  The State of the Judiciary is scheduled for a Joint Session of the Maine Legislature (the House & Senate) on Tuesday, February 25th.
The State of the Judiciary is a speech delivered by the state’s Chief Justice to outline the achievements and goals of the state’s court system to the Legislative Body. The current Chief Justice for Maine is Valerie Stanfill who was appointed in 2020. Her judicial term will end in June of 2028.
Among the topics typically addressed include sharing the court system’s achievements; outlining future goals and initiatives; and addressing the court system’s needs such as funding, staffing and technology, and promoting access to our judicial system.
 Maine State Parks Achieve over Three Million Visitors in 2024!
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) announced in January that Maine State Parks welcomed 3.12 million visitors in 2024. This is the third year in a row that Maine State Parks surpassed 3 million visitors.
To view the opening dates for 2025 camping reservations you can click here. To reserve your camping spot, and browse maps, fees, & amenities you can click here.
Our State Parks here in Maine are a true treasure. From the rugged coastline to the serene forests and lakes, these parks offer something for everyone.
As we look ahead to 2025, I encourage all Mainers and visitors alike to continue exploring these incredible landscapes. Thank you to the Maine DACF and BPL for continuing to keep our State Parks clean and welcoming for all.
 Maine DOL Career Center
The Maine Department of Labor invites job seekers looking for the next step in their career, or employers looking to expand their workforce to the DOL’s “CareerCenters” in hopes of offering services to help Maine citizens find employment, upgrade skills, and help employers hire qualified workers.
Throughout 2025, the Maine DOL Career Center will be offering numerous workshops & trainings held on the First and Third Tuesdays of every month from 9AM – 10:30 AM. These virtual sessions help job seekers navigate Maine JobLink. You will learn how to post your resume, search for your ideal job based on skills & experience, look for training providers, and much more.
The Maine DOL offers numerous hiring events throughout the state. To view a list and information of their hiring events, click here.
The Northern Kennebec Valley Career Center also offers the workshop and training every 3rd Wednesday at 9:30am at our Somerset Connect Center, 263 Main St., Bingham. www.somersetbroadband.org
 I want to take a moment to highlight the critical role the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) warming shelters play in keeping our communities safe during Maine’s harsh winter months. Warming shelters provide a warm, secure place for those facing extreme cold, power outages, or unsafe housing conditions.
Warming shelters are typically opened when temperatures or a combination of precipitation, wind chill, winds, and temperatures have become dangerous. On the MEMA website, you can find all of the warming shelters across the State of Maine. Their website also features step-by-step instructions on how to open and notify MEMA of a new warming/cooling center.
If you or someone you know is in need of a warming shelter, I urge you to visit MEMA’s website or contact their office at (207) 624-4400 for the most up-to-date locations and hours. Staying informed and prepared can make all the difference. Let us continue to look out for one another and ensure that communities have a warm, safe place to go.
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