Down East drug violence / Bangor vagrancy complaints / College graduations

Washington County struggles with police shortage as drug violence soars

Washington County has become a flashpoint for drugs and violence as criminal gangs from out of state have set up shop in its small towns.

Oxford County sheriff investigated after asking his deputy to go easy on a case

After the BDN told the sheriff it had the recording, he issued a statement on Friday apologizing for his actions.

PLUS: You can read the transcript of the call between the Oxford County sheriff and his deputy here.

Ashland senior earns college degree before graduating from high school

Micah Calhoun is the first Ashland High School student to earn a college degree before graduation.

Brother’s tragic death inspired this Husson graduate to pursue law career

Five years ago her brother died from an overdose in their hometown of Sullivan. The tragedy would shape Robinson’s academic career.

The pandemic changed everything for the UMaine class of 2023

The Class of 2023 was on campus for just a semester before the COVID-19 global pandemic shut schools and businesses down across the state.

AND: More than 200 students graduated Saturday from the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the system’s northernmost campus.

PLUS: You can see the jubilation and celebration in these photos from graduation ceremonies across Maine.

Bangor police getting more vagrancy complaints after closing camp

In just the two weeks after closing the Valley Avenue encampment, Bangor police responded to 54 vagrancy complaints.

PLUS: You can find information for resources to find shelter, health care, treatment and more if you are homeless.

Developer behind Westbrook’s Rock Row is eyeing Bangor

Rock Row is expected to create 8,000 jobs and $1.7 billion in economic output, making it one of Maine’s largest developments.

Maine hospital system has nearly solved its EMT shortage

Since October 2021, Northern Light Health has graduated 45 students to fill vacancies for basic EMTs across its divisions.

The Democratic holdouts on Janet Mills’ abortion bill

Mana Abdi, Michael Lajoie, Bill Bridgeo, Anne Perry, Joe Perry, Ronald Russell and Bruce White are the only House Democrats not to co-sponsor the abortion bill.

Bipartisan effort to end controversial Maine intelligence unit faces state pushback

A prior attempt to abolish the Maine Information and Analysis Center passed the House in 2021 before failing in the Senate by a wide margin.

What you need to know about Maine’s proposed new electric utility

Lawmakers heard testimony last week on the Maine referendum that would buy out the infrastructure of Central Maine Power and Versant Power.

Caribou sues owner of condemned home over safety violations

Caribou claims John Barretto has failed to address safety violations at his residential property at 15 Prospect St.

Meet the young folks preserving Maine’s oldest trains

The oldest member on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad’s executive staff is just 34 years old.

Go back in time by hiking along this old Bar Harbor railway

“Spanning Point Road and Old Route 1 in Hancock, the trail travels through a lovely forest of oaks, maples, balsam firs and other trees,” the BDN Outdoors contributor Aislinn Sarnacki writes.

Spring trolling in a tiny canoe on the Moose River

“Someday I’ll have a beautiful new fishing boat, but it will never top that quiet, cold, foggy morning when I dared to be the brave man in a tiny canoe,” BDN Outdoors contributor Chris Sargent writes.

In other Maine news …

NH man dies while hiking in western Maine

Benjamin’s opens in original footprint with new look in downtown Bangor

Apartment building fire in Bangor displaces several people 

Fire destroys building in Kittery, officials call fire ‘somewhat suspicious’

Boil water order lifted for Milo

For Maine war hero’s family, plane’s remains are final pieces of his legacy

Drug court could finally be coming to Aroostook County

Cary Plantation man dies in Hodgdon crash

Bullet found in Brunswick elementary school prompts police investigation

Regulators approve new lobster size limits in Maine

A minke whale died after washing up on a Maine beach

UMaine shuts out UMBC to salvage 3rd game of series

Husson enters conference softball playoffs as No. 1 seed