A canoe floats on the Kennebec River below the Lockwood Dam on Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Waterville. This photo won first place in the category for “Scenic Photo” at the 2022 Maine Press Association annual contest. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Chase Sacks, 11, left, and his twin brother, Cody, right, stay cool on a hot, humid day with Gage Chamberlain, 14, on June 8, 2021, in the brothers’ pool on Cool Street in Waterville. This photo won third place in the category for “News Photo” at the 2022 Maine Press Association annual contest. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Stanley Yocz of South China pulls a rubber band out of his beard Feb. 27, 2022, before completing a 6-mile hike across the frozen China Lake. This photo won second place in the category for “People Photo” at the 2022 Maine Press Association annual contest. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

A group of people riding motorcycles or scooters was at the front of the Hallowell Pride parade July 17, 2021, on Water Street in Hallowell. This photo won third place in the category for “News Photo” at the 2022 Maine Press Association annual contest. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file

Tracy Greaney ushers a flock of turkeys toward the slaughterhouse Nov. 4, 2021, at Greaney’s Turkey Farm in Mercer. This collection of photos won third place in the category for “Picture Story” at the 2022 Maine Press Association annual contest. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Joshua Peters kisses his 3-year-old son, Mason, as he walks with his partner, Emily Raymond, as she carries their youngest child, 10-month-old Colton Peters. They were trying to keep the children warm as firefighters battled a blaze at their apartment building in Waterville on Feb. 15, 2022. This photo won third place in the category for “Spot News Photo” at the 2022 Maine Press Association annual contest. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Joao Paulo Fernandez gets tossed from Wooly Bully on July 23, 2021, during a PBR Velocity Tour rodeo competition at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. This photo won third place in the category for “Sports Photo” at the 2022 Maine Press Association annual contest. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel