By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor Early ice fishing opportunities in Maine exist in December on specific lakes and ponds, but the official statewide season typically begins Jan 1.

By Paul Koenig, Bangor Daily News Staff This year had it all in Maine.

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

By Cameron Levasseur, The County Staff Twice in recent memory, groups of school districts in southern and northern Aroostook County have looked to consolidate into one regional high school under mounting budget pressure, declining enrollment and staffing shortages.

By Daniel O’Connor Just five people entered the basement of the Belfast courthouse for an August meeting.

Photo courtesy of Town of SangervilleHALF CENTURY OF SERVICE — On Saturday, Dec.

MILO — Military members past and present were honored at the Milo Veterans Memorial in Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday, Dec.

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

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff GREENVILLE — The cause of the fire that damaged Greenville’s historic Masonic lodge may never be known.

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.

GREENVILLE JUNCTION — Hundreds of attendees passed through the doors for the 5th Annual Moosehead Festival of Trees Dec.

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.

GUILFORD — A childhood sports goal has been realized for Piscataquis Community School senior Brady Gaw.

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.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Program grant cuts to 12 organizations in the proposed 2026 Piscataquis County budget have been restored by the Piscataquis County Commissioners, some partially and some in full compared to the current year.

By Daniel O’Connor, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine consistently ranks as one of the most rural states in the nation, with more than 60% of the population living far from a major city.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff DOVER-FOXCROFT — When Kelly and Peter Dennis bought their more than 8,100-square-foot house on Sebec Lake in Dover-Foxcroft in 2021, they didn’t plan on owning the largest estate on the lake.

DEXTER — Two area school districts and the region’s career and technical education center have applied for state funding for a comprehensive high school that will combine traditional academics, career and technical education, and access to college courses.