By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor People actually plan their vacations to Maine around black fly season.

DOVER-FOXCROFT – University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Piscataquis 4-H will offer “Introduction to Machine Sewing,” a three-session workshop held from 10–11:30 a.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff A draft decision released by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ office Thursday found the conservative referendum aiming to bar transgender girls from school sports fell roughly 500 signatures short of the total needed to make the 2026 ballot.

By Anne Cress BANGOR — Six women from the Dover-Foxcroft GFWC MIOSAC Club attended the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Maine Spring Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor May 14-15.

Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom MEMORIAL DAY IN DOVER-FOXCROFT – Veterans lead last year’s Memorial Day parade in Dover-Foxcroft.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Friends of the Mountain will discuss converting the Ski Resort Road leading up Big Moose Mountain to gravel with the Piscataquis County Commissioners.

BANGOR – Penquis C.

By Ari Snider, Maine Public There were 3,356 international visa students enrolled at secondary and post-secondary institutions in Maine in April, virtually unchanged from the same month last year, according to a Department of Homeland Security database.

Partnering for a seventh year with The 1772 Foundation, Maine Preservation recently awarded grants totaling nearly $131,000 to 20 nonprofit organizations in Maine.

BREWER — Northern Light Health is recognizing National EMS Week, May 17-23, and Mental Health Awareness Month, observed all month long, by shining a light on the importance of mental health support for EMTs and paramedics, first responders who face traumatic events, high stress situations and long working hours.

AUGUSTA — The State of Maine is celebrating its newest cohort of County Teachers of the Year.

BANGOR — MaineStream Finance is celebrating 25 years of helping Mainers pursue homeownership, grow businesses and strengthen their financial future through flexible financing and financial coaching.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A new opportunity for women to connect, collaborate and grow is coming to the community with the launch of The Next Chapter Collective.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The SeDoMoCha School hosted a special assembly on April 27 to recognize students in kindergarten through grade 8 who demonstrated teamwork as the month’s Student in the Spotlight honorees.

Photo courtesy of SeDoMoCha SchoolTHERE EVERY DAY — Students with perfect attendance for the month of April were recognized during the monthly Student in the Spotlight assembly at the SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft on April 27.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Center Theatre for the Performing Arts and Slightly Off-Center Players community theatre group launched their production of “The Sound of Music” on Friday, May 8.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Dover-Foxcroft Select Board formally signed the referendum ballot for Tuesday, June 9, during a meeting on Monday evening.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A former Maine prison official was sentenced to prison after he took a bribe and spent nearly $2.