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.

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.

Results from local races and referendums.

Piscataquis Community High School students, athletes and those enrolled in physical education classes alike, now have the opportunity to improve their strength and health in the school’s new weight room. Located in a classroom space near the library the weight room features machines, presses, and dumbbells to provide a place for Pirates to exercise at no charge.

GUILFORD — Volunteers will not need any knitting skills to take part in a blanket-making event later in the month at the Valley Grange.

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.

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.

From a pool of 300 nominations to 16 county winners who were narrowed down to eight semifinalists and three finalists, there is only one 2019 Maine Teacher of the Year. The honoree is Piscataquis Community High School English teacher Joseph Hennessey and the award announcement was made by Maine Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Robert G. Hasson Jr. during an assembly in the gym on Friday, Oct. 12.

Business officials are excited to announce that Flying Dutchman Paintball has just reached a major milestone. On Oct. 10 they served their 50,000th player. Achieving this accomplishment is due in no small part to a focus on providing a quality experience and outstanding value to each and every one of their customers (that and maybe the fact they are just too stubborn to quit!)

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

Police officials from across the region have announced their support for Marianne Lynch, R-Bangor for Piscataquis and Penobscot County district attorney.