Good morning. Temperatures will be in the high 40s and low 50s with rain throughout the state.
Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.
Yes, the potholes are worse this year. Use our map to find the one that busted your tire.
–It’s not your imagination: The potholes are worse this year than normal. They’re worst of all in the Bangor region. City public works crews have had to start patching potholes earlier than normal this year, and state road crews in the Bangor area have had to deal with worse potholes than their colleagues throughout the rest of the state.
What has to happen to end the fighting over Maine ferry rates
–State transportation officials say they need more money to keep the ferries running. Islanders say they can barely pay the current rates, with Islesboro residents saying they have already cut ferry use because they believe last year’s switch to a flat-fee system placed an unfair burden on them. With a new fee system due to be released by the end of this month, both sides are talking about how to make it work.
The Bangor Municipal Golf Course has seen a wildlife resurgence
–Since establishing non-play areas and letting the grass there grow tall, animals have been able to the public golf course home in recent years. Golfers have seen coyotes, deer, fishers, turkeys, ducks and red foxes pass through the course since the golf course recertified in 2016 as an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf.
A fixture on the Waterville dining scene is up for sale
–Joseph’s Fireside Steakhouse, a Waterville staple with local residents and businesspeople, is for sale at $995,000. The owners of the 100-plus seat restaurant, which pulled in gross revenue of almost $2.23 million in 2018, said the business is profitable and they are selling for personal reasons.
A Bucksport farm has changed its name, fearing a trademark lawsuit
–It turns out someone had a problem with Kevin and Mandy Wheaton using the name Hobbit Hill Homestead for their Bucksport farm: the California company that owns worldwide rights to trademarked terms within British author J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world, including “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.”
MC Hammer is coming to Bangor this summer
–The rapper and dancer who was among the biggest rap stars of the 1990s will bring his Hammer’s House Party tour to the Cross Insurance Center this summer.
Things to do around Maine this weekend
— Sunday is indeed St. Patrick’s Day, so we’ll get to the listing of Irish-themed merriment in a moment. For now, there’s lots of good stuff to check out on Friday and Saturday — especially if the throngs of pub-crawlers on Sunday aren’t really your particular pot of gold.
In other news…
Maine
Tucker Carlson pulls plug on plans to bring a Fox News studio to Maine
Departing UMaine chancellor calls system ‘stronger’ despite $3.2 million shortfall
Squirrels are damaging some maple syrup operations
Bangor
Bangor teachers denied a chance to voice contract concerns at school committee meeting
Retirement community roommates try to out-annoy each other in Penobscot Theatre play
Bangor Y’s new teen center is a place for kids with time to kill
Business
You can soon bid online to buy this waterfront home in Maine
Latest Portland project continues hotel boom, adds rooftop bar
Navy puts $1.3 billion price tag on frigate Bath Iron Works could build
Politics
Collins makes case for Bangor Air National Guard unit to top Air Force leaders
Janet Mills submits bill to let medical professionals who aren’t physicians perform abortions
Vaccination debate draws hundreds to Maine State House
Opinion
In sickness and in health in Augusta
The college admissions scandal is a symptom of an unfair system
Sports
Rossignol, UMaine back in Bangor one last time for America East women’s basketball title game
UMaine’s top line must deliver in Hockey East playoff series at Northeastern
Former UMaine goalie riding 3-game NHL shutout streak
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