The community is invited to Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s Annual Banquet and Conservation Awards Celebration on August 13, from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. The banquet will be held at Beaver Lodge, in Hope, with dinner by Megunticook Market from Camden, and homemade pies from D-Zerts by Daphne from Westport Island.

One of Maine’s oldest food cooperatives, the Belfast Community Co-op, has reached fifty years serving the communities of the Midcoast and beyond. The downtown Belfast store is celebrating this anniversary with special programs and events, including an exhibition of Co-op-related art and memorabilia that will be on display at Waterfall Arts in winter 2027. 

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is currently pursuing applications for its Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP). IRAP is a Public/Private freight partnership program overseen by the Office of Freight and Business Logistics at MaineDOT, according to a news release. IRAP provides financial assistance to businesses and shippers for investment in rail or freight rail related infrastructure located on, within or adjacent to the general railroad system.

ROCKLAND — AIO Food & Energy Assistance Executive Director Alan Kearl will retire from his position following years of dedicated leadership and service to the organization and the people of Knox County, according to The Board of Directors, in a news release.

ROCKPORT—With little fanfare and no grand opening, Kiri coffeehouse opened on the corner of routes 1 and 90 in Rockport on June 6, two weeks before its sign appeared on the lawn at the busy intersection.

Owner Ebinumo Amabebe, 37, has clocked some time in the coffee business. He grew up in Camden (with several moves to other states in between) and returned in 2021. 

Amabebe's family is from Nigeria, and the word "Kiri" is a word in the Nembe language meaning "earth" or "gathering place."

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has released the documentary Connecting Blue Hill Through History: The Stevens Bridge, a 30-minute film exploring the history of the Blue Hill area through the lens of the ever-changing Stevens Bridge. This documentary brought together community members, local officials, historians, and cultural partners to reflect on the legacy of the Stevens Bridge and its role in shaping the identity of the Blue Hill region.

ROCKPORT — Children's House Montessori School (CHMS) has signed an Option Agreement to purchase 3 Cross Street in Rockport, "marking an exciting new chapter for the school and a significant investment in nature-based learning for children," said CHMS, in a news release.

The Penobscot Bay YMCA, in partnership with RSU 13, is relocating its Rockland Harbor child care program to a new home within the South School building in Rockland.

Beginning this fall, three new classrooms in South School will welcome toddlers, three year olds, and the YMCA’s third year of Public Pre-K students. Enrollment is now open for the toddler and 3-year-old classrooms, with daily child care available from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Eight exceptional educators from across the state are semifinalists for 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year. On Thursday, July 23, 2026, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Educate Maine officially announced these semifinalists, who will deliver keynote speeches, submit professional portfolios, and participate in an expert panel discussion about educational equity, teacher leadership, and education policy as part of the next phase of the Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process.

Camden Hills Regional High School senior Madison Hannan was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from ConvenientMD as part of the organization's annual Student Scholarship Program. This year, ConvenientMD awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarships to 11 graduating seniors across Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts who plan to pursue higher education in healthcare-related fields.

ROCKPORT—Thriftworthy, a new store that opened June 24 at the corner of routes 90 and 17, is like a community Goodwill — only better. 

"The entire impetus behind this initiative was to create something that would do something for the community, bring people together, and most importantly, create a revenue stream that supports the critical work of Homeworthy," said Molly Feeney, executive director of Homeworthy. 

BLUE HILL — Camden National Bank has donated $7,000 to Finding Our Voices as lead sponsor of the Down East edition of their "Into the Light!" July Yellow Festival. The gift brings the bank's total support for Finding Our Voices to $71,826 over the nonprofit's five-year history, according to FOV, in a news release.

 MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals have extended the registration deadline for their inaugural Partners in Care Community Golf Classic, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at the scenic Samoset Resort in Rockport.

ROCKLAND — Beginning on Sunday, July 26, at 10 p.m., there will be NO PARKING at Harbor Park due to setup for the Maine Lobster Festival, according to a City of Rockland parking notification.

Main Street will be CLOSED at Rockland Street from Wednesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. to Thursday, July 23, at 9 a.m., for a water main replacement by Maine Water.

"Please plan ahead - and thank you for your patience," said the City of Rockland in a street closure notification.

Maine Department of Labor has announced its no-cost upcoming trainings for August 2026.

Upcoming classes:

Confined Space Entry: General Industry– August 4, 2026 l 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

BALTIMORE, Maryland — The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has earned regional honors from the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO), receiving the Best Use of Technology and Innovation award (medium project category) for the Acadia Gateway Center.