By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Bangor Savings Bank helped nearly 500 people buy their first home in the last fiscal year, but the bank’s leaders said low inventory is the biggest hurdle it faces in getting more people to achieve the milestone.

BREWER — Northern Light Health announced that it has been accepted into the America Is All In Clean Energy Academy, led by the Rocky Mountain Institute, as it seeks to halve its emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

PORTLAND – The John T.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Any child 18 and under can enjoy free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday at the SeDoMoCha School, 63 Harrison Avenue, through mid-August.

BANGOR — Penquis is encouraging survey participation in the Maine Shared Community Health Needs Assessment (Maine Shared CHNA), inviting individuals 18 and older to participate in the statewide community survey.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The day started with showers, but by mid-morning it was perfect whoopie pie weather for the 6,000 people who came to Dover-Foxcroft to get their fill of Maine’s Official State Treat during the 15th Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on Saturday, June 22.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine saw home sales increase in May, making it the fourth straight month of growth after more than two years of a steady decline in the state’s housing market.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — Solar subsidies and storms will drive another round of electric rate hikes hitting most Mainers on July 1, though the effects will differ depending on where you live.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff If there’s one thing to learn at the height of summer, it’s that heat waves can seriously affect your health.

By Elizabeth Walztoni, Bangor Daily News Staff Across Maine’s agricultural fairs, organizers are making a new push to connect attendees to current farmers and fair history.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — “Going once, going twice, sold to the man in the second row with the blue hat!” The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Charities is pleased to announce preparations for their very popular largest fundraiser and summer tradition, the annual Kiwanis Auction to be held July 26-27 at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds.

By Nick Song, Maine Public Spending by tourists in Maine increased by 23.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Maine’s beloved Whoopie Pie Festival will return Saturday June 22 with live wrestling and a record number of bakers from around the state.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Earlier this month Dover-Foxcroft residents voted 558-411 to reject a referendum article concerning removal of the downtown Mayo Mill Dam on the Piscataquis River, meaning citizens were in favor of using tax money to fund studies, permitting, and repair costs for the structure.

This story will be updated.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Soon after walking into the gymnasium for a mid-morning assembly on the final day of school on June 14, SeDoMoCha School Principal Adam Gudroe found himself in a sticky situation.

Contributed photo NEW COUNTY FLAG — The new Piscataquis County flag is raised by Sheriff Robert Young, Chief Deputy Todd Lyford, and Deputy Kyle Wilson during a ceremony on Flag Day (Friday, June 14) at the county campus in Dover-Foxcroft.

Anna Shaw Buck Prize for Excellence in Written Spanish: Marceli Cerek Ben Sue Dow Memorial Scholarship: Jackson Smith Blue Collar Scholarship: Devin Henderson  C.