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.

Millions of people are affected by the rising costs of prescription medication every day. It is wrong that hard working families have to choose between taking medication and being able to eat a meal.

Longtime Dexter Regional High School teacher and coach Peter Murray was recognized through the Boston Red Sox’s Most Valuable Educator program during a recent home-plate ceremony at Fenway Park. Educators around New England are nominated by students from their school as someone who makes an effort to ensure that every child has the benefit of a great school.

This summer area Democrats undertook a “Write On” service project and collected 3,486 pencils for SAD 41 schools. Pencils came in from different areas of Maine as well as North Carolina and Washington.