Visitors young and old were able to learn about the life of Anne Frank and think about how lessons from Europe during World War II can be applied today as the “Anne Frank: A History for Today” traveling exhibit was on display at The Commons at Central Hall from May 2-11.

After a decade of efforts to preserve and rebuild the more than 135-year-old Central Hall on East Main Street, the new look and renamed The Commons at Central Hall was formally opened to the public with a ceremony on the afternoon of May 12. The facility will now house an event center on the upper level and senior center and adult day services center is planned for the future on the first floor.

The Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year is Joseph Hennessey of Piscataquis Community High School, who teaches English at the school in the Guilford.

To approve 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?

Folks who have been driving through Monson recently have most likely noticed the dramatic changes happening in that little town on Route 15 on the way to Moosehead Lake. Thanks to the Libra Foundation, the place has been getting a dramatic face-lift and Monson plans to celebrate this with a Town Wide Open House – delightfully referred to as “Nosin’ ‘Round Monson” - from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 2.

The hunt for an armed 22-year-old man who stole a marked Dexter Police Department cruiser during the late morning on Friday, May 11 ended that afternoon when the suspect got behind the wheel of another car and crashed, authorities said.

If you have followed national issues at all, you may have learned somewhere along the way that even the hallowed U.

The Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation has awarded Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine’s largest hunger-relief organization, a $200,000 grant to fund strategies for eliminating food insecurity in Piscataquis County and central Maine, including Dexter.

A proposed budget totaling $11,559,908 and 11 budget warrant articles making up the spending plan were approved by the RSU 68 school board during a May 8 meeting at the SeDoMoCha School. The directors also scheduled the annual district budget meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29 with an information session right before at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria/multipurpose room.

Greta Schroeder of Biddeford has been hired as the new director of library services for the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. Schroeder, who starts in her new position on May 18, will replace Helen Fogler, who is retiring after serving for 21 years in that role.

The search for the next principal of the Penquis Valley School is now underway, with interviews scheduled for later in the month, the school board learned during a May 2 meeting.

On Thursday, May 17 there will be two assemblies held in SAD 41 schools to honor 34 students who will be awarded $100 scholarships from the Maine College Circle’s College Aspirations Scholarship program.

Players, coaches, teams and individuals who have made significant contributions to the Piscataquis Community High School athletic program and/or past educational institutions in towns that today are part of SAD 4 will have the opportunity to be honored in the newly-formed PCHS Athletic Hall of Fame.

Paving on stretches of roads in Blanchard and Moosehead Junction will be done this summer by Vaughn D. Thibodeau II, Inc. of Bangor after the company’s low bid of $146,160 was approved by the Piscataquis County Commissioners during a May 1 meeting.

On Thursday, May 10 residents of the SAD 41 towns of Atkinson, Brownville, LaGrange and Milo will head to their respective polls to vote on an approximate $2.3 million heating system upgrade and energy efficiency project at the Penquis Valley School.

On the morning of Saturday, April 28 hundreds of participants took part in the Abbot-based JD Foundation’s third annual 5K Walk/Run to Wake the Silence, raising funds for the organization, honoring those who have died by suicide and supporting survivors and families impacted.

A proposed $7,087,042 SAD 4 budget for the 2018-19 school year was approved -- with all 20 articles being passed as written over about 20 minutes with nearly 50 registered voters present -- during a district budget meeting on May 3 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, in May and June, you could catch a fresh run Atlantic salmon on the Penobscot River. And you could play your king of game fish within eyeshot of downtown Bangor. As a result, salmon clubs popped up along the river banks like ostrich ferns.