Grade eight, high honors: Sierra Bolstridge, Mario Cook, Jacoby Landry; honors: Chase Brown, Kiptyn Dehaan, Davia Deiters, Michael Drake, Lucas Hoffman, Kassidy McGuinn, Adalai Perkins, Griffin Romero, Karlee Shannon, Caroline Snider, Bradlee Thomas.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Piscataquis and Penobscot County’s first public defender started work on Monday, July 8.

By Elizabeth Walztoni With snapping turtle egg-laying season underway, the creatures can be seen all over roadsides, in sandy clearings and, perhaps, on your land.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — While Maine’s elected Democrats are mostly sticking with President Joe Biden, there is behind-the-scenes pessimism among donors and operatives who think the party must pick another standard bearer before Election Day.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff President Joe Biden’s performance at the debate with former President Donald Trump has stirred up the political scene, especially in Maine.

Grade 12, high honors: Addison Conklin, Cassandra Boislard, Destiny Sibert, Dylan McKenzie, Hannah Legere, Layla Chaii; honors: Ashley Willis, Austin Gallant, Christopher “Kip” Crockett, Jacob Higgins, Mason Searles, Ryann Yenchochic, Tanairi Gonzalez, Tyler Grant.

UScellular survey reveals consumer thoughts on inappropriate phone use July is Cellphone Courtesy Month and with smartphone usage on the rise, it’s a timely reminder to watch your digital manners.

ORONO — A $7 million grant from the National Science Foundation will fund a four-year statewide collaborative project led by the University of Maine to foster resilient forest communities in Maine.

By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff U.

Maine Audubon has been working to protect Common Loons for decades, as the Fourth of July is one of the busiest periods on Maine lakes and ponds.

GUILFORD — Twelve members and one guest met at the Piscataquis Country Club clubhouse in Guilford for the monthly meeting of the Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association.

The Fourth of July means fireworks.

The towns of Sebec, Dexter, and Greenville will each be celebrating Independence Day with events on and leading up to Thursday.

BREWER — Northern Light Health announced that it has been accepted into the America Is All In Clean Energy Academy, led by the Rocky Mountain Institute, as it seeks to halve its emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff MILO — Bissell Brothers will close its Three Rivers location in Milo at the end of the summer.

BANGOR — Penquis is encouraging survey participation in the Maine Shared Community Health Needs Assessment (Maine Shared CHNA), inviting individuals 18 and older to participate in the statewide community survey.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff MILO — The remains of a 76-year-old man were found in a Milo workshop after a fire early Sunday morning, June 23.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine saw home sales increase in May, making it the fourth straight month of growth after more than two years of a steady decline in the state’s housing market.