Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High SchoolSTUDENTS OF THE MONTH — Dexter Regional High School is pleased to announce the December Students of the Month as selected by the faculty and staff for being exemplary students.

GREENVILLE — Weeks after an overnight fire ripped through the Greenville Masonic Lodge at 281 Pritham Ave, masons of Columbia-Doric #149 have begun to think about rebuilding.

HAMPDEN — The Maine Savings Foundation is proud to announce the first five recipients of its Beyond Banking Grant Program, awarding $5,000 each to Maine nonprofit organizations advancing health, wellness, education, culture and essential social services across the state.

By Bridget Huber, Bangor Daily News Staff Blair Tinkham has been appointed Penobscot County administrator, the county announced.

MILO — SAD 41 officials are starting preparations on the 2026-27 budget and the public is invited to provide feedback for next year’s finances.

DEXTER, Maine — Sex offenders will be barred from living within 750 feet of schools and parks in Dexter after the Town Council approved an ordinance on residency rules on Thursday.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Last month RSU 68 recognized 35 dedicated staff members for reaching milestones of 10, 15, 20 and 30 years of service.

Grade eight habits of work honors: Elijah Garland, Aiden Hamilton, Ava Kimball, Bentley Roderick, Addyson Thompson, Karter Vega; high honors: Peyton Hill, Cierra Canfield, Cameron Cobb, Sophie Denty, Blake Dodge, Makayla Holcomb, Kelsey Roy, Emma Spizuoco.

By Bridget Huber, Bangor Daily News Staff Piscataquis County Sheriff Bob Young will not seek reelection, he announced Jan.

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor Throughout winter, when people are burning wood stoves, many households end up with piles of ashes, and most simply dump them in the woods or trash.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine’s most extravagant properties have attracted famous names such as John Travolta and Martha Stewart for decades.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff BANGOR — Andre Cushing was reelected chair of the Penobscot County Commissioners with a 2-1 vote at the commissioners meeting on Jan.

SEBEC — A week into the new year, RSU 68 officials are working on developing the budget for the 2026-27 academic year.

WASHINGTON, D.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — During the first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday morning, the Piscataquis County Commissioners set the chair and vice chair for the new year.

SANGERVILLE — The Sangerville Fire Department has been awarded $56,000 from the Gloria C.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A man accused of assisting in a Bangor homicide is back in jail, roughly six months after his bail was drastically lowered.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County commissioners and officials should take additional steps to solve the county’s current budget problems, former County Administrator Scott Adkins said.