Work Local nonprofits among recipients of 2026 Community Matters More grants Inaugural First Responders Weekend at Transportation Museum Boogie for the Babes fundraiser exceeded organizers' expectations Salt Bay Chamberfest awarded $45,000 grant by National Endowment for the Arts Scullery Made, a new deli/cafe anchors in Searsport Commerce Boogie for the Babes fundraiser exceeded organizers' expectations Salt Bay Chamberfest awarded $45,000 grant by National Endowment for the Arts Local nonprofits among recipients of 2026 Community Matters More grants Scullery Made, a new deli/cafe anchors in Searsport Rockland voters approve charter amendment for workforce housing, City speaks to significance Community-driven campaign aims to address rising pedestrian fatalities in Portland, Lewiston, Auburn Justice Dept. encourages communities to apply for grants to support law enforcement South School's 3rd Annual Future Fair continues to grow, connecting students with careers across Midcoast MaineDOT to permanently close temporary access road in Augusta, June 22 Rockland Fire, EMS commended for Robbins Lumber response Marine Maine CDC updates freshwater fish consumption advisories due to PFAS contamination Consumers willing to pay more for lobster harvested with ropeless technology, UMaine study finds U.S. Coast Guard creates new Special Missions Command to counter maritime threats at home, abroad UPDATE: Divers retrieve body of missing Little Deer Isle kayaker UMaine marine scientist Robert Steneck elected to National Academy of Sciences Guidance from Maine Dept of Labor: Youth working lobster boats as independent contractors in Maine Island Institute partners with ePropulsion to power high-voltage fishing workboat Halibut fishing season begins May 18 Maine Boat and Home Show unveils its 2026 poster Visit the 'Sunbeam' this Summer with Maine Seacoast Mission Agriculture Access improved for Marsh River Bog in Newcastle Aldermere welcomes youth for summer program with Beltie calves Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition receives award from Maine Environmental Education Association Megunticook RiverKeepers to merge with Megunticook Watershed Association Shoreline Erosion Stabilization Practices using O.U.R. S.H.O.R.E. Workshop Woods and Wetlands Summer Camp with Bangor Land Trust Herring Gut Coastal Science Center seeks nominations for 2026 Phyllis Wyeth Visionary Award Bond to support farm and forestry funding will not be on November ballot UMaine Extension to host invasive plant workshop in Castine Thomaston temporarily closes Mill River Park to dogs More Work looking for signs of summer and practicing mindfulnessSummer Solstice woodland walk in Cushing with Land Trust, Forest Service Join Georges River Land Trust and the Maine Forest Service for a woodland walk looking for signs of summer and practicing mindfulness on Monday, June 22, from 4:30 - 6 p.m., at the Langlais Art Preserve in Cushing. The former homestead of artist Bernard Langlais, the Langlais Art Preserve is home to several outdoor sculptures and newly constructed woodland trails spanning over 2 miles. Lease option for proposed Rockland Police Dept. location meets Council 3-1 approval in First Reading ROCKLAND — “This is an authorization, at least, not yet a commitment,” said Rockland City Councilor Nate Davis. City Councilors, absent Councilor Penny York, voted 3-1 (Kalloch) in approval to keep an agenda item on the table authorizing a lease agreement for a new police department space at 12 Water Street. The PD has been dealing with ongoing mold and patchwork maintenance on their current condo space at 1 Park Drive. The City recognizes the personnel and budget concerns, however, disagreement continues on where to relocate the station. Thomaston honors Roberta Carmichael with 2026 Spirit of America Award THOMASTON — Roberta Carmichael has been selected as the recipient of the Town of Thomaston's 2026 Spirit of America Award in recognition of her outstanding volunteerism, leadership, and dedication to serving others through the Inter-Church Fellowship Food Pantry. The Spirit of America Award honors individuals whose commitment to community service, generosity, and compassion strengthens the lives of those around them. open to everyone, regardless of whether they receive care at MaineHealthMaineHealth Pharmacy opens first retail store location PORTLAND — MaineHealth Pharmacy is opening its first retail storefront location on Sunday, June 14, in Portland’s Pine Tree Shopping Center, 1052 Brighton Ave., Suite D. Alexander P. Cole, MD, joins MaineHealth Urology in Belfast, Rockport BELFAST and ROCKPORT — MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals welcome Alexander P. Cole, MD, to their Urology Belfast and Rockport practices. Dr. Cole comes to Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals after spending more than four years as associate surgeon in the Department of Urology at Mass General Brigham in Boston and as assistant professor of surgery in Urology at Harvard Medical School. Street closure: Rockland's Broadway closed between Park and Limerock, June 9 ROCKLAND — Maine Water will have Broadway closed from Park Street to Limerock Street for water main work today, Tuesday, June 9. "This will take most of the day and possibly more," said the City of Rockland, in an alert. City of Rockland awarded Community Action Grant for Snow Marine Park resilience and Harbor Trail design ROCKLAND — The City of Rockland has been awarded a $74,850 Community Action Grant to support the design of nature-based resilience improvements at Snow Marine Park and the extension of the Harbor Trail to its planned southern terminus. Design work with Sebago Technics is expected to begin this summer. University of Maine System Board of Trustees elects new leaders ORONO — The University of Maine System (UMS) Board of Trustees has elected new leaders. Roger Katz, of Brunswick, will serve as chair of the governing board for the state’s largest educational and research enterprise for a one-year term, while Elise Baldacci, of North Yarmouth, will be vice chair. Vendors wanted for new Warren makers, bakers, farmers and crafters market Opening Day for the Market at Crawford Farm, 1710 Atlantic Highway in Warren, is June 18, and there is still room for vendors to join for the season. This woman-owned, small-business, locally run and operated market is looking for:Handmade goodsFresh produceBaked treatsArtists & craftersPlants & flowersLocal productsVendors are not required to commit to every week.Spaces are first-come, first-served.Both indoor and outdoor vendor spots are available. Grasses and Sedges 101 in South Thomaston with Georges River Land Trust Join Georges River Land Trust and scientist Matt Arsenault for a hands-on exploration of grasses and sedges, Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., at Riverview Hayfields Preserve in South Thomaston. This field-based workshop will introduce participants to grasses, sedges, and rushes. MaineDOT to temporarily close I-95 westbound ramp at Western Avenue in Augusta AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Transportation will be repaving the I-95 westbound on-ramp from Western Avenue.According to MaineDOT, in a news release, this work is weather-dependent and is currently scheduled to begin on Sunday, June 7, 2026, or Monday, June 8, 2026.During this time, the I-95 westbound on-ramp will be closed continuously, 24 hours a day, until paving operations are complete. In business EssayCultivating a daycare with comfort, culture and connection Every morning, when I welcome the children into my daycare, it feels like I’m opening the door to something I once only dreamed of. I am licensed to care for children from infancy through age 12, allowing my program to serve as both a daycare and a pre-K environment. "What’s Living in the River?" streamside assessment workshop in Appleton Join Georges River Land Trust and biologist John Tipping for a hands-on exploration of what's living in the St. George River, Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., at Appleton Preserve. John Tipping is a biologist and taxonomist with more than 25 years of experience identifying aquatic insects and macroinvertebrates. June 7 in AlbionOpen house at Northeast Equine Sanctuary, a program of Peace Ridge Sanctuary ALBION — On Sunday, June 7, from 1 to 3 p.m., the public is invited to visit Northeast Equine Sanctuary, a program of Peace Ridge Sanctuary, for its first Open House of the 2026 season.Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Little Popcorn and many of the other horses who call the sanctuary home, learn about their individual stories, and see firsthand the work that goes into providing lifelong care for rescued animals. Hannah Blasius joins MaineHealth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Rockport ROCKPORT — MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital welcomes Hannah Blasius, AGAC-NP, to its Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Rockport practice. Blasius moves to Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Rockport from the hospital’s Special Care (SCU) unit, where she spent the past three years as a clinical nurse II and charge nurse. Before that, Blasius spent almost four years as a nurse at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland. 'The Great Event' community yard sale space rental begins for 2026 Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host "The Great Event" on September 12, and space rentals for the Giant Yard Sale start now. The event includes a giant yard sale, along with barbecue, bake sale, homemade donuts, children’s events, and more. "The Great Event" will happen rain or shine. "The town of Stockton Springs will be filled with a festive atmosphere on Saturday, September 12, and everyone is invited to join in the celebration to be held on the grounds of the library and the Stockton Springs Town Office," said SSCL, in a news release. hands-on soil health trainings to support farmersSoil Health Field Day at Meadowcroft Farm in Washington A "Soil Health Field Day" will be held June 9, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at Meadowcroft Farm in Washington. The community is invited to join Matt Boucher, State soil scientist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, and Knox-Lincoln SWCD, to hear about “Rotational grazing and a cover crop trial,” the first of three Soil Health Field Days. Joshua Chamberlain Bridge roadwork to close eastbound traffic starting June 8 BANGOR — Starting June 1, the Maine Department of Transportation will be replacing the wearing surface and repairing joints on the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge over the Penobscot River that connects Bangor and Brewer as part of a bridge preservation project.Starting June 8, traffic will be restricted to one lane, allowing traffic to head westbound from Brewer to Bangor. Bangor traffic traveling to Brewer will be detoured to the Penobscot Bridge which carries Route 15/State Street over the Penobscot River. Thomaston receives Maine Municipal Association Safety Grant Officials for the Town of Thomaston have been awarded a Safety Grant by the Maine Municipal Association Workers Compensation Fund in the amount of $2,185.48. The grant funding will be used to purchase critical safety equipment for the Town's Code Enforcement, Police, and Fire Departments, including hard hats, steel-toed footwear, high-visibility safety vests, traffic cones, and a vehicle backup alarm. Town of Thomaston welcomes Patrol Officer Lorenzo Bacchi THOMASTON — The Town of Thomaston announces the appointment of Lorenzo Bacchi as a Patrol Officer with the Thomaston Police Department. The Thomaston Select Board confirmed Officer Bacchi's appointment on May 11. Support the Pilot Open to all, supported by readers. Become an online member today: Hi, Welcome and thank you for your support. To manage your account, just hover and click on your name above. Join Today Member Login Sponsored Content Main Street Shop HAPPY HOUR 3-5PM DAILY AT 727 OCEAN SUNSET BARSmuggler’s Cove Oceanfront Inn Schedule for this week at Brady's!!Brady’s The weekend looks fantastic!!Brady’s Esthetician Rhonda Nordstrom welcomes you to Spruce SkincareSpruce Skincare Get your tickets now for a fun time in July! MCH Making Community Happen David Dodson in Concert at Watts Hall!Watts Hall Community Arts Thank you to our sponsors!MCH Making Community Happen CUBAN NIGHT MONDAY JUNE 15TH AT 727 OCEAN SUNSET BAR 4-8:30PMSmuggler’s Cove Oceanfront Inn Sponsored Content Main Street Buzz BOB COLWELL TUESDAY JUNE 16th AT 727 OCEAN SUNSET 5:30 to 7:30PMSmuggler’s Cove Oceanfront Inn Come to Megunticook Rowing’s Open House Saturday, June 27 10-12pm Barrett’s Cove Camden MaineMegunticook Rowing Create Your Own Felted Sea Critter THIS Saturday!Southport General Store & Barn Beach Bash Themed Evening Roller Skating Night at Midcoast RecMidcoast Recreation Center Camden Garden Club Presents Revitalization in Bloom Garden Tour July 16Camden Garden Club 2026 Duck Derby Winners Announced!West Bay Rotary Shop for Hope 2026: Community Shopping Day #2New Hope Midcoast Shop for Hope 2026: Community Shopping Day #1New Hope Midcoast Classifieds Recent Listings Library Coordinator 2 Month old Speckled Sussex Rooster Classic 1700s House for Rent in Downtown Thomaston Full set of quality automobile tools Service Technician - Experienced Installer Rhonda Nordstrom welcomes you to Spruce Skincare Upcoming Events 'Walk to the Beehives' at Merryspring with Dick Vermeulen Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 12:00 pm Tuesday Talk - Walk to the Merryspring Nature Center Beehives with Dick Vermeulen Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 12:00 pm to1:00 pm KNOX COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE OPENS HEADQUARTERS FOR 2026 ELECTION SEASON Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 06:00 pm to8:00 pm Penobscot Bay Orchestra holds Open Rehearsal to welcome new members, June 16 Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 06:00 pm to8:00 pm Sandra Lynn Hutchinson talk at Camden library: 'More Prison Poems' by Baháʼí prisoner of conscience Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 06:30 pm Flying Shoes summer dance on Armistice Footbridge, June 16 Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 06:30 pm Maine author Caitlin Shetterly at Left Bank Books: The Gulf of Lions Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 07:00 pm Thomaston Historical Society to celebrate John, Lee-Ann Upham Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 07:00 pm A Field Trip for Grown Ups to Merryspring Nature Center Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 01:00 pm 'Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives' genealogy presentation in Belfast Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 02:00 pm Most Popular Knox County grand jury... 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