QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I can be out in the rain picking broccoli and it’s pouring on me, I’m soaking wet, and for some reason, I’m still happy.”

— Angelica Harwood, a 32-year-old who is preparing to take over an Orland farm business started by back-to-the-landers in the 1970s.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Bangor declared 2024 “the year of housing.” While the city has made headway in its goal of adding more housing units, there’s still a long way to go. 

A Maine island town is looking to mobile homes to solve its affordable housing crisis. Right now in Stonington, the only places for rent right now are seasonal and charge hundreds of dollars per night, and homes are more likely to sell for millions than for less than $400,000.

This is what three Maine cities are doing to make pesticide spraying safer. Their ordinances require the use of alternatives to manmade pesticides.

Maine is leading in this energy field with wide support ahead of Donald Trump’s return. Long-term energy storage facilities already exist in some old mill towns like Rumford and Millinocket, and bigger projects are coming.

After nearly a year, Houlton released information about its surveillance cameras. The town of about 6,000 residents bought 54 cameras for its police department but had refused to give details about the purchase or say where the cameras were installed.

Peter Baldacci retired after 36 years as a Penobscot County commissioner. The Bangor native was elected nine times to represent District 1, which covers Bangor, Brewer, Clifton, Eddington, Holden and Orrington.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Madawaska police officer Seth Querze takes the department’s new drug and tracking dog, through a training exercise. Luka is the first dog to be used by a police department in northern Maine’s St. John Valley region. Credit: Christopher Bouchard / St. John Valley Times

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Dust flies as a farmer plows over a failed cotton field on Oct. 4, 2022, in Halfway, Texas. Credit: Eric Gay / AP

“The continued failure of many candidates to consider our perspectives has led to a glaring disconnect between rural America and national platforms addressing health care, inflation and other key issues.”

Opinion: As a first-time rural voter, our community was overlooked again

LIFE IN MAINE

These Maine back-to-the-landers finally found someone to continue their legacy. Like other older Maine farmers, Karen and Paul Volckhausen faced years of uncertainty about the future of the land and business they’d invested themselves into.

This Maine woman built up her homestead with pallets, and you can, too. Free pallets are easy to find and can be solid quality. With a little creativity, they’re a good way to build on a budget.

For hunters, the end of deer season can come with mixed feelings. “It’s never easy coming to terms with it, but in a way, I’m always a bit relieved when it’s time to say goodbye each year,” Outdoors contributor Chris Sargent writes.

These tips will get your dog ready for a winter hike. With just a little extra effort, you can easily improve your dog’s safety and comfort while exploring the trails.