DOVER-FOXCROFT — For the last several years the Piscataquis County has worked with RHR Smith and Company of Old Orchard Beach for auditing services for the county, unorganized territory and jail budgets.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom FIRE IN THE BROWNS MILL BOILER ROOM — A fire at the Browns Mill on the Vaughn Road in Dover-Foxcroft was quickly extinguished by a broken water main shortly after 9 a.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Two years after receiving a $250,000 memorial gift from a local family to help relocate and expand the oncology services at Mayo Regional Hospital, construction has begun on the new unit.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Since mid-January students and families at the SeDoMoCha Elementary School had the opportunity to read the junior novelization of the animated film “Finding Dory” at home together for the seventh annual One Book, One School initiative — copies of the book were provided by the school.

DEXTER — Last summer several dozen SAD 46-area children in grades 2-5 had the opportunity to attend a summer camp offered through the town on Lake Wassookeag thanks to a grant from the William and Joan Alfond Foundation.

When Jessica Leahy of Maine Woodland Owners and I spoke a few weeks ago about several Maine forestland topics — I couldn’t fit everything she said into my column.

Observer photo/Jeannette Hughes BOYS AND GIRLS FISHING ON BOYD LAKE — Six young anglers proudly display their catch on Saturday at the fire station in Milo as part of the 55th annual Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Piscataquis County’s delegation to the 128th Maine State Legislature has been busy this session.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — With the initial meeting of the finance committee in the books, district officials are in the midst of their work to develop a 2017-18 academic year budget to bring forward to the voters of Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson and Sebec in the spring.

Alicia Mooney is a certified hospice nurse with 20 years’ experience in rural Maine, caring for patients and their families.

When it comes to the restoration or reintroduction of wild species into areas where they once existed — before man over-harvested them or put up a parking lot in their habitat — the well-intentioned projects have borne mixed results.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Little will change in the day-to-day operations of Piscataquis County, but Interim County Manager Tom Lizotte was appointed as the county manager following an 11-minute executive session at the end of a Feb.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Statistics cited by the Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance — a community-based organization working to end domestic violence in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties — indicate that one in three teens will experience dating violence.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — What do you do when two young ladies approach you with an idea to benefit the community? You listen carefully.

Jessica Leahy sees the proper care of Maine woodlots the way a master gardener sees quality gardening.

For wildlife management purposes, Maine recognizes four species: deer, bear, moose and wild turkeys.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — During the November election Maine residents approved a referendum concerning the possession and use of marijuana by those 21 and older which also allows for the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing and sale of marijuana and products subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance.