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 Quest, 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 Quest, 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

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.

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 honest and integrity

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

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.

Sports BrowseSports

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Foxcroft Academy hires Buttice as boys soccer coach

December 17, 2025

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Foxcroft Academy Athletic Administrator Jaclyn Tourtelotte is excited to announce the hiring of Ryan Buttice as the new boys’ varsity soccer coach. Buttice will succeed Faleesha Gaylord, who led the program for the past two years.

Maine Trails Program grant recipients

AUGUSTA — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands recently announced the results of the first round of Maine Trails Program grants, marking a significant investment in trail access, connectivity, and outdoor recreation throughout the state.

Dexter wrestling grapples in Belfast

BELFAST — The Dexter Regional High School wrestling team took part in the Belfast Coed Invitational on Saturday, Dec.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

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.

Practical tips for photographing snowflakes this winter

By Aislinn Sarnacki When I was a little girl, I learned that no two snowflakes are alike.

Will Maine finally lift its Sunday hunting ban?

Susan Collins bill would improve health care access

To the Editor; The list of problems to solve in health care may seem endless — health care workforce shortages, provider burnout, affordability concerns, an aging population and the steady rise in chronic conditions.

New challenges for funeral records

At the September meeting of the Wassebec Genealogical Society, Ethan Annis of the Lary Funeral Home spoke about trends regarding funerals.

Living BrowseLiving

Calendar of events

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

Center Theatre awarded $77K for masonry column repair

MDF’s Maine Downtown Center is pleased to award a total of $600,000 through the REvitalizeME Downtown National Park Service Sub-grant program to four historic preservation projects.

Piscataquis Community Secondary School quarter 1 honor roll

Grade 12, highest honors: Bella Buehne, Audrey Chadbourne, Arianna Crosby, Brady Gaw, Molly Goodwin, Ava Goulette, Noah Kain, Elizabeth Libby-Gilbert, Zoe McInnis, Landon McKenney, Tyler Willey; high honors: Brady Ball, Brookelynn Hunt, Sadie-Mae Kelley, Chase Kilian, Ryan Mitchell, Kiah Nick, Isabellah Tetreault, Bear Yelverton; honors: Tristan Billington, Dawson Draper, Hannah Firth, Alexander Hall, Grant Higgins, Brandon Reed.

SeDoMoCha School celebrates ‘Candy Cane’ day

Photo courtesy of SeDoMoCha SchoolCANDY CANE ATTIRE — The SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft recently had a “Candy Cane” day where students were encouraged to wear red and white.

Foxcroft Academy first quarter honor roll

Grade 12, high honors: Serenity Elizabeth Adams, Emma Grace Webb Alden, Madyson Armstrong, Grayson William Bruyette, Alexis Marie Burdin, Griffin James Caruso, Shannon Chartier, Seunghyun Jason Cheon, Noa Elizabeth Clark, Addie Day, Keaten Dale Eakright, Sadie Jane Estes, Tanyon R.

FA Alumni Jazz Band holiday concert at Center Theatre

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Center Theatre will be hosting a holiday concert by the Foxcroft Academy Alumni Jazz Band at 2 p.