Mayo Regional Hospital wishes to inform patients, families, and visitors that on Dec. 4 construction will start on the main lobby entrance of the hospital. Hospital officials are completing this project to provide a more private experience for patients when registering for care, as well as more comfortable seating while waiting.

Piscataquis County sets aside one day early in December to celebrate the wonder of Christmas and the magic of the holiday season. This year, Monson, Guilford (Nov.30), Milo, and Dover-Foxcroft are participating.

The Monson Public Library, newly relocated in the Monson Arts Center at 35 Greenville Road, is up and running. The new space was formerly a cafe in the Monson Community Center, and before that the library of the Monson Elementary School. It has come full circle in its return to now housing the town's public library. The space was recently renovated by the Libra Foundation as part of its investment in developing an artist program to help spur economic growth for Monson.

PCEDC is pleased to host a panel discussion and community conversation on Tuesday, Dec. 4, regarding challenges facing our workforce, resources for workforce development and training, and opportunities to assist residents and local business owners.

Mayo Regional Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock held a “Go Live” event on Oct. 29 to launch the Tele-Emergency program. Tele-Emergency services are now offered, 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Mayo Regional Hospital Emergency Department in addition to standard emergency care services.

The Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) has named Tom and Nancy Harrigan of Milo as the 16th recipients of the Warren “Pete” Myrick Award. Both Tom and Nancy Harrigan exemplify the criteria set by Pete Myrick, a Guilford resident, who was a longtime educator and founder of PCEDC. Criteria includes overall impact of the candidate’s accomplishments, the duration of the candidate’s engagement in community service activities, and the breadth of community involvement.

The numerous efforts to save the late 19th century-era Central Hall and transform the building on East Main Street into a community space -- now known as The Commons at Central Hall -- for the future have been recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

Maine State Grange Community Service Director Christine Corliss presents Lt. Jamie Kane of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office with the Maine State Grange Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and a check for a $100 donation to the charity of his choice. He selected the Valley Grange of Guilford as the recipient to “help with their Dictionary and Bookworm Programs.”

Following his remarks at the forum, U.S. Sen. King visited Pleasant River Lumber, a sawmill in Dover-Foxcroft, to hear about their ongoing investments, tour their new construction and meet with the management team to discuss job creation and economic development in rural Maine.

A Superior Court judge has put on hold the proposed merger of Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft and Brewer-based Northern Light Health, formerly known as Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

A pair of underground tanks were installed on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 25 at McKusick Petroleum’s Monument Square Gulf in Dover-Foxcroft by the intersection of West Main, East Main, and North streets.

With total operating expenses having surpassed net patient revenue for more than half a decade, Mayo Regional Hospital officials and its governing HAD 4 board of directors have been looking at options for the long-term future of the West Main Street facility. A possibility being explored is for Mayo Regional Hospital to become part of Eastern Maine Health System -- which at the start of the month took on the new name Northern Light Health -- and hospital officials were present at the Oct. 22 Dover-Foxcroft selectmen’s meeting to discuss the potential change.

In recognition of its many projects big and small across the region, the state, and beyond and numerous ways of giving back to the community, Gordon Contracting of Sangerville was selected as the 2018 Piscaaquis Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. The honor was formally bestowed to Owner/President Brian Howard, his wife Samantha Howard (who handles human resources for the company), and Gordon Contracting employees during the Chamber’s annual meeting on Oct. 18 at The Commons Event Center at The Commons at Central Hall.

The town council passed a moratorium ordinance regarding medical retail marijuana during an Oct. 11 meeting. The moratorium ordinance will be in effect for 180 days through May 11, 2019 -- 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.

It’s getting to be that special time of year and the Robinson Ballet Company of Bangor is including three Greenville girls in its Christmas performances. Robinson Ballet is a beloved, and as noted on its website, “premier performance company and dance school that offers education for people of all ages, abilities and aspirations and engages the community through dance.”

Business officials are excited to announce that Flying Dutchman Paintball has just reached a major milestone. On Oct. 10 they served their 50,000th player. Achieving this accomplishment is due in no small part to a focus on providing a quality experience and outstanding value to each and every one of their customers (that and maybe the fact they are just too stubborn to quit!)

The Charlotte White Center and Penquis, two prominent nonprofit service providers, announced the merger of the two organizations, effective Jan. 1, 2019.

Despite rain and cool temperatures, participants walked in an approximate two-mile color fun run/walk through town and others attended the pre- and post-event ceremonies during the Partners for Peace Dover-Foxcroft End Domestic Violence Day on the afternoon of Oct. 2. The day was the first of three -- observances are taking place later in the month in Lincoln and Bangor on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16 respectively -- hosted by the domestic violence resource center serving Piscataquis and Penobscot counties to encourage the community to take action.