Piscataquis Observer

Photos courtesy of Keiderling family ONE YEAR LATER — Esther Keiderling, left, and Tim Keiderling, right. The father daughter duo died while hiking Katahdin on May 31, 2025. Their family returned to Maine this year to thank the park rangers who helped in the search.

Photos courtesy of Keiderling family ONE YEAR LATER — Esther Keiderling, left, and Tim Keiderling, right. The father daughter duo died while hiking Katahdin on May 31, 2025. Their family returned to Maine this year to thank the park rangers who helped in the search.

‘Cocoon of love’ has helped family heal in year since father-daughter hikers died on Katahdin

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A year after two hikers died on Katahdin, their family returned to the area to thank the rangers who found the pair after a multi-day search. Tim Keiderling, 58, and Esther Keiderling, 28, attempted to hike Katahdin on June 1, 2025, when they likely encountered extreme conditions on Maine’s tallest mountain.

News BrowseNews

UMaine Extension offers workshop for all ages to learn about opportunities in 4-H

BROWNVILLE — University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Joy Truck 4-H Collaborative are hosting an Introduction to 4-H Community Workshop from 3:30–5 p.

Partners for Peace, Penquis among REALTORS Foundation grant recipients

AUGUSTA – The Maine Association of REALTORS Foundation, the charitable arm of Maine Association of REALTORS, has awarded $185,000 through its 2026 Competitive Grant Program to 20 non-profit organizations to address a variety of housing needs of low-income individuals and households across Maine.

Makowski receives 2026 Dr. Tom Farrell Future Leaders of Maine Scholarship

YARMOUTH — The Future Leaders of Maine Foundation is proud to announce that Lillian Makowski of Dover-Foxcroft has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Dr.

Babysitting course teaches essential childcare and safety skills

GUILFORD — Northern Light Mayo Hospital will offer a babysitting course for young teens, grades 6-8, June 17, 18 and 19 at Friends of Community Fitness in Guilford.

Northern Light Health highlights new treatments during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

BANGOR – Northern Light Health is proud to recognize June as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia while promoting strategies for lifelong brain health.

Penobscot County voters will decide whether to move jail out of Bangor

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County voters will decide this November if a new county jail can be built in Hampden.

Sports BrowseSports

Miller, Jerome, Goulette combine for four Class C field championships

WINSLOW — Three athletes between Dexter Regional High School and Piscataquis Community High School combined for four first-place performances in field events at the 2026 Class C outdoor track and field championships on June 6 at Winslow High School. Dexter senior Damiair Miller earned top honors in the triple jump and senior Brady Jerome won the shot as the Tigers came in eighth among 31 boys teams with a score of 35.

Donahue finishes second in Class B long jump

FREEPORT — Foxcroft Academy senior Conner Donahue finished in second place at the 2026 Class B outdoor track and field championship at Freeport High School on June 6.

PCHS girls tennis falls in semifinal match at Van Buren

VAN BUREN — The sixth-seeded Piscataquis Community High School girls tennis fell 3-2 in a Class C North semifinal at No.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

Graham Platner is not qualified to be a US senator

To the Editor; After listening to Graham Platner use his military record as part of his experience to enhance his bid for representing the people of Maine, I would like to explain part of his responsibility as a sergeant.

The remarkable story behind Maine’s record Atlantic salmon that vanished for decades

These classic Maine signs are worth watching for on your next road trip

By Al Raychard Signs are everywhere.

We need Joe Baldacci to represent us in Congress

To the Editor; I believe Joe Baldacci is the Mainer we need now to represent us in Congress.

The fly survey

I climbed Katahdin 3 times. Here’s what I remember most.

By Al Raychard I’ve never been much of a hiker.

Living BrowseLiving

Dexter Age Friendly hosts Five Wishes presentation

DEXTER — On Thursday, June 11, Colleen Grover will present Pine Tree Hospice’s Five Wishes program “Planning Now for Later … You do have choices” for Dexter Age Friendly.

Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society meeting

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society will be holding a meeting at 7 p.

Calendar of events

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

Black Fly Festival returns Saturday

MILO — The Town of Milo invites the public to join a day of fun and festivities at the annual Black Fly Festival on Saturday, June 6.

SeDoMoCha eighth graders tour Dover-Foxcroft dams

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Middle School eighth graders had the opportunity to see some of what they have been learning applied in the real world with a field trip to three dam sites across town.

Christine B. Foundation launches campaign to support cancer patients

The Christine B.