On Tuesday, Nov. 6 Atkinson residents will be heading to the polls for a final vote on deorganization, which if passed would go into effect on July 1, 2019 with the municipality becoming part of the Pisctaquis County Unorganized Territory (UT). The town hall will be open for the referendum from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. Residents will also be voting on a question asking if the town shall withdraw from SAD 41.

With total operating expenses having surpassed net patient revenue for more than half a decade, Mayo Regional Hospital officials and its governing HAD 4 board of directors have been looking at options for the long-term future of the West Main Street facility. A possibility being explored is for Mayo Regional Hospital to become part of Eastern Maine Health System -- which at the start of the month took on the new name Northern Light Health -- and hospital officials were present at the Oct. 22 Dover-Foxcroft selectmen’s meeting to discuss the potential change.

On Nov. 6, Maine voters will decide four questions asking to borrow a total of $200 million.

A number of events are planned for the weekend and on Halloween as part of the annual Dover-Foxcroft Halloween BooNanza. A full schedule and more information is available at http://www.boonanza.info/.

Piscataquis County Democrats filled the East Sangerville Grange on Saturday, Oct. 20 for their annual fall fundraising dinner, this year promoted as the “Blue Wave” dinner. Over 100 individuals enjoyed a delicious meal of baked beans, ham, cole slaw, squash, and homemade breads and desserts prepared by a corps of volunteers throughout the day. Following the meal, local candidates spoke to the enthusiastic crowd who waved their blue napkins in support of the messages shared.

A Canadian citizen arrested near the St. Zacharie Port of Entry earlier this week and charged with entering the United States and hunting moose illegally has pleaded not guilty, officials said Friday.

In recognition of its many projects big and small across the region, the state, and beyond and numerous ways of giving back to the community, Gordon Contracting of Sangerville was selected as the 2018 Piscaaquis Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. The honor was formally bestowed to Owner/President Brian Howard, his wife Samantha Howard (who handles human resources for the company), and Gordon Contracting employees during the Chamber’s annual meeting on Oct. 18 at The Commons Event Center at The Commons at Central Hall.

A strong record of voting for the environment has earned Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft the support of Maine Conservation Voters.

In late July the Piscataquis County United Bikers of Maine took a ride to Moxie Falls, not only traveling to Somerset County for a picnic but to raise money for Pine Tree Hospice. Through ride proceeds, the group was comprised of 19 bikes and 22 people, T-shirt sales, and a raffle a total of $1,300 was raised for Pine Tree Hospice.

Two weeks after five bids were opened for the record management system at the Piscataquis County Registry of Deeds, the proposal made by Info Quick Solutions Inc. was approved by the county commissioners during an Oct. 16 meeting.

The town council passed a moratorium ordinance regarding medical retail marijuana during an Oct. 11 meeting. The moratorium ordinance will be in effect for 180 days through May 11, 2019 -- residents can still use medicinal and recreational marijuana within the law -- as the document covers the location, operation, permitting, approval or licensing of any medical marijuana retail stores, registered dispensaries, testing facilities, and manufacturing facilities in Dexter.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced that the Senate 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.

From a pool of 300 nominations to 16 county winners who were narrowed down to eight semifinalists and three finalists, there is only one 2019 Maine Teacher of the Year. The honoree is Piscataquis Community High School English teacher Joseph Hennessey and the award announcement was made by Maine Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Robert G. Hasson Jr. during an assembly in the gym on Friday, Oct. 12.

The Charlotte White Center and Penquis, two prominent nonprofit service providers, announced the merger of the two organizations, effective Jan. 1, 2019.

In May 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. In the months since district officials have been discussing what to do next, including at the Oct. 3 meeting.

Dover-Foxcroft town officials and Police Chief Ryan Reardon have been talking with administrators from RSU 68 and Foxcroft Academy about the possibility of a school resource officer working at the SeDoMoCha School and the secondary school. During an Oct. 2 school board meeting at the Charleston Community Center a proposal for the position, to be funded between the two school units and municipality for the 2019-20 academic year, was presented by Reardon.

The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM) has awarded an A rating to Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft. In 2016 he was awarded an A rating.

Police officials from across the region have announced their support for Marianne Lynch, R-Bangor for Piscataquis and Penobscot County district attorney.