For the boys basketball team at Piscataquis Community High School, they also reflect a chance to move on to the Cross Insurance Center after the seventh-seeded Pirates made 12 of 14 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter to hold off No. 10 Bucksport 59-55 in a Class C North preliminary-round game Feb. 14.

The No. 5 Warriors defeated No. 12 Dexter 68-47 in a Class C North prelim on Feb. 14 to earn a quarterfinal date against No. 4 Central Aroostook of Mars Hill on Tuesday, Feb. 20 in Bangor.

Houlton (18-0 during the regular season) easily beat a depleted Dexter squad 42-13 for the league title. The league championship pits the top two PVC teams in Class C.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville was awarded the Distinguished Advocacy Award, a prestigious honor bestowed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in recognition of his commitment to protect Mainers from the death and disease related to tobacco addiction, specifically, for sponsoring legislation which increased the minimum legal sales age of tobacco products in Maine to 21.

The year 2017 was a positive year for the town. Town meeting we elected a new selectman. That I feel gave us three good common sense people. All three selectmen had no experience as selectmen but I feel they are doing a good job.

Upcoming events around the region.

SAD 4 students will now have an opportunity to spend more time outdoors.

The 118th Audubon Christmas Bird Count (known as the 2017 Christmas Bird Count) was held in the area on Dec. 20.

Foxcroft Academy senior Jenna Clukey captured the 100-yard freestyle title at the Penobscot Valley Conference (PVC) championship on Feb. 10 at the University of Maine. Clukey swam the 100 free in 55.19 seconds.

The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team has been a force in the eastern/northern region for the last 20 years. Now the Ponies have won three straight Class B North titles -- and six of the last eight regional crowns as well as 11 in 17 years under head coach Luis Ayala -- after finishing in first place at the 2018 competition on Feb. 10 at Mount View High School. The Ponies earned 191.5 points, over 80 more than runner-up Dexter Regional High School with 109 points.