A Troy mother who says she was drunk and had blacked out the night her 7-week old son died was convicted of manslaughter this week and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Miranda Hopkins had suggested during the trial that one of her two older children may have killed the baby .

The Department of Transportation says worker shortages have forced them to hire an out-of-state firm to plow some of the roads in Southern Maine. As many as 50 workers from the Cincinnati-based First Vehicle Services will be working to clear the snow in Maine this winter. Officials say they’ve lost drivers to higher-paying private companies and a proposed wage hike was recently defeated by a Legislative committee, making it tough for them to find and retain workers.

Pet owners are reminded to keep their furry friends safe this winter. Bits of snow and ice can get caught in their pads, so it’s a good idea to wipe down their feet when they come inside, which will also remove any ice melt products that can be hazardous if licked from their paws. In addition, it’s important to limit their time outside.

Thousands of Mainers are rushing to sign up for individual health plans currently under threat by president Trump’s administration, before Friday’s deadline. Figures released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services indicate more than forty thousand Mainers had signed up for 2018 plans on the Affordable Care Act individual marketplace

People of all faiths are invited to attend a Hanukah celebration Saturday in Belfast. Hanukah got underway at Sundown on Tuesday, and folks are invited to gather this weekend for readings, music, and more, gathered around a 7-foot tall menorah in Post office square. Find more information on the Our Town Belfast Facebook page.

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