BREWER — Northern Light Health is recognizing National EMS Week, May 17-23, and Mental Health Awareness Month, observed all month long, by shining a light on the importance of mental health support for EMTs and paramedics, first responders who face traumatic events, high stress situations and long working hours.

SANGERVILLE — Sangerville town officials are looking at how to regulate marijuana operations in town, gaining insight from the state’s Office of Cannabis Policy during a May 6 select board meeting at the fire station.

SANGERVILLE — The Two Knights Brewing & Kennedy Kustoms 5K Race fundraising event will support Friends of Community Fitness and will be hosted at Two Knights Brewing, 136 McPhetres Road in Sangerville, on Saturday, May 16.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff Mainers can vote early by absentee ballot at all municipal offices starting Monday through June 4 ahead of the state’s June 9 primary election.

ORONO — When Timothy Simons arrived at the University of Maine, he was homesick, uncertain about his future and struggling to find his place on campus.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Spring is typically when Maine’s real estate market explodes with new inventory and home sales.

By Kristian Moravec, The Maine Monitor  Growing up in Parkman, Ruth Griffith’s neighbors lived half a mile down the road.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County has applied for a $1 million federal grant that if awarded would provide funding for a jail nurse and benefit three other regional organizations.

GUILFORD —Piscataquis Community High School senior Noah Kain of Parkman has been selected to receive the 2026 Principal’s Award.

By Cameron Levasseur, The County Staff Portland’s three public high schools.

By Christopher Burns and Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff Gov.

GUILFORD — Piscataquis Community High School is excited to announce Valedictorian Ava Goulette and Co-Salutatorians Audrey Chadbourne and Arianna Crosby for the Class of 2026.

SANGERVILLE — Earlier this year Sangerville had its application for a $250,000 Maine Historic Community Building Grant for the town hall turned down.

HALLOWELL – As warmer weather brings a surge in outdoor projects across the state, the Maine Public Utilities Commission is reminding homeowners, contractors and anyone planning to use a mechanical device to dig that they are required by law to call 811, Maine’s “Call Before You Dig” number, at least three business days before beginning any excavation.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Land Use Planning Commission has begun work on updating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

By Benjamin Kail, Bangor Daily News Staff Secretary of State Shenna Bellows argued that a referendum aiming to ban transgender girls from girls’ school sports has enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, but the margin is tight with more challenges pending.

GUILFORD — The SAD 4 Board of Directors gave its approval to a $9,574,394 budget for 2026-27 during a meeting on April 14 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Recently the Piscataquis County Democrats sponsored “Together in Community, United in Song” at the Commons in Dover-Foxcroft.