Randy Pierce lugs a bag of shavings into the pack barn Tuesday at the Litchfield farm where he pastures his herd. The farmer said his 18 head are healthy and consuming four round bales of hay every day despite the frigid cold. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a single family residence reported Sunday, Jan. 23, just before 12:30 p.m. on Washington Street in Augusta. Chelsea, Vassalboro, Gardiner, Togus and Winthrop Fire Departments responded, while Hallowell’s department provided coverage for the city and Winslow Fire Department lent their ladder truck as well as aerial coverage of the city. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

School Resource Officer Somerset County Sheriff’s Deputy Chelsea Merry, center, and Iceiss Stonick, a junior at Madison High School, cradle hot beverages and greet each other as the students flow through the entryway to start day in Madison on Thursday. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Quarry Hill ski club’s Zachary Ross, (245), Gould’s Eli Shifrin and Quarry Hill’s Luke Streinz race over fast terrain during the Maranacook Waves Nordic ski race on Saturday, Jan. 22, in Readfield. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

The Waterville/Messalonskee combined cheering team competes Saturday, Jan. 22, at the KVAC cheerleading championships at the Augusta Civic Center. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Farmington Police officer Ethan Boyd handles the agency’s lab Monday, Jan. 24, by the bleachers at the Augusta Civic Center. He is under the supervision of Maine State Police Cpl. Chris Smith during a monthly training for drug-detecting dogs. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

After putting a new gavel on the rostrum, Secretary of the Senate Darek Grant, left, takes a cracked one from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Wednesday at the Maine State House in Augusta. The gavel cracked and scattered wooden shards during the day’s opening ceremony. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Verne Pressey pushes a car driven by his wife Lori out of a ditch Tuesday on Quarry Road in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Vinny Birtwell peels hay with a pitchfork to feed his family’s herd of cattle Wednesday in Monmouth. The farmer said he comes home to unfurl the feed during the day since a cow unexpectedly dropped a calf Tuesday. The mother and child are healthy, he said. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Snowmobilers cross Route 139 on Sunday, Jan. 23, after fueling at Irving Circle K in Fairfield. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Mount View High School senior Hannah Coolen (22) poses for a photo with her parents Sharon and Roger Coolen after she scored her 1,000th career point in a game against Leavitt on Wednesday in Thorndike. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

A snowmobiler zooms over the frozen surface of Maranacook Lake on Tuesday at Winthrop’s Maranacook Beach. This time of year the spot is popular for ice fishing. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal