerbated” by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sports Browse Sports

Softball ball isolated on white background

Softball ball isolated on white background

Maine high school spring sports season canceled

The Maine Principals’ Association, citing continued concerns about the coronavirus pandemic and a recommendation by the Maine Commissioner of Education, decided Thursday, April 9 to cancel outright the 2020 spring high school sports season.

Guenther, Weymouth selected for Lobster Bowl

A pair of defensive linemen from the region were selected for the 31st annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl, scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at Thornton Academyin Saco (the coronavirus pandemic has the game questionable at the present time). Dexter Regional High School’s Haedyn Guenther and Isaac Weymouth of Foxcroft Academy were both named to the East squad.

D-F Kiwanis canoe race canceled, raffle still on

Meanwhile, there are several Kiwanis-sponsored events that won't happen or will be postponed. First, as you probably assumed, due to state and federal mandates, our annual Piscataquis River Race scheduled for April 25 has been canceled. Nevertheless, we greatly appreciate the sponsors of this event, most of whom decided to donate their sponsorship amount anyway. They will be recognized when we have the final tally. But our fundraising raffle has not been canceled. Renamed our “Social Distancing Community Raffle,” you have three chances to win gas cards in the amount of $300, $200 or $100.

Murray commits to Husson soccer program

Tiegan Murray of Greenville High School has become the first player to commit to Husson University and head coach Amanda Cummings for the 2020 women’s soccer season.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Column15 hours ago

How federal regulations helped spread COVID-19

In any crisis, we triage the issues we are facing, and our reactions proceed in relatively predictable ways. The COVID-19 pandemic is no different.

Column15 hours ago

We need a new normal after COVID-19

There’s a certain clarity that develops in a crisis. Old rules -- that seemed so important to protecting the public order, to good business practices, to the rules of commerce -- all of a sudden get tossed out and we adapt to new ways of doing things for the times. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have changed the way we live our lives and conduct business.

Letter1 day ago

To teenagers from a teacher

We are lucky to live here in Maine. Time outdoors has not been canceled! Take a walk down your road. A late-season snowshoe might still be possible for some. Find a local land trust trail. It does not have to be a grand excursion. It can be as simple as a 10 minute sit-down on the back steps to listen to the birds or gaze at the moon.

Letter2 days ago

Help postal employees practice social distancing

For everyone’s safety, our employees are following the social distancing precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials. We are asking people to not approach our carriers to accept delivery. Let the carrier leave the mailbox before collecting the mail. With schools not in session, children should also be encouraged to not approach a postal vehicle or carrier.

Living Browse Living

Large landowners close primitive campgrounds in northern Maine due to COVID-19

Though many of the campsites you find on North Maine Woods Inc. land are not the typical campgrounds one might find elsewhere in Maine, members of the organization have announced they're honoring the spirit of Gov. Janet Mills's recent executive order that closes lodging establishments and will shut down their own campsites until at least May 1.

Rudman Library Trust awards grant to Shaw Public Library

The Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling $23,895 to 32 libraries in Aroostook, Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties. Among the recipients is the Shaw Public Library of Greenville, for books on the history of Maine, emphasizing the importance of Native Americans, African Americans and women

Foxcroft Academy offers free Wi-Fi access points during COVID-19 crisis

Over the last week Brown has set up drive-up hotspots in several of our district towns, with more to come. Using equipment from the Academy that is not being used at the moment, students can drive to area hotspot locations and with their iPad (or other devices), log on to the Foxcroft Academy network.

Center Theatre launches ‘Keep in Touch’ campaign

Like many other venues of its kind, the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft is closed these days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some theater officials are still at work, but instead of showing movies and hosting live events they hope to collaborate with the local performing arts community in a unique effort to boost the spirits of local residents while still generating some income to support the nonprofit enterprise.

Applications open for Allagash Wilderness Waterway Visiting Artist Program

Applications are now open for the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) Visiting Artist Program, which brings artists to the remote wilderness of Maine for two weeks of solitude. The program provides artists with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a remote, rustic wilderness, to interpret and share their experiences through their medium.

Gov. Mills announces plan to open alternative care sites

Gov. Janet Mills directed the Maine National Guard and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to work with Maine’s health care systems to open two alternative care sites in Portland and Bangor as part of the state’s preparations to bolster Maine health system capacity in the face of COVID-19.