Piscataquis Observer

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Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom LUNCH WITH THE SHERIFF -- Piscataquis County Sheriff Bob Young chats with Piscataquis Community Elementary School kindergarteners during a Thanksgiving lunch in 2019. Young has announced that he will not seek reelection when his term expires at the end of 2026 after eight years as sheriff and decades in law enforcement.

Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom LUNCH WITH THE SHERIFF -- Piscataquis County Sheriff Bob Young chats with Piscataquis Community Elementary School kindergarteners during a Thanksgiving lunch in 2019. Young has announced that he will not seek reelection when his term expires at the end of 2026 after eight years as sheriff and decades in law enforcement.

Sheriff Young won’t seek reelection

January 8, 2026

By Bridget Huber, Bangor Daily News Staff Piscataquis County Sheriff Bob Young will not seek reelection, he announced Jan. 8 in a message on his office’s Facebook page.

News BrowseNews

SAD 41 officials to start work on 2026-27 budget

MILO — SAD 41 officials are starting preparations on the 2026-27 budget and the public is invited to provide feedback for next year’s finances.

Dexter council approves sex offender residency ordinance

DEXTER, Maine — Sex offenders will be barred from living within 750 feet of schools and parks in Dexter after the Town Council approved an ordinance on residency rules on Thursday.

RSU 68 recognizes staff members for years of service

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Last month RSU 68 recognized 35 dedicated staff members for reaching milestones of 10, 15, 20 and 30 years of service.

Ridge View Community School honor roll

Grade eight habits of work honors: Elijah Garland, Aiden Hamilton, Ava Kimball, Bentley Roderick, Addyson Thompson, Karter Vega; high honors: Peyton Hill, Cierra Canfield, Cameron Cobb, Sophie Denty, Blake Dodge, Makayla Holcomb, Kelsey Roy, Emma Spizuoco.

What to do with ash from your wood stove

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor Throughout winter, when people are burning wood stoves, many households end up with piles of ashes, and most simply dump them in the woods or trash.

The most expensive homes sold in each Maine county last year

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine’s most extravagant properties have attracted famous names such as John Travolta and Martha Stewart for decades.

Sports BrowseSports

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Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom HEIGHT ADVANTAGE — Penquis sophomore Jake Haffenreffer uses a 9-inch difference in height to shoot over Bangor Christian junior Drake Nash during the second quarter of a Jan. 3 game in Milo, to the left is Penquis senior Michael Coburn. Bangor Christian won 63-28.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom HEIGHT ADVANTAGE — Penquis sophomore Jake Haffenreffer uses a 9-inch difference in height to shoot over Bangor Christian junior Drake Nash during the second quarter of a Jan. 3 game in Milo, to the left is Penquis senior Michael Coburn. Bangor Christian won 63-28.

Bangor Christian tops Penquis in two meetings of Patriots

January 5, 2026

MILO — The Bangor Christian School swept a girls/boys afternoon doubleheader at Penquis Valley High School on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Three area boys win indoor track events

ORONO — Three male area athletes won events at a Penobscot Valley Conference/Eastern Maine Indoor Track League meet on the morning of Saturday, Jan.

Maine anglers kick off the new year on the ice

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor Early ice fishing opportunities in Maine exist in December on specific lakes and ponds, but the official statewide season typically begins Jan 1.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

What hunting snowshoe hares with and without a dog taught me

By Al Raychard Many years ago I owned a miniature beagle.

I sat in someone else’s tree stand — and then this happened

Trump’s worldview leaves US isolated and less safe

To the Editor; It is not the 19th century and the Monroe Doctrine is not relevant in 2026.

AARP Maine’s News You Can Use

By Joyce Bucciantini, AARP Maine community outreach volunteer Happy New Year 2026! Along with the new year, many people make New Year’s resolutions.

This was the most important lesson of my guiding career

By John Floyd It was a foggy, damp October morning deep in the North Maine Woods, the second day of the annual Maine cow moose hunt.

Why this angler avoids ice fishing for brook trout

By Al Raychard Our kind and generous outdoors editor, Susan Bard, recently asked if I do any early season ice fishing for brook trout.

Living BrowseLiving

PCSWCD to host contractor certification course

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a Basic & Advanced Training in Erosion & Sediment Control Practices course on Feb.

Cushing reelected as Penobscot County Commissioners chair

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff BANGOR — Andre Cushing was reelected chair of the Penobscot County Commissioners with a 2-1 vote at the commissioners meeting on Jan.

What’s next for a bill that would let Maine counties declare bankruptcy

By Daniel O’Connor, Bangor Daily News Staff It’s the first week of the new legislative session, but the clock is already ticking on a bill that would allow Maine counties and municipalities to declare bankruptcy if they default on their debts — something that could happen within weeks in Washington County.

Calendar of events

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

RSU 68 officials start work on 2026-27 budget

SEBEC — A week into the new year, RSU 68 officials are working on developing the budget for the 2026-27 academic year.

SBA launches disaster relief to small businesses and nonprofits hit by cold and moisture