Schools in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties will remain closed for at least another month, through the normally scheduled week of April vacation.

As part of its ongoing development of programs with area schools, Monson Arts sponsored two visiting artists in classrooms during the month of February.

Registered Maine guides are among those in industries in which face-to-face service is an essential part. But as spring and early summer fishing seasons near, some guides have already begun seeing a dropoff in reservations due to the COVID-19 virus.

Piscataquis County Democrats gathered for party caucuses in 15 communities throughout the region on March 8.  Close to 100 individuals rallied to Rise and Organize! in four locations including Greenville, Guilford, Dover-Foxcroft and Milo.

To our friends and supporters of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft Food Cupboard and SoupsStock 2020 we regret to inform you that SoupStock 2020 as we know it has become a casualty of COVID.19. The supper planned for Saturday, April 4 is now postponed. Instead, baring an enforced lockdown, all the beautifully handcrafted bowls will be on display at the church from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 4.

SeDoMoCha Middle School grade 6 social studies teacher Chris Miller received a $1,000 grant from Maine Agriculture in the Classroom. The grant is to purchase a portable aquaponics system for elementary classrooms and to upgrade the current system.

Due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19 the town of Dover-Foxcroft has made the following changes to its operations effective immediately: 

Camden National Bank announced it will be implementing new precautionary measures to support public health efforts to manage the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) while continuing to provide full banking services to its customers. Starting March 18, Camden National Bank will be offering drive-up only service at the majority of its banking center locations, with in-person visits by appointment only at those locations. For locations without a drive-up window, the bank will be limiting the number of customers inside at any given time.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)/MIOSAC Club meeting for Feb. 4 was held at Thayer Parkway. President Suzanne Raymond called the meeting to order with 11 members present. Diane Leighton and Brenda Quiet were hostesses for the evening. Program chairman was Wendy Hutchins.

With school closed through at least Friday, March 27 due to the coronavirus pandemic, RSU 68 students will be learning via distance rather than in the classroom. The RSU 68 school board approved a formal motion to change the manner of instruction to distance learning while school is not in session, during an emergency meeting on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 17 at the SeDoMoCha School.

All five of the region’s school districts will be closed through at least late in the month in response to the coronavirus.

Rebekah Anderson, owner of the popular Lakeshore House in Monson, has always been a civic-minded person, and in early January, she really stretched herself by traveling to Africa to assist the organization Eagle Projects International as they disseminated medical supplies and reading glasses to tribal groups in the wilds of Kenya.

It is absolutely amazing and so gratifying how the entire community comes together every year to provide for the children of our area at Christmas. Now an unexpected crisis is at our doorstep.

With an effort to support social distancing and reduce potential exposure to COVID-19 within the Piscataquis community, the Piscataquis Regional YMCA announced that the facility will close on Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27.

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."

The board of directors for Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo/Brownville have decided to suspend meetings for Wednesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 25. Due to the Covid-19 virus the board is taking every precaution to keep people safe and healthy.

The woods and waters of what is now Piscataquis and Aroostook counties were largely uncharted territory for the people of European descent in Maine in the years prior to statehood in 1820.

The Narrow Gauge Riders Snowmobile Club is again conducting the annual Lake Hebron Ice Out Contest. Guess the closest date and time, without going over, of ice out on Lake Hebron and win $150. All proceeds will go to support club equipment, grooming and other trail maintenance.