By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — Lawmakers approved a plan in April to ensure Maine begins providing defendants with clear start dates for criminal trials, but the proposal will not take effect unless it receives the necessary funding.

Grade 12, highest honors: Scott Chadbourne, Benjamin Higgins; high honors: Lily Carr, Emily Easler, Sophia Kopf; honors: Zachariah Demmer, Kandice Nadeau, Tim Van Der Heijden.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff The top federal prosecutor in Maine has vowed to keep up the crackdown on illegal marijuana operations in the state.

SANGERVILLE — The Piscataquis County Democrats filled the East Sangerville Grange on Sunday, April 28 for their annual spring brunch.

PARKMAN — The Parkman Grange is announcing plans to award 2024 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships to one or more deserving SAD 4 graduates continuing their education beyond high school.

GUILFORD — Friends of Community Fitness has been granted $2,000 from Mount Kineo Masonic Lodge and Abner Wade Lodge to support the Healthy4Life fitness program.

AUGUSTA — The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future announced that 13 Maine organizations have been awarded $497,377 in service provider grants through the Community Resilience Partnership to assist 41 communities across the state to address climate effects and build climate resilience.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft held its 50th annual Piscataquis River Race on the morning of Saturday, April 27 with paddlers traveling approximately 9.

GUILFORD — Valley Grange in Guilford has announced the annual Celebration of Community, which will take place on Friday, May 17 at the Grange Hall.

MONSON — Monson Arts will be hosting a free open reception for the high school program’s student gallery show “Carved Moments” from 5-7 p.

WESTBROOK – The Maine Credit Union League is pleased to announce the appointment of Elise Baldacci as its new president, effective June 3.

Eight members of the Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association recently met at the home of member Rheba Michaud in Dover-Foxcroft.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff One in 5 Mainers traveled from home to view the April 8 total solar eclipse.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The 50th annual Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft Piscataquis River Race is set for Saturday, April 27 from Guilford to Dover-Foxcroft.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff After a 31-month slide, Maine has seen home sales increase for two straight months.

BREWER — On Earth Day and every day, Northern Light Health is igniting conversation around how climate change affects our patients, our staff, and our organizations, as well as why we should care enough to do something about it.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — An estimated 40,000 people viewed the total solar eclipse in Piscataquis County on the afternoon of Monday, April 8.

The Northern Forest Center is offering grants of $1,000 to $3,000 to volunteer-led organizations working to increase youth participation in outdoor recreation in Northern Forest Communities.