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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“There were quite a few vacant storefronts in Presque Isle that had remained vacant for a long time — years, in fact. City Council looked at the vacant stores and felt it was an opportunity for economic development for Presque Isle.”

— Kevin Freeman, chair of the Presque Isle City Council, on the city’s embrace of cannabis businesses that other Aroostook County communities have kept out.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

A Maine sheriff’s election is upsetting Lewiston shooting victims and Robert Card’s family. Sheriff Joel Merry, a Democrat who has been in charge for 16 years, is seeking a fifth term against Sgt. Aaron Skolfield, a Republican and two-decade veteran of the office.

These people are keeping together the last program of its kind for Maine kids with severe disabilities. The 16-bed program in Westbrook has kept its beds full under the supervision of a remarkably stable workforce compared with its counterparts. 

Presque Isle has become Aroostook County’s cannabis capital. Many towns have either kept marijuana out or allow medical shops only. So why did Star City leaders embrace recreational marijuana businesses?

Mainers might see spectacular new comet overhead this fall. “Might” is the key word. Sky-watching optimists are hoping Tsuchinshan-ATLAS turns out to be the “comet of the century,” but there’s no guarantee.

Thirty years after its closure, veterans shared memories of Loring Air Force Base. While it was operating, the base in Limestone was supported and protected by outposts in several Maine communities.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

The comet NEOWISE streaks across the Maine sky in Hiram on July 21, 2020. A new comet, Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, could give Mainers an even more impressive show this fall, but only if celestial conditions are right. Credit: Troy R. Bennett / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Inmates walk through the exercise yard at California State Prison Sacramento, near Folsom, California, on Feb. 26, 2013. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / AP

“Nearly 2 million people, disproportionately Black and Indigenous, are living in jails and prisons instead of in their communities, a 500 percent increase since 1973.”

Opinion: The 1994 crime bill has led to 30 years of failure

LIFE IN MAINE

This Mainer started as a train robber and ended as a carnival sideshow mummy. Let’s start at the beginning: Who was Elmer McCurdy?

Hunters will get another chance to buy Maine antlerless deer permits. The permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Here’s how five former UMaine baseball players have fared in the minors. Matt Pushard, Nick Sinacola, Cody Lawyerson, Quinn McDaniel and Jeremiah Jenkins recently wrapped up their minor league seasons.

Watch this porcupine family. Yes, you.