Among the projects the department is putting off are the replacement of interstate highway overpasses in Bangor and Brewer, road resurfacing in Portland and the reconstruction of about 3 miles each of major state roads in Abbot and Van Buren.

The Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation (MLREDC) has agreed to terms with Lakeshore Ventures, LLC for the acquisition and redevelopment of a key piece of waterfront property in downtown Greenville.

Friday, May 10 was “Gun Day” at the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. On this day, the committee held public hearings on 11 firearm-related bills. Ten of the bills sought to restrict Second Amendment rights while one bill would expand them.

Robin Gardella’s "Moosehead Lake Adventures" coloring book and guide to the Moosehead region book with 22 detailed illustrations of the area is now published. The pen and ink drawings feature some of the most beautiful spots in the region as well as popular activities.

Team Iron Will, a powerlifting group from Dexter, recently traveled to the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters (WABDL) World Cup in Madison, Wisconsin. The team is comprised of five lifters that train together at Millside Fitness in Dexter. The group grabbed national attention with 11 first-place trophies, four Best Lifter awards and two second-place medals.

Honored as the 2019 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year is art educator Bobbi Tardif of SeDoMoCha Middle School in Dover-Foxcroft. Tardif is a resident of Corinna

On behalf of the community of Dover-Foxcroft and the surrounding communities, I want to thank the ladies of Mayo Regional Hospital for putting on a delicious dinner at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church Monday night, May 6. The meal and services were wonderful.

Monson Arts -- a new arts center and artists’ residency program supported by the Libra Foundation -- will open a new exhibit on May 15 at its gallery in downtown Monson. “Artists of the Forest,” curated by folklorist Kathleen Mundell, features the work of six artists from Maine’s Northern Forest who work with one of the region’s most abundant resources- -- wood.

Local author Joe Siccardi will facilitate a second six-week class trying to demystify writing in general and taking the fear out of sharing your written words. The interactive Take the Fear Out of Writing class will begin Monday, June 3 at 1 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall. It will continue weekly through July 8.

It is pretty hard to find someone more sympathetic to the plight of teachers than me. My wife has worked for years as a teacher in kindergarten through second grade.