By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff With the quality and thickness of ice on Maine’s lakes and ponds being unreliable this year, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the worst when you go ice fishing.

By Zara Norman, Bangor Daily News Staff Property values declined last year in many rural Maine towns and some surprising ones, including Cape Elizabeth and Carrabassett Valley, according to housing data from Zillow.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff President Joe Biden has declared the wind storm that lashed Maine in December a major disaster.

This secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans.

BREWER — Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

GUILFORD — For two decades the town of Guilford has celebrated the middle of summer with the Piscataquis River Festival on the last Saturday of July.

The Maine Community Foundation has awarded $469,623 to 25 conservation initiatives around the state.

Nonprofit organizations in Piscataquis County may be eligible for grants from the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program.

AUGUSTA — Maine communities have one week left to nominate a teacher for 2024 County Teacher of the Year and 2025 State Teacher of the Year.

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff How the gas tax money the state gives to the ATV, snowmobiling and boating communities toward upkeep of trails and boat facilities is distributed is the same proportions as it was in 2001, even though participation in the three motor sports has changed.

GUILFORD — Lewiston-based Androscoggin Bank has opened a business development office in Guilford.

The Maine Community Foundation has awarded $120,000 to nonprofit organizations that provide transportation services to Mainers.

Snow and ice in New England this time of year are no surprise.

Mainely Character is now accepting applications for scholarships for Maine high school seniors graduating in 2024 and attending post-secondary schools.

WELLS — York County Community College students are recognized each semester for their outstanding academic achievements.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff Gov.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Early estimates have Piscataquis County Unorganized Territory roads sustaining around $80,000 in damages from last month’s wind and rain storm, with the water washing out portions of the dirt travelways and these needing to be graded.

By Erin Rhoda, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine organizations that serve crime victims are facing a likely loss of $5.