In partnership with the United Way of Northeastern Maine, Helping Hands with Heart (HHH) has received one of six Early Childhood Community Planning Grants in the amount of $25,000 from The Maine Community Foundation. These funds will support a rigorous study of the region’s age 0-5 population, map community resources, identify barriers to early childhood education and develop local solutions intended to help communities ensure their youngest children are ready to learn and thrive when they begin school.

A Milo man died Wednesday night, Sept. 12 when his car rolled over on Route 16 in LaGrange, authorities said.

The man who killed his ex-girlfriend then led authorities on Maine’s longest manhunt has asked the state’s high court to reconsider his case.

On Sept. 7 the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) honored Alexandra Conover Bennett by presenting her with the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award at the East Sangerville Grange Farm-To-Table Suppah for her exceptional work over the years in natural resource ecology and education.

Pilots and spectators both flocked to Greenville over the weekend for the 45th annual International Seaplane Fly-In from Sept. 6-9. On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 8 crowds gathered on the shore of Moosehead Lake downtown to watch seaplanes land and take off from the water.

Reps. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, Thomas Skolfield, R-Weld, and Norman Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft, have formed the House Broadband Caucus to advocate for building out Maine’s broadband infrastructure in rural parts of the state.

The steamboat Katahdin, historic flagship for the Moosehead Marine Museum, is back to plying the waters of Moosehead Lake after engine failure on July 20 led to her being out of commission. Her engines have been replaced and she began her regular cruising schedule on Friday, September 7.

The Piscataquis County Commissioners recently filed a motion to intervene in the state’s lawsuit against the owner of Moosehead Mountain Resort in the Greenville and Moosehead Lake region. The motion to intervene is the most recent significant development in ongoing legal proceedings of consequence to the future of the ski resort and the economic health of the region.

Each year the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) recognizes a cooperator in Piscataquis County who has implemented exceptional conservation practices on their land. This year, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Maine Woods Initiative will be honored for their outstanding on-the ground conservation efforts, educational outreach and overall excellence in sustainable management of the land.

A hard-hitting thunderstorm blew through the woods and lakes north of Moosehead Lake on Aug. 29, churning the air at speeds that reached nearly 70 mph and indicating to the National Weather Service that Maine may have seen its first tornado of the year.

Three girls will reign as Miss Maple in three respective age groups for the next year after being crowned during the fourth annual Miss Maple Pageant on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 25 at the 131st Piscataquis Valley Fair.

The executive committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is seeking nominations for the annual Warren "Pete" Myrick Community Service Award, to be presented at the annual meeting of PCEDC in December. Meeting date and location will be disclosed soon.

Pleasant Meadows Estates is sporting a brand new flagpole at Dover-Foxcroft assisted living facility. Rep Paul Stearns, R-Guilford presented Administrator Kellie Brazier with a flag that was flown above the Maine State Capitol in honor of the residents and staff.

Trips into the state’s more remote places can come with all sorts of rewards. Just stepping off the beaten path -- hopefully out of cell phone range -- gives a person some peace and quiet that rarely exists in our busy lives. Add in a few wild animal sightings, and you’ve got the makings of a memorable day.

An Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facility Pilot Project involving four of the area’s school districts, the Tri-County Technical Center (TCTC) and the Jackman school system remains on a list of state fudning finalists. The local collaboration is again ranked third behind projects in northern and southern Aroostook County, the same position on several previous rating lists from earlier in the year.

Dispatchers with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office are currently using an antiquated radio system, with components dating to the 1980s. Dispatch Sgt. Gary Grant has been working for several years to upgrade the telecommunications division of the department through grants and other funding sources, but in order to complete the project more money is needed. The specifics are to be determined, but the Piscataquis County Commissioners passed a motion to proceed with an upgrade during an Aug. 21 meeting.

A legislative watchdog found “no evidence” that Gov. Paul LePage’s administration diverted public timber from Maine millowners because they criticized the governor, though there was “very little documentation” to back that finding.

Fisheries conservationists made passionate pleas Aug. 14 for state officials to reconsider a plan that would allow the introduction of Arctic charr into a brook trout water that has never been stocked, and which is included on Maine’s list of protected Heritage Fish Waters.