Healthy Kids, a community-based family resource network based in Damariscotta, has officially announced the geographic expansion of its core services into Waldo County, beginning July 1, 2026. This milestone expands the organization's historic footprint beyond Lincoln and Knox counties to deliver proactive, community-defined family supports to communities across the Midcoast region.

Mushrooming author and teacher Greg Marley will lead an indoor presentation on "Foraging for 'Foolproof' Edible Mushrooms," Tuesday, July 21, at 12 pm., at Merryspring Nature Center.

The Maine State Fire Marshal's Office reminds everyone planning to celebrate the 250th Independence Day celebration with consumer fireworks to do so safely and responsibly.

The Fire Marshal's Office provides the following information:

Legal Hours for Consumer Fireworks

 Most days: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

 Extended holiday hours: On July 4 and the weekend immediately before and after July 4, consumer fireworks may be used from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. the following day.

For the 2026 Independence Day Holiday:

WALDOBORO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host the third event of the annual Pasture Walk Series on Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at East Forty Farm and Dairy, 2361 Friendship Road, in Waldoboro. 

The third session in the series' highlights the business and culinary side of sustainable grazing, focusing heavily on value-added production. East Forty Farm showcases how high-quality forage directly transforms into premium farm products.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 25, 2026 for Sweetser's new youth psychiatric residential treatment facility in Saco. The new facility in Saco will provide 24/7 intensive care to Maine youth under 21 with acute behavioral health care needs, according to a news release from Governor Mills' Office.

BELFAST and ROCKPORT — On April 30, 2026, MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals achieved exceptional results during their Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Program site survey, receiving a perfect survey outcome with no deficiencies cited, according to MaineHealth, in a news release.

This accomplishment reflects an extraordinary level of compliance with nationally recognized oncology quality standards and contributes to MaineHealth Cancer Care’s oncology accreditation and quality improvement across the system," said MaineHealth.

Due to water main replacement on Maple Street, the Rockland Public Library will be without water on Monday, June 29, and therefore will be closed, unless a schedule change occurs. 

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

Upcoming classes:

Workstation Ergonomics-Video Display Terminal – July 7, 2026 l 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

The Pen Bay Amateur Radio Club (W1PBR) will participate in ARRL Field Day on June 27-28, 2026, at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, 117 Museum Street, Owls Head.

Field Day is the nation's largest amateur radio event and combines emergency communications training with public outreach, according to the Radio Club, in a news release. During the 24-hour exercise, amateur radio operators will set up temporary stations and demonstrate how communications can be established when traditional systems are unavailable.

PORT CLYDE — Two distinguished leaders in environmental science and communications have been appointed to Herring Gut Coastal Science Center's Advisory Council: Claire Parsons and Melissa Waterman.

The Advisory Council provides strategic guidance and expertise to support Herring Gut's mission of educating students and communities about the connections between Maine's waters, environment, and economy.

MaineHealth Surgical Care Rockport has earned dual reaccreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in both vascular testing and vascular interventional services, reflecting their continued commitment to providing high-quality vascular care to patients throughout the midcoast region. 

SAINT GEORGE — Eureka Lodge 84, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, of Saint George, has pledged $3,000 in support of firefighters, EMS personnel, and families impacted by the devastating May 15 fire and explosion at the Robbins Lumber Mill in Searsmont.

The Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation has committed up to $50,000 in matching funds through participating Masonic Lodges across Maine to support local fundraising efforts benefiting victims and first responders affected by the tragedy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rockland, Vinalhaven, and Matinicus Plantation are among 19 Maine organizations receiving a share of $16,201,188 to support important development projects. The funding comes from the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Fiscal Year 2026 Catalyst, Timber for Transit, and Forest Economy programs. 

MaineHealth has received a five-year, $1.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support mentorship and research focused on the health impacts of the so-called “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in children and adolescents. The award will help MaineHealth expand environmental health research in Maine while supporting the development of the next generation of clinician scientists studying environmental health risks. 

ROCKPORT — Thriftworthy, a new community thrift store run by Homeworthy, officially opens on Wednesday, June 24, at 618 West Street in West Rockport. 

Made possible through the donation of a building and the collective efforts of volunteers, donors, staff, and supporters, Thriftworthy is a volunteer-run initiative that will support Homeworthy's mission of fighting cycles of poverty and homelessness in Midcoast Maine.

BRUNSWICK — Developers Collaborative will celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of 21 Town Hall Place on Friday, June 19, marking the completion of the historic redevelopment of Brunswick's former Central Fire Station into a mixed-use property featuring five affordable apartment homes and Moderation Brewing.