Piscataquis Observer

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Observer photo/Valerie Royzman The Peaks House in Dover-Foxcroft.

Observer photo/Valerie Royzman The Peaks House in Dover-Foxcroft.

It took a crisis for Mainers to finally pay attention to county government

December 24, 2025

By Daniel O’Connor Just five people entered the basement of the Belfast courthouse for an August meeting. Three were county officials.

News BrowseNews

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.

Penobscot County Commissioners will vote next week on new budget

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County Commissioners decided Tuesday to hold a vote on the last day of the year on the controversial $35.

5 ways Maine homeowners can prepare their property for winter

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff As temperatures continue to drop, Mainers are reminded that winter is on the way, bringing with it all the beauty and challenges of the season.

Greenville land use ordinance addition moved to June town meeting

GREENVILLE — A proposed revision to Greenville’s land use ordinance which involves a new definition pertaining to motorsports businesses has been moved to the 2026 annual town meeting in June.

Missing Lagrange boy has been found

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff A missing Lagrange boy has been found.

Frye IV graduates from Maine Criminal Justice Academy

VASSALBORO — George Frye IV of the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department was one of 78 cadets to graduate from the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy on Dec.

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’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.

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.

Living BrowseLiving

Calendar of events

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

UMaine Extension offers webinar on financial management for horticulture businesses

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host a webinar on Monday, Jan.

Physician gets scouting nod for sharing outdoor adventures with youth

By Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli, The County Staff PATTEN — A Patten physician has been awarded the 2025 Wallace H.

$1.25M in state and federal grants will expand Katahdin trails

By Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli, The County Staff A multiyear $1.

$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.