For the fifth consecutive year a contingent -is hiking approximately 120 miles over a week and a half from downtown Monson to the summit of Mount Katahdin through the 100-Mile Wilderness along the northernmost section of the Appalachian Trail to raise funds through pledges. This year’s “Honor Rocks” hike supports the Wilderness Walk for Warriors, an organization that raises money for Maine veterans and service members and their families and honors the nation’s fallen heroes through a motto of “Assisting the Living, Honoring the Deceased.”

Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft and Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham have announced the establishment of a Broadband Caucus of members of the Legislature to promote the development of high speed Internet in Maine. The bipartisan caucus will provide information and updates on current local and statewide initiatives in preparation for the 128th Legislature.

Caleb Ball's wife Lea has a popular hair salon in downtown Greenville. She’s been my “go to” for years. On my last visit I noticed intriguing bottles of products for hair, skin and lips on her counter. There was “Oats and Aloe” lotion, which smelled heavenly, and hair products like a shampoo named “Smell My Coconuts” and leave-in conditioner “Pull My Hair.” And then Lea mentioned she had used Caleb’s products on me during my visit.

On July 5 the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a 21-year-old female hiking southbound on the Appalachian Trail (AT) complaining of nausea near the Wilson Valley Lean-to. Four game wardens from the Greenville area responded along with Greenville Fire Department, Monson Fire Department and C.A. Dean Memorial Hospital EMS personnel.

The Piscataquis County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded more than $55,000 in grants to eight nonprofits located across the region.

A former Foxcroft Academy soccer star is again helping dozens of young players in kindergarten through grade 8 improve their skills on the pitch through his annual Ayala Soccer Academy. The third annual camp run by 2016 Foxcroft Academy graduate Tino Ayala was held in Dover-Foxcroft from June 25-29.

The fifth annual event is set for Saturday, July 7 with a pre-hike ceremony and American Legion Post 116 barbecue, live music by rock band Recall, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes to all start around noon. For more information, please see the Wilderness Walk for Warriors Facebook page.

Darcie Fournier of Milford has been hired as the new AOS 43 assistant superintendent/curriculum coordinator. The action was taken by the AOS 43 board of directors at a June 18th board meeting.

Summer is finally here and the Greenville Recreation Department, under the able leadership of Director Sally Tornquist, has many offerings to make this special time of year adventurous and fun.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the nomination of Maine Superior Court Justice Lance Walker, a native of Piscataquis County, to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. His nomination will now be considered by the full Senate.

Voters approved a 2018-19 school budget totaling $9,077,841

A Connecticut man accused of shooting a Garland resident in his home on April 19 was indicted Wednesday, June 27 by the Penobscot County grand jury on one count each of robbery and elevated aggravated assault. Neftali Colon, 34, of Hartford remained at the Penobscot County Jail unable to post $200,000 cash bail.

The handcuffed man accused of stealing a Dexter police cruiser in May was indicted Wednesday, June 27 on unrelated charges for allegedly stealing a car in January. A Penobscot County grand jury indicted Tyler D. Tibbetts, 22, on two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, driving after his license was revoked and attaching false plates, according to the Penobscot County District Attorney’s office.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine recently met with Kaitlin Young, general and vocal music teacher at SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School, in her Washington, D.C., office. Young is the recipient of the 2018 Maine Teacher of the Year Award. She has taught at the SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft for eight years and was previously named the 2017 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year.

Students at the SeDoMoCha School will have a new principal when they return to classes in several months as the RSU 68 board of directors unanimously (7-0) voted to employ Ridge View Community School of Dexter Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Adam Gudroe during a June 19 meeting.

In order to get started to fulfill its mission of helping end food insecurity and increase the vitality of the agricultural economy of Dover-Foxcroft and surrounding communities, the Piscataquis Regional Food Center (PRFC) is applying for $50,000 in federal funding through the 2018 USDA Rural Development Community Facilities grant program. As part of the application process, a public hearing was held during the selectmen’s meeting on June 18.

The Center Theatre and lead sponsor Shaw's Supermarket announced that 7,000 people attended the 2018 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on Saturday, June 23. The festival brings bakers from around the state together with artists, crafters, and vendors to celebrate the whoopie pie, Maine's Official State Treat.

Rep. Paul Stearns, R-Guilford is pleased to announce that he has recently received an endorsement from the Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund.