HOPE — Join Coastal Mountains and Georges River Land Trusts for a special trail workday for women and nonbinary folks at Ragged Mountain. Led by women trails professionals from both organizations, this is a hands-on opportunity for people of all skill levels to work outside together. This session will focus on bog bridging and root removal on the Georges Highland Path on Ragged Mountain. 

The work session will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. In case of rain, the event will be held at the same time on Thursday, Sept. 24.

The Maine Department of Labor has updated the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP) rules to implement recent statutory changes, expand participant supports, improve program flexibility, and clarify program requirements.

ROCKLAND — Seven new members were elected to the Board of Trustees of Farnsworth Art Museum during the museum's July 24, 2026, Board of Trustees meeting regarding 2026–2027.

New members are Stephen Langlois, Leah Popowich, Peter Rothschild, Leslie Rylee, Meredith Sadler, Ron Stern, and Norbert W. Young Jr.  

Jim Rowan, a board member since 2022, was elected president of the Board. 

AUGUSTA — Starting August 20, the Maine Department of Transportation will begin a pavement preservation project on I-95 northbound and southbound, which includes realigning and improving Ramps 109A southbound and 109 northbound.

Northbound, the project begins 0.12 of a mile north of Hallowell town line and extends north 3.26 miles. Southbound, the project begins 0.55 of a mile south of Old Belgrade Road and extends south 3.28 miles. This work includes ramps and approaches.

Maine Department of Labor announces its no-cost trainings for September 2026.

Upcoming classes:

Life Safety Code 101– September 1, 2026 I 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King announced that they secured federal funding to support the construction of a new Amtrak Downeaster station in Portland. The $48,136,000 investment is to help relocate Portland’s existing station, improving the speed and reliability of passenger rail service in Maine, according to their joint Aug. 14 news release. 

AUGUSTA —According to Maine Listings, 1,697 Maine homes sold in July—a jump of 7.75 percent from July 2025. The median sales price (MSP) also rose 1.67 percent to $427,000 comparing July 2026 to July 2025. The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

But along the coast, sales declined in Knox, Lincoln and Waldo counties (see chart below).

BOOTHBAY HARBOR — The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is teaming up with researchers from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass) and the University of Maine (UMaine) on two research initiatives this year to better understand juvenile white shark presence and habitat use in the Gulf of Maine.

BANGOR, Maine — Rudman Winchell and Gross, Minsky & Mogul, two longstanding Bangor law firms with deep roots in the region, have announced that the attorneys and staff of Gross, Minsky & Mogul, P.A. will join Rudman Winchell effective October 1, 2026.

AUGUSTA — The Maine State Beekeepers Association will mark its 50th year with the 2026 Bee Fest, a free public celebration of bees, beekeeping, honey, and Maine’s pollinator community, Sunday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Viles Arboretum, 133 Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine.

Bee Fest welcomes current beekeepers, people considering their first hive, families, gardeners, food enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the vital role honey bees play in Maine’s environment and agricultural landscape.

MIDCOAST—It's a book crawl...on wheels!

On Saturday, August 2, at  9 a.m. in Augusta, 10 women—some who knew one another—some who didn't—lined up to board Lyndee Waldbauer's customized party bus prepared to have a bookish adventure in the Midcoast.

Waldbauer's minibus, called "The Belle of Belgrade," is retrofitted with pink curtains, cozy bench seating, pink cushions, and a cheery sign at the front stating: "Good Vibes Only."

This is Maine's newest way for adults to make friends.

Looking for a fun activity to do with family or friends this August? Interested in learning more about the current effort to remove millions of lost lobster traps currently in Maine's waters and along the shore? OceansWide’s "Vinalhaven in-water/seafloor and land-based marine debris removal and recycling demonstrations" is happening during the month of August. 

State regulators have approved York Hospital’s plan to join MaineHealth, clearing the way for the organizations to begin working together, according to an Aug. 10, 2026 joint York Hospital and MaineHealth news release.

The approval follows a comprehensive review through the state’s Certificate of Need process and by the Attorney General.

The 2026 campaign kicks off Thursday, August 20, at the Augusta National Guard Armory, and will be followed by monthly in-person hiring events throughout the state.

"You're invited!" said Maine Dept. of Labor, in a news release. "Are you looking for a new career? Maybe you are transitioning from military service, or just looking for a change?"

Maine's annual Hire-A-Vet Campaign is a statewide effort with the goal of at least 100 employers hiring at least 100 veterans and military family members during a 100-day period.

CUSHING — Alan Magee, distinguished artist, illustrator and a longtime resident of Cushing, will present "Stories from Five Decades" in an Arts In The Barn event, Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m., at 17 Hathorne Point Road in Cushing. 

"Hear tales from the advertising industry in New York City to the more personal artwork he does today in Maine and everything in between," said Cushing Historical Society, in a news release.