Good morning. Temperatures will be in the high 30s, with afternoon rain storms in the southern part of the state.
Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.
Brewer and Bangor police are testing out body cameras
–The two departments join law enforcement agencies across the country that have turned to the devices in recent years as part of an effort to demonstrate transparency and to deter illegal behavior by both citizens and the police.
One year after becoming law, food sovereignty in Maine has taken hold
–Since becoming law a year ago, the number of Maine towns and small communities with a food sovereignty ordinance has grown to more than 40. And according to those behind the movement, it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The for-profit company that turned around Maine’s failing addiction treatment initiative
–Rodney and Heather Auger are part of an emerging approach to treating opioid addiction in Maine, one that may never have gotten off the ground without the involvement of Groups Recover Together. The company, a for-profit chain of addiction treatment clinics, is expanding rapidly in Maine and throughout the country, applying a startup mentality to combatting the nation’s most pressing public health crisis.
Two nonprofit groups are hoping to make Blue Hill more walkable
–The Hancock County town has two major retail clusters, and two community groups are in the running for grants to pay for more sidewalks and an extended walking trail connecting South Street with downtown Blue Hill.
How a Maine town pays tribute to its lobster fishing heritage during the holidays
–In Rockland, the centerpiece of the holiday season is not a run of the mill tree. Instead, it’s a 40-foot-tall man-made tribute to the lobster fishing industry known as “the Lobster Trap Tree.”
Made up of over 150 red and green lobster traps and decked out with over 100 lobster buoys, the tree is fitting in the small coastal city, which is home to the Maine Lobster Festival and has been called “the Lobster Capital of the World.”
The Bangor Police Department has lost a veteran to retirement
–Bob Bishop, 63, of Orrington retired earlier this month as a lieutenant after working in law enforcement for 40 years, 34 of them in the Queen City. As a tribute, Bangor named its indoor firing range “Bishop’s Alley.”
Do this: 6 winter hikes in Hancock County you have to try
–Start the day with breakfast in Ellsworth or Bar Harbor, and then hit the trails to see some of Maine’s charming, early winter sights. Don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes or add ice-traction devices to the bottom, and if you’re lucky, you could even get some snowshoeing in.
In other news…
Maine
Somerset County car crash kills one man, leaves two others injured
Crew rescued after fishing boat sinks off Maine coast
ATM found in Deer Isle woods was a prank, police say
Bangor
How a BDN editor shot the biggest buck of his life
All-star pitcher Roger Clemens coming to Bangor for hot stove event
Don’t miss these 10 holiday events in eastern Maine this year
Business
Future of Portland’s ferry service remains uncertain
Cannabis investors could be in for a bumpy ride as the industry grows
Community college opens welding lab to train BIW employees
Politics
A judge ordered LePage to expand Medicaid. He plans to keep fighting it.
Angus King says Trump giving Saudi prince ‘a pass’ over Khashoggi killing
No Republicans are running for Maine attorney general
Opinion
Poliquin’s legal challenge can be a win for Maine, no matter the outcome
Personal income grew in Maine — thanks to the minimum wage
Golden’s victory bucks Democrats’ suburban trend
Sports
Sutton sparks resilient UMaine women’s basketball team past Penn
Second-half surge sparks Quinnipiac past UMaine men’s basketball team