By Lia Russell, Bangor Daily News Staff Small-town fire departments in Maine have struggled for years to recruit volunteer firefighters and pay to maintain the equipment and buildings they need to respond to emergencies.

By Caitlin Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — Federal and state health officials recommended on Tuesday that people in areas with higher COVID-19 transmission wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, a designation that includes York and Piscataquis counties.

This story will be updated.

Throughout June anglers of all abilities cast their lines for Fishing Across Maine, a fundraiser for Wayside Food Programs, to help end food insecurity across the state.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff DEXTER — A Dexter man has been arrested for allegedly shooting at a police officer.

Photo courtesy of Abbott Memorial Library SENIORS ART RECEPTION — The Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter recently hosted a reception for work done by local seniors in the Dexter community.

By Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine is not seeing the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations that other states are despite a rise in cases over the past few weeks.

By David Marino Jr.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Existing home sales in Maine continued on a hot streak in June, especially in rural counties, mirroring strong sales nationally, according to data from state and national real estate groups.

By Patty Wight, Maine Public The tight labor market is not just affecting hospitality and retail in Maine — it’s affecting hospitals too.

WASHINGTON, D.

Contributed photo TRIVIA WINNER — Stuart Moore demonstrated his knowledge of United States independence when he answered the most trivia questions at the July 8 Dexter Age-Friendly Tea Talks.

Grade 12, highest honors: Abby Andrews, Michael Gadwah, Kaitlyn Gray, Olivia Peakes, Grace Wallace and Jayde Wintle; high honors: Robert Dorman, Peyton Grant, Brett Kusnierz, Parker Ponte and Abigail Wakefield; honors: Makala Bignell, Demitri Burton, Hannah Campbell, Hunter Dean, Ryan Gould and Avery Herrick.

By Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News Staff Former Gov.

VASSALBORO — On Friday, July 16, 67 police cadets, representing 35 agencies from Fort Kent to South Berwick, graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP) at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.

AUGUSTA – LD 626, “An Act To Clarify Temporary Mooring Privileges for Moorings on Inland Waters,” has been carried over to the second regular session of the 130th Legislature.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff This story will be updated.

PORTLAND — AARP Maine is seeking nominations for its 2021 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors those individuals who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.