The U.S. Census Bureau would like to remind parents and families who are staying at home amid the COVID-19 crisis to remember that the 2020 Census is here, and it is important to count their children.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering Maine farmers a chance to connect online from 7-8 p.m. on Fridays to ask questions, get answers and share information.

One thing is certain, we live in this state of Maine, in a county and in a town. However, we also live in a "community.” What makes our community special is the people. Each one of us can share our resources, talents and love with our community.

Pine Tree Hospice’s volunteers make up a large group of women and men in Piscataquis, Penobscot, and Somerset counties, giving 4,399 hours of their time last year. They come from every walk of life and bring with them life experiences that make them perfect matches for the many clients with life-limiting illnesses.

Holy Family Parish, Greenville and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Jackman will continue to live stream Masses through facebook.com/aaron.damboise.50 (a Facebook account is not required to watch).

I want to acknowledge and thank the families, parents and caregivers who are working so hard to support remote learning for our students during this unprecedented emergency situation. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic reach across every aspect of our daily lives, and many families are struggling with lost jobs, lack of childcare, and access to even basic provisions. We know that many students have had to assume adult responsibilities -- like supervising younger siblings or taking a job to help support the family, and we know that many adults are arriving home in the evening, exhausted from essential jobs, to support children in different grade levels with remote school work. 

Baxter State Park will be closed to camping, vehicle access and travel above tree line until further notice, with a target opening date of July 1.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Three Rivers Kiwanis has canceled this year’s Sebec River Canoe Race.

Paul Zimmerman and Martha Ward already had planned an improvement project for the Red Maple Inn in Guilford again this year. They’ve invested in their Piscataquis County restaurant and lounge annually since moving the business across the street in 2013 to its current location -- the former Braeburn Hotel annex on North Main Street. Little did Zimmerman and Ward know how much free time they’d have for renovation this year after the Red Maple Inn and other restaurants around the state were closed to dine-in customers as of March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Janet Mills said Tuesday she will extend her civil state of emergency proclamation for another month, giving her additional time to access federal funding and use certain powers in the state’s effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.