Good morning. Temperatures will be in the mid-30s throughout the state.
Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.
A small Maine town is rebuilding its fire department after all but 1 member quit
–The Waldo County town of Thorndike, where 27 firefighters abruptly quit last month, has trained six new firefighters and is considering an ordinance aimed at reducing the likelihood of similar turmoil in the future. Townspeople will vote on March 16.
Parents criticize Corinth school for lack of communication after students found with BB gun
–Two students at Central Middle School in Corinth had a BB gun at school Wednesday, but parents didn’t find out until late Wednesday night. And the communication from the school district’s superintendent had little information about the incident.
Maine woman is using seaweed to make sexual lubricant
–It’s made from Irish moss, a local seaweed well known for its gelling properties. The crinkled, dark brown plant is abundant on the Maine coast. It thrives in water between three and 20 feet deep.
A Connecticut prosecutor shared concerns about Maine’s medical examiner with Janet Mills in 2016
–After a judge ruled that expert testimony delivered by Dr. Mark Flomenbaum in a 2016 Connecticut manslaughter trial was not credible, the prosecutor in the case wrote to Janet Mills, then the state’s attorney general but now governor, to share concerns. Mills’ spokesman said she did not recall seeing the letter. Defense attorneys in Maine have tried to cross-examine Flomenbaum about the Connecticut case, but judges have not allowed it.
A mouse variety dubbed ‘FATZO’ has been added to Jackson Lab’s research lineup
–The research mouse strain is specifically suited for studying weight-related health problems.
Man accused of raping, strangling Bar Harbor teen at playground to go on trial in May
–Jalique Keene, 21, is accused of killing Mikaela Conley, 19, in Bar Harbor last spring. Police say Keene raped and strangled Conley on the grounds of a local elementary school in the early-morning hours of June 1 and then hid her body in nearby woods.
Do this: Your Maine weekend guide
–This weekend, there’s a David Bowie-themed pops concert in Bangor, three full days of professional bull riding at the Cross Insurance Center, the Maine Jewish Film Festival in Portland, Brunswick and Waterville and much more. Here’s the full weekend lineup.
In other news…
Maine
‘I shot her,’ Clifton man accused of murdering girlfriend allegedly uttered
Maine experts lay out alternatives to locking up youth
Rockport man accused of murdering mother and grandparents uses insanity defense
Bangor
Taxes, school building costs concern Orono council candidates. 1 wants a town militia.
Professional Bull Riders tour expands to three dates in Bangor
Business
What Mainers need to know as regulators dig into CMP hydro deal backed by Mills
Bath Iron Works lands $11 million contract for more destroyer work
Colby names architect, operator for its planned downtown Waterville hotel
Politics
On her 65th day in office, Gov. Janet Mills will sign her 1st bill
Maine Senate president’s bill to aid unpaid federal workers falls short in the House
Shaheen argues for Maine shipyard investments as Trump’s border wall threatens funding
Opinion
Moving regulatory goal posts is fishy
Why national popular vote is bad for Maine
Vaccines vanquished diseases. We shouldn’t go backward.
Sports
Top players shine at Aroostook County Senior All-Star Games
Hampden-Bangor top seed for North unified basketball tourney
Bangor goaltender among five Travis Roy Award finalists
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