By Annie Rupertus, Bangor Daily News Staff A $100,000 gift from an anonymous donor will help about 285 Maine families with emergency heating support this winter.

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates excellence in teaching and elevates the importance of the teaching profession.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County’s new proposed $35.

Grade 12, high honors: Serenity Elizabeth Adams, Emma Grace Webb Alden, Madyson Armstrong, Grayson William Bruyette, Alexis Marie Burdin, Griffin James Caruso, Shannon Chartier, Seunghyun Jason Cheon, Noa Elizabeth Clark, Addie Day, Keaten Dale Eakright, Sadie Jane Estes, Tanyon R.

By Wendy Watkins, Bangor Daily News Staff DEXTER — Firefighters in Dexter battled a fire in an apartment building on Main Street Saturday morning, Dec.

Grade 12, highest honors: Noah Benson, Jazmin Channon, Raina Cyr, Paige Jandreau, Chloe Murdock, Laney Scott, Casey Swenson, Lexi Wintle; high honors: Aedyn Goodell, Caleb Pelkey, Autumn Picard, Genevieve Rich, Kallie Stone, Alex Sutton, Abby Trafton, Sophie White; honors: Brady Adams, Desiree Adams, Jon Andrescu, Shea Bagley, Caleb Bowman, George Childers, Bryce Cooper, Gaberial Cupero, Luca De Pasquale, Peyton Dodge, Cassidy Drew, Emily Giles, Trenton Hanscom, Ryan Hocking, Annabelle Keniston-Johndro, Kody Kimball, Tanner Ladd, Josh Medeiros, Damiair Miller, Maddox Miller, Tucker Neal, Annabelle Peakes, Jacoby Pratt, Cadence Sciongay, Adriana Sibert, Skkylar Squires, Baylee Turcotte, Jazmin Wing, Noah Woodruff.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff An advisory committee on Thursday night, Dec.

DEXTER — A pair of grants from the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety for the Dexter Police Department were approved by the town council during a meeting on Dec.

By Daniel O’Connor, Bangor Daily News Staff Property taxes have been the subject of some of Maine’s biggest local political battles of the last year, but they hit people far differently across the state.

By Marie Weidmayer and Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County leaders neglected a budget crisis for years that could crush residents with a nearly 20% tax hike in 2026, according to former county commissioners and budget committee members.

By Kevin Miller, Maine Public A new referendum campaign aims to once again make it illegal to sell recreational marijuana in Maine.

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.

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor With winter setting in, snowmobile enthusiasts across Maine are gearing up for another season on the trails.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Surviving and enjoying winter in Maine takes certain skills, knowledge and gear to stay safe, warm and dry.

Teens to Trails is thrilled to announce that 21 schools across Maine have been awarded $600 grants to establish or enhance their outdoor clubs, providing students with transformative opportunities to connect with nature.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff As temperatures continue to drop, Mainers are reminded that winter is on the way, bringing with it all the beauty and challenges of the season.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Forecasters with the National Weather Service say conditions are right for Maine’s drought to last through the winter.

By Cameron Levasseur, The County Staff Three of the five largest high schools in Aroostook County are exploring forming a singular regional high school for central Aroostook.