Piscataquis Observer

Photo courtesy of SeDoMoCha School SEDOMOCHA HONORS — SeDoMoCha School students who had been recognized for self control were honored during the December Student in the Spotlight assembly on Dec. 19. Front, from left, are kindergartener Allison Tyler, second grader Sorina Woodard, third grader Cora Koncinsky and fourth grader Addie Johnson. Back, fifth grader Aria Silveira, sixth grader Colton Butts, seventh grader Summer Mallett, middle school unified arts student Aidan Armstrong and Staff in the Spotlight honoree math instructional coach Penny Benway. Not pictured, first grader Finley Miller, elementary unified arts student Karter Nash and eighth grader Jacquelyn Allman.

Photo courtesy of SeDoMoCha School SEDOMOCHA HONORS — SeDoMoCha School students who had been recognized for self control were honored during the December Student in the Spotlight assembly on Dec. 19. Front, from left, are kindergartener Allison Tyler, second grader Sorina Woodard, third grader Cora Koncinsky and fourth grader Addie Johnson. Back, fifth grader Aria Silveira, sixth grader Colton Butts, seventh grader Summer Mallett, middle school unified arts student Aidan Armstrong and Staff in the Spotlight honoree math instructional coach Penny Benway. Not pictured, first grader Finley Miller, elementary unified arts student Karter Nash and eighth grader Jacquelyn Allman.

SeDoMoCha recognizes students for demonstrating self control

December 29, 2025

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School hosted a special schoolwide assembly on Dec. 19 to recognize students in kindergarten through grade 8 who demonstrate self control.

News BrowseNews

Aroostook consortium, local project seeking regional comprehensive high school funding

By Cameron Levasseur, The County Staff Twice in recent memory, groups of school districts in southern and northern Aroostook County have looked to consolidate into one regional high school under mounting budget pressure, declining enrollment and staffing shortages.

Wave of high-profile murder trials expected in Penobscot County next year

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County is scheduled to see four murder trials in 2026, nearly three years after the last murder trial was held in Bangor.

Where to find Maine ice thickness reports this winter

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor Maine lakes and ponds are beginning to freeze as winter sets in, but ice conditions remain variable across the state.

How Maine farmers are fighting a drought that will stretch into 2026

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Consumers likely noticed smaller apples and potatoes and pricier blueberries lining grocery shelves this fall after one of the driest summers in 30 years triggered drought alerts throughout Maine, with the National Weather Service predicting that the parched conditions will likely continue into next spring.

New law will allow for the sale for little-known part of Baxter State Park

By Sara Coughlin, Harpswell Anchor Baxter State Park encompasses more than 200,000 acres of wilderness in northern Maine, far from coastal Harpswell.

Do I need to get a Maine home inspected before buying it?

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff During Maine’s pandemic-era housing crunch when high demand and limited inventory caused property costs to skyrocket, many buyers chose to forego a home inspection before closing.

Sports BrowseSports

Piscataquis-Community-High-School-111621

Observer photo/Valerie Royzman Piscataquis Community Secondary School in Guilford.

Observer photo/Valerie Royzman Piscataquis Community Secondary School in Guilford.

Three local athletes win indoor track events

December 29, 2025

ORONO — Three area athletes won their respective events at a Penobscot Valley Conference/Eastern Maine Indoor Track League meet on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 27 at the New Balance Field House on the campus of the University of Maine.

Remembering some of the Maine sports legends who died in 2025

By Larry Mahoney, Bangor Daily News Staff To say they left their mark on the sports scene in the state of Maine would be an understatement.

FA’s Donahue places second in long jump

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.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

The Maine winter ritual that keeps me sane

By Bob Romano Nearing the end of December, the streams are shrouded in ice.

How journalism moves awareness into action

By Jennifer Holmes Since stepping into the role of president in September, I’ve been reminded of both the importance of local journalism and the financial challenges required to sustain it.

Why Maine’s fly-fishing-only and heritage waters matter for native fish

By Al Raychard I have never been good at telling jokes and if I ever tried to make it as a comedian I would undoubtedly starve to death, but bear with me when I tell you this one.

Maine lawsuit challenges fly-fishing-only waters under right-to-food amendment

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.

Living BrowseLiving

SeDoMoCha Stageworks students to perform ‘Dot and the Kangaroo JR.’

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Stageworks performs “Dot and the Kangaroo JR.

Online workshop for youth with UMaine Extension 4-H explores the basics of livestock care

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H will offer an online club for youth ages 9–18 about the basics of farm animal care on Thursdays, 4–5:15 p.

New Ventures Maine launches 2026 mini-grant competition for small businesses

New Ventures Maine has announced open applications for their statewide Marketing Mini-Grant competition.

Northern Light Health lost $15M in 2025, audit shows

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Northern Light Health lost $15 million last year, a year after a $156 million loss left the health care system reeling.

Calendar of events

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

Food baskets bring comfort to oncology patients

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The holidays can be a challenging time for those affected by cancer, and sometimes, a small gesture to make life easier can make all the difference.