DEXTER — In large part to reward faculty and staff for all their efforts for students and families during the pandemic, SAD 46 will start its holiday break several days earlier than originally scheduled.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff The crime rate in Penobscot County was the highest in the state last year for the second year in a row, according to statistics released this week by the Maine Department of Public Safety.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff A nearly two-month-old COVID-19 outbreak at the Penobscot County Jail is preventing nearly two dozen inmates from being transferred to state prisons so they can complete their sentences there.

BREWER — On Nov.

Adults up, chicks down, but what does it all mean? As Maine Audubon releases the data from its 2021 Annual Loon Count, it underscores the importance of long-term studies and highlights the need to look beyond the one-day count to understand the data.

Recognizing that many people struggle with depression during the holidays and winter months, NAMI Maine offers several online and in-person support groups for people with mental health challenges and their family members.

BANGOR — Christmas is for Kids brings the holiday spirit to life for local children and families in need through the charitable act of gift-giving.

Partners for Peace, the domestic violence resource center for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, is calling on the community to help the survivors and children in their Residential Program have a safe, happy winter, and holiday season.

By Abigail Curtis, Bangor Daily News Staff What’s in a name? Quite a lot, according to New Hope For Women, the midcoast domestic violence project that was founded 40 years ago.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Most Central Maine Power Co.

BREWER — The Maine CDC announced on Nov.

DEXTER — VFW Post 4298 is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal for the public from 11 a.

A committee dedicated to consolidating at least three high schools in central Maine into one modern regional facility that would be the first of its kind in the state is close to adopting a governance structure.

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

GUILFORD — A team of Valley Grange members led by Walter Boomsma is delivering over 200 dictionaries to local area schools during the next two weeks.

DEXTER — Demolition work to remove the remaining structure of a fire-damaged home at 85 High St.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine’s new U.

Up to 30 percent of adults in the U.