During the annual Hometown Holidays Celebration on Dec. 1-2, 25 decorated trees and accompanying goods were on display at The Commons at Central Hall for the SeDoMoCha Middle School Builders Club’s fourth annual Miracle Tree Event.

The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office did not have to look far to find the the department’s next chief deputy with the hiring of Dover-Foxcroft Police Department Sgt. Todd Lyford, who also has served as a police chief in Brownville and Milo. Sheriff-Elect and current Chief Deputy Bob Young made the announcement during the Dec. 18 meeting of the Piscataquis County Commissioners.

A month after Lance Walker was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be a federal judge, he was assigned the case that could end up being the most important of his career. At the very least, it will be a long time before Walker presides over a case that draws the media attention U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s challenge to the constitutionality of ranked-choice voting in Maine did.

Maine’s 62 newest police officers have graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, including Stephen Garib of Dover-Foxcroft Police Department. The officers spent 18 weeks in study and training and most will begin patrolling immediately, in time for Christmas and New Year’s Eve enforcement efforts.

Recently Foxcroft Academy received word from International Baccalaureate (IB) that the school’s candidacy has been accepted to become a full IB Diploma Program school, with classes beginning at the start of the 2019-20 school year. Foxcroft Academy is making this bold move to better its mission and to better prepare students for the 21st-century workforce.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday, Dec. 11 upheld the murder conviction of the man who led authorities on the longest manhunt in state history. Robert Burton, 41, of Abbot is serving a 55-year sentence at the Maine State Prison in Warren for the slaying of his ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Ginn Gebo, 37, of Parkman after breaking into her home more than three years ago. A jury convicted him of murder in October 2017.

At the annual Christmas party at the Sebec Village Reading Room. Eliza Cary of Bowerbank had the opportunity to tell Santa what she wants for Christmas.

A Milo couple who over the last half decade have given back in the form of the Three Rivers Kiwanis Building, the Harrigan Learning Center & Museum, and the Milo-Brownville & Points North Visitor Center, all located in their hometown’s Eastern Piscataquis Business Park, have been honored as the 16th recipients of the Warren “Pete” Myrick Award by the Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC). Tom and Nancy Harrigan were presented with the honor on Dec. 10 at The Commons at Central Hall during the PCEDC annual meeting.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28 administrators from Foxcroft Academy and representatives from the Libra Foundation met for the first time with local town officials in regard to the newly named Piscataquis County Ice Arena being built in Dover-Foxcroft.

After nine years in business. Spencer’s Bakery & Café of Dover-Foxcroft closed its doors at 922 West Main Street at the conclusion of the lease. Within hours, community members began inquiring at the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, wondering what became of their beloved breakfast spot.

With the calendar year nearing an end, RSU 68 officials have started preparations for developing the 2019-20 budget. During a Dec. 4 school board meeting Superintendent Stacy Shorey said the directors have now all received a budget meeting calendar.

A week after the public hearing for the pair of spending plans, the Piscataquis County Commissioners approved a $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 during the Dec. 4 meeting.

TruStage, CUNA Mutual Group’s consumer insurance agency, is proud to announce Kholton Perry, 14, of Dover-Foxcroft has been named as one of 20 Community Spark Awards winners. The competition recognized exemplary young people from coast to coast who are actively taking strides to improve their communities through volunteer and community service activities. In recognition of Perry’s efforts, TruStage donated $1,000 to the JD Foundation of Abbot in support of Giving Tuesday on Nov. 27.

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.

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.

During a Nov. 20 assembly a number of pupils at the SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft were recognized as Students in the Spotlight. The assemblies are new to SeDoMoCha this year and are intended to celebrate a different positive attribute or characteristic each month. The monthly attribute is chosen from the Habits of the Mind, with perseverance being this month’s theme.

The SeDoMoCha Builders Club will again host and sponsor the Miracle Tree Event this year. The Miracle Tree Event will be held at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2.