By Sabrina Martin, Bangor Daily News Staff Probate judges in Maine are part-time elected officials, and, with probate matters not being considered public, they rarely get much attention.

DEXTER — Following several years of work, the Dexter Town Council has approved a solar ordinance prohibiting the installation of new commercial medium-scale and large-scale solar energy systems.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff There will be no contested elections for Penobscot County positions in the upcoming primary election.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff A referendum to ban transgender athletes from girls sports teams has qualified for Maine’s November ballot.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff The district attorney for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties won’t seek reelection after holding the position for nearly 40 years.

Three members of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office have filed to run to succeed Sheriff Robert Young.

Teens are learning what is love and what is not love through an impactful Finding Our Voices program visiting 16 middle schools and high schools across six Maine counties through April.

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FORT KENT — The University of Maine at Fort Kent is pleased to announce its fall 2025 dean’s list, recognizing the academic excellence of both full-time and part-time students.

By Daniel O’Connor The proportion of Mainers registered to vote as Republicans has grown in the past five years in a warning sign for Democrats trying to maintain control over Augusta.

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High SchoolSTUDENTS OF THE MONTH — Dexter Regional High School is pleased to announce the February Students of the Month as selected by the faculty and staff for being exemplary students.

DEXTER — The Friends of the Dexter Meeting House held its second annual chili cookoff on Saturday, March 7 at the First Universalist Church.

By Molly Enking, Maine Public Despite normal snowfall this winter, Maine remains in a years-long drought with record low stream flow, which puts the state at below normal flood risk this spring, according to the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

DEXTER — SAD 46 is looking at a $183,920 reduction in state subsidy for the 2026-27 budget, Superintendent Kevin Jordan said during a March 4 school board meeting at the Ridge View Community School.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff A new Penobscot County Jail could hold nearly twice as many inmates as the existing building and provide space for medical and mental health services, early plans for the facility show.

AUGUSTA — University of Maine at Augusta Provost Joseph Szakas announces the fall 2025 full-time president’s list and full-time dean’s list.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County lost more than $5 million in 2023 due to underfunding, underbudgeting and mismanagement, a long-awaited audit showed.

ORONO – On Feb.