Good morning. Temperatures will be in the mid-40s to high 50s from north to south, with chance of rain throughout the state.
Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.
How 1 Mainer was jailed for sleeping in the wrong place, while another accused of murder walked free
–Research shows that requiring cash to bail out of jail is no more effective than just releasing people with no financial requirement, and it fundamentally disadvantages those of lesser means. Meanwhile, the number of people unable to bail out has reached unprecedented heights in Maine.
Bucksport will meet its top taxpayer halfway on its request for a tax break
–A subsidiary of the company that owns the defunct paper mill site in Bucksport wanted to reduce the taxable value of its power plant site by about a third, to $40 million from about $60 million. The town of Bucksport agreed to meet Bucksport Generation halfway, and agreed to lower the property value to $50 million, which will translate into a $168,036 property tax reduction.
Belfast’s ‘unofficial mayor’ has died, leaving a hole in the heart of the city’s downtown
–James Bryant, 53, died of a heart attack last week. He was definitely local color. “Everybody knew him,” said one downtown business owner, summing up the general sense of loss and sadness that crept through Belfast after he died. Bryant might not have been rich or influential in the conventional sense, but he was beloved as one of those characters that Maine communities cherish.
Orrington votes for coverage from sheriff’s office rather than town-employed officers
–Selectmen in Orrington voted to have three Penobscot County sheriff’s deputies patrol the town of 3,700 instead of local officers employed by the town, according to Selectman Keith Bowden. The Monday night vote to pursue a contract with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office came about a month after the town’s police chief quit and as a local committee works on plans for a new public safety building that will be designed to have less space for police than originally planned.
Do this: Grill some salmon burgers for a delightful salad or delicious sandwich
–It looked so delicious that even if it wasn’t right around supper time, it still would have been appetizing.
In other news …
Maine
Maine accent the 4th sexiest in America, survey says
Find out how often your school district restrained or secluded students last year
Belfast’s mayor thinks she and other elected officials should be paid more
Bangor
Justices not inclined to reverse decision over who gets Honey the dog
Brewer man gets 9 months in prison following MDEA raid
Bangor to ban single-use foam containers 1 year before statewide ban
Business
Central Maine Power pushes back at lawmaker’s drive for consumer-owned utility
Rape accusation against Maine man ‘may have an impact on Smuttynose Brewing,’ company owner admits
Bank plans $5 million expansion of its Machias campus that will let it add 50 employees
Politics
Old Town senator changes vote, clearing the way for stricter Maine vaccine mandate
Maine Senate endorses bill that would allow Medicaid to pay for abortion
Maine Senate backs push to replace Electoral College with national popular vote
Opinion
Funding pothole swallows Maine road construction projects
Safer food packaging will benefit all Mainers
Sports
Bruins beat Carolina to extend Eastern Conference final lead
UMaine women to compete next season in stacked Gulf Coast Showcase
Bangor Little League grows by 20 percent, yet more funds are needed
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