The Passagassawakeag River begins inland, flowing 16 miles from Brooks to Belfast Harbor. Its name comes from the Penobscot Nation and means “sturgeon — his place,” or “the place for spearing sturgeon by torchlight.” For centuries, the river has shaped the land around it, both figuratively and literally. For the people of Belfast, it also created an enduring challenge: How to safely cross the river.

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.

DAMARISCOTTA — MaineHealth is offering a certified nursing assistant (CNA) apprenticeship training program, providing a paid pathway for individuals interested in beginning a health care career, according to MaineHealth, in a news release. 

The upcoming session of the six-week program will be held Nov. 9 through Dec. 17 at the MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital Education Center in Damariscotta. Training takes place four to five days per week and includes classroom instruction, hands-on skills labs and clinical experience at local hospitals and long-term care facilities.

AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Transportation is progressing on the Bangor Street reconstruction project in Augusta, according to MaineDOT, in a news release.

During the week of August 24, 2026, crews will place new base pavement.

As part of this project, the traffic pattern of the roadway between approximately Whippers and North Belfast Avenue will be updated to one thru-lane in each direction with a shared center turn lane.

ROCKPORT — After almost six months of construction and workflow changes, the renovation to the Mammography Suite at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital is complete, expanding access to essential imaging services for patients.

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.

Maine State Credit Union will hold its grand opening of its new Belfast branch on Monday, August 24, 2026. 

"As the credit union's fifth branch location, the new office reflects its continued commitment to providing accessible, member-focused financial services to communities across Maine," said MSCU, in a news release.

A proposed neighborhood of nine 3D-printed homes for homeless individuals in the Greater Bangor area is gaining traction due to the University of Maine's reciept of Congressional funds for the project.

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.