Dexter town officials have been working to retain and attract businesses to the community. One economic development tool available to Maine communities is tax increment financing (TIF) and during a Nov. 14 council meeting Town Manager Trampas King discussed what the community may be able to do.

A municipal solar power project will not be located at the town airport at the Charles A. Chase Jr. Memorial Field on Pine Street. During a selectmen’s meeting Tuesday night in the Morton Avenue Municipal Building Gymnasium, the board passed a motion to focus on a solar project at an alternate site other than the airport.

After coming up empty in the team’s first three trips inside the redzone Dexter Regional High School was able to get across the goalline in two of the final three such drives with short touchdowns rushes in the third and fourth quarters during a Class D North/Little Ten Conference semifinal against Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln on a muddy field during the early afternoon on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Two weeks after meeting in the regular season finale in Dover-Foxcroft, a 53--0 victory for visiting Bucksport High School, Foxcroft Academy and the Golden Bucks met again on Friday, Nov. 8 in a Class D North/Little Ten Conference semifinal. The score changed at 49-12 but the end result was the same as top-seeded Bucksport (8-0) won vs. the No. 5 Ponies (who end the year at 4-6) to move on to the regional final.

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, depending on how much of the trail network you hike.

The school district’s near $745,000 share of a $2.4 million funding package to upgrade the heating system at the Penquis Valley School will be $200,000 less than anticipated thanks to a grant from the East Millinocket-based Gloria C. MacKenzie Foundation, which through its mission and vision hopes to improve economic growth and enhance the quality of life for the people of Maine.

Citing what they feel is a non-proportional expense and lack of benefits, the Piscataquis County Commissioners are considering ending membership in the Maine County Commissioners Association. The commissioners discussed the possibility during a Nov. 5 meeting and plan to attend a meeting with officials from other Maine counties also pondering an exit to learn more.

Anyone who suspects someone they know may be a victim of elder abuse or would like to know more about the topic and how to help is invited to a free elder abuse awareness and response workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 15 at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street.

For nearly a decade Will’s Shop ‘n Save has been a fixture in Dover-Foxcroft, as a downtown grocery store and through the numerous ways the business has given back to the community. During National Veteran Small Business Week leading up to Veterans Day, the establishment was recognized as a success story by the U.S. Small Business Administration during an afternoon presentation on Monday, Nov. 4.

Students and staff throughout the SeDoMoCha School have been busy bringing in items for community resident in need by gathering warm clothing accessories and raising funds for Thanksgiving meals.