On Saturday, May 4 28 volunteers gathered in the community to help manage one of Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation (PCSWCD) properties, the Law Farm on Lee Cemetery Road. Among the crowd were the Cub Scout Pack 61, Brian Roth from the University of Maine School of Forest Resources, Unity College Trail Crew and East Sangerville Grange members.

Off to the East, behind Pagoda Peak, dawn was creeping upward. In the crimson half light, my horse picked its way along the rocky, mud-frozen pack trail. The boss, an elk outfitter I worked for, had given me the morning off and a loaned horse to get to the elk country above the Beaver Creek basin in Colorado.

On Saturday, May 4 American Legion Unit 41 Auxiliary of Milo hosted a luncheon to thank area first responders. There were 35 in attendance, representing the Milo Police Department, Three Rivers Ambulance and the Milo, Brownville, Sebec and LaGrange fire departments. Each organization was presented with a plaque and certificate in recognition of all the work done to protect the communities.

The RSU 68 school approved a proposed budget for the 2019-20 academic year totaling $11,784,238 during a May 7 meeting at the Harland A. Ladd Municipal Building. This figure is up by nearly $225,000 (1.94 percent) from the current approximate $11.6 million spending plan.

When passion of a livelihood is merged with classroom curriculum and shared with students through life experiences, you have an amazing educator on your hands. The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is pleased to announce the 2019 Outstanding Conservation Educator of the Year, Rob Weber of Foxcroft Academy.

On May 5 Dexter Hannaford organized a clean-up day around town with help from Dexter Recreation Department and Dexter Fire Department. Immediately after the cleanup, Hannaford put on a BBQ at the fire department for those who helped.

At the May 1 SAD 46 school board meeting the following students at the Tri-County Technical Center (TCTC) in Dexter were introduced for their recent achievements:

The SAD 46 school board approved a proposed 2019-20 budget totaling $14,550,306 during a May 1 meeting at the Ridge View Community School. The total is down by about $25,000 from the current academic year, but the share for the four district communities is up by nearly $166,000 to a little less than $3,370,700.

Foxcroft Academy will hold the 2019 commencement exercises on Sunday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. A baccalaureate ceremony will be held before graduation at noon. Both ceremonies are planned to be outside on the East Lawn of Foxcroft Academy, with the gymnasium ready in case of inclement weather.

While most all-terrain vehicle riders are safe and respectful while operating their ATVs, some others aren’t. On May 1, Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced that she has formed an ATV Initiatives Task Force to address the riders who operate on the wrong side of the law, trespassing, damaging private land and making landowners reassess their access policies.

Piscataquis Community High School has announced the Class of 2019 Valedictorian is Jennifer Simon and the Salutatorian is Zachary Wilson.

The Maine Senate enacted LD 555 “An Act To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Morality by Updating Screening Coverage” after the bill received unanimous support in both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives.

Penquis Valley School students traded in their books and pencils for rakes and shovels to get out of the classroom and into the community to give back during the fourth annual Day of Service on the morning of May 2. The grade 5-12 pupils divided into more than a dozen groups to carry out service projects throughout Milo and Brownville as a thank you to those who support the school and its programs.

The Moosehead Cottage Resort, which sits on 15 private acres about three miles south of downtown Greenville, is now under new management.

Although my wife will mock me and guffaw when she reads this, when it comes to hunting and fishing equipment I am not a “gear hound.” Just ignore her scoffing. I really don’t buy a lot of new stuff, honest. Whether it is a fly rod, a shotgun or a pair of chest waders, I customarily make do.

On May 1 a special assembly was held at Foxcroft Academy to announce the Class of 2019’s outstanding scholars at the annual Rose Award ceremony. This year, the recipients are Aida Abdykashova, Brigid Casey, Yeojeong “Liz” Choi, Lauren Cooper, Nicolas Daneman, Abigail Henderson, Keying “Chloe” Huang (Salutatorian), Spencer Ireland (Valedictorian), Rylie Kleikamp, Yifan “Frances” Li, Gavyn Moreshead, Mariah Poulin, Cailin Seavey, Dustin Simmon, Matthew Spooner and Hannah Sprecher.

On Tuesday, April 23, the Secretary of State for Maine, Matthew Dunlap, paid a visit to the Dexter Regional High School’s Current Events class to answer student questions about how the state secures our elections.

Residents and/or town officials of 12 of the 13 Hospital Administrative District 4 member communities have voted in favor of the proposed merger between Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft and Northern Light Health, a statewide system comprised of hospitals across Maine.