We are fortunate to still have a local newspaper in the Piscataquis Observer. Cities and towns across the U.S. have lost 1,400 newspapers in the last 15 years, and the Observer, like all other Maine papers, has been subject to staff reductions, but at least we still have a source for coverage of board meetings, local events, sports events, etc.

The Center Theatre recently announced that for the first time in its history, Theatre officials are raffling off a life-time movie pass. The pass will allow the winner to attend any movie at the Center Theatre for free for the life of the pass holder.

In 2016 the town of Dover-Foxcroft voted to approve our updated comprehensive plan as a tool to guide us in positive economic development, focusing on quality of life and natural resources. With housing sales up and some new investments, the future looks brighter than it has in decades.

When all is said and done, there will probably be more than 15 people running for the Democratic nomination for president. One thing is clear already. In order to win the nomination, Democrats are going to need to speak to the increasingly strident, socialistic, progressive activist segment, and energize them. All the attention, all the energy and all the money is with them.

It’s long past time that the Maine Legislature sends a state Equal Rights Amendment to voters. But a word of caution for the supporters — of which I am one: If LD 433, which would amend the state constitution to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on the sex of an individual, appears on the ballot, we will need to run a real campaign to make sure it passes and to protect against divisive and harmful attacks from opponents.

I did not vote for Eliot Cutler, but I am so happy that he has stood up to David Farmer and his propaganda and far-left liberal views.

Mayo Regional Hospital has announced four community forums to provide updates and answer questions regarding the potential merger with Northern Light Health, a statewide health care system. The forums will be held in four of the 13 towns that make up Hospital Administrative District (HAD) 4 and will provide an opportunity for citizens in the district to learn more about what a merger might mean for the hospital and local access to quality care.

Hampden-Bangor advanced to the North regional in unified basketball with a 44-36 semifinal win over Foxcroft Academy on Tuesday, March 12.

The Brownville Free Public Library has been selected by the Maine Humanities Council to offer “Let’s Talk About It,” a free reading and discussion group with copies of books available through the library. This program is provided by the Maine Humanities Council’s Maine Center for the Book in cooperation with the Maine State Library.

If you keep your ear to the tracks regarding fishing in Maine, then you’ve probably heard about the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department’s proposal to change rules pertaining to the use of live fish as bait in the north country. We’ve publicized the changes with a couple press releases and have held two public meetings to gather public input.