Child death indictments / Housing for homeless / Maine summer forecast

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Austin here has seemingly done the impossible.”

— John Kaleta, principal of Fort Kent Community High School, on 17-year-old Austin Jean, who, along with fellow St. John Valley teen Addion Davis, will graduate from both high school and college this year.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Braxtyn Smith’s parents and grandmother have been indicted . The relatives are accused of horrific abuse that caused the death of the 10-year-old Bangor boy in February.

A former Bangor inn is going to be turned into 41 units of permanent housing for people who are homeless and grappling with mental health disorders. The building sits across the street from Bangor’s largest homeless encampment.

Real estate agents offer tips for buying a seasonal camp in Maine , because summer is near and the market is as hot as the forecast.

A Fort Kent teen is graduating from high school and college . Austin Jean is the first student to do so in the 12 years that the school has offered dual enrollment. He also works two jobs and participates in sports.

A Piscataquis County town lost its fire chief and four firefighters . Ryan Laplante, resigned Thursday during a closed-door session with the Select Board then said something that may have prompted other firefighters to resign, according to the board.

MAINE IN PICTURES

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

• Angus King makes renewed push to expand access to Maine’s national monument
• Potatoes won’t be reclassified as grain, USDA says
• Maine fishermen call on regulators to delay new lobster size rules
• 8 Gulf of Maine sites picked for possible commercial offshore wind leases
• Man accused of fentanyl trafficking in Glenburn
• Crews battle late-night fire at Hampden home
• Search continues for Greenbush man missing since April
• Officials try to allay concerns about proposed Ellsworth courthouse
• College of the Atlantic students camp out for Palestine
• Mainer who smuggled meth pills in his underpants gets 33 months
• Police seize more than 1,800 marijuana plants during Madison raid
• Oxford County and sheriff settle lawsuit brought by former clerk
• Future of Mason’s Brewing Co. location in Auburn uncertain after plans paused
• Newry man receives Wiggie Robinson Legendary Guide Award

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

The Husson University softball team continued its incredible winning streak earlier this week with a 3-1 win over Bowdoin College on Tuesday. The team will try to keep up its momentum with games all this week, playing Bates College on May 2 in Lewiston, and then a double-header against the University of New England at Husson’s athletic complex at 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday. The team will wrap up its busy week with another double header on Sunday at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

“Maine and Nebraska are outliers in how they award Electoral College votes for president. They should both keep it that way.”

Editorial: Maine and Nebraska should keep splitting electoral votes by district

LIFE IN MAINE

Fair season is upon us, Maine. From Springfield in June to Fryeburg in September and October, fair lovers will have plenty to do through the warm season .

This summer is predicted to be hotter and stormier than usual. Here’s what that might mean for Maine farmers .

What does it take to be a Maine game warden? “There is a common misperception that a simple love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors, coupled with a desire to work in those arenas, is sufficient,” BDN Outdoors contributor and former game warden Chris Sargent writes .

Now that the snow is really gone, here are tips for fixing your winter-ravaged, ripped up and gravel-filled lawn .