Piscataquis Observer

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Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom FILLING THE BARN — Items donated to the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis 75th annual Summer Auction stored prior to the 2025 event at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds. The club has decided to bring the auction to a close.

Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom FILLING THE BARN — Items donated to the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis 75th annual Summer Auction stored prior to the 2025 event at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds. The club has decided to bring the auction to a close.

Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft wraps up 75 years of summer auctions

DOVER-FOXCROFT — After 75 straight years, the Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft has decided to bring its annual summer auction to a close. Club members say the decision comes with mixed feelings including gratitude for the years of success, sadness for the end of this event and excitement for what comes next.

News BrowseNews

Meet the woman running to be the region’s chief prosecutor

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Growing up in The County, Chelsea Lynds never thought about going to law school or becoming a lawyer.

Bill addresses concerns of electing probate judges

By Sabrina Martin, Bangor Daily News Staff Probate judges in Maine are part-time elected officials, and, with probate matters not being considered public, they rarely get much attention.

Dexter council approves solar ordinance

DEXTER — Following several years of work, the Dexter Town Council has approved a solar ordinance prohibiting the installation of new commercial medium-scale and large-scale solar energy systems.

Maine’s home sales slumped in February

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine saw its home sales slump in February.

Maine lawmakers approve emergency funding for public defender system

By Kevin Miller, Maine Public State lawmakers gave final approval March 18 to a bill that provides $13 million in emergency funding to Maine’s public defender system.

Maine’s courts push for more cybersecurity as all records move online

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine’s court system wants to hire its first full-time cybersecurity person, years after records started becoming available online.

Sports BrowseSports

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Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom LOBSTER BOWL SELECTION — Foxcroft Academy’s Finn Holmes breaks a tackle for a 15-yard touchdown during the 2024 Class D North championship vs. Winslow at Hampden Academy. Holmes is one of three Ponies chosen for the 2026 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic on July 18 at Lewiston High School.

Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom LOBSTER BOWL SELECTION — Foxcroft Academy’s Finn Holmes breaks a tackle for a 15-yard touchdown during the 2024 Class D North championship vs. Winslow at Hampden Academy. Holmes is one of three Ponies chosen for the 2026 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic on July 18 at Lewiston High School.

Four local players selected for Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic

Three players from Foxcroft Foxcroft Academy and another from Dexter Regional High School football team have been selected for the 2026 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic, scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at Lewiston High School. The East team roster will include Foxcroft Academy defensive end/guard Aiden Bryant, linebacker/running back Finn Holmes and Lucas Sands — who was chosen for the squad but will be unable to play following offseason surgery.

Maine referendum to ban trans athletes from girls sports teams qualifies for ballot

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff A referendum to ban transgender athletes from girls sports teams has qualified for Maine’s November ballot.

Community Fitness hosts Superhero Fitness Party to fight hunger

GUILFORD — Community Fitness is calling all heroes to action! On Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

Maine has known for decades that its probate system needs improvement. Now is the time to do it

By John Brautigam and James Haddow Probate court judges address some of the most personal and consequential legal matters for Mainers: Who can make life choices for you if you cannot, who can manage your money, and what happens to a family home after a death.

The voter fraud fraud

Steps and halves

By Nancy Battick Many genealogists deal with steps and halves in their family trees.

Hooking youngsters on fishing

This St. Patrick’s Day, personal finances require more than luck

By Jim Lemieux This St.

Limiting what Maine hospitals can charge offers relief from rising health care costs

Living BrowseLiving

UMaine Extension to host gardening webinar on maximizing yields

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will begin its Spring Gardening Webinar Series: Building Food Security in Maine with “Big Yields on Small Plots: Maximizing Your Garden’s Footprint” from 6-7:15 p.

Pine Tree Hospice celebrates 30th Annual Variety Show at Center Theatre

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Get ready to clap your hands and tap your feet at the 30th Pine Tree Hospice Variety Show, scheduled to take the stage at the Center Theatre at 1 p.

Milo Garden Club news

MILO — Would you stick your arm in a swarm of bees? Rufus Cox, guest speaker at the Milo Garden Club March meeting, said he would and he sure did.

Calendar of events

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

UNE and Tufts medical students learn firsthand the challenges, rewards of rural health care

DOVER-FOXCROFT — University of New England medical student Patrick Fitzhugh (D.

The Mallet Brothers Band making a stop in Bangor on Northeast tour

BANGOR — The popular Americana rock band The Mallet Brothers Band will be making a tour stop at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre on Saturday, March 21.