Morning update: What you need to know in Maine today

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“A little bit of research could have saved all of this. It was all hush, hush and it was done under this false pretense that they were going to block off the fire station.”

— Allagash Volunteer Fire Chief Louis Pelletier III on a lawsuit filed claiming the Select Board failed to hold a public meeting before conducting a land swap.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Keep an eye on these Maine cities for housing news in 2025. If the state is going to meet its 2030 housing goals, it will be because of creativity with permitting and building at the local level.

Expect new debates over funding roads and bridges. Lawmakers will have to tackle a transportation funding shortfall, with a $100 million bond and tax changes potentially on the table.

Presque Isle celebrated New Year’s Eve for the first time in 13 years. The revival of the star-lighting bash was inspired by growing business and Main Street momentum in the past year.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

A large barn burned early Wednesday morning in Atkinson, east of Dover-Foxcroft. The homeowners were notified of the fire by passers-by and escaped without injury. Credit: Courtesy of Luke Gervais

MAINE TOWN OF THE WEEK

Got a fun factoid about a Maine town? Email us at [email protected].

WINTERPORT: The easternmost town in Waldo County has long been part of the debate about what constitutes the midcoast — while it’s part of Waldo County, Winterport generally shares more in common with its neighbors to the north, Hampden and Bangor. Winterport was once part of Frankfort, until it was established as its own town in 1860. It was so-named because its harbor on the Penobscot River remained generally ice-free all winter long — an excellent place for ships to moor during the coldest months.

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

In this Nov. 15, 2024, file photo, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins speaks to the press at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN

“It is not the sole duty of women like Collins to champion women’s rights in the Senate; every senator, particularly the male majority, bears that responsibility.”

Opinion: The focus on Susan Collins shows a double standard

LIFE IN MAINE

Here are 10 unexpected things you can do with your old Christmas tree. If it’s hard to let go of your fresh-cut tree or you just don’t want to go to the dump again, there are options.

You can still go fly fishing in the dead of winter. “Don’t pack away your fly rod just because it’s cold and the snow has fallen,” Outdoors contributor Kevin McKay writes.

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