Piscataquis Observer

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Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom PISCATAQUIS COUNTY ICE ARENA -- The Piscataquis County Ice Arena being built on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft is scheduled to open this summer to return ice sports and bring other activities to the region. The $5 million project is being funded by the Libra Foundation, and the arena will be managed day-to-day by Foxcroft Academy.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom PISCATAQUIS COUNTY ICE ARENA -- The Piscataquis County Ice Arena being built on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft is scheduled to open this summer to return ice sports and bring other activities to the region. The $5 million project is being funded by the Libra Foundation, and the arena will be managed day-to-day by Foxcroft Academy.

Piscataquis County Ice Arena to open in the summer

January 17, 2019

The sound of skates cutting into the ice, pucks bouncing off the boards and glass, and more will be heard starting this summer according to the plan for opening the Piscataquis County Ice Arena on West Main Street at the former Brothers Chevrolet property. The $5 million project is being funded by the Libra Foundation, and the arena will be managed day-to-day by Foxcroft Academy.

News Browse News

4,700 lost power in Penobscot, Piscataquis counties

A problem at an electrical substation in Corinth caused thousands of Emera Maine customers to lose power in central Penobscot and southern Piscataquis counties early Thursday morning.

Retired state trooper appointed as Dover-Foxcroft PD sergeant

A brief vacancy at sergeant in the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department created when Todd Lyford departed at the start of the new year to become the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy has been filled with the appointment of retired Maine State Police Cpl. Matt Grant. Grant was officially appointed by the selectmen during a Jan. 14 meeting for a term to expire on June 30.

Rash of snowmobile crashes prompts call for riders to slow down, use caution

Maine game wardens were busy responding to a number of serious snowmobile accidents last weekend, and with substantial snow in the forecast for the coming days, wardens say focusing on snowmobile safety makes a lot of sense as more sledders will be hitting the trails.

Sen. Davis submits bill to allow state biologists to better manage black bear population

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville has sponsored legislation, LR 514 “An Act To Give the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife the Authority To Adjust the Black Bear Hunting Season and Bag Limit,” to give state wildlife biologists more control in the management of Maine’s growing black bear population.

Sports Browse Sports

PO-spboysgilbert-4-19 FEATURED

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom AHEAD OF THE CROWD -- PCHS sophomore Kobe Gilbert puts a layup in for two late in the first quarter of a Jan. 16 Class C North game at Penquis, a contest the Pirates won 62-43 for the team’s sixth victory in seven games with Gilbert scoring a game-high 18 points. Looking on is Patriot senior Jeremy Martin (34), Alvin Robshaw (40), and sophomore Zak Mills (22) along with Pirate senior Eben Cooley.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom AHEAD OF THE CROWD -- PCHS sophomore Kobe Gilbert puts a layup in for two late in the first quarter of a Jan. 16 Class C North game at Penquis, a contest the Pirates won 62-43 for the team’s sixth victory in seven games with Gilbert scoring a game-high 18 points. Looking on is Patriot senior Jeremy Martin (34), Alvin Robshaw (40), and sophomore Zak Mills (22) along with Pirate senior Eben Cooley.

PCHS boys run away from Penquis

January 17, 2019

A big second quarter helped the Piscataquis Community High School boys break open a Jan. 16 Class C North contest at regional rival Penquis Valley High School. During the second eight-minute session the visiting Pirates had a 23-12 scoring advantage to extend a narrow 9-6 lead to 32-18 and help propel the team to a 62-43 victory.

Maine wants to develop eight-player divisions. Now it’s getting closer to becoming a reality

A framework for adding two, eight-player divisions to Maine high school football beginning next fall inched closer to formality Tuesday, Jan. 15. The Maine Principals’ Association football committee has created an updated draft of the proposed format for the next two-year classification cycle that would include Classes A, B and C, and an eight-player class with two divisions based on enrollment.

Greenville Recreation gears up for winter

Although the short snowy days of winter are upon us, the Greenville Recreation Department has all kinds of things going on inside and out that enhance staying around the area this time of year.

PCHS grapplers have a day full of wins

The PCHS wrestling team had a great showing at its home tournament on Saturday, only giving up a total of five match losses during the entire day.

Opinion Browse Opinion

Letter19 hours ago

Thanks to Gov. Mills for releasing senior housing bond

I am writing to thank Gov. Mills for acting so quickly to release the senior housing bond. Her leadership on this critical issue will enable more Mainers to age in place through the building of new, affordable, accessible and safe homes for older Mainers. Additionally, funds will be dedicated to home repair and weatherization of existing homes, some of which are the oldest in the country.

Letter19 hours ago

Citizens’ Climate Lobby has a plan

Over the past few years I have become familiar with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) which is a national, non-partisan group that is organized on the grassroots level. It has a practical plan to cut CO2 emissions by 40 percent over the next 12 years.

Column20 hours ago

Voters are finding they voted for tax and spend

Spend, spend, spend. Tax, tax, tax. You heard a lot of flowery talk about responsibly leading Maine. You heard about discipline and "investments" that would make the state better. "No, we won't raise your taxes," they said, "we'll just reprioritize state government and we'll use money we already have to do a few things responsibly."

Column2 days ago

My weekend with ‘The Deplorables’

I grew up and went to school deep in Appalachia, in far Southwest Virginia, near the Tennessee line. While the region is trying to reinvent itself, it still suffers the hangover of the decline of coal and manufacturing, and depopulation.

Living Browse Living

Hibbard Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center CNA’s receive their pins

Recent graduates of the Hibbard Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center CNA training program in Dover-Foxcroft took part in a pinning ceremony. From left are CNA's Jessica Chambers, Mary Pike, Macy Wood, instructor Wendy Pullen, CNA's Rebecca Cash and Shelby Treffethen.

Soil and water conservation district launches second Families in the Outdoors Program

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is excited to kick off its second annual Families in the Outdoors program. The goal of this program is to provide fun, active, and interesting opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors, together. This program is designed for youth ages 5 and up, parents, grandparents and other relatives. This year, the district will be offering seasonal sessions, each with a different nature-related theme.

McLeish promoted to operations manager at Center Theatre

The Center Theatre announced recently that Ashlie McLeish, who joined the Theatre in 2016, has been promoted to Theatre operations manager. According to Patrick Myers, the Center Theatre's executive director, the new position better describes what McLeish's role in the Theatre has become during the past year.

Births at Mayo Regional Hospital

The following births were recorded recently at Mayo Regional Hospital:

Tri-County Technical Center hosts SkillsUSA competition Jan. 24

On Thursday, Jan. 24 from 4-7 p.m. Tri-County Technical Center (TCTC) students from the six area high schools (Nokomis, PCHS, Dexter, Foxcroft Academy, Greenville, and Penquis Valley), will participate in the local SkillsUSA competition. Instructors from the 12 programs, along with advisory board members and practitioners in the field, will judge students’ skills based on particular national standards that are exercised in the workforce every day.

Partners for Peace office hours change will help increase presence in the community

Those affected by abuse and domestic violence throughout Piscataquis and Penobscot counties are able to receive a wide variety of information, support, and services from Partners for Peace. Starting next month a change in office hours for the 8 Mechanic Street location will help Partners for Peace advocates to get out and reach more people and increase the agency’s presence in the community.