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.

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.

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.

SIDNEY — On Saturday, April 18, at approximately 5:36 p.

ORONO — Twelve undergraduates have been named 2026 Outstanding Graduating Students at the University of Maine, including Jasper Makowski of Dover-Foxcroft and Ruth Griffith of Parkman.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine counties will get more money for jails in 2027 after years of asking the state to increase funding.

By CBS 13 The debate over transgender student athletes in school sports is once again in the spotlight in Augusta, and soon, it will be up to Maine voters to decide.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Along with $300 relief checks, a millionaire tax and free community college gaining permanent status, the state budget signed by Gov.

PORTLAND — Pets are family, and they need emergency plans too.

PARKMAN — The Parkman Grange is pleased to announce that the 24th annual Mother’s Day Tea will be held from 10 a.

By Dyan McCarthy-Clark SANGERVILLE — Diana Bowley, a seventh generation Sangerville resident, vividly captures her hometown’s history in her new book “Sangerville Over the Centuries: Town of Two Knights”.

GUILFORD — Valley Grange has announced its annual Celebration of Community to be held on Friday, May 15 at the Guilford Grange Hall.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Despite the seasonal return of rain, April and May in Maine often come with an elevated risk of wildfires, according to the Maine Forest Service, who issued a warning on April 10.

WASHINGTON, D.

By Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli, The County Staff A southern Aroostook high school consolidation could meld technical and traditional education to better prepare students for the workforce, school officials said.