By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Single-family home sales in Maine rose by double-digits in March, continuing a hot streak during the coronavirus pandemic and driven by strong sales in rural counties, according to data released Thursday by the Maine Association of Realtors.

ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab 2020 Surveillance Program data is now compiled and available on the Maine Tick Data webpage at https://extension.

HOLDEN — Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation has announced a new matching grants initiative called “MAC – Masons Assisting Communities.

By Caitlin Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Some COVID-19 vaccine sites in rural Maine have recently closed as demand for shots appears to be slowing, presenting a new challenge for public health officials.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County Commissioners approved a tax increment finance district on April 20 for the proposed Big Moose Resort, a ski resort with year-round attractions on 1,700 acres overlooking Moosehead Lake.

By Troy R.

AUGUSTA — At their April 15 meeting, the board of directors of the Finance Authority of Maine approved up to $135 million in conduit bond financing for Provident Group-Moosehead Lake L3C ( “Provident”).

Partners for Peace, the domestic violence resource center for Piscataquis and Penboscot counties, faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the organization continued to support survivors and worked to improve stability and inclusivity.

Ahead of the U.

By Lauren Abbate, Bangor Daily News Staff The Maine Department of Corrections has rescinded a recent directive that placed new restrictions on the types of mail prisoners can receive, which was resulting in hundreds of pieces of mail being returned to sender.

PORTLAND — Bishop Robert Deeley has announced the following priest assignments and retirements.

By Caitlin Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine public health officials on Thursday floated the possibility of offering coronavirus vaccines without appointments, which would make the vaccination effort more flexible but would pose logistical hurdles.

Visit redcross.

HALLOWELL – NAMI Maine, a statewide nonprofit organization providing education, support, and advocacy for people living with mental illness and their families announces that registration is now open for two separate online courses for people who have an adult family member living with a mental health condition.

By Bob Duchesne, Bangor Metro The balance of nature is a beautiful thing, except when it isn’t.

GREENVILLE — A fleece blanket and some friendly banter.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Private ponds that are stocked with trout provide multiple benefits for landowners and their families.

Join Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife fisheries and wildlife biologists for the following live presentations on the MDIFW YouTube page.