By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff A draft decision released by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ office Thursday found the conservative referendum aiming to bar transgender girls from school sports fell roughly 500 signatures short of the total needed to make the 2026 ballot.

By Anne Cress BANGOR — Six women from the Dover-Foxcroft GFWC MIOSAC Club attended the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Maine Spring Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor May 14-15.

Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom MEMORIAL DAY IN DOVER-FOXCROFT – Veterans lead last year’s Memorial Day parade in Dover-Foxcroft.

Conner-Trafton Post 119 of The American Legion of Guilford will be conducting three ceremonies for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25.

American Legion Post 92 of Brownville Junction and American Legion Post 41 of Milo will mark Memorial Day on Monday, May 25 with several morning events.

SANGERVILLE — Two Knights Brewing is proud to announce the successful completion of its 5K fundraising race held on Saturday, May 16, raising $1,000 in support of Friends of Community Fitness in Guilford.

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High SchoolTIGER ROYALTY — The Dexter Regional High School Prom was held on May 16 at Sunset Meadows in Corinna.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Friends of the Mountain will discuss converting the Ski Resort Road leading up Big Moose Mountain to gravel with the Piscataquis County Commissioners.

MILO — The state has awarded Milo a $100,000 Community Enterprise Grant for the installation of a sidewalk along Penquis Drive, off West Main Street to the Penquis Valley School, this summer.

ABBOT — Abbot Village Press announces the release of “Memorials, Monuments, and Memories: From Flanders Fields to Main Street America”, a new book by Maine author and essayist Walter Boomsma.

GARLAND — All are welcome to attend a band concert at 7:30 a.

DEXTER – A fully updated comprehensive plan for the town of Dexter was approved by the town council during a May 14 meeting.

Greenville area Memorial Day events on Monday, May 25 begin with a 9 a.

BANGOR – Penquis C.

BELGRADE — Following the tragic fire and explosion in Searsmont, Hammond Lumber Company is announcing a $100,000 donation to support the victims and families impacted by this heartbreaking event.

GUILFORD — The Recovery Wellness Community Center of Sangerville was recognized as the Valley Grange’s 2026 Community Citizen of the Year, with the award presentation taking place on the evening of May 15 at the Grange Hall with an estimated 50-plus people in attendance.

MILO — Penquis Valley High School is proud to announce the Class of 2026 honor parts, doing so in a post on the Penquis Valley Athletics Facebook page.

By Ari Snider, Maine Public There were 3,356 international visa students enrolled at secondary and post-secondary institutions in Maine in April, virtually unchanged from the same month last year, according to a Department of Homeland Security database.