Food insecurity has become an increasing problem and Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard is attempting to do something about it in its little corner of the world.

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine will spend Saturday, May 25 visiting Milo and talking with constituents as he tours several venues in the area to begin the Memorial Day weekend. Local residents are encouraged to come out and meet with Golden and his staff at the American Legion in the morning and/or at Bissell Brothers Three Rivers in the afternoon.

On April 25 Dwight Kuhn of Dexter was awarded the Katahdin Award by the Maine Library Association for a lifetime contribution to children’s literature. Before an audience of over 400 librarians and book sellers, the illustrator graciously accepted his award and spoke about his career as a nature photographer and illustrator of children’s nature books.

A public hearing on bill “LD 1708” to amend the HAD 4 charter to authorize the merger between Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft and Northern Light Health, a statewide system comprised of hospitals across Maine, has been scheduled by the 129th Legislature’s state and local government committee for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15 in Augusta at the Cross Building, Room 214. More information is available at http://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/SLG.

Among the projects the department is putting off are the replacement of interstate highway overpasses in Bangor and Brewer, road resurfacing in Portland and the reconstruction of about 3 miles each of major state roads in Abbot and Van Buren.

The Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation (MLREDC) has agreed to terms with Lakeshore Ventures, LLC for the acquisition and redevelopment of a key piece of waterfront property in downtown Greenville.

Over the years Alden Gregory’s grade 5-6 science students at Piscataquis Community Elementary School have assembled models of various ecosystems, including the Arctic. Next month Gregory will be able to experience this environment in person as he has been chosen to join an international group in the “Leadership on the Edge” ClimateForce: Arctic 2019 program to study the impact of climate change on Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago north of the Arctic Circle, and the Arctic Ocean.

Honored as the 2019 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year is art educator Bobbi Tardif of SeDoMoCha Middle School in Dover-Foxcroft. Tardif is a resident of Corinna

Monson Arts -- a new arts center and artists’ residency program supported by the Libra Foundation -- will open a new exhibit on May 15 at its gallery in downtown Monson. “Artists of the Forest,” curated by folklorist Kathleen Mundell, features the work of six artists from Maine’s Northern Forest who work with one of the region’s most abundant resources- -- wood.

On Saturday, May 4 28 volunteers gathered in the community to help manage one of Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation (PCSWCD) properties, the Law Farm on Lee Cemetery Road. Among the crowd were the Cub Scout Pack 61, Brian Roth from the University of Maine School of Forest Resources, Unity College Trail Crew and East Sangerville Grange members.

The RSU 68 school approved a proposed budget for the 2019-20 academic year totaling $11,784,238 during a May 7 meeting at the Harland A. Ladd Municipal Building. This figure is up by nearly $225,000 (1.94 percent) from the current approximate $11.6 million spending plan.

On May 5 Dexter Hannaford organized a clean-up day around town with help from Dexter Recreation Department and Dexter Fire Department. Immediately after the cleanup, Hannaford put on a BBQ at the fire department for those who helped.

At the May 1 SAD 46 school board meeting the following students at the Tri-County Technical Center (TCTC) in Dexter were introduced for their recent achievements:

While most all-terrain vehicle riders are safe and respectful while operating their ATVs, some others aren’t. On May 1, Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced that she has formed an ATV Initiatives Task Force to address the riders who operate on the wrong side of the law, trespassing, damaging private land and making landowners reassess their access policies.

The Moosehead Cottage Resort, which sits on 15 private acres about three miles south of downtown Greenville, is now under new management.

Residents and/or town officials of 12 of the 13 Hospital Administrative District 4 member communities have voted in favor of the proposed merger between Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft and Northern Light Health, a statewide system comprised of hospitals across Maine.

Downtown Monson looks much different compared to several years ago through the efforts of the Libra Foundation, and a portion of West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft is also undergoing a transformation thanks to the Portland-based organization.

Michael and Wendy have joined the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce and look forward to building strong relationships with surrounding chamber business members. The Chamber will host a member-only open house at the Guilford Bed and Breakfast on Friday, May 10 from 6-8 p.m. Guests can expect light refreshments, homemade treats and door prizes. Please call 564-7533 to RSVP.