By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library My observation is that April is a tipping point — when a paradigm shift occurs and the light at the end of that cold, dark tunnel brightens.

PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine-Presque Isle has announced its dean list for the fall 2024 semester.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff February was one of the best months for Maine home sales in the past 25 years.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Some Mainers may have to drive an hour or more to dispose of the propane canister they used when camping or at a cookout, which is why the small containers often end up in household trash or tossed into the woods.

By Elizabeth Walztoni, Bangor Daily News Staff Ticks have already emerged in some parts of Maine and are likely to be active throughout the spring.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine is about to get its first major license plate update since Bill Clinton sat in the Oval Office.

GROVE CITY, Pennsylvania — The following students were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2024 semester at Grove City College: Andrew Marston, a senior computer science major from Dover-Foxcroft, has been named to the dean’s list with distinction.

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine is trying to keep an invasive fish out of the state’s largest lake.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff DEXTER — Julia Gagnon, the Cumberland singer who made it to the top seven on “American Idol” last year, is scheduled to perform at the upcoming Maine Red Hot Dog Festival in Dexter in August.

PORTLAND — The American Red Cross of Northern New England is issuing a call to help ensure no one faces a disaster alone by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, March 26.

PARKMAN — Annie McKenney was presented with the Boston Post Cane plaque on March 14 at the Parkman Town Office, recognizing her as the town’s eldest resident.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Empathy and kindness were the traits recognized during the month of February for the SeDoMoCha School’s Students in the Spotlight honorees, with humor being the trait recognized for staff members.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A project manager to oversee the improvement of the Piscataquis County emergency radio system was approved by the Piscataquis County Commissioners during a Tuesday morning meeting.

DEXTER — The Dexter Town Council on Thursday, March 13 extended a moratorium on commercial solar arrays for another year as the planning board develops a comprehensive ordinance.

By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff An unusual mix of gun control proponents and opponents are backing a proposal to protect people who agree to hold onto firearms for others from legal liability.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District offers an annual Tree and Plant Sale, which features a wide variety of vegetable seedlings, annual and perennial flowers, fruits, flowering shrubs, apple trees, American chestnut trees, homesteading goods and more! We source our plants from local farms and our homesteading products are sourced from local businesses.

On the day five years ago that businesses all across Maine went dark due to COVID-19, the award-winning Finding Our Voices campaign breaking the silence of domestic abuse came to light.

BANGOR — Heart of Maine United Way announced that Versant Power and Versant employees surpassed their campaign goal, raising $129,837 for nonprofits in Maine.