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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“People don’t mind getting maggots on them, but they don’t want other people’s waste getting on them.”

— Neil Bonneville, owner of Maine Waste Services, on the challenge of finding people to work in garbage collection when human waste is being put out with curbside trash, an occurrence that has become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Maine jail officials minimized “a pretty big red flag” before a woman’s suicide. A day before she was locked up, Shannon Dickens threatened to kill herself and told law enforcement officials, but she was not placed on suicide watch, records show.

Curbside trash filled with human waste is plaguing Penobscot County communities. The problem began during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the owner of a local trash collection service. 

An Ellsworth detective says he’s running to replace his former boss as sheriff. Corey Bagley’s candidacy is expected to create a primary challenge to Sheriff Scott Kane, as both are registered Republicans.

It just got easier for this Maine politician to run for governor as an independent. Rick Bennett said he wasn’t involved in crafting the proposal but called the new change “a logical thing to do.”

Janet Mills reiterated her opposition to enacting a “red flag” law. The Democratic governor’s comments came in a late hearing on the proposal, which will go to Maine voters in a November referendum.

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

The full moon sets over Back Cove on Wednesday in Portland. Credit: Robert F. Bukaty / AP

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

A protester speaks to a line of California National Guard protecting a federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. Credit: Eric Thayer / AP

“Trump used the protests in LA as a pretense to send National Guard troops to the city, against the wishes of the city’s mayor and the governor of California.”

Editorial: Trump’s misuse of the military against Americans is the real threat

LIFE IN MAINE

Planning to hike Katahdin? Here’s how to prepare.

You can work up an appetite hiking in the woods. Here’s a guide for identifying nature’s treats without getting yourself or your hiking buddies sick

A beginner’s guide to camping in a tent in Maine. These tips for camping in a tent will help beginners try it without fear — and might just teach seasoned campers a thing or two.