The Maine Department of Education and Educate Maine are excited to announce that nominations are officially open for the 2025 County Teachers of the Year and the 2026 State Teacher of the Year.

The rate of drug overdose deaths in Piscataquis County far exceeds the state average.

By Larry Mahoney, Bangor Daily News Staff Orono High School Athletic Administrator Nelson Beaudoin was in a pinch.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County Democrats gathered on Jan.

AUGUSTA — JMG (formerly known as Jobs for Maine’s Graduates, Inc.

PORTLAND – Students who will graduate from Maine public high schools this spring and plan to attend a 2- or 4-year college in fall 2025 are invited to complete the online application for the $10,000 Mitchell Scholarship by midnight, March 1.

AUGUSTA — The Maine County Commissioners Association held their annual meeting in Augusta on Jan.

Graduating seniors from Maine high schools who are National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) members and interested in pursuing a career in farming, agriculture, or natural resources are invited to apply for a Ronald P.

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

Nonprofit organizations throughout the state may be eligible for grants from the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program.

WASHINGTON, D.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A credit rating agency has given Bangor’s largest health care system a negative outlook, despite deciding not to further downgrade its credit rating.

BANGOR — National Blood Donor Month is a time to recognize and celebrate blood donors, and to remind people of the importance of donating blood.

MILO — Late last year Milo and Brownville officials voted in favor of merging the two neighboring communities’ recreation departments into a new Penquis Recreation Program.

ORONO — Ask anyone who frequents the forests of New England and they will likely speak of unwelcome companions — ticks.

By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff The push to require Mainers to provide photo identification at the polls is a state-level issue that voters will settle in November, but Maine’s members of Congress also have thoughts on this year’s high-profile referendum.

To encourage students in Maine who are exploring careers in journalism, the Maine Press Association each year awards MPA scholarships to current university students and high school seniors planning to attend college in the coming year.

Public hearing will be Jan.