To county and UT budgets By Stuart HedstromStaff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — While everything is not quite finalized, the Piscataquis County Commissioners approved both the 2016 county budget and the 2016-17 Unorganized Territory (UT) budget during a Dec.

By Stuart HedstromStaff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — During the fall area residents had the opportunity to attend a public hearing with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Mary Mayhew, which gave them the opportunity to express concerns over a diminished agency presence and other challenges facing the area.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Palmyra Walmart and Walmart Foundation have given the Charlotte White Center a Community Grant of $1,000.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) presented on watersheds at the inaugural meeting of the STEM Science Club on Dec.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Foxcroft Academy Key Club students were busier than ever this Christmas season.

By Minnie McCormick DOVER-FOXCROFT — Thirteen members and one guest met at the beautifully decorated home of Barb Austin on Dec.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The first annual Dover-Foxcroft Window Dressers Community Build “wrapped up” on Friday, Dec.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The 32nd annual Christmas Bird Count of the Dover-Foxcroft area will be held on Monday, Dec.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — It has been several years since the Center Theatre and the Slightly Off-Center Players put on a production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” but it has been well worth the wait.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom Grace Greene, 8 of Dover-Foxcroft, was busy hauling boxed turkey dinners provided by the Abner Wade Masonic Lodge of Sangerville to those being served by the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis’ annual Christmas Project.

By Stuart HedstromStaff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — The calendar year may not yet be finished, but work on the 2016-17 RSU 68 budget has started.

By Stuart Hedstrom Staff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — Barbie has gone to high school, as Algebra I students in Ryan Nickerson’s class at Foxcroft Academy were tasked with working in small groups to use their knowledge of linear functions to calculate how many attached rubber bands are needed to drop a doll from the top of a second-story stairwell to get as close to the ground below as possible while avoiding contact.

 Through education in school-based programs By Stuart HedstromStaff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — For more than 20 years the Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance — several years ago the Piscataquis County-based Womancare merged with Spruce Run in Penobscot County — has shared its violence prevention programs in area schools.

 Celebrates the season with holiday door-decorating contest By Stuart HedstromStaff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — ‘Tis the season at the SeDoMoCha Elementary School as classroom doors were decorated around different holiday-themed books in a decorating door contest.

By Stuart HedstromStaff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — In mid-September Dover-Foxcroft selectmen had a meeting with organizers of a 300-plus signature petition concerning a proposed community bill of rights ordinance.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Thanks to a 60 percent increase in donors over last year’s participation numbers, Foxcroft Academy raised $15,816 during #GivingTuesday this year.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Leslie Lizotte LSW, community service specialist from the Eastern Area Agency on Aging, will be holding a Medicare 101 presentation in the Sebec Room at Mayo Regional Hospital on Thursday, Dec.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Monday, Dec.