The federal government is providing $75.5 million to the Guilford medical products company that is expanding production of the testing swabs that are critically needed to detect the coronavirus. 

One person’s willingness to accept getting the infection should not override their sense of duty to protect their neighbors’, co-workers’ or family members’ health. Please follow the state’s current guidelines for protecting oneself from the COVID virus

The Center Theatre announced Monday that it is closing in an effort to slow the spread of COVID 19. According to an announcement posted on the website, "We are joining many other local organizations who are taking action to slow the spread of COVID 19 to give our healthcare systems and supporting infrastructure a chance to cope with this global pandemic. We do this not out of fear but from a sense of shared responsibility for the health and welfare of our community."

All season long, Dexter imposed its defensive will on opponents while earning the regional title. On Saturday night Feb. 29 it was the Tigers who fell victim to a cohesive Winthrop defense, one that also sparked the Ramblers’ transition attack.

The Center Theatre for the Performing Arts announced that for the first time in facility history it is raffling off a lifetime supply of popcorn. Tickets are only $10 per person and can be purchased at the Theatre or from a member of the Center Theatre board of directors. 

Should a disaster strike the region when Piscataquis County Emergency Agency Director Tom Capraro is out of town and/or on vacation, the response may not be delayed as Deputy Director Debra Hamlin can now step up and fill in.

The other qualifiers were Woodland (53), Lee Academy (51.6), Penquis of Milo (49.4), Machias (46.6) and Wiscasset (44.9).

Once again, the race will start and finish at the Leisure Life Resort and Trailside Restaurant at 33 Leisure Life Road on Saturday, Feb. 1. The 70-mile race starts at 8:30 a.m. and an hour later teams competing in the 30-mile race take off.

The Maine Highlands Sled Dog Club will host a two-day sled dog race on Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26 as part of Brownville’s annual 11th Dog Days of Winter celebration. Teams will leave Railroad Avenue in Brownville Junction at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, travel up to the KI Road along the converted rail bed and then return along the same trail.

The Penquis Beekeepers' monthly meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the VFW on Cedar St. Anyone interested in learning about keeping bees is welcome to attend

The Three Rivers Milo-Brownville Kiwanis Club is pleased to give Book Awards in the amount of $500 to a pair of Penquis Valley High School graduates who apply for in the spring and complete their first semester of college.

The old bank building on East Main St. in Dover-Foxcroft has seen several tenants come and go over the past few years, leaving local residents hoping for a new business owner to come in with a fresh vision for the space, a new idea, product or service that will fill a gap in the town’s offerings. Now, it's a restaurant specializing in waffles.

When the former Guilford Primary building went up for sale last summer, the organization operating a fitness center at that location decided it was time to act.

Upcoming sporting events around the region.

The Piscataquis County Republican Committee will meet at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 at Mayo Regional Hospital in the Resource Center — please use the rear door of the building. U.S. Senate candidate Eric Brakey will be speaking at the meeting.

As the season whines down every game becomes crucial for a playoff spot. In an October 5 matchup of Class B North teams, the sixth-ranked MCI Huskies of Pittsfield came to play the upset minded No. 9 Ponies. Foxcroft came out on full force and met the challenge, coming out with a 6-1 win.

All pets are welcome to attend the Blessing of the Animals event at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 (after the 10:30 a.m. Mass) at St. Anne Church, 64 Free Street. As prayers are offered, the pets will be gently sprinkled with holy water. Please be sure your pets are properly secured.

Piscataquis Community High School celebrated the second induction into the PCHS Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 21.