Piscataquis Community High School students Faith Ohlson, Sam Maines, Caleb Bailey and Tyler Libby, mentored by Thomas College student Megan Cousins, won the 2-foot trophy on Saturday. This is the first time students from PCHS have won this competition.

The executive committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is saddened to announce the resignation of Executive Director Christopher Winstead. On Dec. 4 Winstead notified the board of the PCEDC that he has accepted a position with Eastern Maine Community College. Winstead joined PCEDC in 2015, and served as executive director.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville has announced his bid for reelection in Senate District 4.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft will host the 17th annual Procrastinator’s Holiday Fair, Bake Sale and Raffle from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Piscataquis Community School students will be demonstrating their skills as classes, groups and individuals using their voices, instruments and movement on two separate nights during the holiday season.

Piscataquis County sets aside a day or two in early December to celebrate the wonder of Christmas and the magic of the holiday season. This year Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville (on Saturday, Nov. 30) Guilford, Milo, Monson, Sebec and Dexter are participating.

A proposed $4.8 million-plus Piscataquis County budget for 2020, along with a $1,804,670 Unorganized Territory budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, was presented at a public hearing on Nov. 25 as part of the process by county officials for developing the pair of spending plans.

For three and a half decades Pine Tree Hospice has served individuals and families, free of charge, during the time of dying and bereavement. The organization’s volunteers assist through all life changes -- as stated with the theme “Seasons of Change” on the cover of the 2019 annual report -- and those involved with and contributing to Pine Tree Hospice were honored during the annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church.

A week before the holiday, students at Piscataquis Community Elementary School enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal and were able to personally thank their teachers and school staff members.

The newest Students of the Month at PCES include fifth-graders Hailey Chambers, Olivia Goodwin and Desirae Maloon; Brady Ball and Molly Goodwin representing grade 6; grade 7 honorees Jordan Brown, Gavin Chase and Gabby Koscielny; and eighth-graders Braylin Bilodeau, Scott Chadbourne, Zachariah Demmer and Beau Talbot.

A number of area residents were recognized at the county-wide Spirit of American Awards ceremony Nov. 15 at the Valley Grange in Guilford.

This will be the 16th annual Thanksgiving dinner offered to the community, by the community. The meal is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28 at the Guilford United Methodist Church on the corner of North Main and School streets. Take out meals are available. Delivered meals and rides to the event are available.

State regulators have given preliminary support to a proposed merger of Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft with Northern Light Health, the statewide health care system that includes Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

Citing what they feel is a non-proportional expense and lack of benefits, the Piscataquis County Commissioners are considering ending membership in the Maine County Commissioners Association. The commissioners discussed the possibility during a Nov. 5 meeting and plan to attend a meeting with officials from other Maine counties also pondering an exit to learn more.

Anyone who suspects someone they know may be a victim of elder abuse or would like to know more about the topic and how to help is invited to a free elder abuse awareness and response workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 15 at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street.

Growing up in Dover-Foxcroft, Carlson Williams’ family often told stories about local history around the dinner table. One of his favorite tales to hear was also among the most gruesome: the story of the murder of Alvin Watson in the nearby town of Parkman in June 1881.

Piscataquis County winners of the 2019 Spirit of America Foundation Tribute for outstanding community service will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 15 starting at 7 p.m. at the Valley Grange Hall (172 Guilford Center Road). The event is open to the public.

Fifteen pupils in grades 5-8 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School are October Students of the Month. The month’s honorees were presented with certificates in front of their peers and teachers during an assembly in the cafeteria to start the day on Oct. 31.