Jacob Reed earned top honors at the annual SeDoMoCha Middle School Science Fair on April 5. Reed came in first for examining habitat influence on the behavior of the common shiner. Grade 7-8 students at the school in Dover-Foxcroft prepare their projects for an evening public exhibit.

What is it about a well-cast fly line that unfurls gently across a quiet trout pond or a roiling river? Done properly it is a graceful ballet. There is a rhythm that can mesmerize, not only the angler, but the onlooker as well. And when the softly whispering line finishes its ufurling roll, and the floating tippet dances the #16 parachute Adams upon the water like a descending butterfly, well, sir, that is the crescendo moment.

On April 5 U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine visited students elementary and middle school students at the SeDoMoCha School.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine announced the awarding of $10,836,220 in federal funds to replace the three bridges in what she called “the Penquis Region Rural Bridges Project” and on the morning of April 5 she had the opportunity to tour the Pleasant River Bridge on outer Pleasant Street with MDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt.

Sen. Paul Davis’, R-Sangerville bill to amend the penalties for hunting deer over bait survived a veto override by a vote of 33-0 in the Senate and 148-0 in the House.

Piscataquis Community Elementary School third-graders had the chance to be a little messy at their desks as the students each put together or birth a “dirt baby” -- seeds in a paper cup -- on April 3 during a GrowMe Project day at the school with activities held for the four younger grades.

On Saturday, April 28 residents will gather in the gymnasium at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building at 9 a.m. to vote on a seven-article warrant during the annual town meeting. Items approved on April 28 will then go to the referendum ballot set for Tuesday, June 12.

The town of Dover-Foxcroft will again observe Arbor Week in 2018 as the week will be from May 21-25, after the selectmen signed a proclamation during a March 26 meeting. The state recognizes Arbor Week during the third week of May.

SeDoMoCha Middle School eighth-grader Nathaneal Brown stands at the microphone during the 2018 Maine State Spelling Bee on March 24 at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.

The Maine Warden Service celebrated its 138th anniversary at the Winslow VFW. Included in the March 30 celebration was the annual awards banquet that gives special recognition to game wardens for their performance in 2017.

Piscataquis Community High School Principal John Keane recently announced the valedictorian and two salutatorians for the Class of 2018.

This spring, new 3D terrain models of Baxter State Park will be installed throughout the park at visitor centers, campgrounds and ranger stations for the public to use while planning their backcountry adventures.

The American Fisheries Society recently presented the fisheries division of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W) with a national award for cutting-edge work in the restoration of the native Arctic charr to Big Reed Pond in Piscataquis County.

On Saturday, March 24 owners David and Luisa Surprenant, hosted a final ride-in to the site where the Chesuncook Lake House stood for more than 150 years. “The Final Ride,” as it was called, attracted an estimated 800 riders and it was at that event when the Surprenants announced they would rebuild.

Applications for the superintendent position were submitted at the start of the month and interviews with the leading candidates have been scheduled, the full SAD 4 school board learned during a March 20 meeting at Piscataquis Community High School.

The Libra Foundation investment in Piscataquis County, which includes revitalizing downtown Monson and the planned construction of an ice arena on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft, is continuing as the Portland-based organization is donating $20,000 to fund equipment to improve emergency communications for the Monson and Dover-Foxcroft fire departments.

The Butter Stick Bakery on East Main Street was formally welcomed to the area with a Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 24.

The Maine Warden Service was recently provided with a special gift, one that is at the heart of any outdoor enthusiast who loves a good Maine winter. Nine pair of genuine, Maine-made snowshoes were donated to the newest graduating class of game wardens to use in their missions that range from fish and wildlife conservation, search and rescue and public safety.