The SAD 4 school board gave approval to a 2020-21 budget totaling $7,397,862 during a May 12 meeting conducted remotely. The directors also scheduled the district budget meeting for Thursday, June 25 -- time to be announced at Piscataquis Community Elementary School. The total approved that evening will then be moved to a referendum for a “yes” or “no” vote on Tuesday, July 14 in the district member towns of Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville and Wellington.

The Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation proudly announces the name of the new waterfront park at 3 Lakeview Street in downtown Greenville – Crafts Landing and Park. Park Planning Committee members Tom Watt, a senior at Greenville High School whose grandparents lived across the street from the park, and EJ Richardson, the property owner and our partner on this project reviewed the history of the property and recommended its name.

On the list of "least welcome critters," many Mainers would put the porcupine somewhere between ticks and skunks. Dan Crocker of Exeter said he's never had much use for them, either. That's beginning to change, at least a little bit for him though, thanks to a baby albino porcupine that he's been seeing on his property.

The administration of Gov. Janet Mills announced that, effective immediately, Maine lodging providers can begin accepting future reservations for stays with an arrival date of June 1 and beyond for Maine residents and for non-residents who comply with the state’s 14-day quarantine requirement.

Teachers from all 16 of Maine’s counties were honored May 14 in a virtual announcement that was broadcast live on the Maine Department of Education Facebook page. Piscataquis Community High School English instructor Jessica Gregory was named the 2020 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year.

Maintaining your health is about more than just not contracting a deadly disease — even during the pandemic. But as the stay-at-home orders have dragged on, many of us have let our daily physical activity slide, which compromises our physical health in other ways. It’s time to change that.

Bissell Brothers Brewing had a product to sell in late March but suddenly lacked the most direct method of distribution -- its taprooms in southern and central Maine.

For the second time, Gov. Janet Mills extended her civil state of emergency proclamation for another month on Wednesday, giving her more time to access federal funding and use certain powers to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In a unique arrangement, four diverse Maine organizations are teaming up to address hunger relief and support Maine dairy farmers. Good Shepherd Food Bank, Pineland Farms Dairy Company, Libra Foundation and Dairy Farmers of America, will distribute thousands of pounds of cheese to food insecure Mainers through Maine’s emergency food distribution network.

The RSU 68 school board approved a proposed budget totaling  $11,970,877 for the 2020-21 academic year, during a May 12 meeting at the SeDoMoCha School streamed live via YouTube. The directors also scheduled the annual district budget meeting for Tuesday, June 23.

The group representing 115 Maine communities that send their waste to a new plant in Hampden has made a loan of $1.5 million to the facility to help it make improvements after its first six months of regular operations brought in lower-than-expected revenues.

Jokingly referred to as the “Maine State Bird,” black flies are one aspect of the Maine outdoors that most people would prefer didn’t exist. Dotting the air in early spring, these tiny bugs have an annoying habit of flying into people’s eyes and ears. And their bites can be especially itchy.

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former police officer against the Penobscot County district attorney because the complaint was filed too late.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all facets of the nation’s economy, including government coffers at the state and municipal level. Dover-Foxcroft officials are anticipating a near $212,000 combined shortfall between state revenue sharing and excise tax but adjustments have been made in the 2020-21 town budget.

The Piscataquis County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded $40,850 in grants to several nonprofits.

The virtual announcement will be streamed live on the Maine Department of Education Facebook page. The pictures and a recording of the presentation will also be available after the announcement.

More than 60 Maine nonprofits have received nearly $900,000 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for COVID-19 relief efforts, including Maine Highlands Senior Center dba The Commons at Central Hall of Dover-Foxcroft and Penquis.

The Dexter Police Department and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency have announced the arrest of a Dexter couple for Class A aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs and three others for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs.