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Greetings from an increasingly-green (but also, increasingly damp) western Maine. Light flooding is possible today, but nothing like the damaging storms that rocked the state in late 2023 and early 2024.

It was last May that the state empowered a 24-member commission to create a long term plan to make Maine more resilient to extreme weather. A year later and that commission's final report is now in, calling for "relentless focus and attention" to sustain the state's momentum.

Thankfully, this weekend's rain isn't likely to rise to the level of extreme weather: showers are expected to taper off throughout the day and Mother's Day looks lovely. Hopefully we'll get some more time before the commission's preparations and theories are put into practice. 

In other news, the Local Media Association has recognized The Maine Monitor's rural newsletters (The Western Maine Monitor and The Downeast Monitor) for excellence in local newsletter strategies. The newsletters were jointly presented with the third place accolade. “By acting as a crucial information hub, The Maine Monitor ensures rural populations are informed about critical events and decisions,” the LMA wrote.

Also: The Maine Monitor is hosting a free event May 14 in collaboration with the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs at Colby College. A panel discussion will talk about the state of health care in Maine. Register to attend in-person or virtually.

One last thing: We are in the middle of our spring fundraising drive and we need to raise $40,000 to power our nonprofit, in-depth reporting. The support of our readers is what makes this newsletter and all of our free-to-read reporting possible. If you’re able, please consider making a donation at whatever level makes sense for you. If you’re already a supporter, thank you! We truly couldn’t do what we do without you.

Maine lawmakers considering new dam safety reforms

The measures include bolstering the state’s enforcement actions, expanding mapping efforts and updating the pay scale for Maine’s chief dam inspector.

Read this story by Emmett Gartner of The Maine Monitor

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

Heavy rain and some possible flooding is anticipated early this weekend in western Maine and New Hampshire. | WGME

Residents in Strong voted Thursday to send a notice of withdrawal from its school district, SAD 58. There is a 22-step process to withdraw, followed by another town vote. | Sun Journal

A state commission studying the damaging storms of 2023-24 released its final report this week, calling for relentless efforts to prepare Maine for extreme weather. | Portland Press Herald

ICYMI: Over the past month, state lawmakers have considered a slate of bills that would change the way Maine’s child protection system defines abuse and neglect — a definition that influences the number of families that get pulled into the system. | The Maine Monitor

Lawyers say Border Patrol has arrested people with valid work permits and no criminal records. | Maine Public

Wilton and Jay are forming a committee to explore options for their police departments to collaborate. | Sun Journal

ICYMI: The counties and municipalities that receive a direct share of the settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers have spent less than half of the money paid out so far. | The Maine Monitor

Residents participating in a straw poll in Oxford Hills overwhelmingly supported constructing a new middle school at the site of the current one in South Paris. | Advertiser Democrat

Meanwhile, that district's school board has approved a proposed $54.4 million operating budget, up nearly 8 percent due to increased expenses despite including a number of cuts and merging two underpopulated schools. | Advertiser Democrat

The 'Chickadee' license plate is being phased out by the state this month, with Mainers choosing between either a plain or pine tree option. | Daily Bulldog

The Franklin County budget committee cut the county's proposed budget down to $8 million, not counting funds for the jail, setting up a commissioner meeting on the subject later this month. | Sun Journal

The Somerset County Board of Commissioners signed off on a budget for the coming year that comes with a zero overall increase to property taxes. | Morning Sentinel

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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