Monday, April 15, 2024

“What interest would large corporations that rely on loggers for fiber have in this arrangement? The answer seems clear to me: money and control.”

— Senate President Troy Jackson on tensions between the logging industry and Maine Forest Service.

Today’s Top Maine Stories

Loggers claim Maine and the state’s biggest landowners are sharing confidential information through a forest certification program. They believe the exchange has added to the pressure the industry faces as their field loses workers and money.

Maine lawmakers and local officials are clashing over who should save a Bangor shelter. The Hope House is the only low-barrier shelter north of Waterville and the second largest in the region.

These Maine towns are trying to undo planning decisions of the past by embracing “Smart growth.” Cities and towns are jumping on board the trendy strategy as they strive to meet Maine’s lofty housing goals by 2030.

A $400,000 study will examine how the University of Maine could fix its aging student housing. Outdated campus housing and strong feedback from students about modernizing it prompted the study, which is likely to wrap up in October.

A Wiscasset reconstruction project is frustrating town officials and business owners. Local officials made their irritation clear during a recent Select Board meeting, when Town Manager Dennis Simmons said, “it’s time to get tough with this.”

Maine in Pictures

More News From Around the State

• Janet Mills signs into law a ban on paramilitary training in Maine

• Plane gets stuck in mud after leaving pavement at Bangor airport

• Penobscot Theatre faces uncertain future without more support

• NASA project leads to friendship between citizen scientists and Aroostook family

• Acadia’s Park Loop Road opens to traffic today

• After uptick in juvenile crime, Rockland wins $450K to support solutions

• Owners of 2 Maine mobile home parks reject residents’ bid to buy properties

• After 27 years, Danny Cashman is finally bidding Maine good night, for good

• Gorham man hospitalized after crashing into tractor-trailer

• Portland man accused of trafficking fentanyl

• Jury acquits man accused of 2016 Portland slaying

• Foxcroft football kicker from Haiti looks forward to opportunity at UMaine

• UMass Lowell baseball takes two of three from injury-riddled UMaine

• 5 North girls softball teams to watch

From the Opinion Pages

Life in Maine

We’re not the only ones getting out right now to enjoy the early warm weather. Black bears are on the prowl for food, and that could include your bird feeder and trash can.

You know the saying “The fox is in the henhouse?” It’s a reality for farmers and homesteaders who have chickens and other fowl unless precautions are taken to keep them out.

This mother-daughter clam-digging duo will exhibit their artwork in Rockland in May. The exhibition at Badhus Co will open on May 3 in Rockland, with an event celebrating the opening.

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