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.

Moses Burnham arrived at The Forks from Littleton, New Hampshire in 1836 as one of the incorporators of the Moosehead Lake Steam Navigation Company, the group that launched the first steamboat at Moosehead Lake in the spring of 1836. He took over an existing hotel at The Forks bridge, formerly operated by Edward G. Sturgis, of the Vassalboro Sturgis family.

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.

Several weeks after being elected as the new district attorney for Piscataquis and Penobscot counties -- Prosecutorial District 5 -- current Deputy District Attorney Marianne Lynch, R-Bangor met with the Piscataquis County Commissioners during their Nov. 20 meeting.

On Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. the Abbott Memorial Library hosts Andrew Bermudez, pastor of the First Free Baptist Church, who will present a program on the work camp which will be coming to Dexter in 2019.

For nearly three and a half decades individuals and families have been served free of charge by Pine Tree Hospice during the time of dying and bereavement. The organization’s volunteers exemplify caring, grace, and compassion, as stated on the cover of the 2018 annual report, among many other qualities one thinks of following the phrase “hospice is ....” All involved with and contributing to Pine Tree Hospice were honored during the annual meeting Nov. 15 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church.

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.

Mayo Regional Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock held a “Go Live” event on Oct. 29 to launch the Tele-Emergency program. Tele-Emergency services are now offered, 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Mayo Regional Hospital Emergency Department in addition to standard emergency care services.

With the first significant snowfall of the season, it’s time to think of all things Christmassy in Greenville. And what better way to kick things off than to participate in the annual Deck the Halls celebration, taking place all day on Saturday, Nov. 24.

Observer photo/Stuart HedstromCOLOR RUN FOR BRAYSON — A group of 57 runners/walkers, 20 Foxcroft Academy football players and five coaches volunteering, six Foxcroft Academy cheerleader volunteers, and 12 SeDoMoCha School staff members helping — for 100 total — braved the cold on the morning of Sunday, Nov.

The Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) has named Tom and Nancy Harrigan of Milo as the 16th recipients of the Warren “Pete” Myrick Award. Both Tom and Nancy Harrigan exemplify the criteria set by Pete Myrick, a Guilford resident, who was a longtime educator and founder of PCEDC. Criteria includes overall impact of the candidate’s accomplishments, the duration of the candidate’s engagement in community service activities, and the breadth of community involvement.

The numerous efforts to save the late 19th century-era Central Hall and transform the building on East Main Street into a community space -- now known as The Commons at Central Hall -- for the future have been recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

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.

Last spring a referendum on an approximate $2.3 million funding package for a heating system upgrade, converting from steam to hot water, and energy efficiency project at the Penquis Valley School was voted down via a count of 166 to 111 across the four SAD 41 communities. The combined tally between Brownville, LaGrange, and Milo was 106 yes votes to 42 no votes, while in Atkinson the question was voted down 114 to 5 to result in the 166-111 overall tally. In the months since district officials have been discussing what to do next, and during a Nov. 7 meeting the possibility of a referendum without Atkinson was brought up.