QUOTE OF THE DAY

“This will definitely require some out-of-the-box thinking by developers, but we’ve seen schools and city halls converted successfully into housing.”

— Erik Jorgensen, director of governmental relations of MaineHousing, on a state plan to convert three old courthouses into housing projects.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Judge will allow Maine newspapers to request the identity of the $1.35 billion lottery winner. “John Doe” says he got threats after his daughter’s mother allegedly told family members he’d won.

Hampden’s school district might consolidate students by grade. More than 200 parents and community members attended a meeting about it on Tuesday.

Archival photos show how Maine prepared for its last total solar eclipse. Some of it will look familiar 60 years later.

An ad hoc group is scrambling to attract eclipse chasers to Greenville. They could provide a much-needed tourism boost after a dismal winter.

Dover-Foxcroft residents can keep their dam, but it will cost them. In June, voters will consider a plan to remove it and build a riverfront park, or the alternative.

MAINE IN PICTURES

Ice from last weekend’s snow and ice storm reflects off the branches of trees under a scenic view in Dedham on Monday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

FROM THE COMMUNITY

For folks aged 60 and older in the Bangor area who need help preparing their yards for spring, Eastern Area Agency on Aging and the University of Maine’s Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism are teaming up to offer a day of free yard-cleaning services. On Saturday, April 20, UMaine students will offer branch and leaf cleanup, garden prep and driveway and walkway sweeping free of charge. To sign up for a time slot, call 207-941-2865, ext. 168, or email amarin@eaaa.org.

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

In this March 8, 2023, file photo, the Amtrak Downeaster arrives at the station in Freeport. Credit: Robert F. Bukaty / AP

“While it would probably make good policy, that doesn’t mean we can or should do it. To quote Shakespeare’s Hamlet, ‘… ay, there’s the rub.’”

Opinion: Maine passenger rail expansion could be derailed by lack of money

LIFE IN MAINE

These peaks in Baxter State Park are remote, difficult and majestic. For many winter mountaineers, they are a prized goal.

The second largest piece of the moon on the Earth is in Maine. You can see it at the Portland Jetport.

Like strawberry rhubarb pie? Here’s how to grow rhubarb in Maine.

Correction: An earlier version of the description of the story about a judge’s decision in a case involving the winner of a $1.35 billion lottery was inaccurate. The judge has not ruled that the Maine Trust for Local News may know the identity of the lottery winner. Federal judge John Woodcock has ruled it may request it.