QUOTE OF THE DAY

“One was under a giant dumpster. We know it’s there; we just haven’t seen it yet.”

— Jake Hansen, a geospatial expert with Sebago Technics. The engineering firm is helping the Portland Water District find its 64,000 water valves, many of which have disappeared — under lawns, driveways, tree roots and other obstructions.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

False and dubious claims are taking root in Maine’s 2nd District race. A new ad from national Republicans is one of a raft of false or misleading messages both sides have recently made in the tight race between U.S. Rep. Jared Golden and challenger state Rep. Austin Theriault.

Donald Trump confused Janet Mills’ gender on a rambling call to Maine supporters. A recording was provided to the Bangor Daily News by someone who opted into the call.

A current and a former Bangor city councilor are vying for the same seat on the Penobscot County Commission. Dan Tremble and Cary Weston, both of Bangor, are running for the seat held by longtime Commissioner Peter Baldacci, who is retiring.

A Bangor church is collecting donations for North Carolina hurricane victims. The donations will be given to two churches in Raleigh, North Carolina, to distribute to families.

Portland’s water district is hunting for 64,000 underground valves. An engineering firm is using sophisticated GPS mapping and shovel-wielding workers to digitally map the 150-year-old system.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

A cyclist passes a man sleeping beneath a set of political campaign signs in Portland’s Longfellow Square on Wednesday. Credit: Troy R. Bennett / BDN

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

Fresh off a season-opening blowout win Saturday against American International College, the University of Maine Black Bears men’s ice hockey team will next take on Army at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Alfond Arena. Also at the Alfond this weekend will be the women’s ice hockey team against Providence College at 6 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday. In high school sports, the football season continues, with games to watch including Hermon High School at Brewer High School at 6 p.m. Friday, Houlton High School at Orono High School at 7 p.m. Friday, and Portland High School at Bangor High School, also at 7 p.m. Friday.

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Early voting has begun in Maine. It ends on Oct. 31, the last Thursday before Election Day on Nov. 5. Credit: Troy R. Bennett / BDN

“In 2020, the last presidential election year, Maine had the second-highest voter turnout with more than 74 percent of the voting-age population casting ballots.” 

Editorial: Cast your ballot now with early voting

LIFE IN MAINE

Maine hay growers finally caught a break. Production decreased in recent summers, which cycled between very wet and very dry. This year was better.

These three closed eastern Maine colleges left long legacies in the region. They may have ceased classes decades ago, but these long-closed schools had impacts in education, religion, the arts and in their home communities.