By Ernie Clark, Bangor Daily News Staff The increased use of two popular Piscataquis County locations helped Maine break the record for visits at its state parks in 2020.

By Beth Ranagan The statewide and regional statistics concerning teen suicide rates within the last 12 months are alarming.

By Eesha Pendharkar, Bangor Daily News Staff The state is recommending as it did two weeks ago that schools in four Maine counties not offer full-time, in-person instruction as they experience higher rates of new virus cases than the rest of the state.

Steve Rowe, president and CEO of the Maine Community Foundation, will retire this summer.

BANGOR — Community Health Accreditation Partner, Inc.

GUILFORD — A proposed regional high school, offering a number of vocational programs and college courses in addition to core subjects, involving many of the area school districts was given new life last fall.

By Bob Duchesne First, a private message to the owners of a home on Guilford Center Road in Guilford: What on earth do you have in those bird feeders? I counted at least 60 American goldfinches and 30 common redpolls mobbing the feeders on the edge of your driveway last weekend.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Thompson Free Library will be opening for in-person services on Saturdays from 9 a.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — 2021 has gotten off to a great start at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA, especially in the organization’s youth development programming.

By Ernie Clark, Bangor Daily News Staff The real estate market in Maine’s least populated county was robust during 2020.

It was a highly unusual first year for Piscataquis County Economic Development Council Executive Director John Shea, who came aboard after moving from out of state in March at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and navigating his new position along with the new health and safety guidelines.

Towns and cities across Maine are taking advantage of solar energy to reduce municipal energy costs.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Foxcroft Academy has closed to in-person learning and students will continue their education online through Monday, Jan.

GUILFORD — The former Guilford town manager who continues to be active in his community in retirement is the 2020 recipient of the Warren “Pete” Myrick Award from the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council.

By Eesha Pendharkar, Bangor Daily News Staff DEXTER — A Dexter school will switch to remote instruction only this week after two people tested positive and were determined to have been in close contact with 51 staff and students.

2021 reservations open Feb.

By Aislinn Sarnacki, Bangor Daily News Staff Hiking during the winter in Maine can be a great way to experience the beauty of the season, with its crisp air, sparkling snow and whimsical ice formations.

Photo courtesy of KC’s Country StoreYOUTH DEER WINNING PRIZE — Ben Lackey, 11 of Parkman, is the 2020 KC’s Country Store Youth Deer Contest winner.