Piscataquis Observer

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Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA — A Dec. 13 ceremony at the Milo Veterans Memorial in Evergreen Cemetery was one of thousands across the country and beyond for Wreaths Across America Day, honoring all who have served in the military. From left, after placing the respective wreaths, are Ken Stone, U.S. Army; Ronald Knowles, U.S. Marine Corps; Steve Quist, U.S. Navy; Joe Beres, U.S. Air Force; Kaitlyn Cox, U.S. Space Force, Wally Sinclair, U.S. Coast Guard; Eve Powell, U.S. Merchant Marines (behind ceremony leader Anthony Kappes); Chris Crockett with the POW/MIA wreath; and Alice Kappes, first responders.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA — A Dec. 13 ceremony at the Milo Veterans Memorial in Evergreen Cemetery was one of thousands across the country and beyond for Wreaths Across America Day, honoring all who have served in the military. From left, after placing the respective wreaths, are Ken Stone, U.S. Army; Ronald Knowles, U.S. Marine Corps; Steve Quist, U.S. Navy; Joe Beres, U.S. Air Force; Kaitlyn Cox, U.S. Space Force, Wally Sinclair, U.S. Coast Guard; Eve Powell, U.S. Merchant Marines (behind ceremony leader Anthony Kappes); Chris Crockett with the POW/MIA wreath; and Alice Kappes, first responders.

Inaugural Milo Wreaths Across America Day ceremony honors all who served

December 17, 2025

MILO — Military members past and present were honored at the Milo Veterans Memorial in Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 13, joining thousands of other ceremonies across the country in observing Wreaths Across America Day.

News BrowseNews

Penobscot County police chase exceeds 100 mph, ends in crash

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A Charleston man allegedly drove faster than 100 mph during a 9-mile police chase that ended in a crash on Dec.

$100K anonymous donation will fund emergency heating for hundreds of Maine families

By Annie Rupertus, Bangor Daily News Staff A $100,000 gift from an anonymous donor will help about 285 Maine families with emergency heating support this winter.

Penquis awarded $60,000 Maine Cancer Foundation grant

BANGOR — Penquis C.

Mainers encouraged to nominate an educator for state/county teaching honors

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates excellence in teaching and elevates the importance of the teaching profession.

Penobscot County leaders to present $35M budget at public hearing

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County’s new proposed $35.

Commissioners approve county, UT budgets

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Two weeks after program cuts to a dozen organizations in an earlier version of the 2026 Piscataquis County budget were restored, some partially and some in full compared to the current year, both the county budget and 2026-27 Unorganized Territory budget were approved by the county commissioners during a meeting on Tuesday morning.

Sports BrowseSports

Foxcroft-mascot

FA’s Donahue places second in long jump

December 21, 2025

ORONO — The Foxcroft Academy and Penquis Valley High School indoor track and field teams took part in a Penobscot Valley Conference/Eastern Maine Indoor Track League meet on Saturday, Dec. 20 at the New Balance Field House on the campus of the University of Maine.

Two PCHS athletes finish second at indoor track meet

ORONO — The Piscataquis Community High School indoor track and field team took part in a Penobscot Valley Conference-Eastern Maine Indoor Track League meet on Saturday, Dec.

Ponies roll past Central for fourth straight win

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Under the revised high school basketball classification system for 2025-26, Foxcroft Academy shifted from Class B North to Class C North.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

Why Maine birders are so different from everyone else

By Bob Duchesne I get the same good feeling every time I shop at Renys.

New insight into DNA

By Nancy Battick For years we’ve been told that MtDNA (maternal DNA) is passed from mother to children, both male and female, but only daughters pass it on to their own children.

I learned the hard way what to pack for the Maine outdoors

By Eloise Hale Since moving from North Carolina to Maine, I’ve learned — sometimes the hard way — that things just happen here.

Penobscot County residents need straight answers about budget crisis

By David Winslow The recent Bangor Daily News article describing Penobscot County as “a freight train ready to crash” should concern every taxpayer.

Returning to Maine’s ice fishing brings old surprises to life

Maine’s frozen waterways come alive on skates

By Hazel Stark Looking down past the white toes of my figure skates, I saw movement under the ice that wasn’t just the flowing vegetation.

Living BrowseLiving

Sangerville select board to remain at two seats through town meeting

SANGERVILLE — A vacancy on the Sangerville Select Board created by the resignation of Josh Tracy last month will remain through the annual town meeting on the last Saturday of March.

Greenville Consolidated School first quarter honor roll

Grade 12, honors: Justyce Hart.

SeDoMoCha School honors students for honesty and integrity

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School hosted a special schoolwide assembly on Nov.

Calendar of events

Recurring Events Mondays DEXTER: The Abbott Museum is open 10 a.

Former Greenville superintendent named finalist for AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award

Gorham School District Superintendent Heather Perry has been named one of four finalists for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award, an outstanding achievement recognizing the leadership, professionalism, communication and community involvement of school leaders from across the country.

Penquis Valley Middle/High School 1st quarter honor roll

Grade 12, high honors: Alice Masina, Amara Driscoll, Kaitlynn McMahon, Kevan Royal, Liam Atkinson, Sean Chenkin, Vegas Carey; honors: Aidan Murano, Brooklyn Decker, Connor Smith, Darreht Santos, Gage Yenchochic, Gavin LaPointe, Jareth Williams, Jayson Shoopman, Keagan Ellison, Kooper Badger, Marcus Legere, Natalie Cummins, Will Auger, Wyatt Romero.