By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff As temperatures continue to drop, Mainers are reminded that winter is on the way, bringing with it all the beauty and challenges of the season.

By Annie Rupertus, Bangor Daily News Staff A $100,000 gift from an anonymous donor will help about 285 Maine families with emergency heating support this winter.

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates excellence in teaching and elevates the importance of the teaching profession.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Two weeks after program cuts to a dozen organizations in an earlier version of the 2026 Piscataquis County budget were restored, some partially and some in full compared to the current year, both the county budget and 2026-27 Unorganized Territory budget were approved by the county commissioners during a meeting on Tuesday morning.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School hosted a special schoolwide assembly on Nov.

Photo courtesy of SeDoMoCha SchoolCANDY CANE ATTIRE — The SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft recently had a “Candy Cane” day where students were encouraged to wear red and white.

Grade 12, high honors: Serenity Elizabeth Adams, Emma Grace Webb Alden, Madyson Armstrong, Grayson William Bruyette, Alexis Marie Burdin, Griffin James Caruso, Shannon Chartier, Seunghyun Jason Cheon, Noa Elizabeth Clark, Addie Day, Keaten Dale Eakright, Sadie Jane Estes, Tanyon R.

AUGUSTA — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands recently announced the results of the first round of Maine Trails Program grants, marking a significant investment in trail access, connectivity, and outdoor recreation throughout the state.

Contributed photoWREATH CEREMONY — Law enforcement officers gathered at the Hillside Cemetery in Monson as part of a statewide wreath-laying ceremony for all troopers who died in the line of duty.

By Daniel O’Connor, Bangor Daily News Staff Property taxes have been the subject of some of Maine’s biggest local political battles of the last year, but they hit people far differently across the state.

By Kevin Miller, Maine Public A new referendum campaign aims to once again make it illegal to sell recreational marijuana in Maine.

GUILFORD — SAD 4 and neighboring SAD 46 of Dexter have applied for state funding for a comprehensive high school that will combine traditional academics, career and technical education, and access to college courses.

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor With winter setting in, snowmobile enthusiasts across Maine are gearing up for another season on the trails.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Surviving and enjoying winter in Maine takes certain skills, knowledge and gear to stay safe, warm and dry.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine’s most rural county is set to see the most homes sold per capita in the state for the third straight year.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff As temperatures continue to drop, Mainers are reminded that winter is on the way, bringing with it all the beauty and challenges of the season.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Forecasters with the National Weather Service say conditions are right for Maine’s drought to last through the winter.

DEXTER — Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union recently donated nearly 800 pounds of non-perishable food to six local backpack programs serving students in the communities surrounding its branch locations.