Friday, April 19, 2024

“We think DNA evidence doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. It’s much to do about nothing.”

— Maine Assistant Attorney General Donald Macomber at a hearing on Thursday for Dennis Dechaine, who is seeking a new trial based on new DNA analysis in his conviction for one of Maine’s most infamous murders.

Today’s Top Maine Stories

A group of boys broke out of Maine’s youth prison in late January. Police records obtained by the Bangor Daily News shed light on the unrest that led staff to plead for help from state officials.

A $9 billion federal investment is seeking to help bolster Maine’s aging affordable housing buildings. The properties have issues with heating and cooling systems, often include outdated appliance systems and have structural problems.

Maine lawmakers ran out of time to consider a “red flag” proposal inspired by the Lewiston shooting. The House was scheduled to take up the bill before the Legislature adjourned but never did, a sign the majority party may have lacked the votes to pass it.

A new program aims to make it easier for community college students to transfer to the University of Maine. The goals of Black Bear Advantage go beyond education to Maine’s economy.

Court records shed light on how a former Washburn police officer may have falsified records in a missing persons case. Chandler Cole was reportedly the last person to see Erik Foote, who has been missing since Jan. 30.

Maine in Pictures

Things to do this Weekend

There’s much to celebrate this weekend. On Friday, Latin jazz artists Miguel Zenón and Luis Perdomo perform at 7:30 p.m. at Minsky Hall at the University of Maine in Orono. On Saturday, it’s the 57th annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, which kicks off at 10 a.m. in Kenduskeag and starts arriving in downtown Bangor around noon. It’s also the weekend before Earth Day, with local celebrations on Saturday including bird walks and birdhouse-building workshops all morning at Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden, and a family-friendly Earth Day demo day at the Curran Homestead in Orrington, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. And, the date is 4/20. If you know what that means, you know your local cannabis provider probably has fun stuff planned.

More News from Around the State

• LGBTQ+ families find protection and affirmation in Maine’s new confirmatory adoption law

• Maine’s congressional delegation blasts Postal Service consolidation plan

• Bangor police warn of scammer impersonating an officer

• Upcoming pipe cleaning may discolor Bangor’s water

• Brewer grocery store to close briefly during ownership shift

• Penobscot County sheriff deputy caused fatal 2022 crash, lawsuit alleges

• Dennis Dechaine, convicted in 1988 murder, seeks retrial based on new DNA evidence

• State argues company has no right to old shipwreck off Bar Harbor

• US Coast Guard tall ship Eagle coming to Rockland

• Skowhegan murder victim’s brother faces possible charges after courtroom melee

• Police raid ‘massive’ illegal marijuana operation in Jay

• 2 injured in Fairfield I-95 crash

• Oxford County woman pleads guilty to selling meth to undercover FBI agent

• Morse, McPhail lead Oxford Hills to softball win over Brewer

• Brewer baseball mercy rules Oxford Hills on new Heddericg Field turf

• The former UMaine hockey players competing in the NHL playoffs

From the Opinion Pages

Life in Maine

A slate of Broadway shows is coming to Bangor’s Cross Center. Highlights include “Book of Mormon” and “Mean Girls.”

It’s often less muddy on Maine’s rocky coast, and the wind coming off the water tends to drive away the blackflies. Here are nine oceanside trails to hike this spring.

The annual Kenduskeag Canoe Race coincides with the arrival of certain songbirds. Bob Duchesne recalls the first time he noticed it, 35 years ago.

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