Good morning. Temperatures will range from the 40s to 50s with rain throughout the state.
Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.
The LePage administration pursued the construction of a Bangor psychiatric facility largely in the dark
–Now, new documents the state has released to the BDN show the full cost of a secure psychiatric facility the state will lease over the next 30 years, and the limited ability Gov. Paul LePage’s successor has to withdraw the state from psychiatric facility plans to which she hasn’t committed. The step-down psychiatric facility represented a major topic of controversy during the LePage years as LePage continued to change plans so he could avoid seeking the Legislature’s approval.
He resigned from his job as Orrington’s interim manager last week citing conflicts with selectmen
–But Andy Fish received a job offer the same day from the neighboring town of Holden, where he’s started work as the town’s finance director. He didn’t mention the other job when he submitted his resignation letter Jan. 29.
Rockland may have to look up the coast for hints on how its efforts to increase access to affordable housing will pan out
–In an attempt to improve access to affordable housing, Rockland officials recently revamped residential zoning regulations much to the ire of some residents who worry the changes will negatively affect the character of neighborhoods. Four years ago, city officials in Belfast implemented similar changes. What’s happened since then could prove instructive for Rockland officials, who face a lawsuit and signature-gathering effort to force a vote to repeat the recent zoning changes.
The federal government shutdown set back Acadia’s preparations for the 2019 summer season
–The national park on Mount Desert Island is behind in hiring more than 100 seasonal employees who are key to making sure all the park’s facilities are open by mid-April. Park staff lost more than a month due to the shutdown when they could have been preparing for the 2019 season, the park’s superintendent said Monday.
Maine is forming a corps of coaches to help people work through addiction recovery
–The program eventually will have 30 coaches who have direct experience with addiction recovery spread out across Aroostook, Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Waldo and Washington counties. It is funded by a three-year AmeriCorps grant that is managed through Healthy Acadia, a nonprofit community health organization based in Ellsworth.
Cadillac Mountain road closed 54 times in 2018 by crowds in Acadia
–Acadia National Park rangers in 2018 closed the summit road to Cadillac Mountain to incoming vehicles 54 times because of traffic congestion, possibly accenting the need for a reservation system to park at the peak.
Make this: This decadent chocolate dessert uses only 4 ingredients
–If you have a chocolate craving, this will cure it in no time. And there is virtually zero baking — in fact, it can be made in the microwave.
In other news …
Maine
Abandoned Maine bear cubs rescued from certain death
Fire destroys historic potato house in northern Maine
This Maine-made absinthe won’t make you hallucinate
Business
Maine solar installer poised to merge with New Hampshire firm
Bath Iron Works lands another big contract to service Navy vessels
Salmon farmer in Maine acquires Latin American shrimp firm
Politics
How Maine aims to end almost 30 years of court oversight of mental health care
Bill would end 30-year-old consent decree on mental health services
Federal prosecutors subpoena Trump’s inaugural committee
Opinion
Trump should channel George Washington in State of the Union address
A border wall is ‘Mainer-type common sense’
Sports
Husson swimmer breaks freestyle records at championship meet
Patriots face some offseason changes, but they’ll again be Super Bowl contenders
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