A program that launched in October 2021 has mostly reversed a major Maine hospital system’s shortage of emergency medical technicians after staffing dropped 30 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GUILFORD — One week after her 98th birthday, Barbara (Ladd) Reardon was presented the Boston Post Cane from Guilford Town Manager Johanna Turner.

EAST SANGERVILLE — A large crowd was in attendance for the annual Spring Brunch Sunday hosted by the Piscataquis County Democrats on May 7.

Northern Light Health hospitals around the state are offering $3,000 to $15,000 sign-on bonuses to registered nurses in an effort to address Maine’s health care worker shortage.

By Pete Warner, Bangor Daily News Staff As the son and grandson of Registered Maine Guides, Jerry Packard naturally became one himself.

By Pete Warner, Bangor Daily News Staff This spring, folks who enjoy journeying through the Maine woods on all-terrain vehicles will have to wait a bit longer.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County residents lacking internet can still have some financial assistance in connecting.

By Ron Chase Paddling Kingsbury Stream in Abbot has been a Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society spring tradition for decades.

Maine’s education commissioner sees a proposed regional high school serving districts in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties as a model for future education.

By Troy R.

BREWER — Jerry Packard, a longtime guide in the Sebec Lake region and the fourth generation operator of Packard’s Camps, was recently presented with the Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award by Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Deputy Commissioner Tim Peabody at the Maine Professional Guides Association annual banquet in Brewer.

GUILFORD — Kids with disabilities in Piscataquis County can experience the freedom and fun of Pine Tree Camp this summer right in their own backyard.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff A report on child welfare released by the Maine Children’s Alliance on April 25 found that the number of Maine children living in poverty decreased in 2021, but remains an issue in rural areas.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Each month 440 households visit the Piscataquis Regional Food Center at 76 North Street, located in the former Agway building, to supplement their groceries.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine home sales remained lower than a year ago as buyers continued to face increasing mortgage rates and a low for-sale inventory.

WINSLOW – Game Warden Pilot Jeff Spencer of Eagle Lake was honored as the Maine Game Warden of the Year by his peers at the annual awards banquet at the Winslow VFW Hall on April 21.

GREENVILLE — The Greenville Select Board authorized Town Manager Mike Roy to sign a letter of intent for a grant application that would provide funding from the Northern Region Border Commission to extend the Spruce Street water and sewer lines to aid a Spruce Street housing project.

In what may be the most visible indicator of how far we have come in the response and management of COVID-19, Northern Light Health is ending the universal masking policy statewide.