Best-selling author Greg Mortenson will remain the face of the charity he co-founded, despite his having to repay $1 million he mismanaged and misspent.

The board also recommends that Sgt. Gary Stein be given an other-than-honorable discharge, meaning he would lose his benefits and not be allowed on any military base.

In a letter to the court, which will be presented at Paul Violette’s sentencing today, the former state legislator says he takes full responsibility for his actions.

Commercial fishermen set a net Wednesday on Cobbossee Stream in Gardiner. Anglers are harvesting spawning white suckers and migrating elvers at the confluence of the Kennebec River, with Alewife expected to return soon.

Rena Dodge snips blossoms off a hanging basket on Thursday afternoon at Black-eyed Susan’s Greenhouse in Augusta. Dodge said that by snipping or dead-heading the early blossoms, the plants will be bigger and blossom again. She said they’re aiming to have them ready for Mother’s Day, which is the busiest weekend for hanging baskets.