Houlton's Troy Hipsley tries to avoid a tackle by Dexter's Tyler Chapman (22) and Cam Allen (7) during a Sept. 20 football game in Aroostook County. The visiting Tigers won 28-7.

In June, Gov. Janet Mills proposed a package of bonds that amounted to a whopping $239 million in new debt for the state of Maine. On Monday, Mills called for a special session of the Legislature to vote on many of these bonds, highlighting the most popular and widely supported among them by emphasizing the transportation bonds.

This weekend the annual Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming and Foxcroft Academy’s 2019 Alumni Weekend together will feature a number of events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A father and son from LaGrange have been accused of drug trafficking after drug agents say they seized nearly $15,000 worth of Oxycodone from their truck and home.

The Milo American Legion, 18 West Main Street, will be open on Wednesday, July 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. to assist with veterans assistance (VA issues and other benefits).

On Wednesday, July 3 at 1 p.m. the Abbott Memorial Library will be presenting a free wildlife program. Josh Spark of Spark’s Ark Animal Services in New Gloucester will be bringing some rehabilitated wild animals to show and share with local animal lovers.

Senior Chief Mark Melia, a native of Guilford and who has served 17 years in the U.S. Navy, is a master-at-arms and is the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Navy Element’s senior enlisted leader. As the senior enlisted leader, Malia’s job is the link between the enlisted community and the senior leaders.

Upcoming events around the region.

If you traveled to downtown Greenville this past summer you may have noticed someone sitting at a long table in front of the future home of the Puckerbrush Bar & Grille, formerly the Black Frog. It’s Charlie Boothby, the self-styled Ambassador to the Moosehead Lake Region. He has the ID tag to prove it, and wears a large floppy hat, and, during cooler weather, an old cowboy duster. He carries a large wooden staff decorated with fur.

Children's Heritage Day will be held at the Monson Museum on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Upcoming events around the region.

A 2018-19 academic year budget totaling $7,087,042, which includes a local assessment of just over $4,180,000, was approved by the SAD 4 school board during an April 10 meeting at Piscataquis Community Elementary School. The directors also set the district budget meeting for 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 3 at PCES.

At the March 23 all-school assembly to start the day six Students of the Month were named -- fifth-graders Lena Pearson and Devan Pelkey; sixth-grader Kaileigh Elderkin; seventh-graders Emma Calnan and Gracie Talbot; and eighth-grader Sydney Hutchins.

The Libertarian Party of Piscataquis County will hold a caucus at noon on Sunday, March 18 at Pat’s Pizza, 100 East Main Street.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville met with Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Denise Buzzelli, Chad Misery of Central Maine and Quebec Railway and Jon Seavey of Gordon Construction at the Derby Shop in Milo. The shop is under complete construction for future use by the Central Maine and Quebec Railway.

My week began with reading Bryan Stevenson's “Just Mercy,” a book recommended by Maine Hospice Council Executive Director Kandyce Powell. I've worked with Kandyce on prison hospice projects. Mr. Stevenson, a lawyer, heads up the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit engaged in pro bono work for the poor, children, and women.

The 11th annual Wilderness Sled Dog Race will take place Saturday, Feb. 3 in the forested mountain trails of the Moosehead Lake region. One of only three long-distance races in New England, the Wilderness Race will begin and end at Leisure Life Resort. A 70-mile race begins at 9 a.m. and a 36-mile race is also held beginning at 10 a.m.

Upcoming events across the region