Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates excellence in teaching and elevates the importance of the teaching profession.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County’s new proposed $35.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Two weeks after program cuts to a dozen organizations in an earlier version of the 2026 Piscataquis County budget were restored, some partially and some in full compared to the current year, both the county budget and 2026-27 Unorganized Territory budget were approved by the county commissioners during a meeting on Tuesday morning.

SANGERVILLE — A vacancy on the Sangerville Select Board created by the resignation of Josh Tracy last month will remain through the annual town meeting on the last Saturday of March.

Grade 12, honors: Justyce Hart.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle School hosted a special schoolwide assembly on Nov.

Gorham School District Superintendent Heather Perry has been named one of four finalists for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award, an outstanding achievement recognizing the leadership, professionalism, communication and community involvement of school leaders from across the country.

Grade 12, high honors: Alice Masina, Amara Driscoll, Kaitlynn McMahon, Kevan Royal, Liam Atkinson, Sean Chenkin, Vegas Carey; honors: Aidan Murano, Brooklyn Decker, Connor Smith, Darreht Santos, Gage Yenchochic, Gavin LaPointe, Jareth Williams, Jayson Shoopman, Keagan Ellison, Kooper Badger, Marcus Legere, Natalie Cummins, Will Auger, Wyatt Romero.

MDF’s Maine Downtown Center is pleased to award a total of $600,000 through the REvitalizeME Downtown National Park Service Sub-grant program to four historic preservation projects.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff GREENVILLE — The cause of the fire that damaged Greenville’s historic Masonic lodge may never be known.

Grade 12, highest honors: Bella Buehne, Audrey Chadbourne, Arianna Crosby, Brady Gaw, Molly Goodwin, Ava Goulette, Noah Kain, Elizabeth Libby-Gilbert, Zoe McInnis, Landon McKenney, Tyler Willey; high honors: Brady Ball, Brookelynn Hunt, Sadie-Mae Kelley, Chase Kilian, Ryan Mitchell, Kiah Nick, Isabellah Tetreault, Bear Yelverton; honors: Tristan Billington, Dawson Draper, Hannah Firth, Alexander Hall, Grant Higgins, Brandon Reed.

Photo courtesy of SeDoMoCha SchoolCANDY CANE ATTIRE — The SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft recently had a “Candy Cane” day where students were encouraged to wear red and white.

Grade 12, high honors: Serenity Elizabeth Adams, Emma Grace Webb Alden, Madyson Armstrong, Grayson William Bruyette, Alexis Marie Burdin, Griffin James Caruso, Shannon Chartier, Seunghyun Jason Cheon, Noa Elizabeth Clark, Addie Day, Keaten Dale Eakright, Sadie Jane Estes, Tanyon R.

AUGUSTA — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands recently announced the results of the first round of Maine Trails Program grants, marking a significant investment in trail access, connectivity, and outdoor recreation throughout the state.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff GREENVILLE — An early morning fire damaged Greenville’s historic Masonic lodge.

MILO — The Piscataquis Lodge Trustees’ annual Festival of Trees was held Dec.

By Wendy Watkins, Bangor Daily News Staff DEXTER — Firefighters in Dexter battled a fire in an apartment building on Main Street Saturday morning, Dec.

Contributed photoWREATH CEREMONY — Law enforcement officers gathered at the Hillside Cemetery in Monson as part of a statewide wreath-laying ceremony for all troopers who died in the line of duty.