By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff Eight years ago, JD Vance was doing frequent interviews in the wake of “Hillbilly Elegy,” a bestselling memoir that was seen by many as essential to understanding the rising political appeal of Donald Trump.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A nearly $500,000 grant will connect Mainers who are leaving incarceration or who are in recovery from substance use with resources to help them find jobs.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The construction process to move the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center from cramped conditions in the county jail in Dover-Foxcroft into the administrative unit of the sheriff’s office on the first floor of the same building is currently proceeding.

MONSON — Monson’s Summerfest takes place Saturday, July 20, an annual celebration of all things summer.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine is in for a wet Wednesday evening.

MONSON — The Tree Talk art exhibition developed from a conversation Jemma Gascoine had with Mike Decker, Monson Arts education officer, when Monson Pottery/Gascoine Gallery was hosting the November 2023 Artist Meet n’ Greet.

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: Ashton Ade, Ruth-Ann Arnold, Chryshal Atwater, Bao Ngoc Gia Bach, Huyen Khai Bui, Colin Carpenter, Noah Cavanagh, Eliza Chambers, Cassandra Crockett, Jackson Day, Olivia Gage, Hilary Howard, Niksa Jasovic, Rose Kazmierczak, Aleksander Krause, Richard Liu, Jasmine Lockwood, Kailey McLaughlin, Jose Mieres Legido, Aubry Paradis, Zachary Peirce, Anh Phuong Pham, Wyatt Rayfield, Dominick Scuderi, Jackson Smith, Aleksa Sviloskos, Marcus Vargas; honors: Gage Beaudry, Simon Beeaker, Jackson Caruso, Marceli Cerek, Dylan Coy, Kristalyn Defries, Hieu Do, Matthew Fillmore, Devin Henderson, Annabelle Holman, Jacob Johnson, Conner Johnston, Ming Fou Lao, Loc Nguyen Mai, Kemsley Marsters, Laney McGary, Elyse Nutter, Danea Obratov, Samantha Ossenfort, Halle Page, Amara Perfect, Jenna Phillips, Dominic Redmond, Jadon Richard, Olivia Richardson, Gabriel Saunders, Owen Sherman, Alexandra Slade, Allison Smith, Izetta Story, Ngoc Thi Bich Tang, Paige Weidman, Elina White-Charette.

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.

MONSON — The Monson Arts Gallery, in collaboration with the Marlborough Gallery, New York, is pleased to announce its summer exhibition “Berenice Abbott’s Greenwich Village”, featuring her original vintage photographs from the 1930s and 1940s.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — On May 10 Foxcroft Academy celebrated the past with the induction of the 2024 Academic Hall of Fame class, John Hesketh ‘52, Karen Gammon Pomeroy ‘73, David Cynewski ‘79, Douglas Villone ‘92, Heidi Chambers Walker ‘92, and Ben Hamblen ‘06.