The Lakeshore House in Monson is ramping up for the long-awaited summer season just a little early. They began by hosting a special intimate sushi night on Monday, April 23. It was a big success, so much so that the event will be repeated in the near future. Simply check their Facebook page for upcoming events.

The New England Outdoor Writers Association (NEOWA) is a large group of outdoor writers and photographers that promotes wildlife conservation and professionalism in outdoor communication. Each year, NEOWA awards significant scholarships to a wildlife major from all six of New England's land grant universities. The hope is that these wildlife majors will go on to reach out to the public and tell the story of wildlife conservation and the important role that sportsmen and sportswomen play in wildlife management and funding.

To advance compromise on a critical issue of the legislative session, House Independents have proposed a tax conformity package combining the most practical, workable elements of each party’s proposed solution, with a view to a tax code that will provide stability and predictability for businesses and increase tax returns for low income Mainers.

The Greater Milo/Brownville Area and Points North Visitor Center was officially gifted to the Milo/Brownville Three Rivers Kiwanis on April 9. A grand opening for the Greater Milo/Brownville and Points North Visitor Center will be held at Kiwanis Headquarters on the Gerrish Road from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 18. The event is open to the public and will be followed by refreshments and a tour of the center.

“We have before us the moratorium again and the need for a public hearing,” Select Vice Chair Cindy Freeman Cyr said during a April 23 selectmen’s meeting. The board then signed the notice to hold a public hearing on an extension, which would run for another 180 days from May 26 to Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14.

Several years ago many Maine municipalities made a choice for waste disposal, with most opting to either remain with the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company (PERC) or go with the forthcoming Fiberight facility in Hampden. For the county facilities in Lily Bay and Orneville townships, county officials voted to continue the relationship with PERC.

In an effort to help town businesses and bring in more visitors, the Dexter Town Council is considering a proposed ordinance that would open seven town streets to ATVs. The amendment to the motor vehicle and traffic regulations was discussed during an April 19 meeting and was moved to a public hearing for the next meeting on Thursday, May 17.

Perched on a hillside, with magnificent sweeping views of Moosehead Lake, the Blair Hill Inn is heading into its 21st year of operation with the coveted new ranking of a Relais & Chateaux member.

A man is recovering from his injuries after apparently being shot by another person Thursday night in Garland, according to police.

The town of Atkinson, nestled between Dover-Foxcroft and Milo, is one step closer to deorganizing, now that Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill to authorize the effort. Gov. LePage signed LD 1484 on April 12, which represents the state’s approval of the deauthorization of the Piscataquis County town. The final step will be a townwide referendum in November.

In 2009, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in conjunction with the Maine Professional Guides Association ( MPGA), did a wonderful thing. They created the Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award. It was fitting that Robinson was the first (posthumous) recipient of his namesake award.

The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) recently awarded a $4,226,000 challenge grant from the Maine Technology Asset Fund 2.0 program to the Pleasant River Lumber Company. The $4.2 million will be used toward a $12 million expansion at Pleasant River Lumber’s mill on the Milo Road and a larger $20 million initiative between the Dover-Foxcroft location and the company’s Moose River Mill in Jackman.

They may not be as large or produce as much meat, milk or eggs as quickly as their mainstream counterparts, but for those farmers and homesteaders who love them, heritage breeds fill a unique niche in Maine.

For the third year in a row the Abbot-based JD Foundation invites the community to honor those who have died by suicide and support survivors and families impacted at the organization’s Walk/Run to Wake the Silence. The five kilometer event will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, with registration beforehand, at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA on Park Street.

The selectmen signed a seven-article warrant for the annual town meeting taking place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 28 in the gymnasium at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building, during an April 9 meeting.

Earlier this year the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) was awarded a $10.8 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to replace three structurally deficient bridges in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties. Among the trio of projects is the Pleasant River Bridge in Milo and future improvements to the span on outer Pleasant Street were the subject of a preliminary public hearing held by the MDOT on April 11 at the town hall.

A 2018-19 academic year budget totaling $7,087,042, which includes a local assessment of just over $4,180,000, was approved by the SAD 4 school board during an April 10 meeting at Piscataquis Community Elementary School. The directors also set the district budget meeting for 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 3 at PCES.

There’s a new store in downtown Greenville, right next door to The Crazy Moose on Pritham Avenue – Northern Maine Minerals. For those in the know, its former location was atop Indian Hill, across the street from the Trading Post.