Daily
Portland
Monday, January 5th, 2026
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 5th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ MSSPA in Windham accepted three horses Saturday from a Vermont barn with unsanitary conditions and will take in a fourth Tuesday; the rescued horses will be quarantined, fed and given shots to help them recover — a sign of dedicated animal care. WMTW
- ➤ A benefit concert by the Don Campbell Band will take place Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at AURA to raise money for victims of the December Custom House Wharf fire that damaged local fishing businesses. Tickets are $25 and first responders get free admission. WMTW
- ➤ Yesterday at SMCC’s campus, the Natural Resources Council of Maine hosted its 18th Polar Dip and Dash, featuring a 5K at 9 a.m. and a polar plunge at 10:15 a.m. to raise $30,000 for its clean energy program, though organizers urged caution for those with health concerns (wear proper shoes). WMTW
- ➤ Portland-based Kindling Collective is moving to a new space on Congress Street to expand its queer-centered outdoor gear library and event programming. The nonprofit, which started in 2023, now has over 100 members and has hosted over 800 participants at several community outings. WMTW
- ➤ Portland Nordic has launched a pilot program at Payson Park to create reliable snow for cross-country skiing and is raising $60,000 for equipment and maintenance. The nonprofit invites local donations and volunteer support to help build a full kilometer of ski trails for winter recreation. WMTW
- ➤ On Saturday, Jan. 3, children (ages 5 and under) visited Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport where they fed barn animals and attended free classes like storytime and craft sessions. Families enjoyed a hands-on experience with farm life on a brisk morning. Portland Press Herald
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A three-alarm fire on Dec. 26, 2025 damaged four businesses at Custom House Wharf on Portland’s waterfront, and co-owner John Jabar said rebuilding will begin once fire investigators finish their work (the site also displays historical photos from the 1940s to the ’60s that highlight its 200-year legacy). Portland Press Herald
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Plans for 2026 in Maine include music tours and festivals — 12/OC opens for Dylan Scott in Bangor on March 14 and Maine Maple Sunday Weekend runs March 21-22, while comedians Nick Offerman and David Sedaris perform in Portland in April. Additional events span summer and fall statewide. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ This week Portland hosts several events for everyone. Enjoy S’mores Night with special guest performances Thursday at Congress Square Park and an exhibit reception at the Maine Jewish Museum, then see Everyman Theatre Company’s '39 Steps' Friday at Camden Opera House while more shows continue in the region. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Singer-songwriter Neko Case will perform Monday, Jan. 12 at 8:00 p.m. at the State Theatre (609 Congress St.) in Portland, with reserved seating tickets ranging from $45 to $75. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Smelting season has kicked off in Bowdoinham today along the Cathance River as locals engage in the popular winter tradition of fishing for silvery smelt. The community celebrates this long-held custom each season. WGME
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Household essentials in Maine showed mixed price changes in 2025 as grocery items like milk and eggs fell while ground beef and used car prices rose and energy costs such as electricity and heating oil increased statewide. Gas prices dropped slightly while rising natural gas costs pushed utilities upward. Portland Press Herald
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The documentary "UnlessSomething Goes Terribly Wrong" follows local wastewater plant workers as they keep water clean despite limited resources. It shows that aging facilities face challenges from increased flows and pollutants that make upgrades necessary. Portland Press Herald
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Robert Cronin had a goal and two assists as the Mariners ended a six-game losing streak with a 6-2 win over Trois-Rivieres at Cross Insurance Arena Sunday. Six Mariners recorded multi-point games and goalie Luke Cavallin earned his 10th win — marking a strong comeback. Portland Press Herald
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LAST CALL Comedy Showcase
9:30 PM — Empire Comedy Club — $10 — Enjoy a fast-paced showcase featuring local and visiting stand-up comics with drink specials.
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Primal Soup (Phish Tribute) Live Performance
8-11:30 p.m. — Bayside Bowl — $15 adv, $25 door — Maine's premiere Phish tribute act returns for an all-ages show.
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Script Club – Lend Me a Tenor
1:30-2:30 p.m. — Portland Public Library — Free entry — Engage in a lively discussion of 'Lend Me a Tenor' moderated by Portland Stage’s Literary Manager Todd Brian Backus.
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Bess Jacques & The Strays Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Blue Portland Maine — Tickets required — Experience a fusion of jazz, Americana, and more with Bess Jacques & The Strays.
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Winter Concert Series: Sigrid Sibley & Shannon Allen
7-8:30 p.m. — Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village — Ticket details not provided — Experience beautiful acoustic music in support of local cultural arts.
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Maine Mariners vs. Trois-Rivieres Lions
6-8 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Bid on unique jerseys — Celebrate Portland's title as the Top Minor League Sports Market in the USA with a special game experience.
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Burns Night Celebration
5-9 p.m. — Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant — Ticketed event — Celebrate Scotland's beloved poet with traditional food, live music, and cask beer.
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Wild Pink Live with Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields
7:30-10:30 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — Cost info not provided — Experience the explosive rustic rock of Wild Pink alongside Portland's own Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields.
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Community Bake at Flatbread Company Portland
5-9 p.m. — Flatbread Company — Portion of proceeds to support MOFGA — Celebrate local food and gather educational resources while enjoying delicious flatbreads.
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Contra Dance Night with Stomp Rocket
7-10 p.m. — Mechanics' Hall — $15-$20 admission — Experience a lively evening of contra dancing with live music to warm you up from the winter chill.
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