It starts with a few sniffles, a scratchy throat, and a couple of sneezes.

By Mehr Sher Mainers learned earlier this year that the state is approximately 75 percent carbon neutral, based on a first-of-its-kind analysis of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions.

By Erin Rhoda, Bangor Daily News Staff Most water districts in Penobscot County are not finding “forever chemicals” in their drinking water supplies, but given laboratories can’t entirely rule out their presence, there’s no guarantee the water supplies are free of the toxic chemicals.

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff A fire that started in a ceiling light fixture in an apartment building on Center Street Saturday night was quickly squelched, according to the Dexter fire chief.

Grade 12, highest honors: Emma Alexander, William Kuznierz, and Payson Reinhardt; high honors: Ivey Batey, Brooklynne Blockler, Benjamin Bourgoin, Jennifer Downing, Sydney Dyson, Sydney Fogler, Annika King, Alexandria Mullins, Elisa Picariello, and Caleb Schobel; honors: Frederick Beem, Caden Brown, Lauryn Brunner, Brayden Flagg, Chayce Foster, Olivia Gilman, Lakota Glidden, Kasey Hurd, Elyssa Jerome, Lillian LaPointe, Brendon Melhorn, Makayla Moore, Sophia O’Donnell, Jozlynn Paige, Jillean Poliquin, Alex Race, David Race, Brady Reynolds, Madison Rowe, Thomas Rowe, and Cole Tibbetts.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff A major company that runs testing sites and medical laboratories across the country will take over much of Northern Light Health’s lab services operation next spring.

DEXTER — Despite higher than anticipated construction costs, the town of Dexter continues to work on a project to replace the terminal building and improve the site at the Dexter Regional Airport.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine is on track again to see a record number of overdose deaths by the end of the year.

Abbot resident Walter Boomsma was recognized at the 156th annual National Grange Convention in Reno, Nevada as a Cultivator of the Year by the National Grange Membership and Leadership Development Department.

Whether you are feeling a little “grinchy” or feeling the magic of the “Polar Express” or in the mood for traditional Christmas tunes or HJ Crosby’s “Adeste Fideles” march, set aside an hour to join in the holiday spirit.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff After working with Bangor’s homeless population for nearly 20 years, Jen Weatherbee no longer trudges through snow looking for unsheltered people to offer them help.

DEXTER  — A new adoption program that aims to boost the well-being of seniors who live alone pairs them with cats in need of homes.

Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotion of Maria Wooten from her current role as executive vice president to president beginning in January.

More than a third of middle-schoolers in Piscataquis and Somerset counties reported feelings of sadness and hopelessness in 2021, exceeding the state average, according to data released last week.

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High School Members of student government at Dexter Regional High School raised funds during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to go toward area individuals living with breast cancer.

Community Health and Counseling Services in collaboration with the City of Bangor and supported by grant funding from MaineHousing is implementing a program to meet the housing needs of people experiencing homelessness in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, with a focus on those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

DEXTER — The Piscataquis County Retired Educators Association met Tuesday, Nov.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff This time next year Penobscot County sheriff’s deputies will be wearing body cameras and have dashboard cameras in their cruisers as their law enforcement counterparts in Bangor, Brewer and Orono do.