By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff The National Guard members brought in as reinforcements while Maine hospitals buckled under a surge in COVID-19 cases and staff absences have departed, and the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide is at less than a quarter of its mid-January peak.

DOVER-FOXCROFT – The show must go on! After a two-year hiatus, Pine Tree Hospice’s 26th annual Variety Show is back on Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.

The Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency has hired a husband and wife team to update a plan that helps communities prevent and deal with natural and human-caused disasters.

In December the State of Maine was recognized for its success in patient safety measures by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog organization focused on health care safety and quality.

DOVER-FOXCROFT – University of Maine Cooperative Extension expects to open its Greenhouse Plastic Recycling program April 19 with drop-off sites available statewide through Nov.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County’s dispatch center will have a new home in early 2023, but it won’t be the one that county officials have discussed for months as part of an overhaul meant to fix chronic radio communications problems for emergency personnel.

PARKMAN – The Parkman Grange is pleased to announce the return of a favorite springtime tradition, the popular Mother’s Day Tea.

By Fisheries Resource Supervisor Tim Obrey Where to fish: April will be the month of transition here in the Moosehead Lake Region.

AUGUSTA – Sen.

BREWER – At Northern Light Health, care does not end at the bedside or in our practices.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Private ponds that are stocked with trout provide multiple benefits for landowners and their families.

Piscataquis County will soon have a point person to organize community efforts and serve as a guide to municipalities on broadband expansion.

Penquis received $5,000 earlier this month from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation to support services provided by Eastern Maine CA$H (Credit, Assets & Hope), a coalition of non- and for-profit partners working to help empower individuals and families to achieve long-term financial stability.

ORONO – University of Maine Cooperative Extension recently named Aroostook native Melissa Arndt to serve as its first-ever director of marketing and communications.

Contributed photo BEHIND THE MASK – Students at Piscataquis Community Elementary School in Guilford created a book titled “Behind The Mask.

Piscataquis County Democrats held their food drive on March 26 to benefit the Harmony Cares Food Cupboard.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Community transmission rates of COVID-19 have dropped substantially in 15  Maine counties, with only one county reporting a moderate community transmission rate.

By Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News Staff Historic migration offset stark demographic trends to drive another year of population growth across urban and rural areas of Maine in 2021.