By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff The crime rate in Penobscot County was the highest in the state last year for the second year in a row, according to statistics released this week by the Maine Department of Public Safety.

This story will be updated.

By The Associated Press FORT KENT  — Parts of northwestern Maine remain in a severe drought late this fall.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Each month the SeDoMoCha School recognizes “Students in the Spotlight” celebrating pupils from kindergarten to grade 8 who teachers and staff have determined best demonstrate a specific positive attribute or characteristic chosen for the timeframe from the Habits of Mind (a set of life skills for educators and parents).

DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Tuesday, Dec.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff A nearly two-month-old COVID-19 outbreak at the Penobscot County Jail is preventing nearly two dozen inmates from being transferred to state prisons so they can complete their sentences there.

This story will be updated.

By The Associate Press PORTLAND — A ski mountain is set to remove a derogatory term for Native American women from its name — two decades after state law eliminated the slur from names of communities and public landmarks.

GREENVILLE — Visit three beautiful historic inns in Greenville all decked out for the holidays from noon to 4 p.

SEBEC — It’s Christmastime and in the spirit of the season the Sebec Village Associates at the Reading Room in Sebec donated $400 to the Three Rivers Kiwanis to assist with their Secret Santa mission.

By Kim Brawn DOVER-FOXCROFT — December — when four in the afternoon feels like nine at night.

BREWER — On Nov.

Adults up, chicks down, but what does it all mean? As Maine Audubon releases the data from its 2021 Annual Loon Count, it underscores the importance of long-term studies and highlights the need to look beyond the one-day count to understand the data.

Recognizing that many people struggle with depression during the holidays and winter months, NAMI Maine offers several online and in-person support groups for people with mental health challenges and their family members.

BANGOR — Christmas is for Kids brings the holiday spirit to life for local children and families in need through the charitable act of gift-giving.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Benjamin Johnston has been involved with productions at the Center Theatre for the Performing Arts since he was 5 or 6 years old.

The discovery of “forever chemicals” in deer in central Maine and the subsequent guidance to not eat the meat raises serious questions about whether it is safe to consume venison killed in areas of the state where high levels of the chemicals have been detected or are suspected to exist.

On Nov.