Photo courtesy of Kate Taylor SPELLING WITH THE BEST OF THEM — SeDoMoCha Middle School sixth-grader Adam Taylor stands at the microphone during the 2017 Maine State Spelling Bee on March 25 at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Ryan Reardon, who grew up in Dexter and has worked in law enforcement since 1994 including for a time as the interim sheriff of Kennebec County, was appointed as the chief of the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department effective as of April 30, by the selectmen during a March 27 meeting.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — With the budget advisory committee having begun its work on the 2017-18 spending plan, a public hearing on the proposed budget was scheduled for the end of the month by the selectmen during a March 13 meeting.

Wilderness walk benefits veterans and families | DOVER-FOXCROFT — In July a contingent will be traveling nearly 120 miles over 10 days from downtown Monson to the summit of Mount Katahdin in the fourth annual Wilderness Walk for Warriors along the Appalachian Trail.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — After several meetings of the finance committee, RSU 68 officials continue their work creating a 2017-18 budget to bring forward to residents of Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson and Sebec in the late May.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Following the observance of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in February, the Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance — a community-based organization working to end domestic violence in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties — is working to keep the conversation going.

BANGOR — The Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) and presenting sponsor Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway has announced the winners of the 2017 Tourism and Hospitality Eagle Awards.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — With the budget advisory committee starting its work at the beginning of March, the selectmen now all have copies of the proposed 2017-18 spending plan.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom FIRE IN THE BROWNS MILL BOILER ROOM — A fire at the Browns Mill on the Vaughn Road in Dover-Foxcroft was quickly extinguished by a broken water main shortly after 9 a.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Two years after receiving a $250,000 memorial gift from a local family to help relocate and expand the oncology services at Mayo Regional Hospital, construction has begun on the new unit.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Since mid-January students and families at the SeDoMoCha Elementary School had the opportunity to read the junior novelization of the animated film “Finding Dory” at home together for the seventh annual One Book, One School initiative — copies of the book were provided by the school.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — With the initial meeting of the finance committee in the books, district officials are in the midst of their work to develop a 2017-18 academic year budget to bring forward to the voters of Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson and Sebec in the spring.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Statistics cited by the Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance — a community-based organization working to end domestic violence in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties — indicate that one in three teens will experience dating violence.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — What do you do when two young ladies approach you with an idea to benefit the community? You listen carefully.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — During the November election Maine residents approved a referendum concerning the possession and use of marijuana by those 21 and older which also allows for the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing and sale of marijuana and products subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Each year the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) holds an election of officers at the January board meeting.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Central Hall project, which is repurposing the late 19th century-era building on East Main Street and keeping the structure as a part of the community, is progressing and another step in the process will be carried out thanks to the generosity of a local business owner.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — During his time as a professional middleweight boxer as a teen and young adult Ray Ciancaglini took pride in having never been knocked out or even knocked down in the ring.