More than 20 students in the younger grades at Piscataquis Community Elementary School are now HEROs for their outstanding conduct during the first few weeks of the new school year. The HERO honorees were recognized with the presentation of certificates during the elementary morning meeting on Friday, Sept. 20.

The concerns for downtown Dover-Foxcroft vary, those raised included tractor trailer trucks turning on the narrow streets, where pedestrians can safely cross and deteriorating asphalt and cement on the road and sidewalks, and while there may be no immediate fixes, town and state officials hope to develop some short-term and long-term solutions. An early step in the process was taken with a Dover-Foxcroft Urban Area Transportation Study public meeting on Sept. 19 at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building.

Fewer soccer errant balls going over and around the posts will be traveling far beyond the Piscataquis Community High School goals thanks to a pair of backstops with netting provided by a pair of area businesses.

Maine’s highest peak in Baxter State Park is named for an Abenaki word meaning greatest or main mountain. The possibility of changing the official name of Mount Katahdin to Katahdin -- which would be made by the Maine Legislature -- was proposed by Baxter State Park Director Eben Sypitkowski to the Piscataquis County Commissioners. The commissioners made no formal motion, but expressed that they would not be in favor of such an adjustment during discussions as part of a Sept. 17 meeting.

Foxcroft Academy took full advantage of some mistakes made on offense and special teams by visiting Mount View High School of Thorndike during the Ponies 2019 home opener on the evening of Friday, Sept. 13 at Oakes Field. These changes in possession each led to a Foxcroft touchdown, including a 33-0 lead at the half, as the Ponies won 48-12 to improve to 2-0 on the young season.

As the town of Dexter prepares to revise its comprehensive plan, the community will receive some help. During a Sept. 12 meeting the town council agreed to participate in the Orton Family Foundation Community Heart & Soul program.

SeDoMoCha School students can avoid boredom on the daily ride to and from home thanks to each bus now containing a library of books for various ages and abilities to read. The “Erma’s Books on the Bus” program, which also runs in Florida and is named for a registered READing (Reading Education Assistance Dog) and a therapy dog with Alliance Therapy Dogs, kicked off at the end of the day on Thursday, Sept. 12.

During a Sept. 10 school board meeting in the Piscataquis Community High School library, Superintendent Kelly MacFadyen said a strategic planning information night is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23 in the PCHS library (more information is available at www.sad4.org).

“The kickoff meeting for the Maine DOT study will be next Thursday the 19th here at 6:30 p.m.,” Town Manager Jack Clukey said during a Sept. 9 selectmen’s meeting. The public meeting for the Dover-Foxcroft Urban Area Transportation Study will be from 6:30-8 p.m. that evening at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building.

A mutual 2019 girls soccer opener between Dexter Regional High School and host Piscataquis Community High School on Sept. 6 went back and forth with the Dexter leading twice before PCHS tied play including 3-3 late in the second half to set up bonus play. After one extra session, Tiger junior Peyton Grant wasted little time in overtime No. 2 as she scored the game-winner at the 4:24-mark.