QUOTE OF THE DAY
— George Buswell, director of Penobscot County’s unorganized territories, describing what happened when an Argyle couple’s backyard slid into the Penobscot River.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
The kind of housing Maine needs most is the hardest to build. The state is lacking in multi-unit building targeted toward middle-income families, known to experts as the “missing middle.”
Penobscot County is taking a drastic step to save a home from falling into the river. Last June, the backyard of a home in Argyle suddenly slid into the Penobscot River. Since then, the river has slowly eaten away at the unstable land behind the house, threatening to take the structure with it.
Today is Geoffrey Low’s first day on the job as Bangor’s new fire chief. The role marks his third time serving as a Maine fire chief. He replaces Thomas Higgins, who served in the Fire Department for 34 years, nearly 10 of them as chief.
Dozens of fishermen have applied for a rare chance to catch Maine shrimp. About 30 have applied for just seven slots available in a short, experimental shrimp season due to start in February.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Joe Biden honors Maine lawyer and activist with presidential medal
- Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree opposed House Speaker Mike Johnson’s reelection
- Maine natural gas prices will rise less than expected following pipeline talks
- Judge declines to dismiss false labeling and deceptive marketing claims against Poland Spring
- CMP wants to finish its hydropower corridor this year
- Bangor Mall owners to fight city’s lawsuits in court
- 3 seriously injured in Orrington head-on crash
- Maine sports legend Bill Casavant remembered for changing kids’ lives
- Public works director who once saved Fort Kent from a flood retires
- Irving acquires Aroostook sawmill
- Injured hiker rescued in Acadia National Park on New Year’s Eve
- Retired Supreme Court justice will hear appeal of Mainer who assaulted FBI agent
- Mainer was DJing nearby when police killed the New Orleans attacker
- New Maine bakery will incorporate its owners’ native Hispanic flavors
- New video released of deadly police shooting in Westbrook
- Missing 13-year-old found safe
- UMaine hockey team bounces back with a 2-1 win over Denver
- Bryant men’s basketball coasts to win over UMaine
- Gallego, Bornemann lead UMaine women’s basketball to win over Bryant
- Former UMaine standout earns 5th All-Pro berth for Baltimore Ravens
- Flagg’s double-double leads No. 4 Duke to 8th straight win, 89-62 over SMU
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“It was welcome news that Congress overwhelmingly passed the Social Security Fairness Act recently, and that President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law on Monday. This will be a long-awaited win for many public sector retirees who have spent careers giving back to their communities.”
Editorial: Making Social Security more fair for public sector retirees
LIFE IN MAINE
This man’s homesteading roots pulled him back to Maine. Twenty-five years ago, Mattie Bamman swore he’d never come back. He said so recently from the living room of his Northport homestead.
A lack of ice is threatening smelt season for the third year. Dozens of smelt camps used to dot Maine’s tidal rivers four or five decades ago, but climate change has ripped that tradition apart.
Quebec magical hiking trails are really accessible to Maine hikers. Crossing the border from Maine to Quebec is like walking through a magical portal transporting you to a foreign land where they speak a French dialect and measure in meters — and also is home to gorgeous trails ready for exploring.
