Earlier in the month Dexter residents voted down five non-binding advisory questions on marijuna businesses which were developed through a community task force comprised of town officials, business owners and citizens. The group held its first post-election meeting with a forum on June 25 to discuss possible next steps with about two dozen attendees present.

A 61-year-old man from Utah was airlifted off the Hamlin Ridge trail on Mount Katahdin early Monday morning, June 24 after a long struggle to descend to Chimney Pond. He suffered injuries from a 10- to 15-foot fall on the Cathedral trail on the afternoon of Saturday, June 22.

Bangor Savings Bank had a big year in 2018, bringing in record-breaking earnings, acquiring a New Hampshire bank and completing the construction of a new campus on the Bangor waterfront, where about 400 people now work. Bangor Savings Bank has area branches in Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft and Greenville.

Two Pennsylvania men in their 50s were rescued off the southeast side of the Knife Edge below Pamola Peak on Mount Katahdin through the coordination of Mahoosuc Volunteer Search and Rescue, Baxter State Park rangers and the Maine Forest Service on Saturday, June 22. Both men suffered no injuries and walked down the Helon Taylor trail to safety by 1:30 that morning.

It was a sweet day in Maine as 7,500 people attended the 10th anniversary edition of the annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on Saturday, June 22. Those passing through the entrance gates celebrated the taste of tens of thousands of whoopie pies, enjoyed other food, games, live music and hundreds of artists, crafters and vendors.

A LaGrange man who helped rescued a woman trapped inside her burning car that had struck a tree in Bangor last November was among the honorees during the Maine State Police Awards June 21 at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.

Six new law enforcement teams of police and their canine partners graduated from the State Police Canine School on June 21 The officers and their dogs have spent the past 14 weeks training across the state in various locations and conditions.

The Piscataquis County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded $30,949 in grants to six nonprofits.

A week after a $11,784,238 RSU 68 budget for the 2019-20 academic year was approved by a combined count of 249-50 across the four district communities, the school board set the assessments for Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft and Monson and Sebec during a June 18 meeting at the SeDoMoCha School.

All children under the age of 18 will again be able to enjoy free summer meals across town, with no sign up required. The summer meals schedule is as follows:

A proposed 2019-20 SAD 41 budget of $9,639,532 was approved with all 15 articles passing with minimal discussion over 15 minutes during the annual district meeting June 13 at the Penquis Valley School. The approximate $9.6 million total is now moved to a referendum in the district towns of Brownville, LaGrange and Milo on Thursday, June 27 for a “yes” or “no” vote.

Next month a new county manager will start work as the Piscataquis County Commissioners appointed Michael L. Williams of Greenbush to the position during a June 18 meeting. Williams will start work on Monday, July 8, succeeding the retiring Tom Lizotte.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The 10th anniversary Maine Whoopie Pie Festival will take place on Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.

Marilyn Blais is the grand prize winner in the Piscataquis Observer’s annual Find the Whoopie Pie Contest. Blais was chosen from a pool of 10 weekly winners in which entrants successfully located a whoopie pie hidden in one of that week’s advertisements. Blais won a basket of goodies including Maine Whoopie Pie Festival and Piscataquis Observer prizes.

An entirely new camping experience will be offered at state parks throughout Maine this summer, and it involves spacious canvas tents, stylish picnic areas and tiny wood stoves that will keep campers warm on chilly nights.

A pair of Piscataquis Community High School students placed in the top three of the 2019 Camden Conference high school essay contest which focused on this year’s session theme “Is This China’s Century?” PCHS Class of 2019 Valedictorian Jennifer Simon earned second-place honors in the Camden Conference Bill Taylor Essay Contest with “A Global Solution.” Placing third was rising PCHS senior Caitlyn Drinkwater with “Human Rights in China.”

New Powerline Construction Inc. owner Klay Stevens is a first-class lineman that is not only well respected in his field, but also known for his strong work ethic, knowledge and engaging personality. He has experience in all areas of utility work and comes from a family of linemen. Stevens has access to many experienced linemen, who will provide consultation and knowledge to all areas of his business.

Every time I drive by the depot in Greenville Junction where it perches jauntily alongside the tracks, I think of the icon that old building is, with its unique “witches hat” roof covering the ladies waiting room.