Thursday, June 13, 2024

Quote of the Day

“I wonder why there wasn’t more opposition.”

— Chris Osterrieder, Kennebunk’s director of community development, after the town overwhelmingly opted to regulate short-term rentals, in contrast to neighboring towns that have been reluctant to do so.

Today’s Top Maine Stories

In a shallow pool of Republican voters, Donald Trump’s influence carried the day during the primaries. Beyond his continued influence, we can learn other lessons from Tuesday's election.

Read more election coverage:

• A Republican lawmaker is resigning in disgust after Austin Theriault won his party’s nomination in the 2nd District.

• A Maine Democratic primary that was decided by 22 votes is headed toward a recount.

• The balance of power has shifted in a midcoast school district after it revoked a policy protecting transgender students.

• Dover-Foxcroft residents voted to keep their historic dam, but that comes with a high price tag.

• Democrat Dan Tremble will face off against Republican Cary Weston for the open seat on the Penobscot County Commission this November.

• Hermon’s former town manager is among the newcomers voted to the Town Council on Tuesday.

A wealthy Maine town passed short-term rental regulations in a landslide. The decision cuts against those in neighboring towns where voters have been reluctant to regulate the industry.

Here’s a map of where short-term rental licenses were requested in Bangor. Applications came pouring in last month after the city required short-term rental operators to license their units.

Orono wants someone to build housing on a town lot that’s been vacant since 2015. More municipalities are developing their unused land as a way to address the state’s housing crisis.

A Belfast man led a quiet life before he allegedly provoked a fatal encounter with cops. Daniel Ryan began acting erratically in the week before his death, according to some neighbors.

Maine in Pictures

More News from Around the State

• Maine is exceeding its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals

• Maine to get $4.8M from nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson

• St. Joseph Healthcare dedicates building to late Bangor couple

• Bangor schools approve revised $59M budget

• Aroostook town cancels annual meeting after discovering illegal warrants

• 11-year-old girl succumbs to injuries from Dover-Foxcroft ATV crash

• A Down East man died during a road construction project

• Fort Fairfield man accused of animal cruelty faces drug charges

• Railway fined over fuel spills during Maine derailments

• Maine kayaker just clears 24-hour goal for Boston-to-Portland paddle

• Maine selects operator for Lewiston-Portland commuter bus

• Maine man arrested for allegedly spraying police with bear mace in Jan. 6 Capitol attack

• Penobscot Valley catcher among 10 finalists for Miss Maine Softball

• Old Town, Hampden seniors among 7 Mr. Baseball finalists

• Simpson pitches Bucksport to second straight Class C North softball crown

• Stearns pulls out wild win over Woodland to claim D North baseball title

From the Opinion Pages

Life in Maine

If you have an apple tree on your property, you’ve probably seen a few of these birds that were once the traditional harbinger of Maine springs. They’re among the most helpful animals to have around, because they can help control pests that often plague apple trees.

It's the time of year when these prehistoric serpents can be found laying eggs in sandy soil and trundling across busy roads. Snapping turtles, which have no teeth but a mighty bite, can easily become roadkill if drivers aren't on the lookout.

Here's how to safely rescue a turtle if you see it in the middle of the road, and if it is safe to do so.

As June wears on, saltwater anglers on the midcoast excitedly monitor points, jetties, coves, reversing falls and beaches for signs of a frenzy. Then finally, someone yells out “the stripers are in,” and bass fishermen ready their gear.

Thanks for reading! Did someone forward you this email? To subscribe to the Morning Update and all other BDN newsletters, click here.