Town voters chose Whitney Cunliffe to fill an open seat on the Board of Selectmen in a special election held Tuesday. Cunliffe received 296 votes. Following Cunliffe were Amanda Bisol with 128, Ester Franklin with 78 and John Grohs with 13. Cunliffe’s term, a partial one, runs through June 2026.

Skowhegan officials signed off on a master transportation plan produced as part of a collaboration with the state Department of Transportation called the Village Partnership Initiative. Chief among its recommendations: The long-discussed second bridge over the Kennebec River in downtown Skowhegan. Other traffic improvements were suggested as well.

The suspect arrested in connection with a murder and an assault in Norridgewock continued to be held in jail without bail after a brief appearance in court this week. Kendall Purnell, 38, of Norridgewock is charged with the intentional or knowing or depraved indifference murder of a 71-year-old man and elevated aggravated assault of a 45-year-old man.

After three years of milder, less snowy winters, the recent stretch of cold, snowy weather has many Mainers enjoying an “old-fashioned winter.” Those who rely on the snow for recreation and business are thrilled. Forecasters said the recent weather pattern used to be more frequent decades ago.

Somerset Woods Trustees has two upcoming events for those interested in the outdoors and land stewardship.

The first event is an “Invasive Species Walk and Talk” at Kennebec Banks in Skowhegan on Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 9-11 a.m. Led by Emma Hovencamp, this is an informational walk-and-talk at Kennebec Banks to learn about the impacts of invasive plants, why it’s important to be able to recognize them, and talk more about how invasives have affected the property. Sign up through Skowhegan Outdoors or by emailing Hovencamp.

The second event is a stewardship “Brush Burn Party” at Jackson Woods on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 2:30-5 p.m. Led by Rachel Cheatham-McFadden, we will use power and hand tools to remove invasive species (non-native honeysuckle, buckthorn, etc.) and some additional brush to open up the hedgerow at Jackson Woods in support of grassland bird habitat. Sign up through Skowhegan Outdoors or by emailing Cheatham-McFadden.

Skowhegan students Angel Gerry, Kaela Rizkallah and Gabrielle Goding raised more than $500 for the New Hope Shelter for Women and Children in Solon through a coin drive at the Somerset Career and Technical Center. The project was part of the state SkillsUSA competition.

• Somerset SnowFest continues this week. On Saturday, head to the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds for Skijor Skowhegan, an event that typically draws thousands. Find more information here.

• Skowhegan Outdoors is launching the Trailblazers Club, a new four-week outdoor adventure program for 11–14-year-olds. In March, the club will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. and Saturdays for longer adventures. Find more information here.

• Celebrate Rev. Mark Tanner’s 30 years at the Skowhegan Federated Church on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 11:30 a.m. Find more information here.

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