Whether you are feeling a little “grinchy” or feeling the magic of the “Polar Express” or in the mood for traditional Christmas tunes or HJ Crosby’s “Adeste Fideles” march, set aside an hour to join in the holiday spirit.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff After working with Bangor’s homeless population for nearly 20 years, Jen Weatherbee no longer trudges through snow looking for unsheltered people to offer them help.

DEXTER  — A new adoption program that aims to boost the well-being of seniors who live alone pairs them with cats in need of homes.

Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotion of Maria Wooten from her current role as executive vice president to president beginning in January.

More than a third of middle-schoolers in Piscataquis and Somerset counties reported feelings of sadness and hopelessness in 2021, exceeding the state average, according to data released last week.

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High School Members of student government at Dexter Regional High School raised funds during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to go toward area individuals living with breast cancer.

Community Health and Counseling Services in collaboration with the City of Bangor and supported by grant funding from MaineHousing is implementing a program to meet the housing needs of people experiencing homelessness in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, with a focus on those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

DEXTER — The Piscataquis County Retired Educators Association met Tuesday, Nov.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff This time next year Penobscot County sheriff’s deputies will be wearing body cameras and have dashboard cameras in their cruisers as their law enforcement counterparts in Bangor, Brewer and Orono do.

BREWER — Northern Light Health is leading a statewide effort to deepen personal connection and improve the health of Mainers by putting purpose behind an often-overlooked question: How are you? The How Are You? movement brings to light that an important part of better health and healing comes through human connection.

By Emily Burnham, Bangor Daily News Staff This question comes to us from Bangor Daily News Managing Editor Dan MacLeod, who noticed that while his grandfather had a great Maine accent, neither of his parents do, and neither does he.

Skowhegan Savings employees packed up 1,122 ‘shoeboxes’ full of Christmas gifts to send to children across the world this week as part of Operation Christmas Child, a charitable organization that sends out gifts to children in 170 countries and territories annually, in honor of a late employee.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff Next year’s Penobscot County budget will require towns and cities to contribute 8 percent more to county operations due to rising costs and the need to keep salaries and benefits competitive.

A new Penquis program that supports youth affected by substance use wants to expand its efforts in and around Piscataquis County.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff The majority of Versant Power customers who buy their home electricity through the state’s standard offer price will see a 40.

DEXTER — For a number of months, Dexter officials have been working on broadband initiatives to improve access throughout the community.

Complex emotions among middle-schoolers are nothing new, but the sadness and hopelessness of students in two of Maine’s poorest counties prior to the COVID-19 pandemic have health officials and youth advocates concerned.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff A longtime Penobscot County commissioner was unseated Tuesday, Nov.