By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — Lawmakers approved a plan in April to ensure Maine begins providing defendants with clear start dates for criminal trials, but the proposal will not take effect unless it receives the necessary funding.

Grade 12, highest honors: Lily Brown, Shelby Dyson, Brianna Packard, Graci Scott, Gabrielle Shorey-Coy, William Spratt, Mckenzie Trafton; high honors: Elizabeth Bernard Whittaker, Hannah Dean, Macey Deering, Mickayla Fogg, Miles Grant, Cally Gudroe, Holdyn Guenthner, Lillian Harris; honors: Lily Bagley, Evelyn Clukey, Emily Cox, Micheal Cox, Blaine Gould, Kial Hunter, Mazie Peach, Kellen Peavey, Jacob Ponte, Garrett Tibbetts.

DEXTER — A proposed 2024-25 SAD 46 budget totaling $16,532,495 was approved by the school board during a May 1 meeting at the Ridge View Community School.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff The top federal prosecutor in Maine has vowed to keep up the crackdown on illegal marijuana operations in the state.

SANGERVILLE — The Piscataquis County Democrats filled the East Sangerville Grange on Sunday, April 28 for their annual spring brunch.

AUGUSTA — The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future announced that 13 Maine organizations have been awarded $497,377 in service provider grants through the Community Resilience Partnership to assist 41 communities across the state to address climate effects and build climate resilience.

MONSON — Monson Arts will be hosting a free open reception for the high school program’s student gallery show “Carved Moments” from 5-7 p.

WESTBROOK – The Maine Credit Union League is pleased to announce the appointment of Elise Baldacci as its new president, effective June 3.

Eight members of the Piscataquis Region Retired Educators Association recently met at the home of member Rheba Michaud in Dover-Foxcroft.

DEXTER – Cally Lynn Gudroe of Dexter, a senior at Dexter Regional High School, has been selected to receive the 2024 Principal’s Award, Principal Stephen Bell announced.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff One in 5 Mainers traveled from home to view the April 8 total solar eclipse.

DEXTER — Dexter Regional High School Principal Stephen Bell is honored to announce the valedictorian for the Class of 2024 Cally Gudroe and Salutatorian William Spratt.

Adriana Sibert has been safely located.

BREWER — On Earth Day and every day, Northern Light Health is igniting conversation around how climate change affects our patients, our staff, and our organizations, as well as why we should care enough to do something about it.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A Texas-based company is suing multiple Penobscot County businesses for a total of nearly $2 million, claiming they did not pay for construction work it did at various solar installations.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — An estimated 40,000 people viewed the total solar eclipse in Piscataquis County on the afternoon of Monday, April 8.

The Northern Forest Center is offering grants of $1,000 to $3,000 to volunteer-led organizations working to increase youth participation in outdoor recreation in Northern Forest Communities.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff The group that runs Greater Bangor’s meal delivery program for older residents is working hard to overcome a roughly $126,000 funding gap due to receding federal funding, rising food prices and increased demand.