By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Mainers bought more items early this spring from cars to household goods, a positive indicator that the country may have avoided the economic slowdown many thought was coming.

By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — U.

MONSON — A team of five youth ambassadors will be coming to Monson to lead a special “Global Maine” story time event in collaboration with the Monson Public Library at 1 p.

The Maine Community Foundation awarded $284,500 to adult learners pursuing certificates or degree programs for the upcoming fall semester.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis Regional Food Center, home of the Dover Foxcroft Area Food Center, is delighted to announce the promotion of Becki Quimby to the position of director of operations.

Observer photo/Stuart HedstromAHOY MATEYS! — A Piscataquis Community High School Pirates float was part of the Piscataquis River Festival in Guilford on the morning of Saturday, July 29.

GREENVILLE – Northern Light CA Dean Hospital is pleased to welcome Ashley Hamilton-Ellis, FNP, to its provider team.

By Sam Canfield, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine’s secretary of state has randomly selected the order of the referendum on the ballot for the Nov.

UScellular announced its official partnership with Screen Sanity, an international nonprofit dedicated to helping parents and children navigate the digital landscape.

WASHINGTON, D.

A beautiful and detailed map of Maine’s largest lake is now available at local stores.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Northern Light Mayo and CA Dean Hospitals are pleased to welcome family practitioner Kristin Hartt, MD to their healthcare teams and to their communities.

BANGOR — Eastern Maine Development Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the Economic Recovery Implementation HUB program, in collaboration with DECD.

WASHINGTON, D.

By Emmett Gartner, The Maine Monitor Maine’s largest land use authority wrapped up a series of summer meetings July 19 as it considers how to regulate short-term rentals across its more than 10.

BANGOR — Penquis President and CEO Kara Hay was recently awarded the National Lyndon Baines Johnson Leadership Award by the National Community Action Partnership.

GREENVILLE — One of two vacancies on the Greenville Planning Board has been filled.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — What happens if you lose the ability to express your healthcare wishes following an illness or injury? If you have an advance directive, your family and caregivers will know what care you want, or may not want, on your terms, and it will be easier for a loved one to make decisions for you.