Kelsey Kobik collects sap Sunday from a maple tree on the banks of the Kennebec River in Dresden. Workers from Goranson Farm are collecting from more than 2,000 taps that are “all running,” according to farmer Jan Goranson. The evaporator at the Dresden farm is making syrup this week. “In 30 years,” Goranson said, “this is the earliest sap season.”

Gardiner’s Sloan Berthiaume, right, stops Gorham’s Adam Peterson during a Class B South quarterfinal Tuesday night at the Ice Vault in Hallowell.

Valley’s Austin Cates cuts down a net after the Cavaliers won the Class D South championship Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

Attorney Scott Hess, left, stands on Wednesday with defendant Wade Hoover, who wipes away tears while speaking to victims during a sentencing hearing in the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta.

Nia Irving, left, and Emily Tozier celebrate after Lawrence sank Messalonskee 59-44 in the Class A North championship last Friday in the Augusta Civic Center. Irving was named a finalist for Miss Maine Basketball on Tuesday.

Members of the Rangeley girls basketball team celebrate after beating Vinalhaven in the Class D South championship game Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

State Police Det. Det. Abbe Chabot observes her dog, Pivot, bark where he smelled human remains below the ice of Snow Pond in Belgrade. Two Warden Service cadaver dogs also indicated a body was below six inches of ice before Warden Service divers searched and recovered a man believed to missing since January.

Peter James checks the smelt shacks on the Eastern River in Dresden his family maintains. Anglers have been successful fishing on the tides at James's Eddy, he said, but the mild conditions and weak ice has curtailed the season.

Ernie McPherson takes to the recliner after cutting a path to his Farmingdale garage with a shovel. "The hell with it," the 88-year-old said of the quarter inch of fresh snow. "I'll let it melt."

Skowhegan Selectwoman Betty Austin congratulates Bill Swain, owner of Dog Not Gone Visibility Products, before trucks were loaded with dog vests, foreground, for shipment to customers on Wednesday.

University of Maine in Farmington students and members of the school improvisation group perform an act at Roberts Union on Monday. From left are Nick Minor, Aaron Verrill and Jagger Trouant.

Firefighters outside the burned remains of a home on the Pease Hill Road in Anson on Wednesday.

Wayne Norwood didn't let the snow, rain and slush stop him from riding his bike in shorts in Waterville on Wednesday. The warm temperatures turned the day into a sloppy, wet mess.

Rangeley 20 Blayke Morin, middle, cuts down net after Lakers beat Vinalhaven in the Class D South championship game on Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center. Teammate Natasha Haley is also on top of ladder with her.