By Elizabeth Walztoni, Bangor Daily News Staff Reports of common tick-borne diseases in Maine broke records again in 2025 as tick populations have expanded in the state.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School hosted a special schoolwide assembly on Dec.

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor Maine lakes and ponds are beginning to freeze as winter sets in, but ice conditions remain variable across the state.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Consumers likely noticed smaller apples and potatoes and pricier blueberries lining grocery shelves this fall after one of the driest summers in 30 years triggered drought alerts throughout Maine, with the National Weather Service predicting that the parched conditions will likely continue into next spring.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff During Maine’s pandemic-era housing crunch when high demand and limited inventory caused property costs to skyrocket, many buyers chose to forego a home inspection before closing.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Northern Light Health lost $15 million last year, a year after a $156 million loss left the health care system reeling.

By Daniel O’Connor Just five people entered the basement of the Belfast courthouse for an August meeting.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff As temperatures continue to drop, Mainers are reminded that winter is on the way, bringing with it all the beauty and challenges of the season.

By Annie Rupertus, Bangor Daily News Staff A $100,000 gift from an anonymous donor will help about 285 Maine families with emergency heating support this winter.

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates excellence in teaching and elevates the importance of the teaching profession.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Two weeks after program cuts to a dozen organizations in an earlier version of the 2026 Piscataquis County budget were restored, some partially and some in full compared to the current year, both the county budget and 2026-27 Unorganized Territory budget were approved by the county commissioners during a meeting on Tuesday morning.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School hosted a special schoolwide assembly on Nov.

Photo courtesy of SeDoMoCha SchoolCANDY CANE ATTIRE — The SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft recently had a “Candy Cane” day where students were encouraged to wear red and white.

Grade 12, high honors: Serenity Elizabeth Adams, Emma Grace Webb Alden, Madyson Armstrong, Grayson William Bruyette, Alexis Marie Burdin, Griffin James Caruso, Shannon Chartier, Seunghyun Jason Cheon, Noa Elizabeth Clark, Addie Day, Keaten Dale Eakright, Sadie Jane Estes, Tanyon R.

AUGUSTA — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands recently announced the results of the first round of Maine Trails Program grants, marking a significant investment in trail access, connectivity, and outdoor recreation throughout the state.

Contributed photoWREATH CEREMONY — Law enforcement officers gathered at the Hillside Cemetery in Monson as part of a statewide wreath-laying ceremony for all troopers who died in the line of duty.

By Daniel O’Connor, Bangor Daily News Staff Property taxes have been the subject of some of Maine’s biggest local political battles of the last year, but they hit people far differently across the state.

By Kevin Miller, Maine Public A new referendum campaign aims to once again make it illegal to sell recreational marijuana in Maine.