By Pete Warner, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine’s reputation as a pristine outdoors destination has recently taken some hits.

DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — Piscataquis County plans to promote two of its employees to fill the roles of jail administrator and patrol sergeant following recent retirements.

With temperatures all across the lower half of the state expected to reach into the 90s through the weekend, it’s official: most of Maine is in a wicked heat wave.

PARKMAN – The Bicentennial Celebration for the Town of Parkman will be held on​​ Saturday, July 23 at 38 North Dexter Road (field of B & K Storage).

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff A new simulation training lab in Bangor will give emergency care training to first responders in a life-like setting, better preparing them for situations in the field.

Contributed photo PARTY VALUES – Local Democrats from Sebec, Milo, Dover-Foxcroft, Orneville, and Bowerbank gathered in Sebec for an organizational meeting and cookout on July 10.

AUGUSTA – The Maine Connectivity Authority announced that it is going “All-In” to bring broadband internet to all Mainers.

Grand opening and Chamber ribbon cutting on July 23 SANGERVILLE – Starting July 15 Black Stream Disc Golf LLC of Sangerville will open to the public, offering a new recreational activity in the region.

Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger is pleased to announce it raised $121,036 as part of its 30-day, $100,000 Challenge fundraiser.

BANGOR – To help provide equitable learning access and opportunities and keep local youth connected, UScellular has donated 25 wireless hotspots and two years of service to Penquis Community Action Program as part of its After School Access Project.

PARKMAN – The Parkman Grange is pleased to announce its 2022 Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarship winners.

By Larry Mahoney, Bangor Daily News Staff He was a beloved institution at Piscataquis Community High School in Guilford.

By Pete Warner, Bangor Daily News Staff Hearing the haunting call of a common loon echoing across the water can be exhilarating.

Grade 12, highest honors: Anthony Germano and Ruth Griffith; high honors: Hannah Dow, Taylor Folsom, and Hailee Hartford; honors: Daniel Adams, Grace Buehne, Kaitlyn Cupero, Ariana Fanjoy, Rylee Fillmore, Sarah Gray, Trevor Hathorn, Sydney Hutchins, MacKenzie Kain, Elizabeth Kendall, Gianna Kopf, Alexandria Maguire, Christina Maguire, Benjamin Martin, Jessie Mayberry, Austin McLaughlin, Shania Milano, Aiden Miller, Aliyah Ouellette, and Courtney Quimby.

By Samantha Hogan, The Maine Monitor The availability of criminal defense attorneys is at an all-time low in Maine for defendants who cannot afford to hire their own attorney.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County’s sheriff plans to hire a person with medical training to distribute medications to jail inmates — a first for a department that has used corrections officers to perform the task until now.

Two Piscataquis Community High School students are among the winners of the Camden Conference’s annual Bill Taylor Award for their essay related to the 2022 Conference, Europe: Challenged at Home and Abroad.

FALMOUTH — Did you know that loon chicks can swim right away but need parental care for their first three months? That the shape of a loon’s forehead or length of its neck can change to indicate stress? And that Maine is fortunate to be home to the largest Common Loon population in the Northeast? For nearly four decades, Maine Audubon has been studying loon behavior and engaging volunteers across Maine in conservation efforts to bolster the loon population.