ORONO — When Timothy Simons arrived at the University of Maine, he was homesick, uncertain about his future and struggling to find his place on campus.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Spring is typically when Maine’s real estate market explodes with new inventory and home sales.

By Kristian Moravec, The Maine Monitor  Growing up in Parkman, Ruth Griffith’s neighbors lived half a mile down the road.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County has applied for a $1 million federal grant that if awarded would provide funding for a jail nurse and benefit three other regional organizations.

GUILFORD —Piscataquis Community High School senior Noah Kain of Parkman has been selected to receive the 2026 Principal’s Award.

By Cameron Levasseur, The County Staff Portland’s three public high schools.

By Christopher Burns and Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff Gov.

GUILFORD — Piscataquis Community High School is excited to announce Valedictorian Ava Goulette and Co-Salutatorians Audrey Chadbourne and Arianna Crosby for the Class of 2026.

DOVER-FOXCROFT —  The Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft held its 52nd annual Piscataquis River Race on the morning of Saturday, April 25 with paddlers traveling approximately 9.

The Highlands Regional League of Women Voters Maine has several events scheduled prior to the primary on Tuesday, June 9.

HALLOWELL – As warmer weather brings a surge in outdoor projects across the state, the Maine Public Utilities Commission is reminding homeowners, contractors and anyone planning to use a mechanical device to dig that they are required by law to call 811, Maine’s “Call Before You Dig” number, at least three business days before beginning any excavation.

GUILFORD — A dream to have his own freshwater fish business has come true for Jeff Zimmerman.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Land Use Planning Commission has begun work on updating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

By Benjamin Kail, Bangor Daily News Staff Secretary of State Shenna Bellows argued that a referendum aiming to ban transgender girls from girls’ school sports has enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, but the margin is tight with more challenges pending.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The 52nd annual Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft Piscataquis River Race is set for the morning of Saturday, April 25 from Guilford to Dover-Foxcroft.

GUILFORD — The SAD 4 Board of Directors gave its approval to a $9,574,394 budget for 2026-27 during a meeting on April 14 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Recently the Piscataquis County Democrats sponsored “Together in Community, United in Song” at the Commons in Dover-Foxcroft.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — New restrictions on high-priced moose hunts are moving forward despite a bitter clash between guides and an unexpected fight in the Maine Legislature.