5TYNK 

1. The Brazilian soccer superstar known worldwide as Pelé has died at age 82. He’d been battling complications from colon cancer and had been admitted into a hospital  last month.  Pelé was the only player to win the World Cup trophy three times and holds the record for the most goals scored in Brazil.  FIFA named him the “greatest of all time” in 2012, and the International Olympic Committee named him the “athlete of the century” in 1999. (NPR)

2. The University of Maine will receive $6.2 million in federal funding to expand tick research.  Maine has reported nearly 2,600 cases of Lyme disease through Dec. 27. That exceeds 2021 cases by more than 1,000. (PH)

3. The Old Port Tavern on Moulton Street will close its doors on Saturday night, New Year’s Eve, ending a 50-year stay in the Old Port. (PH)

4. A $104M expansion that would add new ski trails, a lift and hundreds of units of housing at the Sugarloaf ski resort has been approved by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. If final approval is received from state and federal regulators, timber clearing could begin this winter. (WMTW)

5. Nate Wardwell, owner of Union Street Towing, is offering to give people a free ride and car tow home if they’ve had too much to drink on New Year’s Eve. They must live in Bangor or Brewer. 

Made Hot in Maine by the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein. Over 25,000 victories for injured Mainers since 1974. 207-CALL-JOE or online at joebornstein.com.