QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We’re getting nothing for applicants. That tells me that we can vote to hire a police department, but I don’t know where we’re going to find people.”

— Washburn Town Manager Donna Turner speaking during a public hearing on whether to keep the town’s police department or close it.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Maine Republicans rushed to Donald Trump’s defense after the New York guilty verdict. The two candidates seeking to oust U.S. Rep. Jared Golden echoed the former president’s statements, while Maine’s delegation in Washington expressed a range of views.

Related stories:

Bangor is on pace to have the most bicyclists hit by cars since 2017. Drivers are supposed to give bicycles space, but some don’t and even yell at them to get out of the road.

Here are four off-grid homes for sale in different price ranges across Maine. And since large swaths of Maine aren’t connected to public utilities, there are many more on the market.

Bucksport-area officials are worried lakes will fall if two dams are abandoned. The owner no longer wants or needs the dams but hasn’t found a buyer, according to area officials

Another Aroostook County town may shutter its police department. One of its two officers was arrested, the other left for another job and new candidates are scarce.

MAINE IN PICTURES

Teens participating in the Bangor-Area Earn-a-Bike Program stand with their new bicycles outside the Pickering Square Parking Garage. The program, offered by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, gives people in need free bicycles and teaches them how to maintain them and navigate Bangor safely despite the city’s lack of bike lanes. Credit: Courtesy of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

This weekend brings the return of the annual Brewer Riverwalk Festival, set for 9 a.m. until the evening fireworks on Saturday. The fun planned along the Brewer side of the Penobscot River includes a magic show, live music, dance and theater, local vendors and a spaghetti dinner. On the other side of the river, there’s a charity cornhole tournament for both amateurs and pros, set for 10 a.m. Sunday at the Maine Savings Amphitheater in Bangor, benefiting Maine veterans organization House in the Woods. And if you want to get loud, Queen City Cinema Club in Bangor hosts artist Lawton Mann and blues rockers the Eric Green Party on Friday, and metal bands Peace Breaker, Serling, Griefmonger, Gasoline Dream and Goblins on Saturday.  

FROM THE OPINION PAGES 

“At the risk of sounding like curmudgeons, we’ll suggest once again that this debate has already gone on long enough.”

Editorial: Maine voters will finally settle the state flag debate

LIFE IN MAINE

Maine has 17 kinds of sparrows. Here are tips for telling them apart.

If you have your sights set on ducks and migratory birds, mark your calendar with these hunting season dates.

A Hermon stock car driver is piling up top-five finishes in regional races. Mike Hopkins most recently drove his late model Chevy to Victory Lane at the Coastal 200 at Wiscasset Speedway.