Sale to benefit Smile Fund and adult dentures

Selectmen advocated for the change because of the amount of work involved and the time it takes for the three of them.

The event takes place on Fridays and Saturdays at 49 Franklin in the Mystic Theater in Rumford.

Residents can get official news, alerts and safety notifications from the town of Rumford for free.

The Oxford County Sheriff's Office will take over 24-hour police coverage for the town after residents voted in favor of disbanding the Mexico Police Department for good.

Cindy Petherbridge of Auburn has served as Dirigo Elementary School librarian for 10 years.

The spot will end up a parking lot for Mountain Valley Community School, which is slated to open in early 2026.

Winds reportedly gusting to 40 mph carried embers that started a second fire at 33 Franklin St., the site of the Waldo Pettingill House, built in 1891. Pettingill was the first president of Oxford Paper Co.

Plans for Black Mountain Condo Village call for 20 buildings, each housing two units, with a selection of one-, two- and four-bedroom units.

Superintendent Deb Alden said the district has already made some reductions, and is aiming for an 8% increase.

Four were taken to a Farmington hospital with suspected minor injuries after a bus and truck collided at a 'very low speed,' police said.

Voters have until April 1 to decide if they want to restart the Mexico Police Department.

Superman defeated Batman and Captain America for the coveted title.

Sen. Joseph Martin collected samples after ND Paper's inadvertent discharge of black liquor into the air Dec. 10, 2024, and sent them to the Department of Environmental Protection for testing.

The board addressed several positions at its Feb. 24 meeting.

The rally featured a 1-mile march, speakers and a barbeque.

Abby Austin is director and Sarah Cotnoir is children's librarian.

A vote is scheduled for April 1 to decide if the town should continue with service from the Oxford County Sheriff's Office or reestablish its own police department.

When the banners arrive, they will be placed around the downtown district for much of 2025.

The town will enter 7-year lease-purchase agreements for the equipment.

A young male moose continued his monthslong wandering of the streets Monday.

No reason has been given for the sale.

This event was established in 2021 by Jessica Sirois and Kassie Elliott as an opportunity for families to attend a local performance for their athletes.

Brenda Gammon, director/superintendent of Region 9, said, 'It's devastating to us here at Region 9. We should be able to take ownership within the next month, but we will not be able to occupy the buildings.'

The bus service for Rumford, Mexico and Dixfield has not met expectations for ridership.

The Select Board voted 5-0 on Feb. 6 that the town’s assessment from the Rumford/Mexico Sewerage District will not change this calendar year.

Residents will vote April 1 on whether the town should continue with service from the Oxford County Sheriff's Office or reestablish its own police department.

Firefighters from Rumford, Peru and Andover learned in the classroom and two holes cut in the ice of a local pond.

Mark Thibodeau was named Meroby Elementary School principal for the remainder of the school year.

The panel is reviewing the 1951 document, which was last amended in 2018.

James Theriault said he has identified five qualified people interested in serving the community, including himself.

Dirigo Engineering of Fairfield won a $246,000 contract and work is expected to start this summer.

Miles Smith is planning to build a permanent trash and recycling receptacle at Black Bridge in Mexico.

Asked what the ingredients were to her longevity, Lillian said, 'I start every morning with a prayer, and I do my crosswords and jumble everyday.'

The alpine portion of the weekend was held at Sunday River in Newry.

Town Manager Raquel Welch-Day said, "We need the input of our voters to decide how to move forward."

Fire destroyed the original building two years ago.

ND Paper said an operational issue resulted in equipment venting "black liquor" into the air outside.

An informational meeting will be held prior to the vote, and taxpayers are asked to continue to turn their surveys on the police department.

Rumford Water District and town officials have until July 1 to renegotiate 109-year-old pact.

Jason Dolloff, 50, is also comforted in facing the loss of loved ones.

The dinner will be a collaboration of American Legion Post 24 members and volunteers from the Good Samaritan Soup Kitchen in Mexico.

The former Mexico police station building on Recreation Drive will house Mountain Valley Middle School sixth grade students who switched to online learning Oct. 15.

The town’s highway department staff consists of Road Commissioner Per Tripp and crew member Jeff Cannell who both began working for the town in November.

Miguel will be moving each day from one business to another in Rumford and Mexico.

After loading vehicles at the DDF office on Rt. 2, Houghton said they started at the Rumford Public Library with the Rumford Elementary School gifts, then headed to Meroby and unloaded countless bags.

Turner said that for the Christmas season, the 454 River Road business will take 10 percent off any Strong Spa. Strong is the only brand spa Coulthard's is currently selling.

Town Manager George O’Keefe recommends ending the Jan. 8, 1915, agreement between the Rumford Falls Village Corp. and the Rumford and Mexico Water Districts.

The RSU 56 superintendent’s three-year contract begins July 1, 2025, and ends June 30, 2028.

The 'social event of Peru' is planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Peru Fire Station.

The RSU 10 board of directors received the draft lease Monday afternoon from the town of Mexico for the district’s use of the former Mexico police station on Recreation Drive for its sixth grade students.

Career and Technical Education Instructor Jon Longley said that there are currently 10 freshmen students in his CTE introductory class.

The Town Manager Search Committee held the first of its informational meetings to inform residents of their findings so far.

On Oct. 8, the Mountain Valley Middle School, which housed 366 students in grades 5 to 8, abruptly closed its doors when an air quality test conducted by an industrial hygienist deemed the school is no longer a safe and healthy place to work and learn.

Any money made from the raffles and bingo cards went to the Rumford Elementary School PTO.

It’s an idea from the Mexico Town Office to feature the 5-foot Elf on the Shelf.

Theriault, a former county sheriff and Mexico police chief, was hired Aug. 19 by the town for a year as chief administrator of records, evidence and inventory, shortly after the police department suspended operations due to a shortage of officers.

The library reopened after an extended closure for the removal of asbestos and renovations this fall, and the party will celebrate its grand reopening.

U.S. Department of Agriculture recently selected the town of Mexico to receive disaster repair funding to replace its fire station.

The articles will be acted upon at 6 p.m. in the Rumford Falls Auditorium, prior to the regular Select Board meeting.

In addition to free admission, the first 50 fans who donate to the Toy Drive at each game will receive a special ugly sweater MV t-shirt made this year by Hot Colors Screen Printing out of Norway.

Jim Theriault has identified two people who are interested in joining the police department, while he works to get recertified as an officer.

During the period of suspension, customers received P.O. Box service at the Dixfield Post Office.

There were 55 veterans that attended, along with those at resource tables and our amazing Legion Family Volunteers.

Town Manager Raquel Welch-Day nominated Williams for the award at the Select Board meeting on Nov. 19.

2024 American Honey Princess Lainey Bell told fourth-grade students at Meroby Elementary School and Rumford Elementary School that her job “is to travel around the entire country and talk to people about honey and about honeybees.”

The building has been closed since the Dec. 18 flooding along the Swift River.

Roxbury native will host his second annual program to provide equipment to youth.

A committee will provide a report on its findings Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall on Elm Street.

Jerry Cohen, chair of the Library Board of Trustees, said Thursday they've moved all new shelves to create wider aisles to make it easier for wheelchair access anywhere in the building.

Public Works Supt. Dale Roberts said that during the summer, the grader was up for trade this year for trade.

The Select Board will get estimates for heat pumps for the Fire Department and Public Works buildings.

The library closed for five months to replace asbestos floor tiles on the main floor and the basement.

The Carthage woman loves preparing all kinds of food. She attributes much of her success and happiness to being sober from alcohol, which she and her husband, Steve, became on Jan. 1, 2023.

The project is an effort to lower the cost of water for customers.

Regional School Unit 10 directors move to use Rumford, Mexico buildings for fifth, sixth grades.

The Regional School Unit 56 directors held an executive session with the student and his mother.

The DDF Toy Drive will have a big event this Saturday at the Thanks Christmas Giving Event at Boondocks Farm in Canton

Swan was one of 37 recipients of the National Distinguished Principal of the Year Award.

Rumford had maintained a tax rate of $22.18 per $1000 of assessed value for the past two years, but O'Keefe noted that that was based on old assessed values.

Dirigo Elementary School in Peru held its annual Veterans Day breakfast and assembly to honor veteran family members and friends of students and staff.

Engineer estimates it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to make the school safe.

Billy Morvent, 59, was found in his home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The $809,284 state grant is at no cost to towns or taxpayers.

The majority of those remaining funds, estimated around $48,000, will be spent to replace an obsolete electronic sign by the library that was donated to the town.

Meroby has been joined in the outdoor learning program by Rumford Elementary School as both schools now have the same principal in Jodi Ellis.It was a busy Oct. 11 afternoon as Meroby fourth graders visited the apiary while RES fourth graders were at the outdoor learning program.

It will be located at the corner of Hancock Street and Rumford Avenue, the site of a massive fire where three apartment buildings were destroyed on Feb. 9, 2020.

Located just off 58 Highland Terrace where the new K-8 school is being constructed, the public is invited to see the MV Beekeepers at the apiary on the first Saturday of every month beginning around noon.

Regional School Unit 10 officials and residents will meet at 6 p.m. at Rumford high school.

Steve McGinty, a vice-president of the Regional School Unit 10 Western Foothills Education Association, said that fixing the problem of dangerous student behavior should continue to be a group effort and that the district must prioritize it, “and make sure there's no harm being done to students or staff.”

International theater company provides lessons and plays for all grades during Spirit Week.

If the eight-acre project on Roxbury Road is approved by the planning board during their meeting on Monday, construction will likely begin sometime next year, Planning Board Chairman Sidney Pew said.

The plan for the seventh and eighth grade Mountain Valley Middle School students to return to in-person learning includes using space at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford.

Dirigo Elementary School second graders visited Ludden Memorial Library for a tour and story time.

Maine Bureau of Highway Safety sponsored a free two-hour event at the 290 Highland Terrace, where parents and caregivers learned how to properly install their child's car seat and have their seat checked by certified child passenger safety technicians.

Thee seven images are postcards depict the future, inspired by local kids' responses to questions such as -- If you lent a hand, if you had your way, what would Rumford's future gain? If you wore a hat that said 'civic leader, what might Rumford's future feature?

Ricky Davis, who was elected to the Select Board in June 2023, resigned his position in September as he moved to Rumford. An ordinance in Dixfield says select board members must all reside in Dixfield.

At a previous meeting on May 14th, Andy Hamilton of Eaton Peabody, senior legal counsel for the water district, said RWD is proposing to withdraw and sell up to 75 million gallons per year of spring water to Blue Triton Brands, Inc., dba Poland Spring Bottling Company.

"This is certainly a good day for our community and the town of Rumford. For the last hundred years, our fire station has been located on the Island of Congress Street. As of this moment, we are officially opening the new fire station here in Rumford."

Corey Perreault, child passenger safety instructor, said, We find that about 80% of car seats are misused on a regular basis. In some cases, that misuse could be harmful to the child should there be an accident."

Rob Walker, the town’s Med-Care Ambulance representative, said that the 2025 budget includes a $3 subsidy increase per capita, which means that the town will pay $48,375 in 2025, up from $45,000 for its share this year.

The club celebrated 120 years this year. Created in 1904, it started as a social club mostly for the wives of the Rumford paper mill executives.

RSU 56 Board Director Bruce Ross, also a Region 9 School of Applied Technology board member, spoke about the $809,284 bond vote Nov. 5.

The former Mexico Police Department building on Recreation Drive and the basement of the Apostolic Church in Mexico will have air quality testing and architectural studies done in the possibility of having Mountain Valley Middle School classrooms in the buildings.

Nearly $5,000 was raised, which will support the Colby Fund, which provides financial and other support services to parents who have suffered loss.

Roger Arsenault, chairman of the Black Mountain of Maine board of directors, said the opportunity for a longer season would add to the bottom line and 'change our financial picture. We'll be more stable.'

Regional School Unit 10 directors will discuss options for housing middle school students

The Main Street station was heavily damaged in a flood in December 2023.

Thomas Bordeau Sr. is charged with four crimes in connection to the siege.

Amy Bernard of Rumford and Amanda Hamner of Mexico call for Deb Alden to step down from Regional School Unit 10.

He also noted that the public works one-ton truck should be here by mid-November. "I called down to Viking and their equipping that Western Star that we bought to replace the '09. Should be up and ready by Dec. 1."

The Walk to Remember aims to support parents who have lost babies through still birth, miscarriage and infant death. The event coincides with October being National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Summer Outdoor Learning program leader Kate O’Connor said Dirigo High School students learned how to control their emotions and be more confident in their choices.

The equipment was funded mostly by a $93,403 federal grant, Technology Director Brian Keene said.

Regional School Unit 10 Superintendent Deb Alden announced Tuesday that Mountain Valley Middle School has been closed indefinitely due to mold spores.

Selectmen voted to Monday to set the 2024-25 property tax rate at $20.75 per $1,000 of property valuation, an increase of $1.50 from last year.

At the Oct. 17th Select Board meeting, Riley's Quench Lemonade will seek town approval to park their trailer on Hosmer Lane this fall. 

Survey information from Andover residents guided the Andover Community Park Committee in their decision making for the park.

The executive director says said Richard started working at Hope Association’s residential program in 1977, a year after it was built.

Three people were appointed for the nine-person board: Frank DiConzo, Jeff Gilbert and Sammie Sax.

Rumford Pumpkin Fest organizer Kris Howes said, "After this festival, I will withdraw all of my community involvement for this town until (Select board members Theresa Sax and Frank DiConzo) are both gone.”

The event included two live owls which are native to Maine: our smallest owl species, a Northern saw-whet named Caribou and a great horned owl, the largest owl species in Maine, named Archie.

The program includes 12 preschool children and 13 high school students.

Revision Energy Inc. proposes a project on Roxbury Road; Trotting Park plans one on Back Street.

The pumpkin river race will be replaced this year with a newly featured Pumpkin Drop, with the help of the Rumford Fire Department.

Photos by Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times.

Anyone interested in helping develop the comprehensive is urged to contact the Town Office at 562-8151. 

The DDF Toy Drive's big event will be on Saturday, Nov. 16 with the third annual Thanks Christmas Giving Event at Boondocks Farm in Canton.

Fire Chief Scott Dennett is proposing an addition to the Dixfield Fire Company station at 38 Main St. to provide an emergency operations center during natural disasters and warming and cooling space.

Town treasurer reports on plans to meet with auditors Monday for budget report.

The changes mean that the district will have an assistant building, grounds and transportation director and a transportation specialist, thereby eliminating a coordinator position in the Buckfield and Rumford areas.

The fire was reported before 7 a.m. Thursday.

The practice stopped last year to save money.

Mountain Valley Middle School will have follow-up testing Wednesday.

Town personnel have worked with an outside safety contractor and completed mandatory trainings.

The Healthy Meals Incentive Grant has provided the nutrition staff at Mountain Valley High School and Buckfield Junior-Senior High School with multiple resources.

Canton resident Jody Larrivee complained that the Canton Water District and its Superintendent Shawn Goodrow displayed an “unwillingness to be transparent and forthcoming with ratepayers,” among other complaints, he said during the Select Board meeting on Tuesday.

With $3,000 grant money from a Whole Kids Garden Grant, four Andover Elementary School staff members and community volunteers are creating a garden project and mini homestead at the school to teach their 22 prekindergarten through fifth grade students gardening and homesteading skills.

Kenny Robbins, Regional School Unit 56 building, grounds and transportation director updated directors on summer work.

Last spring the board stopped livestreaming and recording meetings in preparation for its $14.28 million budget for the 2024-25 school year.

Wayne Rundlett received 24 write-in votes Tuesday during the write-in ballot election at Town Hall.

In a letter to the RSU 10 board of directors, Sumner selectmen requested that the annual budget meeting venue rotate locations to accommodate more voters.

Math and science teachers are hired for Buckfield and Mexico schools.

Homeowners 55 and older or disabled must apply for the free assistance by Oct. 4.

Irene Poirier receives the Boston Post Cane.

The two women are Community Health Outreach workers for Strengthen ME Storm Response, a free and anonymous program to help people suffering the aftereffects of the December 2023 flood.

The package was x-rayed and revealed wires, tools, a stapler and components that could carry the possibility of an explosive device within, said Rumford Fire Chief Chris Reed.

Registered Maine Master Guide Jeff Rainey will receive $3,400 according to the Mastery Level pay scale.

The Peru man Delano, born on Feb. 3, 1926, is the town's oldest citizen.

Rumford plans to move the Kezal Bandstand from the Veterans Park, located at the end of Congress Street, to Stephens Memorial Park on York Street.

The idea will be presented to the Select Board on Sept. 16.

Students participating in sports, arts, competitions and tournaments must be full time, take at least five classes and pass at least four.

T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School will allow fifth graders on the middle school teams depending on the need or availability to fill a team’s roster.

About 330 students are enrolled at Dirigo Elementary School in Peru, Principal Charlie Swan said Wednesday.

The Falcon Camp trips were paid with $20,000 from the nonprofit Maine West.

Rumford has $375,000 in ARPA funds and has until Dec. 31, 2026, to spend the remaining $246,550.

CEO Ken Liu held two private sessions for employees Monday afternoon.

The Select Board chose Oct. 9, 12, 16 and 19 as townwide cleanup dates.

FEMA has not yet reimbursed the town for washouts from major rainstorms.

The 40- by 80-foot building has two bays, a bus lift, an office, a bathroom and a storage and parts room.

Residents question the future of the police force amid ongoing recruitment challenges.

Forty-six staff members have been injured so far this year at Rumford, Mexico and Sumner elementary schools, the document says.

“Ladder 47 will fill a multi-role service from being used on firefighter scenes for the aerial ladder rescue operations, venting and fire suppression as well as for vehicle accidents,” Fire Chief Jim Adler said.

Many are concerned the system is not hard enough on repeat offenders and lets them return to the community.

Superintendent Pam Doyen said that the district needs a music teacher, a math/science teacher and two more bus driver/custodians.

A town meeting is set for Tuesday at 6 p.m. to vote on a loan to begin repairing roads and bridges.

The committee decided to keep the basketball court separate from the tennis court.

Residents had plenty of questions for Mexico officials, who described hiring difficulties and staff stress as leading causes for 'idling' the police department.

Voters will decide on four articles relating to: storm clean up funds, recreation park work, a property maintenance ordinance and a food sovereignty ordinance.

The Select Board approved spending up to $85,000 to purchase a 2024 Ford F550 for the town’s Highway Department during their meeting in the Town Office meeting room on Wednesday.

'If there is no write-in winner, we will restart the process in hopes of filling this vacancy as soon as possible,' Selectman Justin Thacker said.

Sewer District Superintendent Roland Arsenault said the grant will "ensure that the district is able to help protect the Androscoggin River’s water quality and environment."

Cohen plans to present her latest thriller at the American Legion in Rumford on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. and at Back Cove Books in Portland on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., where she’ll also have her books for sale.

Assistant Superintendent Matt Gilbert said NWEA testing scores data are to be used to study and reach students’ achievement goals in reading and math.

Two resignations last week will soon leave the Mexico Police Department without three of its five officers.

Ripping out all the carpets at Mountain Valley Middle School in Mexico due to asbestos and mold issues is one project adding to the district’s 2024-25 unexpected budget needs.

Rumford police have been publicizing the final results of criminal cases on Facebook, causing some to question why so many cases are dropped in court system.

The theme for this year's parade was 'Hunting, Fishing and Camping, Oh my!'

The library’s summer reading program for children had its fourth presentation about animals and nature last week. The library's next presentation on July 31 is about making soap.

The emergency food pantry and soup kitchen is now a nonprofit organization under the town of Mexico.

The RSU 56 SRO position is funded through a bipartisan Stronger Connections Grant for $250,000 and covers three years of salary/benefits of the SRO in RSU 56, said Superintendent Pam Doyen in an email response to the Rumford Falls Times.

As a Maine native, Thompson is glad to be back and she's “really looking forward to hearing from the staff and community and seeing what they need for support.”

Dirigo Elementary School students participate in a CARE workshop.

The town is waiting for federal disaster funds to cover storm damage.

The shop offers handcrafted items and quilting classes.

Heat and humidity took its toll on firefighters who couldn't work more than 20 minutes at a time.

Fire Chief Randy Hall said the smaller truck would be used for places that are off the grid and back from main roads.

Loretta Blancato received the Steve and Lisa Wills Memorial Citizenship Award.

The project would replace the culvert systems at stream crossings on the East Andover Road, the Whippoorwill Road and the Beliveau Road.

Many attended the fireworks show in neighboring Rumford.

Road Commissioner Mark Farrington has agreed to continue serving until Dec. 1.

Rumford plans to repurpose the building, built in 1956, 'to provide childcare for the community.'

Fireworks, food and entertainment are planned for both towns' celebrations on Thursday.

The annual town meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office meeting room.

Greg Freeman and Neil Sorensen have dedicated themselves to grooming and maintaining 52 miles of snowmobile trails in town for a combined 51 years.

Oxford County Sheriff Christopher Wainwright met with Chairman Richard Pickett.

Residents rejected spending up to $147,000 to update and repair the town’s tennis court and playground area on South Main Street.

Residents cited safety conditions and noise as issues against the request.

The annual meeting begins at 8 a.m. at the Town Hall.

The town plans to appropriate up to $275,000 from its undesignated fund balance for the plow purchase.

Regional School Unit 56 Board Director Carl Lueders won his bid for reelection for a three-year term by 80 votes to Tom Peters’ 37 votes.

RSU 10 voters approved the budget, 1,187-732.

The vote from the four RSU 56 towns was 503-387.

Firefighters Jacob Cunningham, Troy Swett and Hunter Bradbury received this year's George Downs Memorial Firefighter of the Year Award due to actions shown during the devastating December floods.

Twenty-eight Dirigo Elementary School students read books over four weeks to win new bikes during their school assembly on Monday. The bikes were donated by the Masons of King Hiram Lodge 57 of Mexico.

U.S. Sen. Angus King encouraged graduates to only regret the things in life they do, not to reach the end of life regretting the things they didn't.

Employees reported that a woman walked up to the drive-thru window at closing time, pointed a pistol at an employee and demanded use of a telephone.

The town is applying for a federal grant of $170,000 to $200,000 for a recreation park.

The Harold Alfond Foundation is investing $8.2 million in additional money into the original $1 million grant obtained by the Maine Math and Science Alliance in 2021, allowing the district to extend the computer science program an additional five years.

Regional School Unit 10 offered the building, which the town plans for child care programs and a recreational center. .

A final vote is set for June 11 at polling station in each town.

A majority of 36 voters approve spending $14.28 million for 2024-25.  

"Sacrifice is not evenly distributed. It's a burden that some carry in a much deeper way than others do. But it is something that is given for all of us." — George O'Keefe Jr.

Former Deputy Town Clerk Kathy Walker will begin her duties June 3.

Voters would consider the issue at a special town meeting.

A committee will apply for a $170,000 to $200,000 federal grant funding pay for the project.

The Mountain Valley Bees Academy apiary in Mexico was created from a $100,000 Maine Department of education grant in 2022.

Current Road Commissioner Brad Hutchings, elected to a three-year term in June 2023, has resigned, effective June 30.

Class of 2024 senior Logan Timberlake and Class Advisor Jillian Bryant told the RSU 56 board of directors that project graduation events in Auburn and Portland will follow the class’s graduation ceremony at the high school.

Regional School Unit 56 board director Don Whittemore said he objects to the proposed 2024-25 budget because of administrators’ high salary increases. He was the only board director to vote against the budget proposal approved by the board on April 23.

Elizabeth Ledesma received the award during a ceremony on May 9 at the state capitol, where she and 15 other Maine teachers received the 2024 award for their counties.

Staff will lead biking, hiking and canoeing trips in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Town Manager Raquel Welch-Day said wages and insurance are the biggest reasons for the increase.

Voters approved a six-month moratorium on projects in January so the Planning Board could develop regulations.

Increases in police services and reserve accounts are the major reasons.

Wood’s latest novel, “How to Read a Book,” was discussed in a crowd-filled room at the American Legion.

Carl Lueders is seeking another three-year term; Thomas Peters is also a candidate.

Dirigo Elementary School Principal Charlie Swan is recognized Friday.

The adult education budget of $425,784 also passed.

He was chairman of the Rumford Center Village Improvement Society tor more than two decades.

The proposal is $3.7 million more than this year.

Hartford resident Dave Bowen said there were “seven other property owners that own the other half of Pine Shores (Hartford ATV trail area) that you should ask (permission for trail use).”  

Student adviser Jenn Bell said the service work benefits students and the community.

The Regional School Unit 56 board of directors hired Kaelyne Thompson as Dirigo High School principal and Sara Thurston as athletics and activities director for the district, both to begin their positions July 1.

Make a Difference Day will involve all students and staff for the first time.

Angela Varnum has served since May 2022. Her last day will be Monday.

Replacing floor tiles will take five to six weeks.

To achieve a 5% increase from this year’s budget of $13.56 million, a reduction of $64,437, the district might cut middle and high school Nordic skiing, middle school clubs such as Speech and Debate, Technology Club, winter cheering teams, discontinue online streaming of board directors’ meetings, and cut an athletic director assistant position, among other cuts.

Directors have trimmed more than $2 million from the original proposal.

Michelle Williams is presented with the Mexico Spirit of America tribute by her son, Select Board chair TJ Williams during the April 2 meeting of the Select Board.

Special education director, four ed tech and three teaching jobs eliminated.

Mexico Fire Chief Mat Theriault said he was hoping not to take from the fire reserve account because they have two fire apparatus that are 22 and 19 years old, with one needing to be replaced soon.

The team qualified for two national tournaments this year, one in Des Moines, Iowa, and the other in Chicago.

Town Manager Stacy Carter advises public of Hosmer Field repairs.

Director Brenda Gammon said the number is about 50 more than this year.

The article asks to approve up to $100,000 from surplus.

Directors voted 7-1 to give the superintendent the final say.

Directors have trimmed $2.7 million from the $37.24 million proposal.

Rumford Fire Department Deputy Chief Sam Cote, Lt. Corey Mills, firefighter Justin Tibbetts, Deputy Chief Mike Arsenault and firefighter Dan Carrier responded.

During a traffic stop Tuesday night, a Rumford police drug-detection K9 was used to conduct an open-air sniff of the vehicle for the presence of illegal drugs.

Andover residents didn’t pass the vote on whether to purchase and install an electronic sign for the town.

Voters also approved raising $48,000 from the General Fund to install a dock at the Roxbury Pond boat landing.

Nomination papers are available at the Town Office at 94 Turner St.

If librarians read inconsistent reviews of materials, the materials would be sent to the superintendent for consideration.

Included in the long list of cuts throughout the district are the golf and math teams at Mountain Valley High School, and the alpine/Nordic ski team at Mountain Valley Middle School, among others.