By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff Erik Johnson has been ice fishing for a month and a half already.

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff A new boater safety course and age restrictions on who may operate recreational watercraft will be two of the top changes the Maine Legislature made in 2023 that will affect your outdoor experience in the coming year.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Pine Tree Hospice strives to be barrier-free to people in need of our services.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A 35-year-old trash incinerator closed its doors, a landfill expansion announced it was likely to run out of space, and a waste plant that has been closed for three years is still a year away from reopening.

By Paula Brewer, The Star-Herald Staff Maine potato growers harvested about 700 million fewer pounds of potatoes than in 2022, likely caused by the state’s unusually wet weather.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Wastewater samples and the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 suggest Maine may be in for another winter surge of the virus.

By WGME Power may be restored after last week’s storm, but some Mainers still don’t have a steady internet connection.

By Paul Koenig, Bangor Daily News Staff As we near the end of the year, we’re revisiting the stories from 2023 you read the most.

By Ron Chase Stormy weather ruined our plans for a western Maine mountain hike.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff The federal government has approved Maine’s request to begin a preliminary disaster assessment after last week’s devastating wind storm.

By Erin Rhoda, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine courts have found a way to track whether police are taking away guns from people who can’t have them.

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High School DEXTER FOOD DRIVE — From Thanksgiving up to Christmas break students and staff at Dexter Regional High School collected non-perishable food items to donate to the local food cupboard.

DOVER-FOXCROFT – The name is changing but the price Piscataquis County will be paying for trash disposal from the Unorganized Territories will remain the same for the short term.

PITTSFIELD – Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union continued its commitment to the greater community through several holiday corporate and employee-led programs in 2023.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Gov.

GREENVILLE — Northern Light CA Dean Hospital recognized 32 employees for achieving nearly 400 years of collective service at a December service award ceremony.

This week USDA Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson announced the final of five major USDA Rural Development grants to central Maine towns in 2023 for fire station construction.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Warmer temperatures near the ground in Maine helped create unusually high winds on Monday, Dec.