by John Maguire
Coastal Journal staff

BRISTOL — Wolves bred with shepherds, huskies and malamute dog breeds, popularly known as “wolf hybrids,”  want to be outside, according to Jim Doughty, who owns and operates Wolf Ledge Refuge and Education Center in Bristol. He said these breeds make for better sled dogs; they are larger and can tolerate icy winter conditions where other dog breeds can’t. 

Yet even though he is providing a safe haven for these animals, he doesn’t think they should be bred.

Apart from the sign pointing toward Doughty’s Crooker Road property, the first significant indication that there is a shelter for wolf hybrids is the 10-foot high fencing beside his house, which Doughty said he and volunteers have spent numerous hours building. Controversy flared over his establishing the refuge, and as a result, a state law was enacted in June restricting the keeping of wolf hybrids.

by Annee Tara
Coastal Journal contributor

BRUNSWICK — The Town of Brunswick has taken the first step toward establishing a new Downtown traffic pattern at the south end of Maine Street, between the Mall and First Parish Church. What planners have called Spanish-American War Square has been removed, and the Memorial plaque and cannon, along with a sign identifying the area, have been set aside until a new site just across "No Name Road" can be prepared.

The project was recommended in a study of transportation impacts of the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station, and was one of several recommendations made to the Maine Department of Transportation last year. It was also referenced in the Downtown Master Plan earlier this year: "The traffic flow on [this end of] Maine Street does not work well for any mode; be it car, bike or pedestrian. The green island between the railroad tracks and No-name Street beside First Parish Church is 'lost' space in terms of public function."

by John Maguire
Coastal Journal staff

BATH — Arborists, foresters and other tree-industry practitioners came to Bath last week for the 45th annual conference of the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (NEC-ISA), an event organized by Bath city arborist Thomas Hoerth. By all accounts, the highlight of the conference was the keynote speech by Douglas Tallamy, professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology of the University of Delaware, who spoke on the importance of maintaining biodiversity in landscaping.

by John Maguire
Coastal Journal staff

BRUNSWICK — People who have worked for many years and are suddenly out of a job often don't know where to turn for help and, according to food pantry volunteers, often feel ashamed to ask for help.

Despite this, more people than ever are lining up at food pantries and turning to their town general assistance funds for the boost needed to get past rising costs.

Zyndy Darney, the executive director of the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program in Brunswick, said the number of people they provide services for have quadrupled in the past year. The organization offers seven different programs for residents of Brunswick, Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, and Durham.