Good morning, Bangor.

University professor Bill Zimmerman submitted a proposal for a whoopie pie emoji with the Unicode Consortium on April 2 & the initiative is supported by the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival, which will be held in Dover-Foxcroft on Saturday, June 13.

Heating oil prices jumped 41% since the war in Iran began on Feb.

28, pushing costs to $5.37 per gallon and adding roughly $425 to a 275 gallon tank while gas prices rose about $1 per gallon, according to Maine’s Department of Energy Resources and AAA.

Autumn Schmidt, founder of She’s an Asset, will host a women’s empowerment event at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor on Friday, Apr.

10. Two three‑hour sessions will help participants build confidence and connect with others while also offering optional self-defense training.

The University of Maine hosted its Blue Economy Career Summit on Thursday in Orono, featuring panel discussions, student talks & networking sessions that highlighted career options in commercial fishing, seafood production, and other blue economy fields.

UMaine hosted the latest Cohen Lecture Series on Thursday in Orono, where former ambassador Nicholas Burns spoke on current geopolitical issues like the Iran war and U.S. ties with China while engaging students with a hopeful message.

The Maine House passed a bill yesterday that allows pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, or administer vaccines for adults while permitting COVID-19 and flu shots for children starting at six months, and the measure now heads to the Senate.

The Bangor Airport Mall on Union Street was sold for $13.1 million on March 31 to SBP Bangor Airport Mall LLC, according to a real estate transfer document.

The 22-acre property was previously owned by B33 Bangor II LLC, based in Las Vegas.

A prospective buyer plans to redevelop Bangor Mall by converting the former Sears into 200 condos by June, with condo sales funding ongoing improvements.

The buyer is inspecting the property and lining up funds, and parking lots may turn into green space with walking paths.

MaineHousing’s 2025 Annual Report showed that over $321 million in homebuyer loans were provided statewide, including from local lenders (like Bangor Savings Bank), while 276 new affordable homes were added under its Affordable Homeownership Program.

Mortgages averaged $252,574 and first-time homebuyer loans reached record levels last year.

Ballroom Dancing with Robert Causey

8-9 p.m. — The Wilson Center — Free entry — Learn various styles of Ballroom Dance in a fun and relaxed atmosphere with no partner required.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Your Teaching Workshop 2026

8:30 AM – 2:30 PM — United Technologies Center-Region 4 — Free entry — Enhance teaching skills and bring fresh energy to the classroom with engaging breakout sessions.

Riff Johnson Live

6-10 p.m. — Bogeys — Tickets available — Experience Riff Johnson's nostalgic tunes as he performs live in his home state of Maine.

E-Waste Fundraising Event

8-11 a.m. — Challenger Learning Center of Maine — Suggested donation $10+ — Recycle old electronics and support STEM programs for students across Maine.

ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification

9 AM – 5 PM — University of Maine Cooperative Extension — $150 for course and exam — Gain nationally-recognized certification essential for food industry professionals.

The Nite Show Live Honoring George Hale

6-8 p.m. — Gracie Theatre — Ticket proceeds support Brewer Community School music & theatre — A lively tribute to broadcasting icon George Hale.

The Garbologists

Apr 23 – May 10 — Penobscot Theatre Company — Ticket info TBA — Explore the hidden stories behind our discarded items through the eyes of a city sanitation worker.