Good morning. Temperatures will be in the mid-60s throughout the state, with wind gusts of up to 45 mph forecast for northern and eastern Maine.
Here’s what’s happening in Maine today.
6 perfect foliage drives in Maine — and where to eat on the way
–Late September through early November is the perfect time to pile into the car, pick out some good tunes or podcasts and hit the road to check out the most colorful display of the year in Maine: fall foliage.
Here are six routes you can enjoy from the comfort of your vehicle — alongside our suggestions for places to stop on the way for a bite and a beer.
Cop who grew up with escaped murderer ‘chased him a good many times’
–Ernie Fitch and Arnold Nash grew up together in Ellsworth. Many times during their early years, Nash would have dinner or stay overnight with the Fitch family. And in the early 1970s, when Fitch became a deputy with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and put himself on track to become a detective lieutenant, Nash was becoming a career criminal eventually convicted of murder.
So when Nash, now 65, escaped prison on Sept. 13, literally by walking off the grounds of a minimum-security facility in Charleston, Fitch told Nash’s pursuers exactly how they would find him.
Maine’s turkey population is booming. But are they a nuisance or ‘good wildlife story’?
–Move over, squirrels: It’s time to talk turkey.
Although the furry rodent has been in the limelight for an apparent population explosion, lots of Mainers have been noticing another animal that seems to be in extreme abundance. That’s the wild turkey, which has been spotted in fields, forests, backyards, gardens, farms and roadsides all over the state.
What’s behind the population boom?
The legal battle over solar power in Maine is intensifying
–Conservationists and solar power installers filed a new lawsuit Thursday against the Maine Public Utilities Commission. The suit argues that regulators erred in enacting rules that violate state law preventing a utility from charging exit fees to a customer “who significantly reduces or eliminates consumption of energy due to self-generation,” and another statute they argue prohibits regulation or charges for on-site power generation. It’s the latest move in a long-running conflict between solar power advocates, Gov. Paul LePage’s administration and regulators he has nominated.
Could 9-player soccer help save the sport at Maine’s smallest high schools?
–Some of Maine’s smallest high schools are facing a numbers crisis. In order to continue fielding soccer teams, they may have to push for implementation of a nine-player version of traditional 11-person soccer.
Ellsworth residents want to stop historic firehouse from being torn down
–Some residents are trying to stop the planned demolition of a local old firehouse that they say is a historic structure that should be preserved.
The vacant Ticonic 4 firehouse on Route 1A is owned by Webber Group, which has received a permit from the city to demolish the building, which dates from the late 1800’s — but an abutting landowner has filed an appeal. A neighbor said she so far has collected more than 400 signatures from people who support preserving the historic building.
Do this: Your Maine weekend guide
–This weekend brings the Common Ground Fair, the beloved annual celebration of rural living set for the Unity Fairgrounds and the first big event of the fall. Tens of thousands of lovers of all things natural, organic and back-to-the-land will descend upon Unity to eat, listen, shop and experience the beauty of simple Maine living. Plus, there’s the Great Maine Puppet Festival, the 24 Hour New Play Festival, Neko Case in Portland and more.
In other news…
Maine
Man dies after being struck by SUV while crossing road on lawnmower
Maine motorcyclist dies after doing ‘wheelie,’ crashing into restaurant, cops say
King, Poliquin tour Acadia, promote park maintenance funding bill
Bangor
Milford man shoots at suspected pot plant thieves, scaring neighbors
Massive fire destroys Corinth wood pellet mill
UMaine says a man has been following women around campus, Old Town
Business
New Blue Hill YMCA to feature six-lane swimming pool
Maine lobster industry looks to grow US market while tariffs drive down demand overseas
Crowd overwhelms, forces postponement of hearing on shellfish farm expansion
Politics
Maine courts to hear Medicaid expansion arguments
Lobbying the feds on a Medicaid expansion plan may not make much difference
Maine schools step up efforts to prevent sexual abuse of young children
Opinion
Congress offers important steps forward on opioid crisis, but they need more funding
Working people can’t afford Kavanaugh on Supreme Court
Sports
Red Sox rally by Yanks to win their third straight AL East title
When you’re getting your morning coffee, UMaine football is already on the field
Your Morning Update is published every weekday. To receive this in your inbox weekday mornings, or to check out our range of free newsletters, click here.
To subscribe to the Bangor Daily News, click here.
