A Superior Court judge has denied a new trial to a Guilford man serving two life sentences for the 1999 execution-style slayings of his ex-girlfriend and the toddler she was babysitting.

The Center Theatre hosted the first preliminary event for the Central Maine Talent Search on June 2. By the end of the evening, the three-judge panel and the 120-person audience had chosen Aidan Manning and Parker Kelley as the winners of the event. Both will continue on to the grand finale Sept. 15 where they will be eligible to win $500 and other prizes.

Upcoming events around the region.

The region's five chapters of the National Honor Society.

Allen Monroe from the Milo Historical Society spoke about the early history of Milo and presented a brief slide show at the May meeting of the Milo Garden Club. On Tuesday, June 12, planning for the August club fair will take place at Three Rivers Kiwanis Headquarters at noon.

Driving two-lane back roads along miles of woods, bordered and interwoven with old stone walls, I was exploring new areas of rural Maine. Up and down a rise in the road, around a curve, I see a red-winged blackbird perched on a lone cattail stalk rising from a small roadside wetland. Across the street a small cemetery catches my eye. I stop and visit.

On May 30 over 50 people from Dexter and bordering towns enjoyed a free luncheon at the VFW sponsored by the AARP Age-Friendly Dexter Committee and prepared by Laura Potenziano. Committee members will work on developing projects to bridge generations, thereby helping to make Dexter become a more compassionate and vibrant town of the future.

The Friends of Maine State Parks, in cooperation with the Bureau of Parks and Lands, are pleased to announce a pilot program to provide Maine State Park Vehicle Passes for day-use at Maine State Parks to 10 community libraries across the state.

More than 20 HERO honorees in kindergarten through grade 4 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School in Guilford were recognized during the June 1 morning meeting. Students are selected for exhibiting honesty, effort, respect or responsibility and/or showing concern and caring for others.

Penquis Valley High School junior Cymeria Robshaw won a pair of jumps and came in third in the 100 at the 2018 Class C Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 2 at Massabesic High School in Waterboro.