The Libra Foundation investment in Piscataquis County, which includes revitalizing downtown Monson and the planned construction of an ice arena on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft, is continuing as the Portland-based organization is donating $20,000 to fund equipment to improve emergency communications for the Monson and Dover-Foxcroft fire departments.

The Butter Stick Bakery on East Main Street was formally welcomed to the area with a Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 24.

The Maine Warden Service was recently provided with a special gift, one that is at the heart of any outdoor enthusiast who loves a good Maine winter. Nine pair of genuine, Maine-made snowshoes were donated to the newest graduating class of game wardens to use in their missions that range from fish and wildlife conservation, search and rescue and public safety.

The Northern and Eastern Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized community members who have gone above and beyond in service to others at its 21st annual Real Heroes Breakfast on March 21. The 2018 Real Heroes include Officer Kenneth Spaulding Dexter Police Department, who was presented with the Community Hero Award.

Kaitlyn Webber, a senior at Dexter Regional High School and the daughter of Kevin and Nichole Webber of Garland, has been selected to receive the 2018 Principal's Award, Principal, Stephen Bell announced. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals' Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior's academic achievement and citizenship.

At the March 23 all-school assembly to start the day six Students of the Month were named -- fifth-graders Lena Pearson and Devan Pelkey; sixth-grader Kaileigh Elderkin; seventh-graders Emma Calnan and Gracie Talbot; and eighth-grader Sydney Hutchins.

A snow storm may have moved the event back a week from the 14th day of the third month of the year to March 21, but the enthusiasm was not dampened as students and teachers at SeDoMoCha Middle School celebrated the sixth annual Pi Day with various events connecting to the dessert which is a homophone of the term for the non-terminating ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

The Shaw Public Library recently received a $400 grant from the Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. Library director Linda Wohlforth said the grant will be used to support the purchase of the collection development of a new genre of book titles which will be called “New Age/New Adult.”

Last fall more than a dozen small aircraft landed at Old Orchard Beach to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s unexpected landing at the spot in the Spirit of St. Louis and in the process raised thousands of dollars for Make-A-Wish Maine. Jim Crane of Exeter was one of the pilots who took part “Wings 4 Wishes” in York County, and he is looking to hold a similar fly-in by Lake Wassookeag in early August.

Five students artists will each have a hand in designing a new patch for the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department, town officials announced during a March 12 selectmen’s meeting.

At the March 18 meeting of Guilford American Legion Post 119 Collin Bickford of Abbot, center, was presented a certificate for his 50 years of continuous membership in the American Legion.

A historic inn located on Chesuncook Lake in the Moosehead Lake region was destroyed by fire early on the morning of Saturday, March 17. The Chesuncook Lake House, located on Chesuncook Lake and accessible through a 52-mile drive up the Golden Road and another 15 miles on snowmobile trail, lost everything to the blaze, but everyone at the inn escaped without injury.

Penobscot County’s longtime Democratic district attorney will not run for re-election, leaving an open path for one of his colleagues to replace him. R. Christopher Almy, D-Charleston, indicated he would run for re-election when he filed signed nomination papers to the Maine secretary of state earlier this month.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville testified before the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on March 16 in support of LD 1810, “An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Expedited Permitting for Wind Energy Development.” His testimony was as follows:

Maine’s Libra Foundation, as part of its broader efforts to rekindle new activity and investment in Piscataquis County, is constructing a state-of-the-art ice arena on property adjacent to Foxcroft Academy.

The Piscataquis Community High School Drama Club won a second-place trophy at the Maine Drama Festival on March 10 in Skowhegan. The name of the club’s production was “TATTERED,” a student-written play on the effects of bullying cyberbullying and suicide with the message … words hurt.

Maine Drug Enforcement Agents (MDEA) have arrested a couple from Brownville and charged them with selling heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine in Piscataquis County.

On Feb. 19 a new business opened in Dover Foxcroft. When one walks into the Butter Stick Bakery, located on East Main Street in the same space previously occupied by Shiretown Pizza, they will feel like stepping back into another era and the journey is delicious.