By Alexander MacDougall, Houlton Pioneer Times HOULTON, Maine — Summer has yet to arrive in Maine, but half the state is already experiencing abnormally dry conditions, triggering the activation of a drought task force by the Maine Emergency Management Agency and the US Geological Survey.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Single-family home sales in Maine rose by double-digits in March, continuing a hot streak during the coronavirus pandemic and driven by strong sales in rural counties, according to data released Thursday by the Maine Association of Realtors.

ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab 2020 Surveillance Program data is now compiled and available on the Maine Tick Data webpage at https://extension.

HOLDEN — Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation has announced a new matching grants initiative called “MAC – Masons Assisting Communities.

By Caitlin Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Some COVID-19 vaccine sites in rural Maine have recently closed as demand for shots appears to be slowing, presenting a new challenge for public health officials.

Many of the events will likely not be happening as listed below due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County Commissioners approved a tax increment finance district on April 20 for the proposed Big Moose Resort, a ski resort with year-round attractions on 1,700 acres overlooking Moosehead Lake.

By Troy R.

AUGUSTA — At their April 15 meeting, the board of directors of the Finance Authority of Maine approved up to $135 million in conduit bond financing for Provident Group-Moosehead Lake L3C ( “Provident”).

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County Democratic Headquarters, on North Street across from Will’s Shop ‘n Save, will be open from 10 a.

ORONO — With gardeners planning for spring planting and local plant sales, a new publication from University of Maine Cooperative Extension offers guidance for plant sale donors, buyers and organizers.

Partners for Peace, the domestic violence resource center for Piscataquis and Penboscot counties, faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the organization continued to support survivors and worked to improve stability and inclusivity.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Miosac Club of Dover-Foxcroft, members of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Maine designated April 13 as the day to place blue pinwheels out on the lawn around the big tree in front of the United Methodist Church on East Main Street — it is very visible there.

Ahead of the U.

PORTLAND — Bishop Robert Deeley has announced the following priest assignments and retirements.

By Caitlin Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine public health officials on Thursday floated the possibility of offering coronavirus vaccines without appointments, which would make the vaccination effort more flexible but would pose logistical hurdles.

Visit redcross.

ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension has a new video series designed for the at-home cook who wants to learn more about preparing and cooking locally sourced meat.