By David Marino Jr.

By Alexander MacDougall, Houlton Pioneer Times Staff Northern Maine residents may have noticed more rain in the month of July compared with the scorching heat of last June, but roughly three quarters of the state remains either abnormally dry or in drought conditions, according to the U.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — For the next two years Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office Lt.

BREWER — Stating that the evidence of COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness is strong; and it is imperative we act responsibly for the Maine residents who rely on us to safely care for and protect them, Northern Light Health president and CEO Tim Dentry said that once one or more of the vaccines currently in use is fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration all employees will be vaccinated as a condition of employment, with very few exceptions.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County EMA Director Tom Capraro has retired, following nearly 14 years with the Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency and a public service career dating back half a century to when he became a junior firefighter at age 15.

By Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine will publicly share information about COVID-19 vaccination rates among K-12 teachers and students this fall amid a renewed effort to increase vaccination rates as schools prepare to return to in-person learning.

By Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — A referendum aiming to take down the Central Maine Power corridor will appear as one question on Maine ballots this fall after the state’s high court rejected an attempt to split it into three separate questions.

By Bob Duchesne It takes a lot of work to make a hummingbird.

By Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News Staff The Maine counties subjected to new mask recommendations could change on a near-daily basis, as the state’s relatively low case numbers and small population make it easy for counties to slip above or below the threshold set by health officials.

By Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News Staff Gov.

By Caitlin Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Gov.

By Caitlin Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — Federal and state health officials recommended on Tuesday that people in areas with higher COVID-19 transmission wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, a designation that includes York and Piscataquis counties.

This story will be updated.

Throughout June anglers of all abilities cast their lines for Fishing Across Maine, a fundraiser for Wayside Food Programs, to help end food insecurity across the state.

By Jessica Piper, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine is not seeing the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations that other states are despite a rise in cases over the past few weeks.

By David Marino Jr.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Existing home sales in Maine continued on a hot streak in June, especially in rural counties, mirroring strong sales nationally, according to data from state and national real estate groups.

By Patty Wight, Maine Public The tight labor market is not just affecting hospitality and retail in Maine — it’s affecting hospitals too.