Sen. David Miramant, D-Camden, speaks Wednesday against holding remote committee hearings on Zoom because of the COVID-19 pandemic during a debate on rules for the session on first day of the 130th Legislature’s second session. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Gary Hickey, road commissioner in West Gardiner, raises a snowplow Thursday at the town’s Highway Department garage, a day before a snowstorm descended on the region. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

After being introduced Wednesday, newly elected Rep. Raegan F. LaRochelle, D-Augusta, waves to clapping colleagues during a House Democratic party caucus meeting on the opening day of the 130th Legislature’s second session at the Maine State House in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Angel, a 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, pauses near merchandise for dog owners Monday, Jan. 3, as she roams the floor at Lynette’s Cards & Gifts in downtown Skowhegan. Store owner Linette Salisbury said Angel is the store dog. She said Angel doesn’t like to be touched but does enjoy looking out the door for customers and following them to the door once they’re done shopping. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Cony’s Aaron Whitley, left, collides with Mt. Ararat/Lisbon/Morse’s Caleb Phillips during a boys hockey game Monday, Jan. 3, in Hallowell. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Carrabec’s Daniel Handley, left facing, battles for a loose ball on the floor with Lisbon’s Chase Mailhot during a Mountain Valley Conference basketball game Tuesday in North Anson. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Nokomis’ Cooper Flagg (32) throws down a dunk with the home fans in the background against Skowhegan during a boys basketball game Thursday in Newport. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

A trio of river otter pups frolic on the ice Sunday, Jan. 2, in Vienna. Human neighbors of the trio said they are often accompanied by two adults and like to eat fish together. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

People look out Friday, Dec. 31, from the bulkhead in Hallowell’s Granite City Park over the patterns of snow on the ice atop the Kennebec River. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Michael Robinson talks to the goats Thursday, Dec. 30, at RMT Farms in Litchfield in front of the Christmas tree-covered shelter. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Bryce Owens, 7, left, skates at his family’s backyard ice rink Tuesday with Joe Fonollosa, center, and Gabriel Cedeno, right, on Violette Avenue in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Colby Northrup shovels pine shavings into a barn Monday at his family’s dairy farm in Whitefield. The shavings are spread to protect the hooves of the 40 cows Colby and his father, Matthew, milk twice a day. The farm is located on the banks of the Sheepscot River. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

With temperatures hovering in the low single digits Tuesday, Augusta city employee Robert Emerson sprays another coat of water onto the ice rink at Williams Park. The rink is built over one of the two basketball courts there, leaving the second court available for basketball. The city also has another ice rink at Mill Park on the other side of the Kennebec River. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal