Last week’s cold snap covered many lakes and ponds in ice, but with the warming temperatures this week, the Maine Warden Service is urging people to use caution before venturing out onto any ice covering Maine’s waterways.

Rep. Paul Stearns, R-Guilford, left, and Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville presented the Greenville Fire Department with a Legislative Sentiment for voluntary undertaking a rigorous safety program.

DEXTER — Drooling Goat BBQ will be feeding more than just hungry patrons as owners Ken and Janice Spaulding made a $500 donation to the Dexter Police Department K-9 unit, with the funds being earmarked for dog Zelda’s food.

Maine State Police and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agents charged three people with drug trafficking and seized $130,000 worth of drugs Wednesday night, Dec. 11 following a traffic stop on I-95 near Bangor.

A Milo man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly killed a cat and shot at his wife and children as they fled the family home in Milo. Frank C. Foss Jr., 25, was arrested Sunday, Dec. 7 and charged with four counts of domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and one count each of domestic violence terrorizing with a dangerous weapon, operating under the influence of intoxicants and cruelty to animals.

With the current academic year nearing the halfway point, RSU 68 district officials have started work on developing the budget for 2020-21.

A $4.8 million-plus Piscataquis County budget for 2020, along with a $1,804,670 Unorganized Territory budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, were both formally approved and signed by the county commissioners during a Dec. 10 meeting.

The 2019 riding season has come to a close for the Piscataquis County United Bikers of Maine. As usual, members have had a very busy year. Each winter, they plan their rides for the spring, summer and fall. Along with many fun rides, they also plan several rides to benefit local charities and individual people in the county.

The Greenville Fire Department will be recognized for receiving the Maine Department of Labor’s Safety and Health Award for Public Employers (SHAPE) at a selectmen’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The award will be presented to Chief Matthew St. Laurent at the town office, 7 Mindon St.

The winner of this years’ Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis Club fall raffle is Frank Reynolds. He chose the cash prize of $1,200 and Reynolds was presented a check at the Nov. 22 Kiwanis meeting. Ron Apel has chaired the raffle committee for several years and he was congratulated for a job well done.

A proposed $4.8 million-plus Piscataquis County budget for 2020, along with a $1,804,670 Unorganized Territory budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, was presented at a public hearing on Nov. 25 as part of the process by county officials for developing the pair of spending plans.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that Newton Field Airport in Jackman has been awarded $3,200,000 to extend the runway to accommodate ambulance air service by LifeFlight of Maine. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

A week before the holiday, students at Piscataquis Community Elementary School enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal and were able to personally thank their teachers and school staff members.

A number of area residents were recognized at the county-wide Spirit of American Awards ceremony Nov. 15 at the Valley Grange in Guilford.

After much consideration, Wilson saw an option he believed to be the most logical. The town of Guilford would retain the C.H. Lightbody Medical Building, relocate the municipal offices there and provide the existing town office space on School Street to the fire/EMS service already housed there. Wilson made the recommendation and the select board endorsed the decision.

Citing what they feel is a non-proportional expense and lack of benefits, the Piscataquis County Commissioners are considering ending membership in the Maine County Commissioners Association. The commissioners discussed the possibility during a Nov. 5 meeting and plan to attend a meeting with officials from other Maine counties also pondering an exit to learn more.

Anyone who suspects someone they know may be a victim of elder abuse or would like to know more about the topic and how to help is invited to a free elder abuse awareness and response workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 15 at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street.

Crime in Maine dropped for the seventh consecutive year in 2018, according to data from the Maine Department of Public Safety released Wednesday, but there were more assaults and homicides compared with 2017.