A Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant who goes above and beyond the call of duty and who gives back in other ways has been honored by the Valley Grange with the organization’s 2018 Community Citizen of the Year honor. Lt. Jamie Kane received the recognition on the evening of May 18 at the Grange Hall.

On May 16 Dover-Foxcroft Police Department officers were called to investigate a suspicious person, associated with a domestic case of harassment and stalking. The suspect Edward Crooks, 40, of Dexter, was suspected of continued harassment of a female victim. Officers were seeking to make contact with Crooks who was believed to be intoxicated at the time and driving a silver or tan colored Chevy Trailblazer.

Four years ago residents approved an ordinance concerning private distribution corridors, including paved highways, pipelines and high-tension transmission lines. The moratorium enacted in 2014 -- meaning permits for these types of development projects cannot be granted during the timeline -- was in effect for 180​ ​days.​ ​The​ ​moratorium​ ​has​ ​since​ ​been​ ​renewed​ ​seven ​times​ ​with​ ​the​ ​current​ ​extension​ ​in​ ​place​ ​through​ ​May 25. During a May 14 meeting, the selectmen approved another 180-day extension which will be in effect from May 26 to Nov. 21.

The man accused of stealing a Dexter police cruiser while handcuffed last week and leading police on a high-speed chase down rural roads remained in jail Wednesday, May 16 after making his first court appearance earlier in the day at the Penobscot Judicial Center.

To approve a 2018-19 school budget totaling $7,087,042?

A Dexter business owner is offering a newly rehabbed restaurant space in the heart of town at a deep discount: free rent and taxes for a year. As part of a five-year lease, all the tenant must pay for during the first year is utilities.

The handcuffed man who stole a Dexter police cruiser last week was released from a Bangor hospital Monday and then charged for the theft, authorities said.

Visitors young and old were able to learn about the life of Anne Frank and think about how lessons from Europe during World War II can be applied today as the “Anne Frank: A History for Today” traveling exhibit was on display at The Commons at Central Hall from May 2-11.

After a decade of efforts to preserve and rebuild the more than 135-year-old Central Hall on East Main Street, the new look and renamed The Commons at Central Hall was formally opened to the public with a ceremony on the afternoon of May 12. The facility will now house an event center on the upper level and senior center and adult day services center is planned for the future on the first floor.

The Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year is Joseph Hennessey of Piscataquis Community High School, who teaches English at the school in the Guilford.

To approve 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?

The hunt for an armed 22-year-old man who stole a marked Dexter Police Department cruiser during the late morning on Friday, May 11 ended that afternoon when the suspect got behind the wheel of another car and crashed, authorities said.

The Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation has awarded Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine’s largest hunger-relief organization, a $200,000 grant to fund strategies for eliminating food insecurity in Piscataquis County and central Maine, including Dexter.

A proposed budget totaling $11,559,908 and 11 budget warrant articles making up the spending plan were approved by the RSU 68 school board during a May 8 meeting at the SeDoMoCha School. The directors also scheduled the annual district budget meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29 with an information session right before at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria/multipurpose room.

Greta Schroeder of Biddeford has been hired as the new director of library services for the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. Schroeder, who starts in her new position on May 18, will replace Helen Fogler, who is retiring after serving for 21 years in that role.

The search for the next principal of the Penquis Valley School is now underway, with interviews scheduled for later in the month, the school board learned during a May 2 meeting.

On Thursday, May 17 there will be two assemblies held in SAD 41 schools to honor 34 students who will be awarded $100 scholarships from the Maine College Circle’s College Aspirations Scholarship program.

Players, coaches, teams and individuals who have made significant contributions to the Piscataquis Community High School athletic program and/or past educational institutions in towns that today are part of SAD 4 will have the opportunity to be honored in the newly-formed PCHS Athletic Hall of Fame.