Not surprisingly, it took some time for Maine’s fish and wildlife regulatory apparatus to loosen up when it came to accepting the crossbow as a legitimate and acceptable hunting device. Compared with other states, we have been a long time coming around.

Each year, the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District recognizes and honors a cooperator (land manager) in Piscataquis County who has implemented exceptional conservation practices on their land. This year, the PCSWCD will be honoring Joel and Wendy Huff of Huff Family Farm as the 2019 Outstanding Cooperator of the Year.

With students’ summer vacation nearing an end in several weeks, work continues on an upgrade to the heating system at the Penquis Valley School as well as an elevator installation for the building.

Hong Kong is the single most important arena in the struggle for human liberty on the planet today, and that struggle is in danger of being crushed under the boot of totalitarian oppression.

One year after announcing new President & CEO Lee Umphrey, EMDC (Eastern Maine Development Corporation) continues to evolve with a brand refresh and new website at https://www.emdc.org/.

The Mid-Maine Duplicate Bridge Club played on Aug. 12 at the Guilford Memorial Library with the following results: first place, Jennifer and Glenn Rogers of Bowerbank; second, Dennis Patterson of Abbot and Mary Canning of Dexter; and third, Herb Greenberg and Jim Greeley of Dexter.

In my column last week, I wrote about 30 ideas that could help stem the rising tide of gun violence in the United States. The ideas ranged from background checks and waiting periods to a ban on military-style weapons such as the AR-15 and large capacity magazines.

Brothers Jackson and Landon Smith of the Foxcroft Youth Track program combined for a trio of top three performances 14 & Under USATF-Maine Association State Championship on Aug. 10 at the Brewer Community School.

The Drive will continue to be hosted by Jim Churchill and Mark Paulette, with Aaron Jackson, WABI-TV morning anchor Brian Sullivan and Bangor Daily News sportswriter Ernie Clark -- a resident of Dover-Foxcroft -- also regulars on the broadcast.

Blood drives will be held in the region, on Friday, Aug. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. at Mayo Regional Hospital, 897 West Main Street, in Dover-Foxcroft and Friday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greenville American Legion, 218 Pritham Avenue.