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.

Citizens in Guilford, Parkman, Atkinson, and Sebec all voted Monday night in favor of moving forward with a merger between Mayo Regional Hospital and Northern Light Health. Guilford residents voted 48-4, Parkman residents voted 14-5, Atkinson residents voted 8-0 and Sebec residents voted 29-13, all in favor of the merger at special town meetings held Monday evening.

More than halfway through the process, seven of eight HAD 4 communities have given approval to the proposed merger between Mayo Regional Hospital and Northern Light Health, a statewide system comprised of hospitals across Maine.

Abbot resident Walter Boomsma of the Valley Grange, who also serves as communications director for the Maine State Grange, will appear on a one-hour program on Maine Public Radio Friday, May 3 starting at 1 p.m. The program is “Maine Calling” and will feature Boomsma and Past Master of the Maine State Grange Vicki Huff as studio guests discussing “The Role of the Grange in Maine.”

Just two days after marijuana enthusiasts celebrated their favorite vice on 4/20, the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy posted draft rules for the state’s coming regulated cannabis market.

Citizens in Milo voted in favor of moving forward with a merger between Mayo Regional Hospital and Northern Light Health, voting 25-0 in favor of the merger at an April 23 special town meeting.

Piscataquis County experienced the biggest gain in unit sales, up 30 percent to 56. But the median sale price dropped 10 percent to $106,000.