Proponents of Medicaid expansion have not been honest with the Maine people. They claim it’s free because the federal government will foot the bill for this massive expansion of welfare. Folks, it’s just not true.

When it comes to the quality of the sport fishery, once-fabled fishing lakes like Branch Lake, Green Lake and Beech Hill Pond have had their ups and downs. When I was a kid, Branch Lake was a red hot game fishery. Beech Hill gave up a record lake trout that has never been bested.

Last week, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a landmark civil rights case out of Colorado that could have broad – and disastrous – national implications.

After 32 years and over 340 wins coaching boys teams at Central, Penobscot Valley High School of Howland and Piscataquis Community High School of Guilford, Jamie Russell has taken over for Diane Rollins, who left after 16 seasons and over 200 victories at Central.

The Harold J. Crosby Community Band of Dexter wants to wish the community a happy holiday season. To show the band’s appreciation for the support the town of Dexter and surrounding communities have given, the group will be performing a holiday concert, free to all, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Dexter Town Hall.

Upcoming events across the region

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine and U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine have announced their nominees to the U.S. military academies. Beaver Cove resident Anthony Mason, who is a senior at Greenville High School, was nominated by Maine’s senators to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Emily Mikoud of Dover-Foxcroft, who graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 2017, is a nominee for the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS COME TO TOWN -- The weekend’s annual Hometown Holidays celebration across the region began on Friday, Dec. 1 in Guilford with an evening tree lighting at the downtown Braeburn lot. After the singing of Christmas carols in front of the Guilford Historical Society and next to a bonfire across the street, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the corner of Water and North Main streets. With the assistance of a dozen young helpers, Santa used his magic to light the Christmas tree.

For more than three decades members of the community and families have been served free of charge by Pine Tree Hospice during the time of dying and bereavement. Those involved in Pine Tree Hospice, such as volunteers, contributors, staff members and others, are all pieces of the puzzle, as reflected on the cover of the 2017 organization report.

Ranked-choice voting (RCV) will make elections more fair and democratic. There is a new petition that will force the enactment of RCV (which has been delayed until after 2020 by the legislature) by next year.