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.

Despite rain and cool temperatures, participants walked in an approximate two-mile color fun run/walk through town and others attended the pre- and post-event ceremonies during the Partners for Peace Dover-Foxcroft End Domestic Violence Day on the afternoon of Oct. 2. The day was the first of three -- observances are taking place later in the month in Lincoln and Bangor on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16 respectively -- hosted by the domestic violence resource center serving Piscataquis and Penobscot counties to encourage the community to take action.

It was a case of just having to get away, and what better idea than a short fall fishing trip with friends. They nicknamed me Scoop a long time ago from newspaper work and I thought writing about it would be fun. We traveled to Nesowadnehunk Wilderness Camps in the northern reaches of Piscataquis County. Pronounced Sow-da-hunk by the local folk, this lake is the largest fly-fishing-only lake in Maine.

The Maine Department of Corrections Mountain View Correctional Facility completed its American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditation audit on Oct. 3, achieving a score of 99.6 percent of all standards.

The first versions of the 2019 Piscataquis County budget and 2019-20 unorganized territory (UT) budget have been finalized as drafts of each spending plan was presented to the county commissioners during an Oct. 2 meeting.

It is with great pleasure that the Baxter State Park Authority announces the appointment of its new Baxter State Park Chief Ranger, Donald Bolduc.

On Sept. 21 the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) honored the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Maine Woods Initiative as the 2018 Cooperator of the Year. The award was presented at Medawisla Lodge for exceptional on-the-ground conservation efforts, educational outreach and overall excellence in sustainable management of the land.

An injured hiker was airlifted out of Baxter State Park to Millinocket Municipal Airport on Sept. 27 by Maine Forest Service helicopter. The 57-year-old woman from western Maine suffered an angulated ankle fracture as she ascended the Chimney Pond Trail the evening before.