The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is asking all hikers to postpone any hikes on the Appalachian Trail until the risks of spreading COVID-19 to others has reduced significantly. The statement was issued on March 23 after multiple sections of the 2,193-mile footpath, which spans from Georgia to Maine, experienced large crowds this past weekend.

Under the authority granted to her during a State of Civil Emergency, Gov. Janet Mills on Tuesday issued an executive order mandating that all non-essential businesses and operations in Maine close their physical locations that are public facing, meaning those that allow customer, vendor or other in-person contact. The order also closes non-essential business sites that require more than 10 workers to convene in a space where physical distancing is not possible. Non-essential businesses and operations may continue activities that do not involve these types of in-person contact and convenings, and should facilitate the maximum number of employees working remotely.

Last week Gov. Janet Mills and Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife commissioner Judy Camuso announced an early opening of the state's open-water fishing season, and also said that until April 30, no fishing licenses would be necessary.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 27 Trisha Smith, home horticulture aide at UMaine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County will be hosting a live Zoom conference version of the new “Fourth Friday Plant Clinic.” The conference may be accessed through PC, Mac or smartphone at https://maine.zoom.us/j/146882821.

Despite all the changes and uncertainty, the Thompson Free Library (TFL) in Dover-Foxcroft continues to offer resources and information to our patrons and the community especially through our Facebook page and website (thompsonfreelibrary.lib.me.us).

We must assume ongoing risk of community transmission. We must continue social distancing. Stay home unless you have to leave for essential tasks. We must limit visiting with family who are not in our immediate households. Shopping for food or other supplies should no longer be a regular occurrence, but rather an occurrence of necessity

University of Maine Cooperative Extension created a user-friendly webpage featuring links to recently completed resources related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

With the novel coronavirus reaching pandemic levels, everyone has been stockpiling for the Centers for Disease Control’s recommended social distancing, self-isolation and self-quarantine, which could last for several weeks. That’s led to stores running out of products like hand sanitizer, hand soap and toilet paper.

Usually after the Legislature closed I would go door to door as l am running for reelection. Because of the coronavirus pandemic I don't feel this possible. I will reach out the best I can. Feel free to contact me at 207-876-4047, 207-343-0258 and sendavis@myottmail.com.

April – Maine’s seasonal limbo month -- just got a little more interesting. Gov. Mills directed Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Camuso to waive the need for a fishing license during the entire month of April. Of course, anglers must still abide by all of the fishing regulations as outlined in the new fishing law book, but nobody needs a license for the first 30 days of the open water fishing season, which commences April 1.