On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the City of Rockland will host a public workshop about cruise tourism and the City’s ongoing efforts to use data to guide cruise tourism planning and policy decisions. The 5:30 p.m. workshop will be held in Council Chambers at Rockland City Hall, 270 Pleasant Street.

BELFAST — Maine Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) has recognized MaineHealth Waldo Hospital for its readiness to care for pediatric patients, awarding the hospital the Pediatric Innovator designation in June 2025—the highest recognition offered by the Always Ready for Children (ARC) program, according to MaineHealth, in a news release.

The staff and board of AIO invite the community to visit AIO on Tuesday, May 19, from 4 - 6 p.m., for their annual Open House. The event will take place rain or shine at AIO, 1A Gordon Drive. All are welcome.

The Open House will provide visitors the opportunity to learn about AIO’s six core programs, which will have demonstration stations staffed by volunteers explaining each program.

BIDDEFORD — The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) has awarded MaineHealth $2 million to create the state’s first Clinical Research Unit (CRU).

On Saturday, May 16, from 9 - 11 a.m., the Chapman-Hall House Stewardship Committee will hold an information meeting for anyone interested in volunteering at this historic Damariscotta site. Current docents and stewardship committee members will be on hand to describe what is involved. 

"Come and learn how we introduce visitors to our exhibits, events, and local history," said Lincoln County Historical Association, in a news release.

Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA) invites community members to a training session for tour guides and greeters at its three house museums. The two-hour program, called Docent College, will be held May 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Maine Tasting Center in Wiscasset. Both seasoned docents and new volunteers are encouraged to participate.

LCHA has opportunities for new volunteers at all three of its historic properties: the Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, and the Old Jail in Wiscasset. 

ROCKLAND — The Strand Theatre announces a new partnership with local audiologist Gary D. Schwartzberg, AuD, to bring Auracast broadcast audio technology to the historic downtown venue.

"This initiative will significantly enhance the listening experience for patrons with hearing loss, while preserving the theater’s rich cultural legacy," said the Strand, in a news release. 

The Rockland Community and Resource Center (CRC), located at the Flanagan Center, at 61 Limerock Street, invites the public to celebrate its Grand Opening and Open House on Friday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community members are invited to tour the space, meet volunteers, and learn about the programs and services the CRC will offer. A special presentation about the CRC will take place at noon. Free roundtrip door-to-door rides will be offered by Flagship Taxi for those age 65 and older. 

THOMASTON — Georges River Land Trust (GRLT) formally announced the opening of its new Rockland Bog Preserve trailhead on Beechwood Street in Thomaston.

"From this trailhead, users can access over seven miles of trails, creating great opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, birding, and more," said GRLT, in a news release.

Join the land trust, Thursday, May 21, at 5 p.m., for a celebration and exploration of the new trails at the Rockland Bog Preserve. Refreshments and maps will be available.

Herring Gut Coastal Science Center and the St. George Conservation Commission invite community members to attend a free educational program focused on protecting local forests from the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle.

The program, part of Herring Gut’s Spring Fever Series, will take place Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Fort Point Trail, 947 River Road, in St. George.

BRUNSWICK — From May 5 to May 8, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is implementing daytime lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on U.S. Route 1 in Brunswick, affecting both northbound and southbound traffic, as crews install new guardrail crash cushions.

Closures will occur on the approaches and ramps to the Main Street Bridge and the Topsham Bypass Bridge.

ROCKLAND — “If there’s consideration from Council, if there’s any of these buildings that you want to move forward, I think we should act on it,” said Rockland City Manager Tom Luttrell during the May 4, 2026 agenda-setting meeting. “I know we are going to be talking about the possible sale of the current police station this evening in Executive Session. If we decide to actually sell, then we need to actually come up with a game plan as to one of these three locations that we’ve identified, and where we feel the best fit for the police department would be.”

Volunteers are wanted for a Town-wide Clean Up Day in Thomaston, Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Two different sessions will be offered: 10 a.m. to noon and Noon to 2 p.m. There will be a sign-up sheet.

"Our focus will be to clean up our neighborhoods, parks, schools, Downtown, and Town-owned roads," said event sponsor Thomaston Conservation Commission, in a news release.

Participants will meet behind the Business Block, where the Commission will provide bags, gloves, and a limited number of grabbers and vests.

Since 1996, Maine Preservation has released the list of Maine’s Most Endangered Historic Places to boost local efforts and focus positive media attention with an aim to preserve threatened places throughout the state.

"Nomination of an endangered place is a chance for Mainers to make their voices heard and to shine a light on the places that matter to their communities," said Maine Preservation, in a news release.

J. Edward Knight Insurance (JEK) is pleased to announce the acquisition of The David Chapman Insurance Agency, with an effective date of June 15, 2026.

ROCKPORT — MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital welcomes Monika Gulyas, MSN, CNM, to its Obstetrics and Gynecology Rockport practice.

Gulyas joins Pen Bay Hospital from MaineHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Damariscotta, where she spent nearly six years as a certified nurse midwife. Prior to that, she spent almost three years as a certified nurse midwife at Connecticut Childbirth and Women’s Center at Dansbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut.

Riley School has been awarded grant funding from the Maine Community Foundation to support an innovative, place-based service-learning initiative connecting students with the people, industries, and ecosystems of Midcoast Maine.

The town of Frankfort has launched Rapid Renewal. Rapid Renewal is the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s online service for renewing motor vehicle registrations, according to Secretary of State Shenna Bellows's office, in a news release.

With the addition of Frankfort, located in Waldo County, the Rapid Renewal service is now available in 358 municipalities. Municipal participation in Rapid Renewal is optional, according to the Secretary.

Nature Trail Work Party is being organized for trail improvements to the connector trail between Lincolnville Central School and the library, as well as invasive plant and trash removal. The event takes place Saturday, May 16 with shifts scheduled for 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m.