AUGUSTA – The Maine Community College System and The Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine) are partnering to launch a four-week, hands-on construction training program across the state to prepare Maine adults for careers in the construction trades. 

The Maine Construction Academy Immersion Programs, managed by AGC Maine and funded by MCCS’s Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce, will launch next year at five community colleges.

ROCKLAND—Rockland’s creative economy just got a zesty boost with the arrival of Lemon Bar, a stylish yet comfortably down-to-earth new spot at 305 Main Street.

Owners Carly and Wesley Summers made the permanent move to Maine from Nashville, Tennessee, a year and a half ago after Wesley completed a three-month class at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship. Having both worked in restaurants—often together, most of their careers—the time and place felt right to open up their own cocktail and wine bar with the tagline: "A sweet bar for sour people."

Maine Public Health Association (MPHA) hosts “Civic Engagement & Health,” Thursday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. This presentation and discussion, co-hosted by AARP Maine and the Rockland Public Library, will share information about non-partisan state and federal advocacy efforts and how people can get involved in their communities to promote health.

From healthcare and education to infrastructure and the environment, decisions made in Washington, D.C. and Augusta shape the health of communities in Maine.

Herring Gut Coastal Science Center presents its next Cabin Fever Series featuring Charles Walsh and Jon Steuber, owners of Seascale Maine. The program takes place December 4, from 6 - 7 p.m., at Herring Gut Coastal Science Center, 59 Factory Road, Port Clyde.

When Malcolm Bedell opened Honey’s Fried Chicken Palace in Thomaston last year, he had dreams of bringing the restaurant to locations across the state.

But one question is stopping him from moving forward: “Who’s going to run it?”

Bedell and other employers throughout Maine say they’re struggling to find and retain staff — in large part because workers can’t find affordable housing.

In a November 19 news release, MaineHealth's Center for Health Improvement announced a groundbreaking $1.6 million donation from Maine entrepreneur and impact activist David Evans Shaw to launch the SHAW Challenge, a comprehensive four-year initiative designed to transform how Maine communities address the youth mental health crisis.

Maine Department of Labor announces its no-cost upcoming trainings for December 2025.

Upcoming classes:

Combustible Dust Safety – December 2, 2025 l 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

The Camden Rotary Club invites 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Knox County and Lincolnville to submit grant applications for the coming year by February 15, 2026. 

The Club focuses its grants on high-impact programs and projects in the following areas: food security, housing, health and safety, youth development, and economic security.

Large grants can range up to $10,000, and the Club will consider multi-year funding.

ROCKPORT — MaineHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Rockport is elevating patient safety, infection prevention and workflow efficiency with the addition of a state-of-the-art, high-level disinfection system. This new equipment allows the department to work more efficiently in disinfecting semi-critical instruments used each day for women’s health imaging. 

MaineHealth has received a five-year, $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to join the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN). The research network addresses disparities in pediatric research by including children from rural or underserved populations in clinical trials and by building pediatric research capacity in states like Maine and New Hampshire with historically less NIH funding.

ROCKLAND — Following a swearing-in for returning councilors-elect to Rockland City Council, November 17, 2025, the five returning councilors voted among themselves for the 2025-26 mayoral position.

Jacqueline Crucet will replace Kerry Hadley as gallery manager at Maine Art Gallery (MAG). Hadley is retiring after guiding project management and development activities of the organization for the past five years. Crucet will take over these duties as well as that of the onsite gallery administrator.

"An arts and cultural leader with extensive experience managing exhibitions, community programs, and nonprofit partnerships, Crucet has proven her skills in strategic planning and revitalizing cultural spaces," said MAG.

The Maine Library Commission is expected to consider a proposal Monday that would require public libraries to sign an agreement so they can maintain access to interlibrary loan services and internet access.

Under the proposal, all libraries would be required to pay their directors and remain open to patrons at least 12 hours per week or risk losing those services.

Lady Knox Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, launched a bucket challenge that became a State Meeting Project in partnership with the Maine State Organization, DAR (MSODAR).

Lady Knox Chapter challenged DAR chapters around the state to fill a bucket with a pre-set list of cleaning supplies. Lowes, in Thomaston, generously donated 30 five-gallon buckets for the Challenge.

ROCKLAND — Rockland City Councilors voted 4-1 (Kalloch) to allow an immigration ordinance proposal to continue to the December agenda, though the vote follows lengthy discussion during the November 10 City Council meeting, including a potential false perception toward local police officers by the public, attempts to further differentiate between orders and ordinances, as well as further attempts to understand when and where councilors can create ordinances that direct staff.

The current proposal, according to Nicole Kalloch, is an overstep of the City Council’s reach.

ROCKLAND — On Monday, November 10, the Rockland City Council designated Rockland’s first Local Historic District by passing an amendment to the Rockland Historic Preservation Ordinance, Chapter 20. The new Main Street Local Historic District includes all the buildings and two city parks on both sides of Main Street from Park Street to Summer Street— from Main Sports Outfitters at 279 Main Street to the former First Baptist Church at 500 Main Street.