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Along with the rain, ice jams and birds returning to grace our feeders, an important part of March in western Maine will be showcased this weekend.

The 42nd annual Maine Maple Sunday will draw families to sugarhouses across the region, offering them an opportunity to learn how syrup is made, participate in games and activities and perhaps satisfy a sweet tooth or three. There are plenty of guides online if you're interested — it's a nice way to kick those late winter doldrums.

In the links today we have school boards looking at their budgets, towns looking at their facilities and a Maine retailer getting sued over counterfeit coats. Something to read in between those free samples.

Across Maine, residents are attempting to purchase their mobile home parks. A new bill would sweeten the deal for sellers.

As the state grapples with a housing affordability crisis, advocates say housing cooperatives offer lower-income residents more stability.

Read this story by Adrienne Washington of The Maine Monitor.

While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. 

Warm weather and rain brought some small scale ice jams to western Maine, but not significant flooding. | Kennebec Journal

The Oxford Hills school board directed the superintendent to look at ways to save money, including potentially consolidating elementary schools with low enrollment, after the district learned of a $1 million drop in state subsidy. | Advertiser Democrat

Remains discovered after a psychic suggested searching near a vacant bowling alley in Jay have been identified as belonging to a Livermore Falls man. | Sun Journal

RSU 9 directors learned that the district's school nutrition program will likely face cuts as a result of changes at the federal level. | Daily Bulldog

ICYMI: Maine’s largest health providers already are using artificial intelligence to streamline note-taking during visits. But providers in smaller settings and private practice are concerned about the growing role of AI in care. | The Maine Monitor

The town manager of Buckfield has called for the development of a capital improvement plan to help prioritize the town's needs, which include replacing aging equipment and facilities. | Sun Journal

A plan to mitigate the impact of the flooding on Farmington's wastewater treatment plant was recently discussed by selectmen. | Livermore Falls Advertiser

ICYMI: As birthing units continue to close across Maine, potential solutions emerge. | The Maine Monitor

The U.S. Department of Education has informed the Maine Department of Education that it is in violation of Title IX civil rights laws by allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. | Maine Public

Gov. Mills warns lawmakers of ‘hard decisions ahead’ after signing $11.3 billion budget | Bangor Daily News

Marden's is being sued by Patagonia, with the outdoor clothing company claiming the Maine-based store knowingly sold counterfeit coats and other items. | Maine Public

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. If you have feedback or a tip that you want to send to Ben Hanstein directly email him at: benjamin@themainemonitor.org. 

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

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