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.

Grade 12, highest honors: Emma Calnan, Gabriella Clark, Samantha Goodwin, Kendall Kimball, and Norah MacMahon; high honors: Cadence Clukey, Maximilian Daehn, Jarren Grant, Jennifer (Jordy) Lonergan, Christina Maguire, Saia Miles, Gavin Richards, Hunter Ronco, Gracie Talbot, and Meriel Willey; honors: Tyrus Cobb, Connor Gebo, Sydney Grenier, Abigail Herrick, Alexandria Maguire, Christopher Maguire, Julia Munson, Joshua Oldham, Maria Fernanda Pinheiro Velame, Abbey Ricker, Brylee Ricker, Dawson Simpson, Molly Sipple, and Anna Zimmerman.

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.

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.

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.

GUILFORD — Piscataquis Community Elementary School students will demonstrate their skills as classes, groups, and individuals using their voices, instruments, and movement on two separate nights this holiday season.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County’s commissioners agreed to raise the daily boarding rate for prisoners from outside the county during a meeting Tuesday.

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.

Photo courtesy of Piscataquis County Democrats THANKING DR.

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.

GUILFORD — The Guilford Bed and Breakfast will host a pair of free holiday events in December, “A Classic Holiday Sweet Treat Swap” on Sunday, Dec.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County’s commissioners plan to slash 10 percent of grants for all nonprofit organizations, including its economic development group and regional food center, to lessen the burden on taxpayers, they said Thursday morning.

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.

BREWER — Northern Light Health is leading a statewide effort to deepen personal connection and improve the health of Mainers by putting purpose behind an often-overlooked question: How are you? The How Are You? movement brings to light that an important part of better health and healing comes through human connection.