With the current academic year nearing the halfway point, RSU 68 district officials have started work on developing the budget for 2020-21.

A $4.8 million-plus Piscataquis County budget for 2020, along with a $1,804,670 Unorganized Territory budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, were both formally approved and signed by the county commissioners during a Dec. 10 meeting.

The 2019 riding season has come to a close for the Piscataquis County United Bikers of Maine. As usual, members have had a very busy year. Each winter, they plan their rides for the spring, summer and fall. Along with many fun rides, they also plan several rides to benefit local charities and individual people in the county.

There will be a meeting of the Piscataquis County Republican Committee on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Mayo Regional Hospital Resource Center. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

The Commons at Central Hall has been selected as one of three sites in Maine to oversee a new program aimed at improving the quality of care for older adults diagnosed with dementia. The Northern New England Network, the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging and national healthcare consulting company, Qualidigm, brought together key leaders within nine communities (three per state) across northern New England to work together to identify and share successful approaches, models and supports that can improve the health, care and care coordination of community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with dementia, as well as their care partners.

A former technology storage area off the SeDoMoCha Middle School art classroom is now a space for students to try their hand at metalworking and plans are being made for area residents to learn new skills through adult education offerings at the site. Following two years of planning and construction, with contributions from many community partners, the metalworking studio is now fully equipped after initially opening last year.

The SeDoMoCha Builders Club will host the Miracle Tree event this weekend at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec 7 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The executive committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is saddened to announce the resignation of Executive Director Christopher Winstead. On Dec. 4 Winstead notified the board of the PCEDC that he has accepted a position with Eastern Maine Community College. Winstead joined PCEDC in 2015, and served as executive director.

The Hon. Kevin Stitham of Dover-Foxcroft has been nominated for reappointment to the Maine District Court for his fourth term. The Hon. Stitham was first sworn in on Sept. 2, 1998 and previously practiced law in Piscataquis County for over 20 years.

For both Dan and Karen Cashman, childhood revolved around books. With mothers who were librarians, they were each exposed to reading at an early age. They devoured timeless favorites like Ramona Quimby and the Berenstain Bears as well as authors like Roald Dahl.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville has announced his bid for reelection in Senate District 4.

Several weeks after the selectmen passed a motion to focus on a solar project at an alternate site other than the town airport at the Charles A. Chase Jr. Memorial Field on Pine Street town officials hope to keep the momentum aloft with the establishment of an airport advisory committee. A half dozen committee members representing the board and the public were appointed during a Nov. 26 meeting at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building.

At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at The Commons at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft, a free video presentation, “Supplements: Treatment Without Side Effects to Heal Mental Illness,” will be shown. Participants will learn about the most significant minerals, vitamins, amino acids, herbs and other natural substances and how to use them to prevent and heal mental health challenges.

Piscataquis County sets aside a day or two in early December to celebrate the wonder of Christmas and the magic of the holiday season. This year Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville (on Saturday, Nov. 30) Guilford, Milo, Monson, Sebec and Dexter are participating.

A proposed $4.8 million-plus Piscataquis County budget for 2020, along with a $1,804,670 Unorganized Territory budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, was presented at a public hearing on Nov. 25 as part of the process by county officials for developing the pair of spending plans.

The honorees are Bryson Feltis, kindergarten; Lyric Reed, grade 1; Madison Weymouth, grade 2; Ryan McGary, grade 3; Aislinn Miller, grade 4; Sullivan Carey, elementary unified arts; Thomas Atwater, grade 5; Daniel Turgeon, grade 6; Emily Greenlaw, grade 7; Jack Kingsbury, grade 8; and Tyler Sandberg, middle school unified arts.

For three and a half decades Pine Tree Hospice has served individuals and families, free of charge, during the time of dying and bereavement. The organization’s volunteers assist through all life changes -- as stated with the theme “Seasons of Change” on the cover of the 2019 annual report -- and those involved with and contributing to Pine Tree Hospice were honored during the annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church.

A number of area residents were recognized at the county-wide Spirit of American Awards ceremony Nov. 15 at the Valley Grange in Guilford.