A proposed $4,535,958 Piscataquis County budget for the 2019 calendar year, along with an Unorganized Territory (UT) budget of $1,756,657 for the 2019-20 fiscal year, was presented at a public hearing on Nov. 26 as part of the process by county officials for developing the pair of spending plans.

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.

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.

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.

In Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, Republican Marianne Lynch beat Democrat Joseph Belisle by a vote of 57.3 percent to 42.7 percent, according to unofficial returns. Lynch, who currently serves as deputy district attorney, was the chosen successor of longtime District Attorney R. Christopher Almy. He was first elected in 1986.

Last spring a referendum on an approximate $2.3 million funding package for a heating system upgrade, converting from steam to hot water, and energy efficiency project at the Penquis Valley School was voted down via a count of 166 to 111 across the four SAD 41 communities. The combined tally between Brownville, LaGrange, and Milo was 106 yes votes to 42 no votes, while in Atkinson the question was voted down 114 to 5 to result in the 166-111 overall tally. In the months since district officials have been discussing what to do next, and during a Nov. 7 meeting the possibility of a referendum without Atkinson was brought up.

Results from local races and referendums.

When Medford resident Diana Estey disappeared from her house on Nov. 2, 2016, neighbors noticed the lights had been left on overnight, and the front door was unlocked. Inside, they found the TV on, her purse on a table and her car keys in clear sight, according to Medford resident and friend Kent Black.

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.”

The district attorney’s race in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties is not as controversial as the Cumberland County contest or as expensive as the midcoast race. But both candidates -- Republican Marianne Lynch and Democrat Joseph Belisle -- have spent far more than the man they are hoping to replace spent over the past two decades in his re-election campaigns.

On Tuesday, Nov. 6 Piscataquis County residents will be heading to the polls -- please check with the town offices for specific times and locations -- to vote in the Maine gubernatorial election, make a choice for the Maine’s 2nd Congressional District representative and decide five state ballot questions. Residents will also vote for their respective Maine Statehouse representative and who will serve in the Maine Senate District 4 seat.

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.

On Tuesday, Nov. 6 Atkinson residents will be heading to the polls for a final vote on deorganization, which if passed would go into effect on July 1, 2019 with the municipality becoming part of the Pisctaquis County Unorganized Territory (UT). The town hall will be open for the referendum from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. Residents will also be voting on a question asking if the town shall withdraw from SAD 41.

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.

On Nov. 6, Maine voters will decide four questions asking to borrow a total of $200 million.

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.

A strong record of voting for the environment has earned Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft the support of Maine Conservation Voters.

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