1. Drug overdose deaths rise to record numbers in Maine. 2017 saw 418 deaths due to opioids and other drugs. Overdose deaths rose 11 percent from 2016. The Attorney General’s Office released the new numbers Thursday. While the AG’s office says heroin deaths did go down in 2017, deaths caused by fentanyl increased sharply, most of which were seen in Cumberland in York Counties. (WGME)
2. Police say they received a report Sunday of an unknown person who had trespassed onto the Smiling Hill Farm/Hillside Lumber property. Police were told that the individual killed a pregnant goat in one of the fenced-in areas. The farm is offering a $1,000 reward for information. Police believe this act was 100 percent intentional. (NewsCenterMaine)
3. President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that teachers who are interested in carrying guns on campus to protect their students should be allowed to do so. Trump went on to explain that he doesn’t expect all teachers to carry, noting, “I want certain highly adept people-people that understand weaponry, guns.” (CNN)
4. Golden State Warriors stars Steph Curry and Kevin Durant have been outspoken critics of President Trump, which led to the NBA champion’s traditional invitation to the White House getting “withdrawn” this past September. Instead, the team will visit with children at an undisclosed location during a trip to D.C. on February 27, a day before they face the hometown Wizards. (ESPN)
5. Curling Is Cool Day. This day encourages you to learn more about the Olympic sport curling, a Scottish game that was developed in the 1500’s and involves launching a stone on ice and sweeping the ice in its path as it attempts to land on a target and dislodge your competitors’ rocks.
Made Hot in Maine by Job Corps! Job Corps offers housing and FREE career training classes to those who qualify!
