Partners for Peace, the domestic violence resource center serving Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, will be observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month with three End Domestic Violence Days across the two county region in October, including from 2-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2 in Dover-Foxcroft.

Earlier in the month the Piscataquis County Commissioners asked County Manager Tom Lizotte to collect proposals to fund an upgrade to the radio system for the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s to replace antiquated dispatch equipment with components dating to the 1980s. During a Sept. 18 meeting the commissioners approved a lease purchase proposal from Gorham Savings Bank for a total of a little more than $127,000 to be paid over five years.

Touchdowns following a pair of second half turnovers and a blocked PAT helped Foxcroft Academy earn a 28-20 victory vs. fellow Class D North 2-0 program North Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln under the lights on Sept. 14 at Oakes Field. The Pony defense also forced two other turnovers in the second half and while these changes of possession did not lead to any points, the plays helped prevent the Lynx from finding the endzone on each drive.

The town council passed an emergency moratorium ordinance regarding medical retail marijuana during a Sept. 13 meeting. The moratorium ordinance will be in effect for 60 days through Nov. 12 -- residents can still use medicinal and recreational marijuana within the law -- as the document covers the location, operation, permitting, approval or licensing of any medical marijuana retail stores, registered dispensaries, testing facilities and manufacturing facilities in Dexter.

Last month 2018 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year Joseph Hennessey, who teaches American, World, AP Literature and Composition and Camden Conference Seminar for grades 11-12 at Piscataquis Community High School, was announced as one of three finalists for the 2019 Maine Teacher of the Year honor.

When Dover-Foxcroft residents head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6 they will also be voting on three land use-related ordinances, after the selectmen signed the documentation for a special town meeting referendum during a Sept. 10 meeting.

After years of uncertainty about what to do with the Derby Community Hall, the selectmen accepted a $5,501 bid made by Claude Marquis for the center during a Sept. 4 meeting. Marquis’ plans are to renovate the upper level of the building into a pair of apartments while keeping the basement open as a community space.

Guilford resident Sarah Gray recently began her freshman year at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone.

Thanks to the generosity of a number of community partners, no student at Piscataquis Community Elementary School will be lacking school supplies this new academic year as dozens of backpacks and hundreds of items for the classroom have been donated.

Once again in the 2018-19 school year SeDoMoCha Elementary School families will have the opportunity to read together as part of a shared reading experience through the ninth annual One Book, One School program. For about a month through early October students and family members will read and discuss Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House in the Big Woods” and then be able to attend an ending celebration on Thursday, Oct. 4.