ORONO, Maine — Maine’s largest education and research enterprise has welcomed four new members to its governing board. 

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. The revised rules took effect on August 2, 2026.

Some of the most significant changes include:

BROOKSVILLE — Horse owners and equine enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to learn from nationally recognized liberty horsemanship trainer Patrick, of Gamilah Unbridled, when he visits Bagaduce River Equine Rescue (BRER), 111 Bagaduce Rd., in Brooksville on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to a news release, the free one-day educational event will introduce participants to the principles of liberty horsemanship while emphasizing trust, communication, and partnership between horse and human.

Last week, over 250 friends and supporters of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences came together for an evening of discovery and inspiration. Through the Big Splash fundraiser, the institute raised over $800,000 in sponsorships and bids — far exceeding the original fundraising goal — all of which will go to support the institute’s “bold science for our blue planet.”

Hancock County volunteer from Lamoine, Lori Jordan, has been announced as the Girl Scouts of Maine (GSME) Volunteer of the Month of August. Jordan is currently involved as a volunteer within the Frenchman Bay Service Unit.

The volunteer of the month is a prestigious title recognized by GSME, according to GSME, in a news release. It is awarded monthly to an adult volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and efforts within the organization to benefit Girl Scouts statewide. 

This week the Maine Gun Safety Coalition is partnering with local law enforcement to host free lockbox giveaways as part of National Night Out events across the state.

MGSC volunteers will join law enforcement officers in multiple locations, including Aug. 4, in Auburn, Biddeford, and Kennebunk, and Thursday, Aug. 6, in Augusta, to hand out free firearm lockboxes to families with children to promote secure storage of firearms.

Beginning Tuesday, August 4, at 10 p.m., "there will be NO PARKING at Harbor Park due to setup for the Maine Boat & Home Show," said the City of Rockland, in a parking notification.

BANGOR/HAMPDEN — The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will be closing the on-ramp from northbound Route 202 to westbound I-395 on August 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for bridge rail work.

According to MaineDOT, in a news release, drivers heading northbound on Route 202 towards I-395 should use Exit 3B on I-395 onto Main Street in Bangor and take the next on ramp to get onto I-395 westbound.

On July 29, 2026, the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) officially undertook the responsibility of regulating manufactured housing in the state through the Manufactured Housing Program, formerly known as the Manufactured Housing Board.  

MOCA will regulate modular housing, manufactured homes, and manufactured housing communities. These responsibilities were previously held by the Manufactured Housing Board within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. 

From August 3 to August 27, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will conduct night work between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for striping operations. The roadwork will be done in Benton, Brunswick, Burnham, Clinton, Fairfield, Newport, Oakland, Palmyra, Pittsfield, West Bath, Bath, and Waterville. 

According to MaineDOT, in a news release, the project locations include U.S. Route 1 in both the northbound and southbound directions, extending approximately 5 miles each way from the Cooks Corner interchange in Brunswick to the Viaduct in Bath.

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.

SOUTH PORTLAND — From August 9 to August 11, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will close Route 1 between Billy Vachon Avenue and the I-295 southbound on ramp at Exit 4, including the ramp from Veterans Memorial Bridge, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., each night as part of a highway construction project. Traffic will be detoured via Main Street, Westbrook Street, and Broadway to the I295 southbound onramp at Exit 3.

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."