By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff After many doctors closed their offices to patient visits earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine libraries became critical health care hubs.

By Pete Warner, Bangor Daily News Staff Calvin Klopp of Gray knows that ice fishing requires skill and experience, but it never hurts to have a little luck on your side.

By Sawyer Loftus, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County has hired a lobbyist to work behind the scenes at the State House to push for state funding of a new jail and more deputies — services usually primarily funded by county governments — highlighting the challenges that the county views as most dire.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Music! ance! Talent! Pine Tree Hospice’s 27th annual Variety Show is coming up! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 22 at 2 pm at the Center Theatre.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The SeDoMoCha School recognized the March Students in the Spotlight at a recent assembly.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff After 54 years in operation, an Orono-based search and rescue nonprofit organization will close at the end of November due its dwindling and aging membership.

BANGOR — Northern Light Health is proud to support organ, eye, and tissue donation.

GREENVILLE — With spring right around the corner, Northern Light CA Dean Hospital is celebrating a big milestone in its modernization project: the new ambulance and main hospital buildings are now weather tight.

AUGUSTA — Mainers have responded to the Maine Connectivity Authority’s broadband survey by the thousands, but five counties are lagging behind: Androscoggin, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Sagadahoc.

By Ron Chase A winter expedition into Baxter State Park begins months in advance.

By Kim Brawn DOVER-FOXCROFT — Imagine if your favorite movie characters were replaced by Peeps (the marshmallow candy, not your BFFs!).

By Pete Warner, Bangor Daily News Staff The illegal introduction of invasive species poses a serious threat to the health of existing native fish populations in Maine’s lakes and rivers.

WATERVILLE — The Thomas Cup is a free event for Maine high schoolers at Thomas College in which teams of five students compete in science, technology, engineering, and innovation competitions for the chance to win their names on the Thomas Cup and receive scholarships worth up to $10,000 over four years.

SHIRLEY — Spring is in the air and the riding is still good in the area.

Grade 8, high honors – habits of work: Vera Alexander, Mellesse Grant, Pace Jarrett, Grace Jiang, Madison LaGross, Bodhi Langlais, Baylee Packard, Daisy Perkins, and Ian Saunders;  honors – habits of work: Brandon Batey, Ella-marie Buschmann, Jacob Campbell, Adalea Gudroe, and Tristan Hopkins-Watrous; high honors – academic: Vera Alexander, Pace Jarrett, Grace Jiang, and Ian Saunders; honors – academic: Bodhi Langlais.

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill asked lawmakers on March 23 to support funding for an additional four judges, clerks and judicial marshals to help clear a backlog of cases that continues to grow despite the end of pandemic-imposed restrictions.

CAMDEN — Camden National Bank announced that Brandon Boey was promoted to senior vice president, general counsel, and director of compliance.

Eastern Maine Development Corp is pleased to name Tracey Cooley the vice president of programs and operations.