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Good morning. Temperatures will be in the 40s throughout the state.
Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.
A pub and brewery that helped launch Maine’s craft beer boom just hit the market
–Three Tides and Marshall Wharf Brewing Co., two iconic Belfast establishments that helped enliven the city’s waterfront, are for sale. Owners David and Sarah Carlson opened the eatery in 2000 and the brewery followed in 2007, where they brewed strong beers with unusual flavors, such as the Pemaquid Oyster Stout, made with oysters, and Sea Belt Scotch Ale, brewed with Maine-grown sugar kelp. It was the 25th brewery to open in Maine, and there are now more than 100.
Acadia National Park could be the first in the country to partner with a developer on staff housing
–In a move aimed at addressing the perennial lack of housing on Mount Desert Island for seasonal employees, Acadia is looking to become the first national park in the country to partner with a private developer on a housing project. The park hires around 150 seasonal employees each year for the busy tourist season in summer and fall, and has enough housing for roughly 80 of them.
Students confront UMF officials about handling of rape cases
–About 100 University of Maine at Farmington students gathered Wednesday night to ask questions of interim president Eric Brown and several others who interact with sexual assault victims on campus. The panel discussion came about a week after the Bangor Daily News reported how the university made errors in the cases of two female students who reported being raped — one in 2017 and the other in 2018.
“I hear you guys want action steps,” Nicole Kellett, a professor of anthropology, said. “You want to hold us accountable. … This is a moment … for you all to hold us accountable. Keep us accountable.”
‘Cast-and-blast’ weekends could become an annual tradition as new bill proposes earlier bird hunting start
–Every fall, James Cote and his buddies get together for a “men’s weekend” in Rangeley, and the best one was when the opening day of upland bird hunting season — Oct. 1 — fell on a Friday or a Saturday. That meant that the boys would also be in camp for Sept. 30’s final day of fly fishing for brook trout on area waters. But over the next 10 years, the criteria for one of those naturally occurring cast-and-blast weekends will occur only three times. A new bill, LD 265, would change the first day of bird hunting season to the last Saturday of September.
Watch as warm weather melts away Maine’s famous ice disc
–This week’s unseasonably warm temperatures have taken their toll on the ice disc in Westbrook. Portland saw a high temperature of 62 degrees on Tuesday, breaking its previous record for Feb. 5 of 51 degrees, set in 2005, according to the National Weather Service office in Gray. This time lapse video sadly captures what could be one of the disc’s final days.
Maine native says she was suspended from White House job after objecting to Kushner’s security clearance
–Former Madawaska resident and current White House security staff member Tricia Newbold said she has faced discrimination due to a medical condition in a hostile work environment, and now is under temporary suspension after objecting to top-secret security clearance for Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
Do this: The best stuff to do in Maine this weekend
–The biggest athletic event of the year finally hits the midcoast this weekend, with the U.S. National Toboggan Championship at the Camden Snow Bowl Friday through Sunday. Are you competing? Then you’ll want to brush up with these tips for winning — whether it’s with speed or style.
In other news…
Maine
Trial of Maine man who says he shot his wife by accident begins Monday
Husband and wife who ran Maine town’s fire and rescue services abruptly quit
Hancock County considers larger space to answer more 911 calls
Bangor
UMaine football player charged with domestic violence assault
Ex-hospital worker gets 9 months for placing camera in staff bathroom
Downtown Bangor event space can’t open after city finds no fire sprinklers, disability access
Business
Maine heating fuel prices remain flat despite lower crude oil prices
Hancock Lumber announces Southern Maine expansion plans
Dollar store deals: 5 things to buy and 5 to skip
Politics
LePage allies take key spots in revitalized Maine People Before Politics
Lawmakers stall Maine Senate president’s bid to aid unpaid federal workers
What to expect from Janet Mills’ first two-year budget proposal
Opinion
Want to reduce deadly police interactions in Maine? Invest in mental health care.
DEP’s river and stream upgrade proposal is good for Maine
Want to avoid government shutdowns? Congress must pass budgets.
Sports
UMaine men’s hockey team looks to snap 8-year losing streak to Providence this weekend
UMaine baseball, softball teams picked 4th in league preseason polls
Maine’s arena football team could be a one-season wonder
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