Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, contact tracing has played a big part in controlling the spread of the virus.

The year-end holiday season started earlier than usual in Maine this year, with moose tree ornaments and Christmas cards with coastal scenes already lining aisles in Renys department store in September.

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The patrol and investigative divisions of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office had long ago outgrown their small workspace, but this week they are working in their new spacious headquarters at the former KeyBank building in Guilford.

The entire state of Maine is now enduring a moderate- to severe state of drought for the first time in 18 years.

DEXTER — Less than two months before voters head to the polls and absentee ballots are due, Dexter officials are busy preparing for the election on Tuesday, Nov.

BREWER — In July, Northern Light Health launched its first podcast, Tim Talk, hosted by President and CEO Tim Dentry with the goal to break down barriers, open hearts and minds to diversity and focus on issues of social and medical justice.

Four candidates will vie to represent Maine in the U.

Maine can print ranked-choice voting ballots for the November presidential election, the state’s high court ruled on Monday, but it has not finally decided whether the system will be used in a case over whether a Republican people’s veto effort will move forward.

GUILFORD — The decision is ultimately up to the Maine Principals’ Association, but if the organization gives the go-ahead for fall high school sports then Piscataquis Community Secondary School teams will be on the field as the SAD 4 school board gave its approval to the season during a Sept.

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While a small number of Maine churches have been publicly fighting the state’s limits on large indoor gatherings, they are greatly outnumbered by the hundreds of other congregations that have chosen to follow the rules that are meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

HERMON — On the morning of Sept.

AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration today released a special update to its color-coded Health Advisory System that classifies counties’ relative risk of COVID-19 transmission by color, and is provided to assist schools as they continue with their plans to deliver instruction and support students safely this fall.

Imagine walking to town in Dexter on Main, Water or Spring streets on a lovely spring, summer or fall day and having a nice bench on which to rest yourself along the way.

The National Rifle Association’s political arm endorsed former state Rep.

AUGUSTA  — The validity of just dozens of signatures could determine whether ranked choice voting is used in Maine’s presidential election as the state’s high court is under time pressure to rule with a key ballot deadline looming in less than a month.

EMDC to host virtual Information session for interested businesses, nonprofits and partners 10 a.