13+ hour, 22+ min ago (238+ words) Don Christen, known as a godfather of Maine's marijuana industry for his activism, has died after a years-long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 72. Christen is remembered for his ability to organize and educate around the cannabis plant's medicinal properties. He's possibly best known for his annual demonstration that started in 1991 " when he sparked up a joint on the steps of the Somerset County Courthouse in Skowhegan in protest of cannabis prohibition. His advocacy group Maine Vocals organizes a handful of music festivals and helped lead the effort to pass a statewide referendum to legalize medical marijuana in 1999. Glenn and Catherine Lewis were Christen's friends. They own Kennebec River Cannabis Co. " a marijuana apothecary in Winthrop. Glenn, who stood with Christen in some of his demonstrations, said Christen's belief in the legalization movement went so deep it "seeped…...

10+ hour, 25+ min ago (619+ words) In the Rangeley Lakes region of western Maine, an ambitious effort is underway to conserve tens of thousands of acres in historic Wabanaki territory. For centuries, these have been prized hunting and fishing grounds, home to bear, lynx, deer and moose and one of the last strongholds of native brook trout in the country. But with a recent construction boom, forest fragmentation and rising temperatures, woods and wildlife are under threat. The Magalloway Conservation Initiative aims to safeguard both while also protecting public access to the region. "The area really speaks for itself," Caisse says, setting off toward Aziscohos Lake. "It's something that's uniquely special in the way that it looks and the way that it feels" Getting out of the truck, he takes a short walk through some dense woods to the edge of the upper Magalloway. It's quiet…...